Anyone else out there struggling? Good Lord it is only November 8 and already I am feeling the “holiday bulge!” And technically I have only made it throughHalloween!
I have been struggling lately. What else is new, right? I have been struggling big time with emotional eating and excuses. Anyone out there with me?
Here are a few of my thoughts lately…in no particular order!
“Well, screwed that up and didn’t workout this morning…might as well scratch that off the list. No workout for me today.”
“Today is going to be stressful…I NEED that cookie so and so just brought me. It will make me feel better!”
“LEFTOVER HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
“One won’t hurt” {Side note…it is never just one!}
“Well…those pants don’t fit. Fatty McFatterson!”
“Great…now my fat pants are tight!”
“You ate that cupcake…screw the whole day!”
“I’ll start next week!”
Any of these sound familiar? Have you said them to yourself lately?
I was having a great conversation today, while on the treadmill, with my trainer Larry. He gave me a great analogy. I told him I was struggling and felt like I was sinking deeper and deeper. I told him how lately I have been blowing it, early in the day, and then I would basically throw in the rest of the day and eat whatever I want.
He told me to stop squirming. Just like if I was tied up, what does squirming do? It tightens the knot. However, if I will just stop, slow down, take a deep breath, assess the situation and make a plan…then and there, I can figure out how to untie the knot and get myself out of the bind I am in.
Brilliant.
So many times I find myself struggling and I start squirming. I tell myself negative thoughts. I say bad things to myself and then, I eat. What good does that do? None. It makes the situation worse.
What I need to do is stop. Just take a minute when I am stressed and stop. Think about what is really going on and make a plan. Then, execute the plan I have made under “normal” circumstances. NOT under “Panic Mode!”
I think of quicksand. If you are in quicksand what is the first thing you DON’T want to do? Squirm. The faster you try and get out of it, the further and faster you sink. On the other hand, if you just take a chill pill and relax, you will stop sinking and possibly find a way out.
So, I will encourage you tonight to stop squirming. Take a deep breath, make a plan, and assess the situation.
Every hour of every day, start over. If you screw up, start over the very next hour. Don’t wait until the next day or the next week or January 1. Start the very next hour. These days, I am going to start taking it hour by hour and see how that works.
We are going to get through the holidays. One way or the other, we will get through. Let’s make it better than some of us did for Halloween!
What is your current struggle and how are you choosing to handle it?