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. 

Stressing by the Candy Bowl

    I've talked about how hard it is for me to stay away from the candy bowl, Mexican food and pizza when I'm under stress but recently I found out there is more to it than that.
    When your body is under stress you release Cortisol.  When the immediate stress is gone the Cortisol should dissipate.  In some folks it doesn't and can cause symptoms of fatigue and pain (there's a very long list on-line of other symptoms).  There is treatment but most doctors don't check for it. You need to ask.
   My stress level changes daily. I think I cause part of it.  I get caught up doing things in the morning and start running late for work.  Once I get there the list of things to do grows with the quantity of emails I receive.  Then, instead of working late to get everything finished, I make plans with girlfriends to go to happy hour, shopping, have conference calls scheduled and house cleaning to do. The list goes on. The chocolate bowl at work - which is now almost empty and I have no intention of filling it -and fast food are my biggest temptations.  They are quick fixes but make me fell crappy afterwards.
    For two weeks now I have held back from the candy bowl and when I've craved a fast food run I've stuck to grilled chicken and salad. Its starting to pay off.  I have kept off the eight pounds I took off when I did the Shakeology cleanse and am working on additional pounds.  This week is a bit hectic fitting exercise in, hitting the gym for cardio at lunch mostly, but I'm working my way back to regular scheduled workouts. Its coming. Its a process...

Stress and Eating Habits

I don't know what causes you to be drawn to comfort foods but I am definitely a stress eater.  What's bad is a I recognize it but let it take me over anyway. Why is that?

Its not like I haven't been in the fitness industry since the mid 90's.  I know how to eat, how my body processes it and what kind of fuel makes my body work it's best. But stress is a monster that just takes over.

An example would be this week. I found out Monday that a gal I'm working with went out on maternity leave three weeks early.  Congrats, she had her baby on Sunday. Freak out for me, I have a large account I have to cover for her that we really didn't go over before she left. Major stress! What did I do first thing? Go out to lunch someplace I probably shouldn't have. What should I have done? Gone to the gym. What did I do the rest of the week? Went out to lunch....The cycle begins.

So, I'm coming to you today to try to stop this endless, mindless binge of crazy eating. Today I step away from the cheese and chocolate.  Step back into my TurboFire and Hip Hop Hustle workouts.  Oh, and not get near the scale for a few days! No need to scare myself silly. I have ten weeks of this.  Time to redirect my stress.

Are you a stress eater? What makes you run to pizza, cookies or ice cream? Have you sat there with the spoon ready to go in and just knew you were making a huge mistake? Knew you were taking the wrong step but did it anyway, only to fell guilty afterwards? Its like punishing yourself for being stressed.  Oh, the food makes me feel better, for five seconds, then I feel crappy because I know I should have reacted differently.  And the voices in my head start to say ugly things!

Today is the day I shut those ugly voices out! Join me in kicking those mean little bastards to the curb! Pink says it in her song "F**king Perfect" - Change the voices in your head, make them like you instead!