My 15-year old cat died; my DD found out she has face cancer and must use a cream that is burning off the layers of skin on her face; I found out I need cataracts surgery in both eyes; the scrapbooking store where I go every week with my friends announced that they are closing; I gained 5 pounds (surprise, surprise).
I know that EVERY life has problems (and they seem to come in bunches).
Will I ever be able to contend with problems without resorting to crazy eating?
Someone recently told me - "If the problem isn't hunger, the solution isn't food."
Right now, my standard strategies are NOT working. Each morning I promise to get my eating back in control & each day I eat WAY too much.
I need some new ideas. Anyone have a good strategy for getting back on track?
It's really hard not to reach for that "old friend" food when the going gets tough.
Try to remain really aware. When you are tempted to simply eat handfuls of chocolate (or whatever drug you're reaching for ), or even anytime you find yourself staring into a refrigerator or cupboard looking for something, ask yourself this: "Will eating this now bring my cat back?" "Will having this food make my scrapbooking store re-open?" You see? This at least brings into your consciousness what you are doing.
Your answer may be, "No, but it will make me feel better for a minute." You may then decide to eat something--or not--but you'll at least be aware of WHY you are wanting to eat in that moment.
Some other ideas for taking care of yourself: Find a close friend, a minister, a counselor, and talk to them about what you're going through. Get active in other ways--go for a walk with a friend, maybe go bowling? Take an easy yoga class? Something to help your body reduce stress.
And get a second opinion about that cataract surgery. Doesn't hurt.
I like the quote that someone told you. It's a good one to remember.
I had a friend tell me she had a certain time she would eat when she got home from some weekly meeting and instead of eating at that time she replaced it with an activity she really liked and looked forward to but usually wouldn't make the the time to do it. I think it was a computer card game.
Maybe if you feel that urge to emotional eat you could replace it with a planned activity you like to do, read, garden, sew or whatever it might be. Something you could go right to.
I know losing your beloved cat must have been heart wrenching and your daughter, I can't even imagine. Is it too soon to find a new kitty? Pets are wonderful companions and a new kitty might bring some much needed joy into your life!
I hear you! My whole year has been like this, a series of unfortunate events. And for the last year, my weight has been fluctuating within a 10 lb range. Just when I think I'm getting on top of it, I get hit with something else.
I decided I would create an atmosphere at home that would support my efforts. There are no off-plan foods in my house. NONE. That was easier when it was just me, but now my sons live with me permanently and off-plan foods seem to creep back in without my knowledge. So I have to get the boys to comply now.
I also have to manage my days better. I seem to do better when I'm on a regular schedule, but I hate being tied to one. Too bad, time to grow up! I have to go to bed at a consistent time, get my eight hours of sleep and wake up at the same time every day. I have to do my cardio at least twice a day. I have to do my weight training in the afternoons. I have to get dressed for exercise every morning. I have to spend an hour out in natural sunlight everyday to manage depression.
To be honest, most days, that's not what my days look like. But when they do, I follow through with everything. So I guess the lesson is as long as I've created an environment that supports my efforts, there are far fewer opportunities for me to skip out on myself.
Read my blog listed below. You'll see how I'm all over the place with staying on track and falling way off the track. I don't beat myself up for not having lost over the last year, even though it is frustrating. There are seasons in life for every eventuality. Sometimes everything goes well. Everyday, something goes right. We have the opportunity to start over everyday.
yes I hear you, I sit here unemployed, and I recently lost a pet and no one seems to want to hire me. I worry about bills etc. Eating steps up and says "Here, I'll make you feel better!" So yes I totally understand. BTW lady in waiting I love the JKRowling quote!
You are one of the most sincere, dedicated chickies I know around her.
You CAN do this. You definitely have it within you to get back on track. You KNOW food is not the answer. Plan, journal, post in the accountability thread, and challenge yourself to stay on track for the next 30 days.
You absolutely CAN do this! Breathe, meditate, walk , find alternative activities to deal with the stress you are feeling.
Hey Lady!
It's really hard not to reach for that "old friend" food when the going gets tough.
Try to remain really aware. When you are tempted to simply eat handfuls of chocolate (or whatever drug you're reaching for ), or even anytime you find yourself staring into a refrigerator or cupboard looking for something, ask yourself this: "Will eating this now bring my cat back?" "Will having this food make my scrapbooking store re-open?" You see? This at least brings into your consciousness what you are doing.
Your answer may be, "No, but it will make me feel better for a minute." You may then decide to eat something--or not--but you'll at least be aware of WHY you are wanting to eat in that moment.
