Progress??

I am tracking progress with before and after photos. I’ve been calorie counting and maintaining a good gym routine for 1 month now. I know it’s not a lot of time for results, but I do see a slight change in the photos that I feel is positive. There are also some clothes that are more comfortable/ I’m feeling more slim in.

But I’m having some anxiety because of my ‘cheat’ days or meals. I don’t really schedule cheats. Rather, I let loose after a good week or two of maintaining. Or, for example, I had. ‘Cheat’ of around 2300 calories for my engagement party, then the next day probably the same (we had a friend in town so showed her around). The following week my average was around 1700 (1500 avg with exercise). Then, for example, the following Sunday I went out to dinner, chose a grilled chicken salad but had tater tot’s and two gin & sodas. Around 1850 calories that day.

So really my worst ‘cheats’ aren’t too crazy, and my other ‘treats’ aren’t far at all from my normal deficit. But I have all this anxiety after any cheat at all. Or, there were two days this weekend where I had 2 alcoholic drinks and could have made better choices. I tell myself ok….now you have a reminder of how this makes you feel and you can adjust your choices. But I still have a ton of anxiety and am just looking for support. I really want to feel better about my body by the end of this year and this is teaching me how much better it feels to just stay on track.

It’s the start of a new month, and I take progress pictures every month. So I have a new chapter to make progress. My plan is to make those additional slight adjustments/better choices. My overall goal is a lifestyle change so maybe it takes a bit of time to fully transition. But I’m putting this out to the Reddit-verse as my own accountability.

Anyone have similar feelings/struggles/transitions to better habits?

Thank you ✨