Falling Off the Wagon & Getting Back Up
I was riding along in the proverbial wagon with my head held high and my nutrition and fitness in check. My eating was clean. My running was strong. And then suddenly, out of nowhere, I fell off head first and face planted onto the sidewalk.
Ok, ok. It wasn’t quite out of nowhere. I let myself pile up excuses until I almost made it believable that eating like a maniac and experiencing an exercise drought was alright. You’ve been traveling 14 out of the past 21 days. Go ahead and eat those extra cookies. You’re so tired from work. Go ahead and sleep in, skip your workout and then lose all motivation to do it later in the evening. You had a miscarriage. Go ahead and throw all the things you believe to be important for your health out the door. Your last half marathon was an abysmal display of your running. Go ahead and stop running for a week.
You see where I’m going with this, and why it has to stop.
I fell off the wagon for a few weeks. It happens. We all do it. We’ve all done it. And we can all climb back in and reclaim our seat on the throne of said wagon.
For a number of reasons, I lost my mojo. It happened in late January and continued through yesterday, when I decided to bring an abrupt halt to the short-lived pattern. After gorging myself on delicious food, running only a handful of times in the period of three weeks and all but saying goodbye to my diligent strength training efforts, I’M BACK.
Will power is a funny thing. I have a pretty dysfunctional bond with mine. Sometimes it feels like an all-or-nothing relationship. It’s a constant battle, but the point is that we just have to keep fighting for our best selves and what we really want … not what we want in the moment, but what we really want.
Today, I’m back on track. I’m eating clean with my 21-Day Fix plan and getting back on the running and strength training horse. I am refusing to let what are going to be a very challenging and stressful next three weeks affect how I fuel and care for my body. Confession complete. Here we go.
What do you do when you fall off your clean eating and exercise wagon? Any tips or advice for falling off less frequently?
Comments
I’m right there with you! I have been running 3 times a week (16-20 miles) and have only done strength traing twice this year! I am embarrassed. I have some legit excuses (my hip is really achy, new puppy is high maintenance and takes up all my free time, and it is Ballet Competition time for my daughter), but really I lost my motivation. I did get my 5,6, and 7 miles to at or just under a 7 minute mile pace- a big deal for me at age 40! But all running has been speed work (ahem achy hip and puppy) and nothing else. And healthy eating has gone out the window. I need to regroup and get serious.
Thank you for the motivation! Good for you for getting back on track, but don’t beat yourself up too much, you have been through A LOT in the past month. Hugs!
Hi Leanne. We are in this together and we can all get back on track together. It always just takes a single day to jump start our mojo, right? Sending you a virtual hug. Let’s get after it, work trips, puppies, hips, travel and all 🙂 xo
I get the all-or-none relationship with will power. It can be the best blessing or the biggest curse! I’ll be curious to see what others have to say about ideas for falling off the wagon less often.
Thanks for always being honest and real on your blog!
I just found your website when searching for a training plan that incorporates running with Hammer and Chisel. I have so enjoyed reading your posts and love that you shared your Jan. training plan. Looking forward to reading more!
You and me both, sista! They eliminated positions at work, and everybody was on high alert. Sadly, I turned to food and one bad turned to two and then a week. Today was back to basics. It was hard – Si was up a lot and I was tired. But I remind myself that I have big running goals and need to be in fighting form.
Happens to the best of us! At least you recognized it and got right back on track!
Ugh, yes! I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things, and it’s not pretty! I find forcing myself to do something active/healthy every single day, no matter how small, helps me get the momentum going. But it’s tough!
I just hit a new low – eating candy while watching The Biggest Loser. I mean really! Nowhere to go but up! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this — the honesty is one thing I love about your blog. I am in the exact same boat and today is my “reset” day. I really like the advice to focus on not what we want in the moment, but what we really want — for me these are often 2 different things so remembering the big picture helps. Also glad to know I am not the only one with an “all or nothing” mentality. Every day is a new chance to recommit!
I fell off the wagon when I tore my calf muscle and couldn’t run for 6 weeks. I ate junk food like I was 16 again, and didn’t cross train enough. Gained 9 lbs and a lot of angst. That was six weeks ago, and I lost about 5 lbs of the excess weight and built back to a 20-25 mile base. Speed training starts this week. I could not believe how much of one’s peak fitness you lose in that short time. Those bad weeks sucked, but I am feeling stronger and the motivation has 90% returned. The last 10% is looking forward to speed work, which I always liked, but still dread a bit right now. I think I need to use my marathon mantra for today’s speed session: “l am stronger than I think.”
I’m so glad to hear you are back on the wagon Mike, and it sounds like you are doing awesome! Yes, you ARE stronger than you think! xo
As always, thanks for your honesty, Jes! Often when I’m struggling getting out of bed to get my workout in, I think of two things: 1) my upcoming race/current goals and how I’m not going to meet them with an extra hour of sleep and 2) all the other runners I know who are going to be getting up to do their run, too. I have several text message strings that just consist of back and forth Garmin selfies as accountability.
You’ve got this!!
This is like reading something right out of my mind. I was diagnosed with stage 3 neuroendocrine cancer last year – and am now stage IV receiving monthly injections in my hips. I continue the battle of off and on the wagon but I keep going somehow. After the diagnosis however, I am kinder to myself and just enjoy running for the therapeutic aspect more than anything at this point. I feel great when I run fast or surprise myself with a longer distance and sometimes I just let myself stop and look at the beauty around me. I hit the trails anywhere from 3 -4 times a week and run even in the coldest of temps when “on” the wagon. When “off” the wagon I just reflect back and know that in the 20 plus year that I’ve been running I’ve always, always found a way to get back on the wagon – through 3 pregnancies, miscarriages, and now cancer. I guess my message in this is “on and off the wagon” is really just life and it’s ok to be gentle with yourself. The time off the wagon is really just reflection and mental refueling time. You’ve had some hardships yourself and believe me, they will surprise you and foster you on the next full wagon throttle! Thanks for your openness, your honesty and for taking the time to share with all of us who enjoy your perspective.
