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!

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!