Set Backs: Socializing and Emotions

A week like this week is the reason I have started this blog for accountability.

I've had a few set backs and I need to push myself to get back on the health path.

There are usually one of two things that set me on the course for failing: Socializing or Emotions

Socializing:

I do not get out often, maybe a handful of times a month. If I am hanging out with people, there is usually a food aspect involved. Most often cocktails as well. On these days when I am socializing, exercise almost always gets put off. 

There are also the "maybe hang out" days. By this I mean that no plans were actually agreed upon, but there is still a chance of going out. No exercise on these days either, because I may need to head out asap. Also eating tends to be grazing on junk food simply because I don't know whats going on.

Sidenote on me and alcohol. If I drink, I get hungry. I am normally a picky eater. I tend to stick with the things I know I like. When drunk and hungry, I will try just about anything. So the calories from the cocktails plus the calories from the drunken binges really add up fast. And let's be honest, drunk food cravings are always the least healthy options.

Emotions:

This is not the post to go into mental health issues just yet. Even though they are a major factor in health and fitness. Instead I am just going to sum up some things in the area of this week's set backs.

I can get sad, angry, or bored and that will sometimes set off a binging session. This in turn can affection my exercise routines. 

This week all of this happened. A little socializing and a lot of "emotions" derailed my progress.

I keep a calendar as a visual for my progress. The days highlighted in GREEN are days that I paid attention to what I was eating. The BLUE highlighted areas represent exercises. And the PINK highlighted days are the bad days. Some days started off green but by the end of the night had turned into pink days. 

I know this seems silly, but it is a reminder for me. I want a whole month of green and blue only. That is not this month. 

My goals for this next week:

• Get back to paying attention to what I am eating
• Try for a whole week of GREEN
• Exercise at the very least three times this week. Five is better if splitting heavy cardio and weights/ standard exercises on separate days.