Hi Catherine,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. My positive thoughts and heart are with you as you fight your cancer battle. I worked at the American Cancer Society for eight years and it is a cause that is near and dear to me. We’ve got to find more ways to prevent cancer and treat it NOW. I’ve heard so many stories of strength and triumph, and I’m certain your fighting spirit will help you overcome this. I look forward to the day you tell me you are cancer-free. I’m so glad running has been there for you when you need it. You are so right that it is always there when we are ready to get back on the wagon. Your perspective is important for all of us. I appreciate you sharing your journey, and please know I am thinking about you and cheering you on in your fight. xoxoxoxo
I think you absolutely DID deserve those cookies and that little break. Your heart needed it. So, now that you are back on the wagon, I’ll eat the cookies for you. 😉 xoxo
I feel like sometimes the will power muscle just needs a bit of a break. We test it and test it over again, which makes it stronger, but just like with running it needs a cutback every once and a while, I think. What matters is getting back on track – and you’re going to do great these next few weeks! Good luck with your program and everything! 🙂 xoxo
Thanks for your honesty Jessica. That is one thing that I have always loved about your posts – it makes us readers realize that we all have our ups and downs, even people like you! I fall off the clean eating and exercise wagon a lot too, it most often occurs when I am out of town on vacation, or when I am tired from lack of sleep. I just do what you do – recognize it, and then decide to get back on the wagon again. Nobody is perfect. Great post
One other comment, I am on week 3 of 21 Day Fix Extreme and love it! I have eaten more veggies than I have ever done before, and I don’t even have a sweet tooth craving as much. I now love Greek Yogurt alone (instead of smothered with maple syrup or honey) and I have the right balance of carbs. v everything else. The first 5 days were ROUGH! I was constantly tired, groggy, and in a fog but I think my body was getting used to new foods, as I wasn’t hungry. Then I snapped out of it and love it. My body feels great. The last 3 days have been tough as I caught a GI bug, but I am hoping to stay on track. Thanks for the post on the Fix. Do you have a buddy I can order Shakeology through? Let me know, I think you mentioned her before. Thanks again!
Hi Angie! So glad to hear you are doing well with this! I can’t wait to hear more about your results. I will send you an email with my friend’s contact info. Keep it up!!!
I feel petty complaining about my torn calf muscle and trepidation in beginning speed work again, when I read Catherine’s post above. I would like to echo runladylike’s comments and send positive thoughts and good karma Catherine’s way. Thanks for sharing your story and in my view, Catherine, you are “on the wagon” everyday facing your personal challenges head on. Your message on how running has been interwoven into your life is very special. Best wishes.
Thanks for sharing. It’s so true, sometimes it just happens. When you can recognize it and make adjustments, you’ve won the battle! Great work. I hear ya!
I’m right there with you!! I was all happy and proud of myself after finishing the Whole 30 and then…things got busy and crazy and traveling and I got sick and I started making excuses too. It’s been hard to climb back on the wagon but I’m determined to do it too. Thank YOU for sharing this Jes.
I fell of that wagon and was on the ground for six years! I guess I ran only 200km a year during that period.
I forgave myself and started all over. Forgiving is so important. However, now I allow myself more time for rest and indulgence and enjoying life. No more diet! I can honestly say with 51 I’m in the best shape of my life. And that running mojo – wow! I am slow, but moving forwards.
Good luck!
I had a similar day yesterday! I fell way off the wagon too (though injury started it). One really bad run before Christmas led to about 8 weeks of horrible eating and not enough exercising and not really feeling guilty about it. For the first 3 weeks I was awesome about strength training as I couldn’t run, then it was less and less as it seemed I needed a longer break from running (and I was only motivated to eat delicious sweets). Yesterday I went out for a short, pain free, though not perfect, run. It felt horrible….I felt all mushy…..my muscles took a while to remember how to work. I’m glad I had that run. It made me refocus and realize I need to ditch the overeating of sweets and create a super conservative training plan that incorporates strengthening/stretching/rolling on the regular. Hoping to get back on the wagon the right way and stay on it!
Awesome job Amanda! I can totally sympathize. I’ve had a few of those runs where it feels like I need a jolt of WD40 in my muscles, but day by day it gets easier as we get back on the wagon. So glad you are injury/pain-free. You’ve got this. High fives to you! xo
Thanks so much for sharing! I find it very easy frighteningly easy for me to lose my motivation. I have to constantly remind myself why I love running and what it has done for me. I completely lost all will power to work out right after my first miscarriage. Simply surviving was all I had energy for. So, if you don’t have the will power some days I think that’s totally understandable. You are surviving a traumatic event and that in itself is something to be commended!!!
I wish we lived closer to each other so we could get each other back on track! You seriously read my mind with this post… exactly how I’ve been feeling lately.
I am off the wagon this past month, my eating is fine, it is my workouts, running and blogging. Our son is shipping out for Army Ranger school and I am a hot mess. So everything in my world is upside down and I want normal again.
I love this and I can TOTALLY relate. I think this applies to a lot of things in life, not just healthy living. I especially love this part, “Sometimes it feels like an all-or-nothing relationship. It’s a constant battle, but the point is that we just have to keep fighting for our best selves and what we really want … not what we want in the moment, but what we really want.” Thanks for the inspiration!