Emotion Eating

I am an emotional eater.  There.  I said it.  I hate admitting it but I have come to realize it's what I do.  This past month has been particularly hard.  I've dealt with a loss in the family followed by guilt of not being able to go to the funeral.  Then a loss of a pet.  And the guilt of not being there when he died.  I've dealt with anger, sadness, grief and understanding.  And I've dealt with everything with...food.   In all honesty, I've sort of had this inkling before.  But I've never wanted to admit it.  Who would want too?  I mean - I deal with my emotions with food.  It doesn't always happen when I'm upset either.  I'm happy around food. People are happy.  Good food, happy people.   I've been spending the last few weeks thinking over why I am the way I am.  How my habits became my habits.

Growing up, we would celebrate with ice cream from the local dairy queen.  Holidays were filled with smells of amazing, home cooked meals and family.   Picnics, bbq's, parties, just because...happy food memories.  But it's not just that. Look at media.  From childhood women are told to eat some ice cream and drink some wine after a break up.  Pig out when your pregnant.  Dine on Chinese take out when we are single or alone.  Why can't we incorporate healthy habits?  Take our frustrations out at the gym.  Eat healthy while pregnant.  Take healthy cooking classes when were single?   Of course we can't take away everything - like holiday meals and every family outing.  But we can change.  We can make healthier habits.  We CAN change those habits of emotional eating and turn them towards something positive.  Emotional bicycling perhaps? 

In all seriousness, emotional eating is a real problem.   There are something that can help though. 

• Identify the Trigger - Stress? Bordom? Anger? Depressed?
• Are you REALLY hungry?
• What are your habits? Do you eat when you get home from work, late at night, during a particular movie? 

When you get to the point where you want to emotional eat, try the following:

• Go for a walk, run, bike ride
• Garden
• Play a game with your kids
• Call a friend
• Drink some water
• Be mindful of what you eat
• yoga  

With a little time and a lot of practice, emotional eating can be beat.  Eat for the long term goal, not the short term satisfaction.

Having a Supportive Partner

Recently I was sitting down watching junk tv.  While scrolling through the guide I found TLC's My 600 lb Life.  Sometimes I watch these shows out of curiosity.  What is their life like?  What got them to this state?  Or simply - to watch their transformation.  This particular episode was a woman whose spouse was incredibly unsupportive..  She worked very hard and was making progress.  Her husband was not saying nice things, going to fast food joints - it was hard to watch.  My heart ached for this woman who was changing her life for the better.  Not just for herself but for her daughter.  Mostly, it made me grateful.

My husband has been far from perfect.  He has said hurtful things in the past.  He has a dry sense of humor and doesn't always realize when he's crossed the line.  I guess it's like treating me "like one of the guys." or something.  Anyways - thats another story for another day.  At one point many years ago, I sat him down and told him how hurtful his jokes were.  I know he was trying to make me laugh but...they didn't.  He felt bad and apologized - he really didn't think it was hurting my feelings. I also told him that food is such a huge struggle for me.  I explained to him that I needed his help.   If I was going to do this journey, I needed him to be on it too.  To my surprise, he agreed.

He has been wonderful ever since and I can honestly say he is to credit for some of my weight loss.  Just having his support, encouragement, understanding and love has been a big help to me.  I couldn't imagine doing it without his support.  In fact, I'm pretty sure I would have given up. He has been there for my ups and downs.  My weight loss and my weight gain.   My food binges and my health nut stages.  He's done it all.  I am so grateful for his support, even when I'm yelling at him because "I'm on my period and damnit I'm going to eat this piece of chocolate!"  I truly am lucky.

In fact, he's currently helping me by following the 21 Day Fix program with me!  It makes a difference having someone you live with be your very own accountability partner.  He's even following along with the meal plan.  We took pictures of each other, measurements and encourage each other daily.  It will be interesting to see the results when we are done.  And it's nice doing it together.   Lately I feel like there is not a lot we have in common anymore.  But getting healthy together is a goal of ours so...here we are.  And it's been eye opening. 

