The Stress of Stress

It's been a while since we've talked about stress. We all have it and we all deal with it one way or another. Some have panic attacks, others (the lucky ones) can't eat, I, on the other hand, eat.  I know, I've talked about it before, but it bears repeating. I need to control my stress!

I found a way to control the sugar craving with work stress.  First, I started drinking chocolate Shakeology in the afternoons in place of chocolate candy.  It really works and its only 140 calories. Plus its uber healthy for you. Second, I quit my job.  Yes, you heard me, in today's economy, I quit.  Some things just aren't worth it. Now I'm job hunting and have WAY less stress.  I'll find something soon (any ideas???).

Then, there's the family stress.  These are the comfort food cravings.  Can they make Shakeology in a gooey cheesy flavor? Hmmm, I don't think so.  So, what to do? I'm exercising and spending a ton of time being busy: job hunting, writing blogs, finishing the edit of my book, and did I say job hunting?  Yes, busy is the key.  

During family stress I tend to shy away from exercising.  I'm trying to change that focus.  Enter TurboFire Inferno.  I've been doing TurboFire workouts for months off and on.  I even saw this "Inferno" thing when I got the DVD's. I think I even tried it, sort of.  Now I'm actually doing it. I'm following the food and exercise program for the whole five days.  Today is day 2.  I'll let you know after day 5 how I did.  You may want to try it.  Its not a quick water loss diet.  It's a killer workout and sound food program for 5 days that jump starts your metabolism. 

Stress will never go away.  I just have to figure out how to handle it so it doesn't handle me. 

More on Stress and Eating Habits

OK, so it's been two weeks now that I've had more stress than normal at work.  Looks like eight more weeks.  If you read last weeks blog you know that I didn't handle it too well in the beginning.  So how am I doing now?

I tried a new strategy - working out instead of eating fast food (well, as much fast food). Out of four days this week I have worked out three.  I plan on going to the gym at lunch today too. I still need a bit of chocolate in the afternoon but I'm better than last week.

Where do I get my motivation?  I actually have a workout partner.  Oh, I can talk her out of working out if I really want to but this week I have tried to stick to the plan.  I've been very busy so sometimes I work through lunch.  I just try to make sure I spend at least thirty minutes in the evening getting some exercise. What's funny is I may not really feel like it but once I'm done I could do more. Endorphins I guess.

So, how are you handling your stress? What do you do to let off steam? Share your stories with me.  I always need inspiration!

Somebody's Watching Me

I have been blogging, commenting on Facebook and Tweeting in hopes that someone would listen.  A few dedicated friends commented and watched my homemade YouTube videos but I doubted anyone was really paying attention to my weight loss efforts. Then I get the biggest surprise - people are noticing what I say.  Now what do I do?

Well, my first thought was - accountability.  I have been having a hard time being consistent. I do have lunch-time workout partners but with work stress sometimes working out just isn't appealing.  I'd love an after work partner but everyone has family or church commitments. Its easier to make yourself get in gear when you have someone else pushing you.

Then I received a couple of emails from friends I haven't spoke to in awhile.  They were interested in what I was doing! One had many questions about how my program was going.  What do I say? I told the truth, of course.  I've been blogging about my struggles so its no secret I have a hard time being dedicated to my workouts and healthy eating. But I just figured no one was really paying much attention.  Then here I was with two people asking me about my daily trials.

In the end I know it up to me.  I can't make the responsibility someone else's to get my act together.  I have to want it and want to put the effort out.  It's great sharing my triumphs and my failures with family and friends who support me and encourage me.  Knowing that others want to get healthy and need help too gives me the strength to push ahead. Let's keep the momentum going!

Deciding on Your Fitness Goal

What is your ideal clothing size? 6, 8, 14? For men, 30, 34, 38? How are you choosing that goal?

Not too long ago Victoria's Secret had their famous modeling show on television. Have you ever watched that? Or perused their catalog? Of course you have! Who hasn't?  Not only are the outfits adorable but the women are breathtaking! But have you really looked at them?

A few years ago my daughter and I watched the show for the first and last time.  I'm not bashing the show -  it was an amazing presentation.  It was the size of the models that freaked us out.  You don't notice it as much in the catalog - airbrushing is a great tool - but on the television you could see how their hip bones jutted out and their ribs showed.  It was scary!  My daughter, at the time, was in her mid-teens and even realized these girls were too thin.

You know I admire women like Jaime Lee Curtis who showed her stuff in, I believe it was, More magazine, proving some of Hollywood looks like us - when they aren't airbrushed.

Magazines, movies and the internet try to tell us what is appropriate for being beautiful or handsome.  However, they take it to the extreme and make it totally unattainable for the majority of the population. Oh, I'm not saying we can't all have ripped abs and bulging biceps  because, if you are dedicated and you want that, it is possible.  I have many friends who do.  But for most of us its important to start to love who we are as we are.  Having self-esteme and loving ourselves is the first step in getting healthy.  Not letting Hollywood or some model tell you aren't good enough isn't tolerable.

