1. Examine where you slipped.
   In the words of Zig Ziglar (motivational speaker/author etc): It's not the situation, but whether we react (negative) or respond (positive) to the situation that's important.

   How do you react to your failures? Do you condemn yourself for every slip-up? Figure one bad meal means eating yourself sick the rest of the day? Whatever your issue, if you take a negative spin to the setback you are WASTING YOUR ENERGY.

   Try this instead...Figure out what the heck brought you to the point of eating Aunt Betty's entire chocolate fudge tray, or single-handedly finishing a bottle of wine. Not in a judging or critical way, but a loving and serious look at where you were in that moment. Maybe it just felt good, and ya know what--more power to you! But if you felt like crap, it might be a good idea to figure out what caused your food meltdown. When you channel your energy in this positive way, you can take steps towards making the situation better.

   When I personally started looking at my mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow, I was finally able to succeed in my health and healing. I rarely have my food meltdowns now, and when I do, I know exactly what caused them, and what to do when they occur. That's where my second recommendation comes in.

2. Create a "slip-prevention" plan.
   I've got news for you - chances are, you are slipping in the same places over and over. It's called a PATTERN (again something I am intimately familiar with). So just face that reality and make a plan for dealing with it using simple, doable steps.

   If you don't want to belly-up to the holiday food table at work, make plans with a friend to do lunch at a healthy restaurant that day. If you have a weakness for McDonald's French fries, vow to instead buy frozen sweet potato fries and indulge! (I think I just wrote that last sentence for myself). And if you don't want to eat everything at the holiday party, simply figure out what you know will help you sideline the smorgasbord in favor of savoring great friendships and conversation.

   By taking simple steps, you will not only recover from past mistakes, but you will be victorious if faced with that situation again.

3. Be accountable.
   This is so important. Find someone to help you be accountable! Many of my health counseling clients see me for this exact reason. I might look sweet, but my husband doesn't call me the little General for nothing!

   You need to have a way of keeping yourself accountable on your "slip-prevention" plan. Admit your slip to a supportive, compassionate friend or family member and tell them what you are doing to recover from the setback. Or if you aren't one to dish on your slip-up's, keep a journal so you can keep a record of your progress in handling the slip.

4. Recommit each and every day.
   Hey--We're human, and it's only natural to have the sudden urge to go back on your internal 'promise' to yourself. Don't feel bad about it---just count on it. But just like pulling weeds from a garden, it's important to replace thoughts that contradict your new commitment. Remember during every tempting moment about your new 'deal' with yourself.

   For example, just today while ordering a decaf coffee I eyed the rice crispy treats and thought 'Wow, that looks really, really good. Just one? Just once? I think the rice crispy is staring at me'.

   And then I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I don't eat sugar. It doesn't work for my body, and I love myself and my growing baby way too much to take that step backwards. So it was done.

   And I got my sweet kick by putting extra cinnamon in my coffee.

I could probably go on and on with tips, but here's the bottom line. Setbacks aren't the end...They are the beginning of a new opportunity, a new way to eat, nourish, and live.

So, just do it. Don't wait for New Year's to begrudgingly make your resolutions that'll be out the window by February. Life doesn't start over on New Year's.

Your life is RIGHT NOW-so what are you waiting for?

Sidestep your setback, and forge on to bigger and better in your health and your life.