One of the biggest obstacles I'm going to have to learn to overcome is my habit of eating badly when I'm stressed. It's not necessarily that I eat more when I'm stressed or upset, it's that the foods I choose to eat are far worse for me. I'm way more likely to choose macaroni and cheese over broccoli when life sucks. (Or when the hormones take over. Stupid uterus.)
I'm sure a lot of people would say the cure to this problem is, "Have less stress." Well, no shit, Sherlock. If I could have less stress, I wouldn't be stress eating. I'm not quite sure what it is that I can do to de-stress. Most nights by the time I get home, I just want to eat something and lay around and watch T.V. I'd love to get involved in something, but my work schedule doesn't really allow for it.
I'll put it out there for you guys. What's something fun, healthy, EASY, and calming that I can do on those days when I just want to EAT ALL THE THINGS because of stress?
Walk. Call friends. Knit. (Seriously, knit.) Anything that gets me up and away from the computer/TV/couch because if I sit and zone, I'm really sitting and stewing. I think the key here is figuring out what you *like* to do, and doing it. If you're enjoying yourself, you're de-stressing.
ReplyDeleteI'm not the best person to talk about stress management, but knitting. I know you're not big into it, but what about beading or making friendship bracelets or reading a chapter or writing? I've found creative stuff to be the most relaxing stuff out there because it a) requires me to not just veg out and run over all my stress stuff in my brain and b) lets me feel like I'm accomplishing something. Anything that has a start and end that also requires me to be engaged is good. I can measure progress and don't have the zone-out risk.
Re: food directly...
I'll also try eating a small portion of the healthier option to cut hunger, then chilling for a while, then heading back to the kitchen. If I'm stressed and hungry, I will eat junk. If I can take the edge off the hunger, it's easier to make smart choices.
The other thing is, I'm figuring out how to make the junk food choices now and then without going overboard. There's a reason I bought three things of the TJ reduced guilt mac & cheese: it's better for me (slightly) but it satisfies the same craving as the really, really crappy for me version. At the end of the day, I can eat what I want when I'm PMSing without feeling as bad about it. If I start telling myself I can't have mac & cheese, I panic and stress *more.* Better, I've found, to learn to work with moderation than self-denial.
Dude. I have been struggling with the same problem. Stress de-railed my eating about 2-3 weeks ago and I'm STILL not completely back on track. Sometimes I can handle my shit. Other times, not so much.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kel on pretty much all points. Dealing with stress is all about finding a positive outlet. What works for me may not work for you, but the idea is that you find an activity you can immerse yourself in. Something that makes you challenge yourself, and feel good about yourself after completing.
I think part of what triggered my own most recent stress eating binge was that I wasn't able to exercise. Through a slow and painful process, I had finally worked my way up to actually enjoying exercise. I felt good afterwards, and sometimes even during. I was starting to see some results physically and mentally. Then my foot started hurting (heel spur) and I haven't really been able to workout since. So when a really stressful situation popped up, I couldn't punch-dance it out, and I went for the easy answer: the junk-food. I've been very bad about logging calories lately, and I fell into some of the old, bad food habits I had worked so hard to break. Yesterday and today I have eaten so much better, and I'm even thinking about doing one of my workout DVDs tonight. But seeing all your progress unravel can be so frustrating.
Like Kel said, denying yourself completely is setting yourself up for failure. Moderation, and making the better choices in small ways where you can, will be easier to maintain for the long haul. One thing I have been trying to work on isasking myself which junk food is the most important to me. What do I crave, or need in my diet to feel satisfied? And are there some other things that I can say no to, even if they're all up in my grill? And are there healthier versions of my must-have foods that will make me just as happy?
But I would say one of THE most important parts of making the revolution work, is knowing when to forgive yourself and just hit the reset button. You'll eff up. And you'll eff up again. This stuff takes a lot of practice. Shame spirals are a natural reaction--but if you just look at it like "well, that sucked, but it's ok." then it will be much easier to get your ass back on the saddle. Changing how you eat, just like many other pain in the ass (er...I mean..."worthwhile") goals in life, is a journey--not a destination.