Listen to The Diabetic Toolbox Podcast Episode 60: Starting Over Without Shame
Hello, Friend.
Welcome to The Diabetic Toolbox, where we are on a mission to end type 2 diabetes, one family at a time.
Have you ever found yourself saying, “Okay, this time will be different”?
I used to be the queen of the Monday do-over. Every Sunday night, I’d sit down and write out a detailed plan to lose weight, exercise every day, and finally feel like I had it all together.
I wanted it so badly.
But week after week, I found myself starting over again—and again—and again. Not because my plans were bad, but because I never followed through long enough to see results. Over time, my self-confidence began to erode. I didn’t trust myself anymore. And that hurt more than any number on the scale.
If this sounds familiar, friend, you are not alone. Living with a chronic illness like type 2 diabetes brings a unique kind of struggle. The truth is, it’s not just about what you eat or how much you move. It’s about managing your mindset, your emotions, and your energy—day in and day out.
That’s why I created Calm & Stroll: A 4-Week Reset for Your Mind & Body for just $4.99, a simple, affordable workbook to help you reset with grace, not guilt.
Today, I want to share three powerful ways I’ve learned to rebuild trust in myself, and now I teach these to my clients, too. These steps can help you move forward, even if you’ve had more restarts than you can count.
1. Come to Terms with the Promises You Didn’t Keep
This is a hard one, I know. But we can’t heal what we won’t acknowledge.
Start by being honest with yourself, not in a judgmental way, but with curiosity. Ask: Why didn’t that plan work for me? What was missing? What was I trying to prove or avoid?
The goal here isn’t to punish yourself, it’s to understand your patterns. When you stop labeling your past attempts as failures and start seeing them as feedback, everything shifts. Each “false start” taught you something. Every plan you didn’t finish revealed what needs your attention, not what’s broken in you.
Insight: One of my clients once told me, “I realized I wasn’t lazy, I was overwhelmed.” That realization changed everything.
2. Create a Small Plan That Feels Light, Not Heavy
We often equate “real change” with big, bold gestures. But those tend to burn us out before we get traction. So instead, I challenge you to ask: What is the smallest next step I can take that still honors my goal?
Maybe it’s just a five-minute walk. Perhaps it’s drinking water before coffee. Maybe it’s as simple as reading just one page of a health resource. Keep it doable. Keep it gentle.
The Calm & Stroll workbook (get your copy here for just $4.99) is built entirely around this idea: simple, daily actions that don’t require a massive overhaul but help you reset from the inside out.
When you prove to yourself that you can keep small promises, your confidence will start to grow again, quietly and steadily.
3. Give Yourself Grace (Because You Won’t Get Far Without It)
If you’re on a healing journey, especially one that involves diabetes or any chronic condition, grace is not optional. It’s essential.
There will be days when you fall short. That’s okay. You are not your diagnosis. You are not your skipped workout or your slip-up meal. Grace allows you to stay in the game long enough to win. Without it, you’ll quit the moment things get messy.
I often tell my clients: “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being persistent.” And grace is what makes persistence possible.
Bringing It All Together
So what do we do when we’re tired of starting over?
We stop punishing ourselves, and we start again with gentleness.
We make peace with our past, we scale our plans down to something doable, and we remember that grace is always within reach.
You’re rebuilding, and that’s brave.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or you’ve been on this path for years, you deserve support that honors your humanity. That’s precisely why I created Calm & Stroll: A 4-Week Reset for Your Mind & Body. It’s practical. It’s kind. And it’s yours today for just $4.99.
Ready to Rebuild Your Confidence?
👉 Grab the Calm & Stroll Workbook here for just $4.99
It includes four weeks of reflective prompts, gentle movement, self-care goals, and mindset shifts designed with your real life in mind.
🎁 Want even more support?
Sign up below to get this month’s workbook, including:
- Your downloadable workbook
- Four weeks of encouraging email support
- 10-Day Clean Eating Plan with recipes and shopping list
Be sure to share this post with someone you love. Let us know in the comments: What’s one small step you’re committing to this week?
That’s all I have for you today.
Until next time, take care of yourself and each other,
With Peace & Love,
Renee
🧰 Resources to Support Your Journey
📌 Free Quiz: Is My Hunger Real?
A quick tool to help you understand emotional vs. physical hunger so you can eat with confidence and clarity. 📘 BONUS When You Take the Quiz our Mini eBook: Relax and Recharge our free guide to better sleep and stress relief two often overlooked keys to healthy blood sugar management.
💎 Need a Little Inspiration You Can Hold Onto?
Explore the It’s Not Over Until I Win Collection by Renee & Rubys. Journals, mugs, and wearable affirmations are designed to breathe life into your journey because your story isn’t over yet. 🎁 Enjoy 20% off your entire purchase with code ENJOY at checkout!
⚠️ Disclaimer
The Diabetic Toolbox content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, medication, or fitness routine. Participation in any program, including our Yoga Audio Series, is at your own risk. Your health and safety are our top priorities, and we’re honored to walk this journey with you.
Discover the AJ3M Media Blog Family: Inspire * Educate* Empower
Empowering everyday people through faith, wellness, and real-life resilience. We love supporting our blog family with helpful tools and resources designed to make everyday life more intentional and rewarding. Grab These Free Resources: Created With YOU in Mind:
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🍎 The Diabetic Toolbox – Simple, sustainable tools to manage blood sugar, eat well, and create healthy habits without being overwhelmed. Is Your Hunger Real? Quiz + Bonus eBook Learn to manage stress, improve sleep, and decode emotional hunger.
🌿 Midlife Made Easier – Encouragement and resources for women navigating midlife with purpose, joy, and grace. Midlife Life Reboot Workbook: Gain clarity, reset your goals, and step confidently into your next chapter.
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