Red Deer Life - November 28, 2006

Try not to be too hard on yourself. Over the past year I've written many columns about nutrition, how to lose weight and the necessary changes of habit to accomplish our goals. With my clients I tend to be very strict in regard to their nutritional practice, we leave nothing to chance and plan everything, but there are always exceptions. This column is about those exceptions. Recently someone had sent me some interesting info about eating disorders and the psychological stress people face in conjunction with a weight loss goal. After reading the material I sat back to really think about it and to try to relate to it somehow. Bodybuilders believe it or not can often experience a disorder of a similar nature. As a bodybuilder preparing for a contest I have, and coached many others, to sometimes drop 25 or more kilos in preparation for the event. Post event many will gain as much or more in a few short weeks after the event. The toll on your mind as you watch your body seemingly morph before your eyes is incredibly difficult but only compounded by the physiological turmoil that you have created inside. My point to all of this is to be able to understand or relate to the emotional distress many people feel while they are trying hard to succeed but at some point falter in reaching their goals to the battle of an emotional connection to food.

If you are faced with a great deal of stress daily often enjoying a particular food or meal is a way to distract yourself from those other worries or concerns. For many people trying to lose weight, gain muscle or just maintaining a healthy body having a slip from the habits you've been striving so hard to apply can lead to feelings of disappointment or failure. In many facets of our life, including fitness, this is another example of the pressure we put on ourselves to achieve. Though I am not qualified to give anyone advice on how to deal with the negative emotions they may feel relating to dieting I can tell you that physiologically in my experience the odd slip will have little effect on your performance or end result dieting. In fact I have noted in almost every instance with my clients where they are feeling stressed about dieting or other life issues that their progress physically is slower and more difficult.

Life is too short to be unhappy in life or in fitness. Positive affirmation rules the day, one more reason to write down your goals. When you slip remember that everyone does, and don't punish yourself, simply resume your program where you left off. If you begin to slip from your plan frequently then re-evaluate your plan to try to determine what may cause you to falter. And remember don't be too hard on yourself.