Mind, Body and Soul Manifestations

I am noticing a pattern here. Every single time I feel stressed at work, my eating habits go completely haywire! I'm trying to correct it, but it's getting tougher and tougher to stay motivated when I'm not happy in my job. It seems to be affecting all aspects of life at the moment. I'm not sleeping well which is just making me crave caffeine and sweets! (I normally crave salty foods, but stress seems to make me the opposite.) I have been trying to get it out at the gym, but I feel so wiped out all the time and I don't know if exercise is helping or hurting! I just feel pretty overwhelmed about a lot of things right now. I'm hoping to change my job situation next year, but the waiting is tough. I'm reading a book called "Nurtureshock" right now. It's a very interesting research-based book about how we're raising kids and how we can improve it. Obviously I'm not a parent, but being a teacher, it's quite interesting. I just read about...

I know I said before that weight is just a number, and it is; however, I am pretty pumped that I FINALLY shed a pound! It might not seem like much, but I'm thankful that my calorie counting and workout attempts are at least doing some good. I visited my sister and her family in NC this weekend, so I sort of fell off the wagon as far as calorie counting and being consistent in working out, but I got back on today. I haven't been eating great this week, but I'm trying to at least keep it under 2000 calories and I stepped up my working out today. I did 40 minutes on the bike on the "random hill" setting. It was challenging, but I felt a lot better after completing it. I am still working on trying to fit in snacks and remember to pack things. Yesterday was a staff development day at work and I ate well for breakfast (oatmeal with fruit and a nonfat latte), then had a granola bar before heading to my meetings at noon. I forgot to bring my lunch in with me, so I just...

My motivation and I need to have a chat. I'm not sure where she disappeared to, but I sure hope she comes back soon. I was all set to go to the gym this afternoon and when I get there, I realize I have forgotten my socks, iPod and a hair tie. I sweat, A LOT and going to the gym without something to pull my hair back is just a pain in the ass! I don't know if I'm subconsciously trying to sabotage myself or what! On Monday I forgot to pack my shoes! I forced myself to get on the stationary bike hoping that I wouldn't be too uncomfortable, but it was so squeaky I couldn't handle it. Without my iPod to drown out the other sounds of the gym it was very hard to focus on my workout. There were no other bikes available so I switched to an elliptical. The first one I got on was making strange noises as well and I felt a bit lopsided on it. I switched to yet another and after about 12 minutes, I couldn't stand it any more! Normally when I get on the machine and get into a...

I think I have to shift my thinking a little this week. I had a bit of meltdown on Saturday when after a week of making good choices, not splurging and trying really hard to work out, etc., I did not lose a single pound. I then had date night with Ben and ate entirely too many calories...and had a few too many blackberry martinis. I got back on track yesterday and today though. I'm watching The Biggest Loser and after seeing some of the contestants melt down about how awful they feel about themselves and their lives, I'm trying to give myself some more perspective. This journey is not about a number. It's not about the size of my pants or the number on the scale, it's more about being healthy. I do not want to look in the mirror 20 years from now and say "Why did you let yourself go?" I want to be able to have kids, be a good role model AND have a healthy self-esteem. I don't want to blow my whole week just because I'm angry that the scale didn't b...

I'm really struggling today with trying not to eat everything in sight! It has been a very stressful week at work and today, even working out is not helping me feel satisfied. I want chocolate and the 2 Ghirardelli squares I allowed myself are NOT doing anything to make the craving go away. I drank some peppermint tea, have been guzzling water...and I can't get chocolate out of my head. I keep replaying the Joan Jett song "I Hate Myself for Loving You" over and over in my head about chocolate! (It really has been one of those weeks.) I'm going to push through this and keep reminding myself that the swim I took earlier and the good choices I'm trying to make when eating are going to pay off...it's just really flipping hard to take things one day at a time this week...

Thank goodness for the gym and Florence and the Machine today! It was a super-rough day at school. For those of you who are educators, today was the first day I had to use my CPI training...not something I thought I'd have to do. I was very stressed and somewhat shaken up after work. Normally, I would grab a bottle of wine, go home, sit on the couch and veg out with Maximus. Well, today I made a much better choice. I knew I needed to relieve the stress, so I hauled myself to the gym and did 35 hard minutes on the bike at an uphill climb. I felt so much better afterward. I cranked up Florence and the Machine and got it done. I also did not get that bottle of wine. :-) I'm trying to keep myself hydrated and on top of things instead of wallowing in my sorrows or self-medicating. On another note, I've been comparing notes with a friend who is also trying to lose weight. It really does help to have a buddy! One tip I loved was pre-hardboiling a bunch of eggs for the week. Her ...

Quote I just heard from the Dr. on Biggest Loser, "If I told you that you were dying from lymphoma, would you take two hours out of your day for chemo?" Contestant: "Yes," Dr.: "Well, you're dying of being overweight. So..." If that's not perspective I don't know what is! Getting my ass off of the couch and doing a kettleball workout while watching the show!