Once you can love who you are and believe you are okay as you are can you move forward to a healthier you.  Eating better and adding movement to your daily routine will move you toward your goals.  Learning about your body type and they best styles to wear on it will help you feel more confident too.  Having realistic goals, small steps instead of far reaching goals you feel you will never get to, will build confidence too.

Say no to stereotypes and unreal images.  Start loving yourself and loving life!

How's Your New Year's Resolution Going?

The ball dropped and 2010 ended.  We all made New Year's resolutions.  How's it going?  Are you keeping them?

I swore I wouldn't make one this year and I didn't, exactly.  I have the same one every year, a standing resolution.  It never changes whether I do or not.  What could it be you ask?  Probably the same as yours if you're reading this...to lose weight.

How am I doing you ask? Well, it depends on how you measure it.  If I got on a scale (horrible five letter word) I weight the same as January 1.  Have I been working on it you ask? Sure, but not the way you think.

I refuse to go on a fad diet, an overly strict diet - that leaves out things I know I will never live without - or one that costs a small fortune. So, what am I doing?  Well, for starters, I drink Shakeology everyday.  It has tons of vitamins and minerals and really great ingredients.  It gives me a ton of energy and, yes, makes me regular.  An important benefit to anyone's digestive system.

I've also been trying to eat healthier.  I'm not perfect but I'm trying.  I still have a weakness for pizza and Mexican food I just try not to have it too often.  I'm trying to incorporate more veggies and fruits.  Key word here - trying.  I try everyday.

I exercise too.  Oh, the plan is six days a week.  Do I make it?  Some weeks.  The other weeks you ask? Twice or three times.  Just depends.  I'm working on scheduling it in my day but some days I just don't feel like it.

So what keeps me trying?  Wanting to be better.  Better health, better with my schedule, a better body.  It'll happen.  I have faith I will accomplish my goals this year.  I just completed a 30 day challenge that helped me to see my goals and how to reach them.  Well worth the 5-10 minutes a day I spent.

If you're interested in taking the challenge too, free of charge, just ask me and I'll send you the link.

Hanging with Your Friends

I love to hang out with my friends...having dinner, shopping, going out for coffee, going on weekend trips.

Ever notice how many of those events center around food? I know most of mine do.  I love food; not just sweets but real meals.  There is nothing like getting together with a couple of loved ones and digging into a pizza or an ooey-gooey casserole on a cold evening.  I already know what you're thinking..."Isn't this supposed to be about getting fit?"  Sure it is but none of can ignore the way we were raised and the way we've been living.

For example, my mom asked every person who walked through our door if they were hungry and wanted something to eat.  It's what she did.  Unfortunately, you can tell I said yes more than once.  I love to have a large crowd at my house and feed them all the things I love to cook. Most of those things are cheesy.  Who doesn't love cheese?  And where has all this gotten me? Starting the new year with a new plan.

This year's plan is different than all the others.  First, I met a wonderful group of people who really want each other to succeed at their goals - personal and business.  I think that will be the most beneficial.  Not that my family and friends aren't supportive but we all have the same bad habits.  Who's going to be the strong one and say "no"?

Second, I am working on a 30 day accountability program to get more focus with the things that really make a difference; my health, exercising and working hard at the things I enjoy - fitness and writing.

I encourage you to thing about how you'd like this year to be different. Can I help you achieve any of your goals?  I'd love to try.

Holiday Struggles

New Year's will be here before we know it. What does that mean?  Resolutions? Do you make them every January? How long to you keep them?  One month? One week? One hour?

I quit making resolutions.  I'm tired of not keeping them.  Instead of waiting to make a promise to myself once a year, blowing it, hating myself, and then trying the next year, I tossed resolutions out the window.  The only resolution I ever made constantly is to lose weight.  Since I keep trying all year long, over and over again, what's the point in a resolution? And, since I keep failing, what's the point.

Well, no more! It's time to get healthy and quit beating up myself.  Stop the madness and get on a realistic program.  I'm not perfect and, no, I'm still not constant, but I'm working on it.  I joined the gym, but I could be mall walking or jogging outside. I do TurboJam and TurboFire, but I could be using my Wii Fit. There are options - no set rules - except one...you need to watch what you eat.  That is where I am weakest.

I love to cook  and I love to eat.  I just have to be careful what I cook and how much I am eating.  Sounds simple, huh? Could be.  I ask you to follow my blogs, make comments, and hold me accountable.  If you like, I will do the same for you.  We are all on the same journey...to live life to the fullest.  Who wants to do that with diabetes, high cholesterol, aching joints? Not me!