We all know about stress and the terrible things it can do to us. But do you really? Do you really think about how stress not only affects your mood but also your food choices? I know it affects mine, but I have the power to not let it and so do you.
There are so many different kinds of stress and so many things that affect our stress levels. We all have a breaking point and what we do when we reach that breaking point is what matters. Do you turn to food? Do you stop working out? Do you get so consumed in whatever is causing your stress that you forget to take time to plan how you are going to get through it? Trust me, I know about stress, and I know that right now, at this very moment and over the last couple of days I have TONS of excuses as to why I could just eat terribly and not workout. But I am not going to let that happen, I have the power to make that decision. We can't control a lot of things in our lives, things are going to happen to us, it is how we choose to respond to them that either makes you successful and happy or just makes you more miserable. I know that if I had been making bad food choices over the past few days my body would be handling the stress even worse. I choose what I put in my mouth, that is entirely up to me, so at least I can control something right now!
I spent 25 hours in the car and I could have just eaten drive through food and gas station packaged snack foods, but instead I chose to spend 30 minutes before leaving to pack healthy snacks and healthy foods for myself and my kids. I did allow us to go through one drive-thru fast food restaurant, but I did not order anything for me, and I was so proud of myself! I packed lots of fresh veggies, hummus, grilled chicken wraps (whole wheat tortilla, laughing cow herb cheese and spring greens), ham and cheese wraps for the kiddos, apples, bananas, strawberries, rice crackers and pretzels. We all survived on these foods for the entire 25 hour car ride, and that one stop through a drive-thru. I chose to teach my kids that despite what life throws at us, we still control our choices for food and what we put in our body. We feel better when we eat well, and our body is better able to cope with stress when it has good, pure, healthy fuel.
I love stress eating, I do it well, and that is why I have always struggled with my weight. But I am not going to let it control me any longer. I am making good choices, despite the circumstances, and even when at restaurants and at other's homes, I am making good choices. I have decided that once and for all I am going to remember at all times to stay in control of what goes in my mouth. Even around the holidays! Don't get me wrong I am going to have dessert one of these next couple of days, but I am going to have dessert once, not every day and not more than once a day. We do not NEED treats every day, we don't need them more than once in awhile, and that is simply not more than once a week. Remember the idea of eating in moderation. Moderation does not mean daily, it does not even usually mean 4 times a week. Obviously it depends on what food we are talking about, but in regards to desserts or unhealthy foods, once in awhile is 2-4 times a month!
Christmas time is a stressful time of year, and that is not what it is supposed to be about. So remember to sit back and enjoy it. Remember that no matter what stresses are thrown at you that you cannot control, you surely can control how you respond to it. If you are someone that typically turns to food for your comfort or stress relief, then find something else! Read, take a bath, read to your kids, do something creative, play a game, find some other way to take your mind off of those things you cannot control and divert your attention away from the pantry and the refrigerator. Remember that while we cannot control what life throws at us, no matter how awful and stressful it is, YOU DO CONTROL WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MOUTH! Make good choices, keep your body fueled with healthy and whole foods and your body will respond to all of life's stresses so much better.
This post was more of a lecture for myself right now, but I hope that you found something applicable to your life. I also hope that each and every one of you has a blessed Christmas.
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