Embracing the "Relapse"

Uh-oh!  There is that word. RELAPSE.

For the past month you have been eating clean, making time for exercise and developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress. 

Then, it happens.  LIFE.
   
Months of exercising, and eating healthy has become a struggle and those healthy coping mechanisms you developed are slowly slipping away.  Now you're feeling guilty, ashamed, and defeated. 

This is not a setback, it is progress.

 It is also a reminder that you are human and “relapses” are a part of the journey.   
"Relapse" comes with a negative stigma.  “To fall back into a former mood,state, or way of life, especially a bad or undesirable one, after a period of improvement.”   
There is a positive association as well, which is relapse is a major part of change, it's inevitable. It allows you to take a step back and reflect on what may have caused this state. The most important thing to remember; 

Don't look at it as “The end of the world” but instead acknowledge it as being a continuing part of your journeys “cycle of change” 

Relapses may occur for different reasons;  time, injury, illness or just good old fashion stress. Acknowledge and embrace these obstacles.
This is the time to develop plans to overcome them and also strategize to avoid facing the same barrier in the future. Instead of feeling like a failure when you fall back into old, unhealthy behaviors, embrace them.
Take the time to laugh and realize that your relapse is a big milestone on your journey of healthy living.

Yes, you are human