Some other ideas for taking care of yourself: Find a close friend, a minister, a counselor, and talk to them about what you're going through. Get active in other ways--go for a walk with a friend, maybe go bowling? Take an easy yoga class? Something to help your body reduce stress.
And get a second opinion about that cataract surgery. Doesn't hurt.
Jay
Hi Jay,
Thank you for all the kind thoughts & ideas. I think I may be getting it back together. July wasn’t much better than June – the flu, a cancelled trip to AZ, and a car accident. However, I think I’m ready to get back to good eating.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LitMiss
I like the quote that someone told you. It's a good one to remember.
I had a friend tell me she had a certain time she would eat when she got home from some weekly meeting and instead of eating at that time she replaced it with an activity she really liked and looked forward to but usually wouldn't make the the time to do it. I think it was a computer card game.
Maybe if you feel that urge to emotional eat you could replace it with a planned activity you like to do, read, garden, sew or whatever it might be. Something you could go right to.
I know losing your beloved cat must have been heart wrenching and your daughter, I can't even imagine. Is it too soon to find a new kitty? Pets are wonderful companions and a new kitty might bring some much needed joy into your life!
Hope is all works out for you! Good luck!
Hi LitMiss,
Thank you for caring. I think I’ll wait a while before getting a new pet. I like to travel & hate to leave my pet in a kitty hotel.
I like the idea of the replacement activity. Maybe I’ll talk myself into going downstairs & using the treadmill in my condo gym.
Quote:
Originally Posted by geoblewis
I hear you! My whole year has been like this, a series of unfortunate events. And for the last year, my weight has been fluctuating within a 10 lb range. Just when I think I'm getting on top of it, I get hit with something else.
I decided I would create an atmosphere at home that would support my efforts. There are no off-plan foods in my house. NONE. That was easier when it was just me, but now my sons live with me permanently and off-plan foods seem to creep back in without my knowledge. So I have to get the boys to comply now.
I also have to manage my days better. I seem to do better when I'm on a regular schedule, but I hate being tied to one. Too bad, time to grow up! I have to go to bed at a consistent time, get my eight hours of sleep and wake up at the same time every day. I have to do my cardio at least twice a day. I have to do my weight training in the afternoons. I have to get dressed for exercise every morning. I have to spend an hour out in natural sunlight everyday to manage depression.
To be honest, most days, that's not what my days look like. But when they do, I follow through with everything. So I guess the lesson is as long as I've created an environment that supports my efforts, there are far fewer opportunities for me to skip out on myself.
Read my blog listed below. You'll see how I'm all over the place with staying on track and falling way off the track. I don't beat myself up for not having lost over the last year, even though it is frustrating. There are seasons in life for every eventuality. Sometimes everything goes well. Everyday, something goes right. We have the opportunity to start over everyday.
Georgia
Hi Georgia,
Thank you for writing to help me. I am sorry to hear about your difficult year. I like the idea of clearing out my house of foods I shouldn’t eat. I will do that today. Ordinarily, my house is “bad food free.” However, while I was sick with the flu this month, I collected some foods I don’t need – sherbert, orange juice, graham crackers… Will get rid of this stuff today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pixiesue
yes I hear you, I sit here unemployed, and I recently lost a pet and no one seems to want to hire me. I worry about bills etc. Eating steps up and says "Here, I'll make you feel better!" So yes I totally understand. BTW lady in waiting I love the JKRowling quote!
Hi Pixiesue,
Thank you for writing. I am sorry to hear about your losses. Let’s get ourselves back together with regards to our eating. No sense adding more problems. I’m ready to hit the “re-start button” on eating right!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountingDown
Lynn,
I just found this, sorry I missed it.
You are one of the most sincere, dedicated chickies I know around her.
You CAN do this. You definitely have it within you to get back on track. You KNOW food is not the answer. Plan, journal, post in the accountability thread, and challenge yourself to stay on track for the next 30 days.
You absolutely CAN do this! Breathe, meditate, walk , find alternative activities to deal with the stress you are feeling.
I believe in you!
Laurie
Hi Laurie,
So nice to hear from you. Miss you on the Labor Day Challenge thread. Thank you for writing. I’m ready to get back on track. Maybe I just needed to feel sorry for myself for a while?
Seriously Off-Track
), or even anytime you find yourself staring into a refrigerator or cupboard looking for something, ask yourself this: "Will eating this now bring my cat back?" "Will having this food make my scrapbooking store re-open?" You see? This at least brings into your consciousness what you are doing. 
