Stress Triggers causing Emotional Eating: A Humorous Look at Men's Habits

Triggers: Key Robber of Successfully Breaking a Habit

Today I am dealing with simple and stupid daily stress triggers around the house and have to ask some questions

Is it me, or did God create men short a 'clean up' gene?

Woman LOVE a clean,  picked up house.

Why don't men get that?

Let's take the bathroom:    

Toilet: Maybe they are playing water guns but their aim is awful and then they never look back to clean it up!

Organizing hygiene products: Their hygiene is pretty good, but the products they use are all over the place.  Woman put a container for organizing and make it easily accessible, but they don't seem to realize that 
Take it out, Put it back!

For that matter no matter what organizer we give our men, they have to, just have to leave what they took out of it, on the counter.  Is it a game they play with us?  

Toothpaste tubes:  How do they get the paste out after it has dried and crusted around the hole leaving only a pinhole for excreting the paste onto the brush.  They do it though, amazing!

Toothbrush: Don't they feel the need to rinse the handle off, I mean sooner or later the crusted paste will fall off with use, Geesh!

Toilet paper:  Is it too much to ask them to replace the empty roll on the roller, and not just put the new roll on top of the empty used one?

Bathing/Shower:  A FACT:10 out of 10 wet towels will stay wet if not laid out flat for drying?  I know that is a stunning stat, but it's true hun!  Scrunching your towel up after bathing does nothing but keeps it damp and musty!!!

OK ONTO THE BEDROOM

Socks: Can we not have one central place to drop dirty socks?
Oh and PLEASE unravel them so they wash clean?  Not My Job, Man! Thank YOU!

Clothes: We have a laundry basket, please!

THE KITCHEN

Glasses/Dishes: Ok, I mean how many water glasses does a man need?  And if the sink is empty?  It's likely the cup or dish should go into the dishwasher.

Countertops:  When making a midnight snack, look behind you?  YES, crumbs fall, clean them up!  And they wonder how we know they ate?

Hanging up Coats:  Coat Closets are put near the door for a reason.  The kitchen chair is 30 feet away from the door in our home.  Do they work the 30 foot walk to hang their coats on the kitchen chair instead, in as part of their daily workout?  Don't they know we actually like the wood on the chairs to show, I know they don't realize that.

Opening Mail: Opened envelopes and garbage cans?  Need I say more?

Just one of the many triggers of stress woman deal with daily. 

It's Just Me Val, Ciao!

2011 AND CONSTRUCTION ON THE ROAD

2011: HIGHWAY SIGN "CONSTRUCTION NEXT SIX MONTHS"

If you're anything like me, each new year you say "I'm going to do this or that"  

I realized that one of my big hiccups in saying this is that I don't ready my mind for longterm goals.  Oh I don't mean, I know I will have my last cigarette on December 31st, and I am ready to quit cold turkey January 1st.  No, that isn't what I mean, though I've been there, done that.  I mean to go to the core and start to build the habit and change there.  For me as most know it would be my spirit.  I have failed over the years and realized that the problem has been where my spirit is leaning and gleening it's strength from.  So this year is different for me.  

My journey is leading me down the path that will tap into where my source of strength comes from, in my case it is my relationship with the Lord, for you it might be something else.  I am rebuilding my habits to embrace that relationship and depend on Him for the strength to work daily at changing me.  My goals this year are simple:  To be a better me.  And yes, I have a weight goal with an end date for reaching it that is part of this.  So for the next 6 months the highway my life path is taking will be "under construction". The speed limit is slow in order to do and be the best I can be and to manage my expectations along the way.

I'm excited to begin the journey and blog as I go.  I hope you'll join me.

It's just me Val,  Ciao!

"All About Me" Day 4

WAKE UP CALL...

Up at 6, in training by 6:30 on the nose

Wow I can't believe I'm in my 4th day and still going strong.

1200+ calorie burn for the first week.

Now, that is something to shout about!

I did this in two days with Core Training BUT 

I haven't done this in a long time with in home training at all.  

So you bet I'm proud!

ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE!!!

So ATTITUDE huh?