His support is priceless.  If your partner is not supportive, I truly encourage you to have a heart to heart with them. They really may not realize that they are being hurtful.  If your partner is going through some changes or struggles, support them.  Changing, be it health, career, lifestyle, is hard.  It's even harder when the person you love does not stand by you.  

3 day refresh, results

I don't know about you, but I ate through the holidays.  There was no stopping me.  I wanted, I ate, I enjoyed and now I regret.  Such is life though right?  So I figured, why not end my horrible eating and get back on track with the 3 Day Refresh.  This is the second round I've done.  My first round was alright but I wanted to do at least two rounds before I blogged about it.

So, What is it?
The 3 day refresh has been designed to to cleanse your body, help you reenergize and get back on track all while keeping your metabolism from crashing.    Unlike tradition cleanses, the 3 day refresh gives your body the nutrients it needs.  The basic idea for this was to help people who have veered off the healthy eating course.  It happens right, a little extra here, a little extra there, and the next thing you know your feeling bloated and your clothes are tight. Since it was post holiday and my clothes were rather uncomfortable I had to give it a go. 

Whats in it?
The package comes with 2 options - with shakeology or without (for those who already use it.)  It also comes with 3 packets of fiber.  I was hesitant to drink this at first but honestly, it wasn't too bad.  It was lemony but had an odd texture.  I drank it quickly!  In addition, you will recieve 6 packets of Vanilla Fresh.  This is your protein.  You drink this twice a day.  Finally, a booklet including instructions, lists of approved foods, and recipes.   It has everything you need.

For my starting weight I was shocked.  I hadn't stepped on a scale in months so this was...not what I wanted to see.   I was uncomfortable and bloated.   I knew I had let thins slip but this... depressing. I hate even typing about it.  Makes you feel like a failure you know?  Anyways - best way to get back on track was to clean out the guts and get back on track.

 

 Dat 1 - here's the thing with the food.  You get PLENTY of options.  Choose wisely.  This first day I found ok.  I was hungry and really craving something chocolaty and full of  carbs.  I stuck with the plan:

 Breakfast - shakeology - chocolate with an apple
Mid morning - fiber shake
Lunch - Vanilla Fresh, 2 clemintines, green beans cooked in a teaspoon of olive oil
Afternoon - 1.5 tsp peanut butter, carrots
Dinner - Vanilla Fresh, Stir Fry cooked in 1 tsp olive oil

Dat 2 - a 3.8 lb weight loss was a great beginning.  Already I was feeling less bloated and more comfortable.   However, I was finding myself extremely cranky and couldn't figure out for the life of me, why I was having such cravings.  I mean, I've done and succeeded with the Ultimate Reset - why is this 3 day thing so hard!  Never the less, I stuck with it.  My meal plan stayed very much the same.  It was just easier to have everything pre cooked and ready to go so I pre cooked everything on day 1. 

Day 3 - only a .4 loss but better than nothing.  The lady beast showed up which is explains my ravenous cravings for all things carb.  Once again, I stuck it out.  My mantra was "It's only 3 days."  It really wasn't that bad - I think I would have had an easier time if the beast wouldn't have showed up.  By this time I was tired of stir fry for dinner and was thankful I only had one more day of it!   My final results?

5.6 lbs!  In 3 days.  I was please with the results and happy I did the program.  With the loss of these 5 lbs I felt better.  I know I have a long way to go - but to be able to not feel so uncomfortable was fantastic.  It was a good boost and perfect for getting back on track.  :)

Who is it for?
Anyone!  This is a great program to get back on track, lose those last few stubborn pounds or start!  This program is also good for anyone who has an important event such as a wedding or party.  This is NOT a long term diet plan.  It's a 3 day refresh.  Wake your body up, start over in a new, healthy way.

