January 2026 Health News-Getting back on track
Getting Back on Track
By Kellie, Nill, NTP
I’ve fallen off the wagon. Crashed my diet. Thwarted by my family. My food plan (or diet) has been derailed – again!
It happens to all of us (especially this time of year). Because, I’m out of balance from holidays of over indulgence and those little candies were, well, so little.
I find myself scanning the pantry, looking through the refrigerator, scouring the cabinets for something – anything – to settle the sugar beast inside of me. I mean, really?, who ate all the ice cream?!?!?
My sugar monster is back and she’s hangry!
I write this because I want people to realize that we all struggle. No one is perfect (and who wants that kind of pressure anyway!).
And, I write this because I want to divulge how I’m going to get myself back on track . . . and it’s not a crazy diet, counting calories, or tons of planning.
Here’s how I’m starting:
- Start NOW! Don’t wait until Monday. Start the instant you realize you feel like crud and you’re ready to take control again.
Let’s be realistic, waiting until _____ (fill in the blank – Monday, next week, after the . . .) is just an excuse to ignore that you should be eating better and free reign to eat anything. After you cram in every indulgence as part of gearing up for the day your diet begins, that first day is going to really be awful!
By starting now – whenever now is – you send a very strong message to yourself. Because you are in charge of your food. And, you can take charge.
I’m taking charge today – the day I’m writing this – Thursday!
- You Already Know What to Do
No matter what type of meal plan you follow, the basics are always the same. And, I guarantee you know these steps. You don’t need to hire a health coach or buy a bunch of products or read another book.
Just make a list of all the healthy tips you know you should be doing . . . that’s your beginning; you can always add more steps later, once the first ones are old habits.
Think basics like:
Increase the amount of water you drink
Eat more vegetables
Cook more food at home
Cut back on sugar
Cut back on processed foods
- Remember moderation
None of us are perfect! We all need the ability to enjoy a treat or a traditional family recipe. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence. The problem is when the occasional turns into the daily (yes, I’m there right now!).
So give yourself a splurge day. You (and I) can be really diligent for six days of the week knowing that we can have a special treat one day a week. If I couldn’t eat the fancy, gluten-free cookie from the Medford Co-op on Thursday I might not be as nice of a person, but now, I’m starting on Thursday and I’m splurging on Thursday . . . lots to look forward to as I’m successful for the next six days. So can you!
- Be gentle with yourself
We all have a tendency to see the worst in ourselves. We beat ourselves up if we fall off the wagon, but we are only human. And, there’s great marketing out there that wants us to indulge in unhealthy foods. So, when it happens, be gentle with yourself; forgive yourself. One meal – one day – doesn’t derail you permanently. Your commitment to yourself is bigger than this one moment. Your health is more important than this one moment.
Recommit to yourself and your health and start again with Step #1
I’ll be joining you . . . because it really is time to get my eating back on track!