I believe that the old stand by sound advice to come expectantly is correct advice and I am claiming that for today as a matter of my faith.  If we don't come expectantly we will never receive what it is we need for that moment.  With this in mind, I believe it is no mistake that I belong in our exercise room at 6:30 am each morning and that what I am about to hear is a message that has bearing on my needs at the moment.  I come expecting and I receive, IT NEVER FAILS!  I just love that about having faith.

So it doesn't surprise me at all that both programs I am listening to while I am training are dealing with Dreams, Goals, Vision and Growth.  Not only both programs but also the commercials.  Talk about being "hit between the eyes" with a message. 

So when watching 'faith based' programming, you can always count on a plug for a book, or something at the end of the program with a 'bonus gift', kind of the same as an infomercial.  So today's bonus gift were motivational quotes from scripture to help you through your toughest of times.  All on one card.  The card today was on ATTITUDE. 

I'm reflecting on my revelation from yesterday of this 'All About Me' moment NOT just about selfishly taking time out for ME, but also it's about looking within myself to see what needs to change in ME to make it to my next goal, a cleansing so to speak in order to be the best I can be.

So here comes this plug for the series on "reaching your goals" and your ATTITUDE being so important in moving forward.  So I listen and then look up above the TV thinking, and all of the sudden I focus on the picture right above the TV in that room.  Can you guess what it was?  Yep you got it, we have motivational pictures on all the walls in our exercise room and the one right above the TV?  ATTITUDE!  Wow, God works in mysterious ways, and sometimes He makes sure you get it!

So today I am concentrating on my ATTITUDE in everything I do.  This is when the enemy will come to steal my ATTITUDE back and try to make me grumpy, which will cause others to get frustrated with my responses, and then start a cycle of stress that leads to what else?  You got it, Comfort Food!  I am so happy to have a handle on this at the beginning of my day so I can keep my eye on the mark and today's mark is my ATTITUDE.

OK not much more to add to today, I just keep believing and receiving His Grace for the moment I'm in.  His Grace Is Sufficient.

It's Just Val, Caio!

"ALL ABOUT ME" DAY 3

HOLD ON FOR ONE MORE DAY...

Day 2 ended with some stress that was put on myself but as I do out of habit, I fell off and had a comfort snack and beverage moment last evening before crashing for the night.  Not terrible but broke my stride after just 48 hours on board.  So, get back on the horse, go another day and learn how to manage that stress, or guilt, or whatever takes you to that 'edge' and causes you to have a 'hiccup' in your progress.  It's not the end of the world, it's more a 'wake up' call that there are 'hiccups' in life that make you respond a certain way.  For me it is retreating to my 'comfort zone' and  while I know full well that is what I do in 'hiccups' I am going to have to experience it to overcome it, so I did and now I will find another way to manage that.  

I must say that as it was happening, I had a moment where my mind said "Val, go do the tredmill with some water"  And believe it or not, I really was motivated to do it for a moment too, but quickly talked myself out of it.  That is a hopeful sign for me, because now the next time this happens I know to move on the thought going through my head first, 'go do the tredmill'.  I'll be ready!

That to me is PROGRESS!

Day 3

Up at 6:15, training at 6:30 on the nose.  

Turned on my program and really got a "Pie in the Face" Revelation.  WOW!  But GREAT!

I am dealing with a scratchy throat today, stuffy head, and muscle aches but I am going to keep my 'sunnyside up' and move into my day with the faith that this too shall pass and I can make it through this day.

Today is Nov and Dec BDay Lunch with Consultants and I'm looking forward to that.  We're meeting at an Organic Mediterranean Restaurant called Nirvana's.  Awesome menu and a healthy lunch for sure.

Burned 315 calories this morning by the way and that brings my current calorie burn for the week to 945 calories with 3 more days to go.  While my core training burns this much in one hour, I am moving forward with progressive weight loss through home training, and then at a point where I am comfortable with the weight loss I have accomplished this way I will head back to Gabe to get to the Core of things once again.  I'm figuring likely January timeframe, giving me 5 weeks to do the first phase at home.  Gabe by the way is our trainer.  If anyone is interested in what he does and can do check out www.overcomeaverage.com, his own business located in Addison, Illinois.  (There you go Gabe, if you're reading a plug for you!)  I'm looking forward to getting back to him for that training, it's very hard but results oriented making you look your very best in a short time.

WHO KNEW?

