5 Tips 2 Kick Start Your Diet When U R In A Slump

If you have a bad day (I had one yesterday) or even a few bad hours, and find that it is starting to negatively affect your motivation, use the downturn to your advantage.  Figure out what triggered it (feeling punk due to bad allergies in my case) so next time around you can be better prepared.  Most importantly, remember that things can look completely different in a relatively short period of time, so what are some things you can do to quickly get back to where you want to be?

1. Go shopping for hours. I am not kidding. It's distracting! It's fun! I look at all sorts of things I would love to have (but won't buy now or maybe ever), or things I don't really want, but are fun to test drive, like most of the products at Brookstone.  According to some research published at the University of Hawaii, I burn more calories in an afternoon of shopping than I do on my Stairmaster.  Besides burning calories you'll come home in a different state of mind and hopefully a fresh outlook.
2. Have coffee with friends. In fact go to McDonalds, and hang there for a while. You can get free wireless access, any kind of coffee drink you want or plain great coffee for a dollar (put another dollar in the Ronald McDonald collection box) and still spend $2.00 less than you would at Starbucks.  My friend Liz and I use these opportunities to discuss and trade books we've read and think the other would enjoy.  Which leads me to number 3!
   
   

   

   Excellent coffee!

   
   

   
   
3. Throw yourself into a good book.  One of my favorite motivational writers and speakers, Tim Sanders in his book, Love is the Killer App, says that when you are reading, write on the pages of the book to take notes, highlight favorite passages, and I would add: blog about it, tweet about it, and/or email friends about it.
4. Crank up the iPod and go for a run. I am currently listening to Steve Jobs biography written by Walter Isaacson.  As someone working in the tech industry, it is an incredibly inspiring story. Or speaking of Steve Jobs, take your iPod or laptop out to the garage, crank up Hulu, Netflix, or Amazon. Jump rope, stretch, or jump onto your favorite exercise device, and stream 45 minutes of any number of shows, movies, movies, or podcasts to put you in a better state of mind. 
   
   

   

   Me watching Castle on HuluPlus while on my Stairmaster!
5. Clean out your closet. It's a great distraction, and VERY rewarding. If you have not worn something in 2 years you WON'T miss it. You'll feel a lot better when you are done, both for having a tidier closet and you can drop the clothes off at your favorite charity.  And if you think that you *might* miss something and are reluctant to ditch it, get rid of it anyway, and see item number 1!  As our career advice guru Penelope Trunk points out Target has such great clothes that are so cheap they are almost free.
   
   You'll feel better after any of the diversions above, and you'll see what a difference a few hours can make!  Any other "diversionary" tips or tricks that have worked for you?
   
   Bonus suggestion: (Feb 3rd)
   My good friend and diet discussion buddy suggested, "Paint a room in your house.  You can't eat when you are painting!"