Advertisement

Are you a good girl gone bad?

Niamh O'Grady

Author:

On:

Category: Motivation

Share:

Facing the fear

As I began to write this article, I started to feel fear build up inside of me. Fear, because I was about to dig up some of my own demons and I was not sure I was ready to face what might come up.

My first reaction was to leave it well alone; I'm fine the way I am and I don't want to share my dieting demons with others. But I soon realised if I didn't face them, I'd stay exactly where I am now and these issues would keep coming up time and time again...one failed attempt after any other.

I tried to convince myself that what I have always done has worked for me;but I had to ask myself has it really? If you are not living the life you want then what you are doing is simply not working for you. These are strong words, but they really got me thinking and I hope they will for you too.

The diet demons

We all have our own inner demons that toy with us and make us believe it's ok to slip off our diet plan and give into those guilty pleasures.
But you have to ask yourself, is it worth it? Is the feeling of guilt worth having for those extra empty calories? Giving into that demon means you are losing control, making your goal harder to reach. As well as leaving you feeling tired and drained it also undermines your confidence in your own abilities.

I know this only too well as I have been there so many times. Your confidence slips, you have wasted money and your hard work. These are the types of feelings you will experience when you go off plan and let the good girl (or boy) go bad. What's more important to you, feeding your guilty pleasure or losing those pounds?

Is it worth it?

Do you really feel you have all the time in the world to keep going back to square one? Do you really feel that diets aren't for you or is it a case of not being too bothered?

If you change your own perception of who you are, how well you manage your weight loss journey and what you truly deserve, then you can fulfill your dreams.

Take your control back

After all, what is so bad about being in control of your life and diet? Is it really ok to rebel against your own control? By rebelling you are tripping yourself up and making things harder, but it doesn't have to be that way.

So be very aware of your inner demon and get to know its tricks and games. It's going to play on your soft spots, your vulnerabilities and self-doubts. The more aware you are of your negative inner voice, the less power it will have over you and the less you will listen to it and give in.

As I type this I realise the mistakes I've been making and how I've been sabotaging myself time and time again. Perhaps it's time to listen to myself and not that niggling voice. Don't listen to what the inner demon has to say and start to realise the power you have.
Decide whether giving in is beneficial to your diet, your heart's desires and who you want to be. Not giving in means that you are taking back your control. Only you can remain strong enough to win out. As you do this your confidence will grow, and you will feel on top of the world.

Say goodbye to the old you

So don't allow that good girl to go bad. No matter where you are or what you are doing, there will always be an excuse to give into temptation. We live in a world of plenty and choice, which means we live in a world of temptations. Is giving over your control worth it? I think not. Knowing that every time you dodge the bad girl inside of you, you grow stronger.

Stay good and true to yourself knowing that every time you dodge the bad girl inside of you, you grow stronger.


Kind regards,
Niamh O'Grady


My Page

Comments 24

  1. I need to change weigh in date

    Comment by LISASHA1234 -

  2. Niamh - I only need to lose 1/2 stone but I just don't seem to be able to get there. I do well one week then fall off the wagon the next, I seem to think that if I have blown my diet on 1 day the whole week is lost or if I have blown it on 1 meal the day is lost and then I just go for it and eat all sorts. It must link to a feeling of deprivation and a sense that I work hard and travel a lot and am tired so I deserve a treat - I would love some suggestions on how to stop this cycle?

    Comment by CHARLOTTEO -

  3. Thanks for the words of Truth...I needed to hear it and have now kicked started a new me for the future.

    Comment by JACQUI51 -

  4. I'm yet another rejoiner - there seem to be quite a few of us. These words came at the right time for me. Good luck to us all on regaining The Good Girl Status we can do it!

