Isn't it C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E or C-H-I-P-S? Yeah those sound like the usual go to's unless it's super stress and then you just head straight for the W-I-N-E! But alas when you are trying to lose weight these things will derail your efforts and cause negative effects. What to reach for instead... A workout!
Yes really, I know what your thinking trust me on this I haven't gone totally crazy yet. It will probably be the LAST thing on your to do list but it will help. By working out it forces you to focus your attention and thoughts on doing the moves properly and what's coming up next. Soon you will be sweating and forgetting all about the stressful situation. Unless it's a punching, kicking kinda work out in which case you can use your emotions to fuel you to give it all you've got! By the end of the workout you might be smiling and feeling happy. It's because your High! Hehe no really when you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins sends signals to your brain that reduce your perception of pain ei the no pain, no gain mantra. Endorphins are pretty powerful stuff, they trigger a positive feeling in your body similar to that of morphine! So the next thing you know you've workout all week just to get the happy sweaty feeling, it's pretty addicting. I mean there are ways worse things you could be addicted to right? I'll take exercise.
Now to the food. I'm not saying don't have the chips, chocolate or wine I'm just saying do it in moderation and portion control it! Don't just sit down and kill a bottle of wine. ( I know, I know totally buzz kill) but maybe compromise a bit too. So have a glass of wine and a salad. Or a handful of dark chocolate chips with a serving of raspberries. And do not, I repeat DO NOT get the big bag of chips and sit down with them... because before you know it you'll be elbow deep and looking at the bottom of an empty bag. Instead pour a little and put the far away... far far away. Better yet try tortillas with salsa or veggies and hummus... you'll feel more satisfied in the long run.
Ok so you didn't listen when I said portion the chips and put them far far away and now you feel guilty about ruining your diet.... STOP! Like really stop it right now. It's done it's over you can't go back and do it over so move on. Don't let one slip up turn into a week, month of bad eating. Trust me I know I've been there.... it's easy to say next week or on Monday. You don't need a special day, you just need to start with your next meal and make it healthy. I personally have been struggling to I'm not beating myself up over it. Right now I'm getting over a nasty cold and I don't feel bad eating soup and crackers because a salad is just not as comforting. But I know it's not permanent and that this little blip in my eat and exercise routine won't wreck my goal... it's still there and I can still work towards it. For now I'm just focusing on me and my health which is ultimately what the bigger picture of is all about right? One day at a time, One pound at a time.... We will get there :)
