The past few weeks have been a lot better. I am back to cooking more "clean" meals and having a little fun on the weekends with food. I have noticed a difference in my overall health and how I am feeling.
I am still struggling with the snacking at night. The key for me is not to have the temptation in the house, so I am working on that. Something with being bored while my husband is at work makes me want to reach for the snacks. Does anyone else struggle with this or have helpful advice?
How is everyone else doing?
Showing posts with label Beat Emotional Eating Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beat Emotional Eating Challenge. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Weekend Food Fail
Ok - so my first challenge. The weekend. How did it go? Not so well.
I didn't do too horribly. We were out and about getting some things done, so we went out to eat Mexican Saturday afternoon. We brought home a boxed pizza Saturday night, and I had a doughnut this morning. Ok, maybe I did do horribly. A triple threat this weekend? Yikes.
The silver lining? The rest of the day has been pretty good.
You see, I am trying to figure out how not to let my emotions win. I have had a rough weekend dealing with some family issues and just the undue stress created by our schedules. It's not an excuse, but it is something I have discovered.
I realize that when David and I DO get time together, I tend to want to celebrate with food. I want to go out and eat or go get a snack to enjoy together. I use food to celebrate and I use it to cope. When I am in a situation with tempting foods, I lack a lot of self control when I am feeling upset , stressed, or even (newly discovered) insanely happy.
So, now that I have identified those feelings I need to figure out where to go with it. I read once that building willpower is like training any other muscle - it takes time. So now that I am discovering what triggers this, maybe I can start working that willpower muscle.
My meals are planned for the week, and I have done some pre-cooking and pre-chopping of meats and fruits and veggies. Count it down - 3...2....1 - here we go for the week!
I believe that we can do this together. Certainly I am not alone in these thoughts or feelings. Does anyone else share the same out there?
I didn't do too horribly. We were out and about getting some things done, so we went out to eat Mexican Saturday afternoon. We brought home a boxed pizza Saturday night, and I had a doughnut this morning. Ok, maybe I did do horribly. A triple threat this weekend? Yikes.
The silver lining? The rest of the day has been pretty good.
You see, I am trying to figure out how not to let my emotions win. I have had a rough weekend dealing with some family issues and just the undue stress created by our schedules. It's not an excuse, but it is something I have discovered.
I realize that when David and I DO get time together, I tend to want to celebrate with food. I want to go out and eat or go get a snack to enjoy together. I use food to celebrate and I use it to cope. When I am in a situation with tempting foods, I lack a lot of self control when I am feeling upset , stressed, or even (newly discovered) insanely happy.
So, now that I have identified those feelings I need to figure out where to go with it. I read once that building willpower is like training any other muscle - it takes time. So now that I am discovering what triggers this, maybe I can start working that willpower muscle.
My meals are planned for the week, and I have done some pre-cooking and pre-chopping of meats and fruits and veggies. Count it down - 3...2....1 - here we go for the week!
I believe that we can do this together. Certainly I am not alone in these thoughts or feelings. Does anyone else share the same out there?
Friday, May 25, 2012
Beat Emotional Eating Challenge
Hi. My name is Heather and I am an emotional eater.
Yes, you heard it right. How many of you would say the same? I wonder how many others join me on this difficult struggle when picking up a candy bar or indulging in our favorite foods when upset becomes a knee jerk reaction? How many of us use food as a coping mechanism to escape the daily pressures of parenting, work issues, and just overall heartache and drama?
At first, I did not want to admit that I emotionally eat. I started watching my behaviors when I was upset. Mexican food and chocolate top the list of my "run-to's" every time. I was doing so good for so long, but a few situations and people set me off every now and then and sent me spiraling back into that pattern.
I let them win. I let food win. It hurts to say that.
I don't go on several day eating binges, but I dislike it when I do it for a day or two. Not only am I disappointed in myself, but I feel gross. I feel lethargic. I let the food win. I become weak.
For all of you who join me with this struggle, I am going to present a challenge to you. Every time you feel like picking up a food that will initially make you "feel good," don't eat it. Instead, write down the emotion and the food you want in a journal. Track it. Also, jot down your surroundings when this occurs. If you do eat it, still write down all of this information and also include how you feel.
I am going to start doing this, not only to identify the connection but also to allow myself to "think" before I eat. When I am purposeful before I put food in my mouth, hopefully it will all start to make sense.
The kicker? I am going to do it right here on this blog under a "Beat Emotional Eating" challenge. This isn't just for moms, but anyone who struggles with this same problem. Feel free to join me by commenting and inviting others to share right here on this blog.
Will you join me in sharing your struggles and successes? It won't be easy, but it will certainly be eye opening.
This is so difficult for me to admit, but I want to do it. I want change. Maybe there is a chance we can beat this weakness together. I believe.
Yes, you heard it right. How many of you would say the same? I wonder how many others join me on this difficult struggle when picking up a candy bar or indulging in our favorite foods when upset becomes a knee jerk reaction? How many of us use food as a coping mechanism to escape the daily pressures of parenting, work issues, and just overall heartache and drama?
At first, I did not want to admit that I emotionally eat. I started watching my behaviors when I was upset. Mexican food and chocolate top the list of my "run-to's" every time. I was doing so good for so long, but a few situations and people set me off every now and then and sent me spiraling back into that pattern.
I let them win. I let food win. It hurts to say that.
I don't go on several day eating binges, but I dislike it when I do it for a day or two. Not only am I disappointed in myself, but I feel gross. I feel lethargic. I let the food win. I become weak.
For all of you who join me with this struggle, I am going to present a challenge to you. Every time you feel like picking up a food that will initially make you "feel good," don't eat it. Instead, write down the emotion and the food you want in a journal. Track it. Also, jot down your surroundings when this occurs. If you do eat it, still write down all of this information and also include how you feel.
I am going to start doing this, not only to identify the connection but also to allow myself to "think" before I eat. When I am purposeful before I put food in my mouth, hopefully it will all start to make sense.
The kicker? I am going to do it right here on this blog under a "Beat Emotional Eating" challenge. This isn't just for moms, but anyone who struggles with this same problem. Feel free to join me by commenting and inviting others to share right here on this blog.
Will you join me in sharing your struggles and successes? It won't be easy, but it will certainly be eye opening.
This is so difficult for me to admit, but I want to do it. I want change. Maybe there is a chance we can beat this weakness together. I believe.
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