Want to try it out yourself?  Message me and I'll help get you started! 

Ugly Sweater Run 2014

I know I know...I'm a bit late in writing this.   But I had so much fun doing my first every Ugly Sweater Run that I feel like I should blog about it.  My sister had run it before and enjoyed it.  I was excited to have the opportunity and even more excited to drag my entire family!  (Pssst....Kids under 5 run for FREE!)

As I was nearing the end of the year, I was excited to do something healthy with my family and put a positive step forward in a healthier 2015.  When we first arrived there was a live snow globe, banners, blow up trees and more where you could take photos by.  Here's my family.  Aren't we a funky bunch?

The run was only 3.5 miles.  Starting off with a run through Candy Cane Lane with soap snow falling on our heads and techno Christmas music singing from the speakers.   About halfway through there were two giant blow up reindeer as well as some nice hot cocoa.  Surprisingly, that was it as far as things along the course.  I had heard there were quite a few Christmas blow up decorations previously so I was surprised to see just the two reindeer.  Who knows  why they weren't up.  Never the less we kept going. R started to lose his gump halfway through and started riding on the stroller with his brother.  I spent a large portion of the remainder cheering him on and encouraging him to run just a little further.  He tried his best and I was so proud of him.
Once we crossed the finish line the kiddos were rewarded with some Hot Cocoa and the adults got Sam Adams or Angry Orchard.  By the way - Angry Orchard was pretty darn good!  I'm not so sure I like drinking after a race but at least it tasted great!   Overall - it was a pretty good race.  Costumes were fabulous, people were out being active and having fun, and the race staff were friendly and energetic.  I look forward to doing it again.

Cell Phones Banned From Gyms

Many gyms have a no cell phone policy in place when it comes to group fitness and locker rooms, but what about the whole gym?   After some research it looks like the only big chain I have found that has a policy like that is Planet Fitness. It's tempting enough for me to want to join!  But its not just the chatter of other people that bothers me as it is these horrible video clips of people working out.  Typically they are doing it wrong, look awkward, making faces or something that is comical to the person recording.  I always wonder what the person behind the camera/phone looks like.  My guess is they are wanting to improve something.  And they probably would if they would put their damn phone down and do their own work instead of worrying about what someone else is doing. 
I really don't get those videos.  I mean, you see someone doing something wrong or even potentially dangerous.  Are they corrected?  NO!  They get recorded and it's blasted all over the internet.  I can't be the only  one who see's this as a major issue?  Why to people go to the gym?  To get healthier, improve confidence, get stronger, be happier.  When they see a video posted that is laughing at them, how hurt and ashamed they must feel.  What I don't understand is, why doesn't the person with the phone, put the damn thing down and go talk to the poor soul doing the wrong moves?  Correct him/her.  Show him/her how to do the moves properly.  And if they have no desire to do that, then put down the damn phone and concentrate on their own work out! 
This whole thing got prompted tonight when someone posted a video of a guy doing the wrong moves.  Long story short, it ended up an online debat - no name calling - but was still frustrating.  Some people posted assumptions about the man based on what he was wearing and commenting that "guys don't want to be helped by someone who isn't bigger or stronger..."  blah blah blah.  This poor man was recorded on 3 separate occasions.  I say this again, the man behind the camera should put down his damn phone and pay attention to the work out he SHOULD be doing instead of the way another man is doing it.  It all seems childish and such a waste of time.  And really - it downright pisses me off.  That man is being bullied.  I know people are tired of hearing the bullied card but what else can you call it?  It gets turned into a cyber bully thing. 
Or maybe I'm just to damned caring?  I see posts like that and my heart actually breaks for that man.  Here he was, trying to better himself, and some jockhead was recording him so all the muscled people on the internet could laugh and point.  Way to go asshole

Thanksgiving Now and then...

