Why on Earth Did I Do That?

By Sheri Rowland
For more information visit www.startingovertoday.com

Your diet really seems to be working . . . you’ve started eating better and exercising more. You feel great – not so tired all the time, and lots of extra energy. And most importantly, your “skinny jeans” fit again! You can feel it in your heart . . . the weight will stay off for good this time!

One evening, after a particularly tough day at work, you stop by the grocery to pick up some vegetables for a healthy dinner. As you pass through the front door, it’s right there in your face – a grand display of artistically frosted cakes. You hold your head high as you walk right past the bakery department and on to the produce aisle.

A few minutes later, you find yourself staring at the vegetable display with an empty bag in one hand. Nothing is calling out to you . . . all you can think about is how ridiculous your boss is, and how you can’t believe that he made an example of you in a company meeting. “Hmmm . . . I don’t like any of this produce. Maybe I should go to another store. Or maybe I should go check out one of those cakes at the front of the store,” you say to yourself. “One piece won’t hurt, and I can take the rest in to work tomorrow for my coworkers to enjoy.”

The next thing you know, you’re sitting on your sofa, polishing off half of a chocolate cake -- and getting up in the middle of the night to eat the other half. The next morning, you feel so defeated by this lapse you are in a very grumpy mood. Which leads to another bad day at work. Which leads to . . . you know the story. You can’t possibly continue this diet when you’re under this much stress. You need chocolate to cope with your silly boss! And the skinny jeans go back into the closet.

We’ve all experienced some level of self-sabotage at one time or another. That feeling that “I should know better” goes up against a source of more immediate gratification, whether it be eating junk food, putting off doing the dishes, or having another glass of wine.

And intellectually, you do “know better.” But it's not a lack of knowledge or desire that is getting in the way. There is something inside you that's stronger than your desire to “do the right thing.” And it is this that sabotages your efforts to do the things you want to do and your motivation to move ahead in your life.

Overcoming Self-Sabotage
The first step to moving past self-sabotage is to recognize that it is there, and to understand the ways that you undermine yourself. This can happen in several ways, including dwelling on the negative (“I’ll always be overweight” or “I hate the way I look”). Other forms of self-sabotage include lateness, procrastination, and sloppiness.

Decide what behaviors you want to improve. If you want to stick to your diet and exercise program this time, do what you need to do to succeed! Recognize that it’s a whole life change, and not just eating less or working out. Stop listening to that little voice in your head that tells you that you aren’t strong enough to stay on your diet or you’ll never wear a size 6. Develop a zero-tolerance policy for that voice!

Create Structures for Yourself
Once you’ve decided what your goal is, create the necessary environments to make it happen. Practice self-care. Here are a few ways to get the momentum to follow through:

• Keep a journal to record your thoughts and air your frustrations.
• Buddy up with a friend who has similar challenges, and act as a support system for each other.
• Incorporate the “eliminate craving” technique to your success tool box
• Make time each day to do something for yourself, as well as time to reflect on the day.
• Reward your successes, and don’t give up because of a single lapse. Get back on that horse!

When it comes to self-sabotage, you are both the cause and the solution. By recognizing your self-defeating behaviors and developing a plan to overcoming them, you are taking the next step to fulfilling your goals!

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To learn more about these new innovative energy techniques to support your lifestyle changes go to www.startingovertoday.com

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About the Author
Sheri Rowland is a Life Coach who specializes in transitions. She works with female entrepreneurs that are in the midst of transitions. In her practice she uses her eclectic experience and training in various modalities to assist clients in moving through the pain and insecurities of changes; natural and unexpected passages, to living a life of joy, passion and fun again.

She is the author of Starting Over TODAY program: an ebook, workbook, an encouragement BLOG and an 8-week teleclass offering innovative energy techniques that clear limiting beliefs around weight loss and freeing you up to be at choice once again.

For more information, check out her websites at: www.SheriRowland.com or www.StartingOverToday.com & www.OverWeightToLookingGreat.com where she offers serious support for individuals and group coaching and products to support you physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Be sure and sign up for her free monthly ezine offering tips, insights, resources and challenging steps to move you forward in life at www.sherirowland.com.

You can contact Sheri at sheri@sherirowland.com, sheri@startingovertoday.com, or call her at 956-330-7710.