Getting back into the routine

Last week, I was hit with food poisoning. I'm still not sure what caused it, but the most likely culprits are either almond butter (gone bad) or cherry tomatoes. Regardless, it meant I was violently ill for one day and nauseous and sore for a few more.

I understandably didn't workout while my body was in rebellion. Once I could eat, I ate whatever seemed the most likely to stay down. Water was my friend, but so were white crackers, and toast with honey. It wasn't even whole grain bread; I made a 50/50 blend since I felt like it would be easier to keep down.

The hardest part about changing habits is getting into a new routine. Once you hit your stride, it feels easy. But, it seems like there are so many things that can throw that routine off. Once it's thrown off, it is really easy to let things go. When in the habit of it, workouts are non-negotiable. After a few days of skipping them for legitimate reasons, it's really easy to skip another day because you're busy, it's a holiday or because you don't really feel like it.

But, let's think about this a little. If old habits are so easy to fall back into, why not fall back into the habits you had before your setback? Yes, it's been almost a week since I've had a serious, hard workout, but why don't I just get back into that routine tonight? Why view it as something that I need to work up to again? Why not consider it something I get to start doing again? Why is it even a setback? It may be a detour, but it doesn't change the road I'm on.

I hate being sick and I hate what it does to my body. But, even the most unpleasant circumstances are something that we can turn around to our benefit. Probably the number 1 factor that has thrown me off healthy eating in the past is getting sick. This time, I'm going to let getting well be the thing that throws me back to it.