    Comment by NINNY123 -

  5. I've just signed up again after 2 years. I previously lost 2 stone on Tesco diet after having a baby which was great but a year later after Christmas 2011 I carried on down that slippery Christmas eating slope and put back on a stone that I really want to lose again. I thought I was in the minority having no self will to say 'NO' but after reading this advice I realise that there are many of 'me' out there and we are only human but need to shut out that 'bad' voice. It's motivated me - Thankyou

    Comment by 28BECKLEY -

  6. excellent advice thank you

    Comment by SMATHER1 -

  7. Thanks Niamh, a salutary reminder for me, which I needed.

    Comment by KATHRYNWELLS -

  8. Great article! Reading this has given me a positive feeling, just rejoined after 2 years of regaining :s!!!

    Comment by SKINNYBRIDESMAID -

  9. i found this very helpful and motivating thank you

    Comment by AUDSBEAT69 -

  10. Thank you, I too have been having a tough time with emotional eating and making bad choices. Your article was so really up beat and so true thanks I will keep that one to read again

    Comment by UNICORN5 -

  11. thank you for this. returning to dieting for a second time for me, shows that I can do this, but struggle to keep it up forever. your words here are really true. It is important to keep the focus and not loose control !! I shall read this again. and it will help set me up for a new start !! Thank you :)

    Comment by THERESE11STONE -

  12. Thank you Niamh. Have rejoined a couple of weeks ago having increased weight by a stone since December 2011. Beginning to feel that I would never get my weight under control but your advice has inspired me. Put on 2lbs in the first week but have sine lost 2.5lbs. Feeling better already so it really makes sense to keep focused.

    Comment by W1LL05EWT -

  13. I've put on 2lb this week, after steady losses previously, so this is just what I need. I am also going through a personal, emotional dilemma at the moment and, strangely, your words can just as easily be appropriated to help me with that as well, so double well done, Niamh!

    Comment by EVERYTHINGMUM -

  14. I've lost count of the times I've 'failed' with dieting. Your words struck home to me...there really is a nasty demon inside our heads who wants us to fail! I aim to take your words very seriously and will be on the lookout for 'it'!

    Comment by PATIENCE2013 -

  15. Thanks Niamh. This is the first time I have sat down to read Expert's Angle. You could not have expressed any better what I have been feeling but not addressing for a long time. This is just what I needed. Thank you Mary A

    Comment by MARYEATKINSON -

  16. Thanks so much for the above Niamh. I am having a really bad week this week and not so much as listening to that bad girl inside telling me that I have now lost 13.2 kilos and feel more in control of my weight loss and today at work I have overeaten! Feeling not so great but determined again now after reading your blog.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Comment by LEEANNE100 -

  17. Hi Pippa, Thank you. Yes, I'd be delighted if you read those words out at OA, especially if you feel that they will help others.

    Comment by NIAMH1978 -

  18. Niamh: thank you for this. You have written just as things are. Would it be alright with you if I read out some of what you say at OA meeting? You describe exactly how it is with all of us in OA, except that we try to identify a higher power to support us - any thing/one we can turn to to keep us abstinent. One of the group sayings we share at the end of meetings is Keep coming back..It works if you work it I'm so glad to have Tesodiets to help with my meal plans.

    Comment by 2012WINNINGDIET -

  19. Hi everyone, you are all so welcome and I'm so pleased that my little pep talk has given you the motivation and encouragement that you have needed. We are all in control of our own lives and have the freedom to change whatever it is we aren't happy with, so take control and enjoy the success you create.

    Comment by NIAMH1978 -

  20. This is my first day back and thanks for down to earth comments, didnt realise i had demons!

    Comment by NOWMAGGIE -

  21. This struck a chord with me, tomorrow I'm going to start telling myself that I'm in control - of my food and my feelings.

    Comment by LISABAKER1 -

  22. I've just rejoined after putting back on 1 stone in the last 7 months - very annoyed with myself are doing so well last year. Thanks for the pep talk Niamh - I sorely need it!

    Comment by LESLEYANNK -

  23. I've just rejoined having put back on 3 stones. This advise is just what I need. Thanks

    Comment by ALAYNE27 -

  24. brilliant words of advise thank you

    Comment by POPSICKLE -

Join Today