I am moving in the next couple of weeks and I think that most of you would agree how hectic and stressful packing and moving can be - especially when you have a career to manage. Well, I am no different than most women who sometimes try to do it all but I can honestly say I have been very stressed lately. Because of this, my life seems to be off and I am not as focused as I normally am and this can lead me to overeating. I began to see my eating pattern change about a week ago, not horribly, but enough to make me take notice and realize that my eating pattern was off. For me, staying focused is key to eating well since this is essential to making me look and feel better.

When I am polluting my body with processed foods and not the fruits and vegetables I normally eat my whole world can go into overload. Most processed foods are pure junk and in the end are not good for my health. When I eat them, especially sugars, I am always craving more and more and if I do not stop this then binging is right around the corner. While binging for me is not what it was years ago, it is still an issue. Those days of stressful binge eating still stir up every once in a while. When that happens, if I do not handle it properly, it can be a disaster. So, the first step is to realize that this is a problem. In other words, if food is the way you rescue yourself from any stressful situation, know that before it occurs. This way it can be much easier to deal with. Just take a step back, look at what you need to do to care for yourself in a healthy way and get right back on track.

It is really important not to take it to the next level. For me it is the emotional roller coaster of self-loathing and feeling horrible about yourself. That is the worst feeling to shake off. Unless it is stopped with a positive affirmation such as “OK, so I am still fine even though I was off track today” or “I will get back on track; that is what I do” or anything that you know that will get you back mentally. Do not sit and be negative. Get up, take a deep breath, and get back in the game. THAT IS WHAT I DO…EVERY TIME.

Debra