I hesitated to share this story. Partly because I was embarrassed and partly because I thought it would discredit the good work I’ve done up until this point. Then I realized that my thinking was totally off. One slip up does not make my journey a washout. And besides, I have built my blog and brand on being transparent. No need to change courses now.
If you’ve been following me, then you know I have committed myself to 100 days of focused wellness. Last Saturday, I started a 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse in an effort to detox my system and to shed a few pounds. I was doing extremely well with drinking the smoothies, and my water, as well as the recommended snacks. I didn’t experience any challenges or extreme hunger or anything to make me want to end the cleanse before completing the full 10 days.
Then it happened! I was making my day 6 smoothie and I spotted a can of tuna in the cupboard. Now let me say this. I don’t even like tuna like that but something about that tuna started calling my name and I’m sorry to say, I answered the call.
As I reached for the can, my internal dialogue went something like this:
- Girl, now you know this is not on your plan.
- Oh go on and eat it. It’s not going to kill you.
- But Stacey, you are doing so good.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah where is that can opener?
- You only have 5 more days to go.
- Now chile, you know you need to chew on something more than grapes and carrots!
The next thing I knew I was diving in with a fork. Oh my gosh, that was THE best tasting tuna EVER! I wish I could say I stopped there, but I didn’t. I dumped the remaining tuna into a bowl and added a little bit of relish, vinegar, pepper, onion, mayo and a boiled egg. I didn’t think it could taste any better, but can I just tell you it did!
It was a small can, but in my mind, it was the size of my head. I felt so bad about going off track and not sticking to the full 10 days of the plan. But oh my gosh, did I mention how good that tuna was? After I regained my senses I decided that it was foolish to continue to beat myself up! No, the tuna was not in the plan, but so what? This is my journey and I call the shots.
The moral of the story:
- This journey is not going to be linear. I am going to have good days and bad days
- The lesson learned is to move on and recover quickly
- A huge weight gain does not happen from one can of tuna – relax
- I still have 5 more days to finish what I started, and that’s what I am going to do
I’m back on track and no damage was done! Best of all this experience taught me to stop being so hard on myself. This journey is about progress and not perfection. And one can of tuna was not going to wipe out the progress I’ve made up to this point.
Your Turn To Share
Have you ever had a food meltdown? If so, what did you do to recover from it?
Morgan says
I like that you shared . . . I was kinda wondering if you were bionic.
I have to say, I think I would like some tuna right now, after reading your post. Eh. Too much effort for 8:34 pm on a Saturday; maybe this week for lunches
You’re doing great, I think it’s this trap of guilt-shame-hide-cover-pretend it never happened that creates the bigger issue. It snowballs. You stopped that by sharing. You are right-your journey, you call the shots. Good for you!!
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Stacey Strickler says
LOL…One of my friends call me “Princess Warrior” because I never give up, but that’s as far as my super powers go Morgan, I tell you, eating that tuna was like eating a piece of steak…LOL! Thank you so much for the support, I truly appreciate it!!! You definitely hit the nail on the head about the cyclical affect of hiding and lying. Just because no one sees you when you slip or fall doesn’t mean it didn’t happen…and the only person you’re lying to is yourself. It’s true what they say…the truth will set you free! Thanks Morgan!!
Morgan says
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