Why I Won’t Be On A Diet In January

How a zoom call broke an 18 year streak.

Right now, somewhere on this planet, is a person who stuck with any one of the diets I’ve quit. And they are living their very best keto/vegan/whole 30/weightwatchers/smaller plate/drink-water-before-each-meal life.

Their story fills me with awe and inspiration. Failed attempts be damned. This time, though the journey wasn’t linear, their bodies ultimately continued to get smaller. This time something “clicked.”

The mystery, of course, is consistency.

Showing up again and again, choosing this instead of that. Carrots instead of a second slice of cake. Water instead of a Salted Caramel Mocha Frappuccino with whipped cream. Air instead of extra cheese.

Consistency looks like meal prepping, checking the menu before you get to the restaurant, keeping high-protein snacks on deck.

I know it comes down to choices and habit stacking. That sounds simple enough. So why am I so taken every time someone does it? Because simple ain’t always easy.

Today is New Year’s Eve. I am relaxed. As in not stressed. As in not binge eating my favorite foods while cleaning out my cabinets, fridge and pantry.

As in not filling these newly emptied spaces with lots of lean things, bean things…