Sometimes, Holidays are tough.  Especially when you are not in your own house.  I've been at my in laws house and I've had lots of time to reflect how different my thanksgiving was to my husbands.  I enjoy myself at both and thankfully, get along with my in laws.   And even though there is nothing like moms cooking, Mike's family Thanksgiving  was great.  I enjoy both.  The traditional thanksgiving I grew up with and the one Mike grew up with.  And I am happy that we get to incorporate these traditions with the boys. 

Growing up meant waking up and watching the parade while mom baked the Turkey.  She also had pecan, pumpkin, and sometimes chocolate pie that she had made days earlier and had in the freezer.   Green bean casserole, roles, her amazing not from a can creamed corn....THE BEST!  The type of potato varied from sweet to mashed depending on the day.  By the time the parade was over the house smelled immaculate.  Mom brought out the fine china (real china, not paper plates!) and silverware.  The table was beautiful.  Turkey - golden and shiny.  potatoes full of butter...every thing had its place.  Being a military family, we often celebrated with just us.  No going over to grandma and grandpas.  A few times we went or they visited us but for the most part it was just us.   We would eat until we were stuffed!  Following our amazing dinner we would veg out and just enjoy each others company.  Then, we would dig in for more!

Now a days, it's a bit different.  I've been married now for 10 years.  My father in law owns some land with a little hunting shack.  Every year they go hunting - which always falls on Thanksgiving.  It's known as "Hunters Widows Week" around this small Wisconsin town.  We have been here a few weeks and I have seen him less times than not.  Its ok though because he gets some amazing bonding time with his father and brother.  The day of Thanksgiving, they don't hunt. My father in law got cable and we were able to watch the thanksgiving parade while drinking mimosas!  YUM!  In non traditional form, the guys cooked the dinner while the ladies watched football!


Even my little man helped grandpa bake pumpkin pie!
 

Little man on the other hand was quite the slacker.  Thumb sucking is hard work!
 

The food amazing but also slightly different from what I'm used to.  Yes, we had Turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberries.  But we also had perrogies, pickled vegetables, cabbage rolls and something called kapusta.  It's filled with more members of the family, cousins, and lots of noise! Typically we will go to my Mother in Laws vegetarian (and AMAZING) thanksgiving as well but she was visiting her mom this year.    The nice thing about being here was watching my boys interact with family.

Family is so important to us and it was great watching everyone interact with the kids.  Even better, it was great watching my two boys play with their cousin. She is a darling little thing and so much fun.  It was great.  The kids ran and ran all day long.  We barely got them to sit still long enough to eat!  I barely caught a picture at the end, guess I should have done that in the beginning. 

I am so thankful we had such a great thanksgiving and the boys had so much fun.  I'm thankful for family that cares about my children and takes teh time to spend time with and play with them.  Not everyone is so fortunate.  I hope you all had as much fun this thanksgiving as I did!

ALSO!  Don't forget to enter for the free tickets to Omaha's Ugly Sweater Run!  Drawing will be done the 30th!

A Chance to Win Entry to Omaha's Ugly Sweater Run

It's that time of year again Omaha!  The Ugly Sweater Run is BACK and I have been give four FREE entries into this years race!  WOOHOO!  Run to Grandma's closet and (with her permission of course) find the ugliest holiday sweater you can find!

My sister has done this in the past and raved about it!  Holidays can be busy and stressful.  What better way to ease the tension and mix in a little exercise with a fun run such as this?  But wait! What's the details?  I'm glad you asked!

       What?  The Ugly Sweater Run
       When?  December 14, 2014 11:00 a.m.

       Where? Century Link Center

                      455 North 10th ST

                      Omaha, Nebraska

        Why? Ummm....why not?

Need more information?  Feel free to pop on over HERE to the direct website.  Now, you know all the information, enter the contest below.   *****WINNING CODE IS ONLY GOOD FOR THE OMAHA RACE******  

a Rafflecopter giveaway