Setbacks are a part of life.

No matter if it’s in grades, work, relationships or health. There’s no avoiding it.

I have always struggled with this, internally. Rewind about six months ago, I would have beat myself up about the fact that I just had takeout for dinner. Like, really bad, too. I would get down, feel depressed — like all my hard work just went down the drain.

But in the last semester and a half, I’ve realized that life sometimes gets in the way of our goals. While health and fitness are important to me, I also realize that set backs are a natural part of the cycle.

Perhaps I’m pulling the whole “I’ll get back at it on Monday” trick, but I truly believe that putting yourself down because of lack of time, energy or money only harms, instead of helps.

There’s a big difference between dedication and obsession. On and off in the past year, I may have been borderline unhealthy; I was obsessed with eating right and getting a workout. To the point where my entire day would be ruined if I didn’t.

Nowadays, while I might regret a bad meal or missing a workout when I could have, I move on. I accept the fact that I have a busy schedule — no time to meal prep, a meeting was scheduled during my workout or a friend needed me when I hoped to grocery shop. But I love that, and I find time.

Setbacks are hard to come by, but it’s all in your head. Find a peaceful place and know that you can pick up where you left off.

I saw a quote once: “Giving up on your goal because of one setback is like slashing your other three tires because you got a flat.”

Move on. It’s not the end of the world. Just get up, dust yourself off and come back stronger than ever.