Taking a break is a lie that your brain comes up with. You do keto for a week or two, you drop some pounds, look and feel better, your clothes fit comfortably, and you feel real satisfaction about the progress you've made. Then you think to yourself, "I deserve a break." 

This trick works because we're addicted. The concept of a break is when you've had to work late for a few weeks and you take a Friday off to rest, or when you've been working out and are sore and so you take one day off to do some stretching and recover. This lie doesn't hold up to scrutiny very well at all. You're taking a break from success? From losing the weight you wanted to? From feeling happier?

I'm not advocating that you need to do keto every waking moment of your life. In fact, I think the reality you've learned about yourself is that you can't be trusted to administer moderation regarding carbs. If you plan an indulgence meal of carbs-- and I think you should actually plan it-- that means that you are an adult choosing what to do with your life. It also means that you know your limitations and promise to do keto immediately after.

My recent weakness has basically stemmed completely from an inability to do this. I do keto, lose the pounds, then have a meal. But then I tell myself that my body is out of ketosis, so I may as well indulge for the rest of the day and into the night. However, come morning, there is still food I shouldn't eat in the house, and I pick at it. Now I know my body is out of ketosis, so I may as well indulge for the rest of the day and into the night. 

I make jokes about this, but it's a problem. I want to weigh 190 pounds. For the last 6 months, I have rubber banded between 210 and 196, losing easily 250 pounds in that span. Now there could be some amazing second half to this story, like "it's because I'm a food critic for a living and have been travelling from New York, Paris and Rome, experiencing the world's greatest culinary masterpieces! It's been so worth it!"

It's been McDonald's. It's been Oreo's and chips. It's been crap that I haven't enjoyed 95% of the time. I mean, McDonald's screws up orders pretty consistently. I'm not hungry, I'm addicted.

To summarize, I deserve a break. A break from gaining weight that took time to lose. A break from guilt. A break from the disappointment of progress that is completely undone. 

I'm excited to commit and to see my goals realized, instead of breaking them.