So I'm training this morning and all of the sudden I hear on TV that we need to be prepared for God to work within us, before we reach our purpose, goals, and dreams!  Yes we need the vision, but guess what?  We may not be positioned to carry it out if we have junk inside of us.  For instance:  Using a habit of Comparing Yourself to others as a measure of your goodness, worthiness or trust worthiness...

They used the example found in John 21 where Peter is asked 3 times if he loves the Lord and Peter says, "Of course I do Lord, I love you more than anyone..."  Basically Peter is saying without saying "I'm better than other's"   Like noone could love the Lord more than he, can.  In a way he is drawing comparisons between he and the other disciples here.

I soon realized that I do that as well.  I draw comparisons, and reason out why I am different based on those comparisons all the time!  

Holy Schmoley...who knew?
So while I thought this "All About Me" moment might be a selfish moment, my revelation today is that it is a cleansing time for me to look at what I am all about, my motives, desires, and clean the junk out of me to truly be the best I can be, moving into a more humble spirit that is ready to move forward with a purpose!!!  I love it!


Just like the 'TREE' so are 'WE'  OR rather am "I"
The trees are full of beautiful foilage in summer which in fall lose all that beauty...outside beauty, that is made stronger for the next season with sap that is running through it when all we see are a bunch of branches.  In Spring once again the beauty, more full and lush returns ready to shade us and comfort us and remind us that God does take care of his creation.  So goes it with me.  I am in that 'sap' season and am being fed to be the best I can be.  These are the silent times when God gets to work on me so I can be what it is I need to be to make my dreams come true and give the glory back to Him!


Look out world...I have a dream!!!

It' just Val, Caio!

Thanksgiving weekend has given me: Food for thought, A new leaf to turnover, and Sky is the limit opportunities, It's time to make my Dreams Come True.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

It's been 4 weeks since I ended my 4 day juice fast and detox. At the end of that detox phase, I celebrated the fact that I stuck to it and made it happen.  I really didn't have a goal past that for myself.  Well I did commit to a goal at the gym for the last quarter of 2010, but I realize I wasn't in the right mindset to be passionate about it.  It was so obvious that even Gabe, our trainer, knew I wasn't committed.  At my last training session he slid down on the mat while I was streching and said  "So Val, what's it gonna take to get serious *or something similar*"  I was moved by the reality that I had truly been wasting my time and his over the last few weeks.  Shortly after that reality hit me, I missed a day of training and finally showed up and suspended training all together due to accepting that major stress levels in various aspects of my life were skewing my focus on ME, and I felt the best choice was to take a break from training until resolution was reached in those areas.  


Don't we always think...
"Oh I'll keep up the training, I can do this, I just need a break"  Well not always as easy to execute.

My stress levels and the decision I made to deal with them, have resulted in the return of bad eating habits, less working out, and a stalemate in positive forward movement towards any resolution. 


When stress bears it's ugly face at me I immediately go into paralysis mode on everything other than the area that is causing stress.  I focus and work to resolve, relieve, or in other words, bring closure to the area that is pressing on me.  I live in the moment of stress completely,  I combine working through it with prayer, and dealing with the reality of it.  Truth is, without letting go and realizing I can't control this on my own, it is an exercise in futility for me.  

While 'stress' is not healthy, this mode I go into seems to give me this false confidence in thinking that I am doing my best to gain control and resolve in the most expeditious manner possible.  It truly is a form of worry, even though I am praying through it.  It's an unhealthy level of worry and stress. Biblically I know we are told not to worry, and look at me!

In the end, does worrying change anything?  No but tell my heart that!

An interesting part of this journey for me is that the adventure down this new highway in my life also takes my thoughts and converts them into holigrams in my mind.  Those holigram thoughts continue to validate that I want to keep going down the highway that will take me to where I can be the best ME there is.  I call it the "It's All about Me" journey of health.  

This crossroad I am at today comes with Choicepoints!  
Choices - Choices, it's so hard, can't the choice just be easy?


TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF...
  
Choicepoints in life are good if we take on a healthy approach at making the right choice of course.  

I am on the brink of a choicepoint...

