Since I've begun this journey to eat more appropriately and those foods that I consider best for optimal health, my fiancee joined in on the dietary adventure, learning with me the day-to-day implementation of cutting out industrial foods. I'll make sure to say up front that having a partner with whom you can share a vision, to whom you can offer and from whom you can receive report, and, when pressure needs to be released, conspire with on a cheat meal. If you are looking to change your way of eating, let me offer my drum beat to the throng of drummers already advising you to not go it alone and get with someone to keep you accountable, whether it is your significant other, child(ren), parent(s), or any other person that is important in your life.
Getting back to the point of this post, I recognize that a practicing paleo/primal diet takes as much effort to maintain as any other skill in one's life. Not only does it take mental fortitude and willpower to abstain from a piece of cake at an office party or beer while hanging out with your buddies, it demands the same effort to forgive yourself of your transgressions and not let them lead to a spiral of self-loathing and self-flagellation.
That isn't to say, don't recognize the slip, just don't let it jeopardize your mental game or perspective on how you are doing overall. To focus on the negative and give life to thoughts that lead to recriminating yourself over your offenses to some seemingly inflexible standard will only sap the energy you need to carry through with eating in this way. Just learn to let go and use that energy to figure out how you can handle the situation better or just let it pass and save that energy for later.
