Speaking of wellness, moderation comes up a lot. I'm a firm believer in moderation; however, my perspective has shifted a bit over time as I've discovered moderation can lead positively to the goal of elimination.
Moderation is part of the journey and what is moderate to some well may not be the same for someone else. It's definitely a personal path and as you progress along it, what may have been moderate 5 years ago (only drinking on weekends for example) to what is moderate now (easily never again) adjusts along the journey.
A growing tension about moderation surfaced for me recently and the questions that arose: one, does it sabotage the desired outcome and, two, is a better picture of success not even needing to lean back on moderation?
Are you using moderation as a cop out? An excuse to indulge? Is moderation the ultimate goal? I think across this journey I'd answer yes to all but now, for me, moderation isn't the goal. Once you know what if feels like to no longer desire something that doesn't serve you elimination comes natural, on the very rare occasion when you do have it, that's not moderation that's success!
I recently kicked sugar. In hindsight, moderation was sabotaging me. And although I consumed it in moderation, and consumed less and less each passing year, there was still an underlying desire for it. Now that it is eliminated from my daily diet, I now no longer desire it. If I'm out to lunch and everyone orders dessert, I actually don't want it. There is no resistance exercised. Why? Because I'd moderated it enough over the years that eventually it no longer was part of my diet. That was it. I no longer crave it, need it or desire it.
Alcohol worked the same. When I slowed down my consumption of alcohol, I considered I was drinking moderately. But is 1 x a month but 5 drinks at a time really moderation? For others yes. For me, no. Especially if I felt miserable the next day. As I always did and as my wise son says, alcohol is borrowed time, and therefore not a good use of time. Over the years, I've moderated my consumption so much, that I could happily go the rest of my life without it. I don't say I'm 100% sober, I'm just highly selective, though I can't remember the last time I had a drink.
Also, 'you only live once, eat cake' never made me feel better. It truly never did. Doing what is best for my body means doing what makes me fully prepared to enjoy this wonderful ride of a life.
Give it time. Eventually you may discover that whatever you moderated is now eliminated.