Hi everyone,
Haven't posted in a long time. Have been going thru a process this past April.

It began with a 3-day vacation at the end of March, during which I did my best to stay on track. Considering the circumstances, I did quite well.
On my return home, there was a hectic week of planning/shopping/preparing for the Passover holiday, including guest sleep-overs. Lots of pressure, but still on track.
Then the festive holiday dinner, plus more guests for holiday meal next day - still on track.

Then guests went home, had a major clean-up day, then a week off from teaching (schools closed for the holiday).
So huge holiday pressure/excitement, followed by excessive downtime and empty space.

In this downtime, I watched myself go places I had not envisioned ever returning to - all whites, tons of sugar.........even coffee!!
I always felt that whites, sugar.......not good, but I'd soon get back on track.
But COFFEE!!! That was a definite red zone. I knew that if I ever hit that point again, it would be a huge danger signal.

Interestingly, I was not down on myself. I was observing the process with interest. I knew it would not be forever, but did not know when I'd get back to eating properly. One thing I decided - I would not force it. I would let it happen. (A very new approach for compulsive me.)

I don't remember when it happened (have not been journaling since February) but breakfasts have been steady again for about 2 weeks. And lunch/dinner have become quite stable too. Whites are for the most part turning brown, and sugar is slowly taking a back seat. Don't remember when I stopped the coffee, but it's a non-issue now. Started journaling again today.

So what have I learned?
* I learned that I am skilled in planning for events that take me out of my routine (vacation time / holiday dinners / family get-togethers).
* I learned that the "doldrums" following an intensive phase is challenging for me.

What will I do differently next time?
* I will stock up on frozen meals for doldrum times well in advance (before the hectic phase starts)........This way, won't have to think/plan/cook much during a doldrum, when mental capacity and internal motivation are spent from all the intensity that came before.
* I will make it a point to take daily walks during doldrums to gently re-energize myself......BE raiser.
* I will make at least a minimal schedule of things to do in unscheduled doldrums - important BE raiser too.

I will be more than happy to hear your ideas/advice. Summer vacation is coming up - the yearly 2-month "vacuum" after a hectic school year.

One thing I did not mention - in that doldrum week this April, we had to put our dear Labrador to sleep after 16-1/2 years. Though we all took it "well", I'm sure that this - together with everything else - contributed to the slide in my food skills.

Glad to be back,
Sarit