Turning over a new leaf must come with passion, honesty, and focus, a truly "All about Me" choice that compliments the journey down this new life highway. In order to get to the point of making a choice I have to consider this:  I am paralyzed in stress, do I want to stay here,  OR do I choose to face the reality that this may not be the healthiest path for me.  I naturally go into my self analysis mode in considering how successful I've been at my current approach.  I'm reminded of something a friend  of ours shares at moments like this.  His question resonates deep within me right about now, it goes something like this...

"How's that workin for ya, Val?"   

And I must fess up: (considering where I'm at), 

IT'S NOT!

MY Choicepoints

The choices I have are clear...
Continue down this Highway to Hell, and let stress rule my life, debilitating me, which it is already in certain ways.
OR
Choose to turn over a new leaf, flip a switch, refocus, and fight back?

I actually preach "just flip a switch" to my own family at times like this, so this is my moment to prove it works, right?


Flipping a switch is obviously best done, (for me), by first, trusting that God's path as my life's highway is a better choice, and believe that all will work out for the best, that there is a greater purpose and it will result in something far greater than I could ever make happen on my own, or imagine.  Speaking of trusting God, trusting Him is biblical wisdom, no? 


Romans 8:28 tells me that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good...(I am not always good with this verse btw :)


THE SKY'S THE LIMIT...

“There are times that we need to sit back and stop trying to be in control. It can be a futile, frustrating battle. Inner peace comes when we accept that it is God who is in control and understand that the... best course of action for us to take is to just relax and go with His flow.” (someone said this, but I can't remember who)

"Be True to Your Heart And Your Dreams Will Come True. 
Stay true to all your beliefs and goals. 
Stand tall..Through all life's setbacks and disappointments, 
and your dreams will come true."

(To Debra's poem below, I would only add that my faith is huge in achieving my goals and dreams. I have a Father who cares more than anyone can, it's HE that is with me every step of the way: I have claimed Jeremiah 29:11 as my verse!)  BUT, we do have make the choice, and in doing so we set our destiny in motion...

~ Debra Ruegg-Jenkins ~  
 
"When no one else is with you,
and no one seems to care,
just whisper to yourself,
"I am the controller of my destiny.
It's up to me what comes to pass,
and if I keep my thoughts positive and strong.
my dreams will come true."

When what seems to be impossible obstacles
stand in your way, just think of all the times
you got through yesterday.
There is a place for you in this world.
Stay on your chosen path.
All the power is within you;
be true to what is in your heart.
Be honest within yourself;
if you are, then you cannot fail.  Your dreams will come true."
 
And My Choice Is?...
Turn over a new leaf!  I choose to get back on course.  Let go of stress and trust that all will work out the way it's meant to and I can do nothing better than to get back on God's path by taking care of ME.  I am ready to move forward and continue on this Ride down Life's Highway.  I know this is my time, I feel it and I will only succeed!

So it's time to regroup, set goals, dream it, write it, commit to it, believe in it, work at it, and achieve it!
  

My turning over a new leaf moment, starts today, juice fasting this week, combined with reasonable workouts, and return to clean eating and training following that, I am in 'sky is the limit' mode and my choice is to take the path to accept nothing less. 

In my life I have had many dreams, several of them have come true. 
Now it's time for the rest of the dreams to come true!  The Sky is the Limit!!!  

Watch out world, I have a DREAM! 

A Chritmas Leaves When Dreams Come True 

by William S. Phillips

 It's just me, Val!  Ciao

What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?

To Juice or Not To Juice? That Is The Question...

Wow it has been quite a ride.  Today is day number 5, and I have to decide do I go the whole mile or not?  Truth is not a change in weight loss overnight from day 4.  So is it a 24 hour plateau, OR have I gained all the benefits I am going to from this Juice Fast.  10 pounds in 4 days is nothing to sneeze at!

Plan A - Juice till Dinner, take a walk

Plan B - Juice, Train, Shake, Dinner

Plan C - Eat Clean, Train, Eat Clean, Cheat Meal for Dinner

I have had my first cup of coffee in 5 days this morning.  It's ok, not what I thought I was missing.  Think I need my skinny latte or iced coffee with lowfat milk and two splenda from Starbucks to spoil myself :)

What to do???  Argggghhhhh

Interesting Cravings Summary to Report...

While I am aware of a starving hunger several times a day, especially at night, I am NOT craving any particular type of food any longer and I am able to quiet the head noises, tune them out.

