Self-Sabotage?

I'm right there with you. When I look back at my training logs I see that I have many strecthes where I'll take a week or 10 days and go into "self-sabotage mode".  It's always a scary time for me.  I've been at it a little more than a year, have lost 45 pounds, and when those demons resurface I feel like I could give it all up and go back to my old ways.

For me, the fear of returning to my old ways serves as great motivation to get back on track.  Last August I watched an olympic tri and kepth thinking, "I really want to be able to do that next year."  I've been working on it since then and maybe 75% of the time I'm good.  It's frustrating because I know that if I were good (about food and working out) more of the time I would have lost tons more weight and I'd be faster.  However, I also realize that being good 75% of the time is lots better than what I was doing before.  Maybe this coming year I'll be good 80 or 85% of the time.

I guess what I'm trying to say in my long-winded kind of way is that for those of us who are trying to break bad habits, we spent years having those habits.  Yes, relapses happen, but what will make you successful is picking yourself up each time and getting back into it.  You can do it!

Amen to that! I never deny myself a Kit-Kat or some M & M's... if I want 'em, they're right here... After all, I'm running 5+ miles tonight, biking 25+ miles tomorrow, and swimming up a storm BOTH Saturday and Sunday...I deserve it.

Whizzzzzzzzzz

I try my best to build junk food into my nutrition plan. One day a week when I can stick to it, more when I can't! I try to make that day the day prior to my off-day for training so I'm not training on crappy low-octane fuel. When I need to stick with it, I make sure I have a ready supply of good food available. I have real trouble when I have no good food around and I let myself get hungry. Things I have at home, in the office, in my flightsuit pockets, gymbag, car, etc:

Plain almonds, Zone Perfect Bars, fresh fruit, GenSoy Soy Crisps (you can eat a whole freakin' bag and you get 25 gm of soy protein, 42g carbs, 7g fat, 7g fiber and they're VERY tasty!! The cheddar ones taste like Cheetos!!), Myoplex Shakes, whole wheat tortillas, low-fat cheeses, low fat lunch meat, whole wheat crackers or flat bread, hummus (many flavors!) and whatever else looks good at the market. The point is if you have it in front of you you have at least a chance of eating something good. For example, a lot of times when I'm craving chips, I'll eat some wheat crackers (freaky, but I like to lick them and dip them in sea salt!) and that kills the craving. As for the Oreos...I buy an organic Oreo knock-off and I bring two to work in a plastic bag. I eat 'em sloooowwww. Somehow I've had the same bag for over a month and they're only half gone.

Bottom line: don't feel bad. You're by no means alone. We all need to let go a little even when it's counter to our nature. I mean hell, look what we do to our bodies for fun! You're entitled to cut loose with th chow here and there. Just set yourself up for success by being prepared, just like training.