So, the worst has happened, one minute you were so pleased with yourself because you’d managed to stick to your diet for more than a week and the next thing you know, you’ve gone and blown all your hard work;  you’ve proceeded to eat an entire pizza, a carton of chocolate chip ice-cream followed by your favourite family sized packet of candy.  It’s all been washed down with glasses of your favourite soda and now that the euphoric feelings of indulgence have left you, all you have to keep you company are feelings of self-loathing and intense guilt.  You know you can’t turn back time and you know that you’re back at square one.  During my dieting days (of which there were many) I referred to this place of emotional pain as ‘rock bottom’.

If you’re reading this and can empathise, I am guessing that you too have been in the same situation.  I have to admit that for me, it’s a terrible feeling, one that doesn’t leave until you are once again on a diet.

So, if you ever find yourself in this situation, here are three things NOT to do because they will only make the situation worse:

DON’T – Make yourself vomit

For obvious reasons, this has to be at the top of my list.  You may tone down the seriousness of the act by saying you’re only going to do it once, or that making yourself vomit might be better for you than having to digest all of that food.  However, one thing could lead to another and before you know it, you may be struck down by the debilitating illness that is Bulimia.  So, before you even think of this option, DON’T!!  If you have already ventured down this dark alley, I urge you to seek immediate medical help.

DON’T – Commit to starve yourself the next day

Whilst this resolve may initially make you feel better, you will find that starving yourself will be next to impossible.  Missing breakfast the following day may be easy as you might still be feeling full from the previous night, however, by lunchtime you will be more likely to binge eat yet again.

DON’T – Sit and count the calories in everything

Although it’s very tempting, you must try and avoid this at all costs.   All you will achieve by doing this is making yourself feel guilty and ashamed.  You may even panic or invite in feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

Written by Sherry Taylor

Author of The Anti-Diet Lifestyle