Stay Tuned...

I seem to be closing in on lifestyle changes that will benefit me as I progress through this process.  While the jury is still out as to whether I juice today or not, I feel like I walk away with a 'new' trained thought...Am I really hungry?  Is now possibly a real question I can ask myself and honestly make the right choice.

Taking a Ride Into The Future?

I am considering the positive affects of...

1. Juice fasting two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursday
2. Clean eating 3 days a week 
3. One cheat meal a week,    
4. Training - Monday, Wednesday and Friday,

If I follow this plan successfully I'll give myself a...

A Bonus Cheat Day a month

What am I doing the rest of my life?  Balancing it all and riding the highway to Health, Enjoying Life along the way....Care to come along for the ride?

I welcome your opinions, advice and encouragement along the way!  Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend all!

Caio!

What a Difference a Day Makes...

ONE MORE DAY, ONE MORE DAY, ONE MORE DAY!!!

  "Try doing it for one more day:" 
Bob (hubby) and Gabe (trainer) both think it is a good idea.  I, as many know have to decide for myself, truly don't take advice and run with it until I've thought it out, prayed and am passionate about my next move. 



YOU guessed it, taking one more spin on the juice fast. 


I MUST BE CRAZY...
Or at least have some form of pull towards self deprivation,  one of the two.

de·pri·va·tion definition

The act or process of removing or the condition resulting from removal of something normally present and usually essential for mental or physical well-being

 

AND my head knows this definition!  It keeps screaming "I'm Starving, Feed Me!!!"

Of course it is because it is normal for our bodys to crave, desire, and need wholesome food.  The four food groups, right?  

So why am I doing this to myself?

 

That is a great question!  And, it won't surprise most of you to know that I do have an answer.

My goal is to eliminate carb and sugar cravings that are annoying invaders of my late nights, HOW RUDE!

My head continually reminds me of the invaders by screaming, whining, begging, it goes something like this:

 Val's Head talking...

 

"FEED ME, I'M STARVING, WHAT HAPPENED TO  MY 2 FOOD GROUPS?"

• Bread and sugar?

• Where are my chips ahoy? ( They're in my hubby's lap floating in a bowl of lucious Hagendaas Ice Cream!)

• Where are my Oreos?

• What about those chips you used to give me nightly??? Or the Bagel with Peanut Butter???

And then my head lays the guilt on my asking, "Where's the love?"

Do you feel my pain and agony yet?  Arggghhhhh, so I resort to ridiculous tactics like texting a picture of my FB status with the words "I'm Starving",  in the comment bar to both Bob and Gabe, and then posting it on my wall.  Can you feel my pain yet? Then suddenly, a noise, a familiar noise, I turn around in my chair after I realize I hear one of  Bob's mannerly slurps.  He immediately hides a bowl behind the table, I jump up and look..."Aha!  It's the chips ahoy and ice cream!"  "Your Killin Me," I lament in exhaustion.

Can I do this?  Stick to it?  If I don't go to bed soon I can't, I'm too weak, my head and Bob are both playing with my hunger buds....ahhh finally it's 9:45 and it's now socially acceptable to say I'm going to bed :) ( "yeah! I can go to sleep now and get to the next day, most of all my head will shut down and stop screaming!")

 

Morning call and Trigger Analysis (yes Val is a big analyzer.  Anyone who knows me knows this)

 

I get up feeling pretty good and all the head noise has subsided. Got on the scale....Hallelujah I am down 10 pounds!!!  3 days 10 pounds, oh my, I think I have to give this another try.  So today is my 4th day and counting.

It's the evenings that really are challenging my stick with it mentality is shaken by the head noises

Triggers?  Can there be more triggers?

...hand to mouth, a laptop, and a tv with my husband and I am satisfied...and now I realize I actually have two triggers:

1. Bread cravings leading to sugar cravings (wrong carb choices)
2. Hand to mouth sensation  

 

Lollipop, lollipop oh lolli, lolli, lolli, Lollipop, badumbdumbdumb...

Will it all come down to pharmaceutical lollipops to get past this?  Do they even make a Lollipop like this?

I've never been one for drugs.. just isn't me.  I just want to end all the cravings for good and take that new highway, ride it forever my way and enjoy life...So tomorrow we'll see what a difference a day can make?