The last few posts have dealt with behavior change, and why it's so difficult.
OK, time to deal with the LAST and most unpleasant component in the process, RELAPSE! Misery loves company-it happens to almost everyone at one time or another. Take a look at this graph.
After about three months, only 35 to 40 percent of people trying to kick the habit are still clean. And, that's after detox!
Trying to control food is even worse! You can't abstain. You have to eat!
And, do you know anyone who wants to exercise after eating?
One good thing can be seen in this graph though, after about three months, most of us are well on the way to recovery.
When I was trying to quit my FOUR pack a day tobacco habit, I relapsed at least eight times. The only reason I was able to keep trying until successful was the process described in earlier posts where I had convinced myself that not to quit would ruin my health and probably kill me! Once you truly believe that, you'll keep trying until you do it. Losing weight and looking good is not a strong enough motivator.
If you relapse, it will begin with a bad lifestyle choice.
Family? Well, you can pick your friends, but you're stuck with your family! Avoid the toxic ones!
Are these people you just share a behavior with?
Would these people support your effort to be healthier, or would they sabotage you?
Would they offer you a hit, a toke, a drink; take you to the Cheesecake Factory for your birthday, bake you a special dessert they know you really like and then be hurt because you don't want to eat it? Write down things like this that happened to you and who it was that did it. Forewarned is forearmed.
Change your location pattern. Take a different route home that doesn't go past the doughnut shop. Try different types of recreation activities, get involved with people leading healthier lifestyles. It's contagious!
You gotta be strong!
If, you weaken and give in to temptation, it's NOT the end of the world.
At this point it's easy to say, "I failed again! What the heck, I might as well give up."
NO!
The key?
GET BACK INTO THE ROUTINE THAT MADE YOU SUCCEED TO THIS POINT!
AFTER ALL, IF YOU DON'T KEEP TRYING YOU'RE GOING TO..................................?
