Greetings and Salutations! Today's blog is a challenging one for me...it's one in which I finally take a really close look at the things that stand in the way of my goals regarding my personal fitness. It's a look I've been dreading, but one that I know must be dealt with.
As many of you know, I've been able to lose just over 30 pounds in the last 20 months by revamping my nutrition and working out regularly. I'm excited about the changes I've made, and proud of what I've accomplished. But now I'm stuck...and I know exactly why. It's 100% my nutrition.
Now, keep in mind that my nutrition has improved by 150+% in the past two years. I was a Dorito eating, drive-thru loving, Starbucks caramel macchiato swilling girl. I ate too much and I made really bad nutritional choices. Fast forward to today...for the most part I eat about 85% 'clean,' I combine a complex carb with a protein at each meal, I eat 5 small meals per day, and I really try to fuel my body rather than just 'eat.' On most days, I stick to my caloric allowances. Alas, Houston, we still have a problem.
I overheard one of my family members last summer mention that if he or she worked out as much as I do, that he or she would easily lose weight. Granted, I do workout for 45-60 minutes each day and then I walk my dogs on top of that. I probably workout more than the average person, but I relish in it and I love it. That I'm not going to change. But I don't 'easily' lose weight like my family member would...what, pray-tell, could be the problem with Nancy and her struggle?
I've known for quite sometime that I have emotions that trigger certain eating behaviors. I don't binge or purge or starve myself...but I'm a habitual 'snacker.' I'm learning that food, to me, is comfort. When I'm bored, I grab a handful of pretzels or peanuts. When I'm stressed, I dip into the peanut butter jar. I also tend to look at my day as time between meals. Instead of planning my workout mid-morning on Saturday, I have to schedule it appropriately around the mid-morning snack time. It's just ridiculous that I allow the concept of food to control my life the way it does.
I also am learning that I tend to use food as a showing of love. In fact, just last weekend when I was at the grocery store, I bought a chocolate cake mix and icing for my husband because he likes cake (seriously, I affectionately call him Mr. Little Debbie, which is his favorite food group). Back in the recesses of my mind, there was probably some pleasure sensor going giddy with delight because that stinking cake proved my love for him. WHY?
So today is the day that I start working as hard on this aspect of my fitness as I do the actual workout aspect. My plan is to utilize a workbook that came recommended to me by another emotional eater, "The Food and Feelings Workbook: A Full Course Meal on Emotional Health." I'm excited about the next phase of my journey and welcome any comments you may have along the way.
Feel free to drop me a message or stop by my Facebook page if you'd like. If you're on the same journey, support is always welcome!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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Thanks for the book recommendation. I definitely struggle with my nutrition too. I know I would have lost this belly bulge by now if I had eaten better during my CLX & TurboFire workouts. That's my big goal for 2011. Gotta get a handle on my eating habits. You're not alone, girl!
ReplyDeleteMany if not all of you have never heard of me. I’m Nancy’s sister, Jean. While growing up, I was referred to as “number two” by Big Jim, with GREAT affection. So, I’ve known Nancy longer than Nancy has known Nancy. I was always the “runt”. I was short and skinny (not slim - straight down from my shoulders to my ankles). Nancy, well, not so much. Not that she was HUGE. She was just GERMAN. I always thought our parents should have called her Inga. Anyway, back to the food.
ReplyDeleteWhy mention our childhood on a food eating article? Obvious, food is how we were brought up. Even healthy eaters are reared, trained, or taught how to use food in their lives. Bottom line, (and while this is my opinion, it is felt, repeated and opinionated by many) comfort food makes us happy – whatever the comfort food of choice is. While I certainly DO NOT have a penchant for oatmeal cookies with butterscotch bits, I stood on a bottom cabinet drawer with a cutting board sat on top, so that I could reach the counter and assist the Great One in preparing them with utmost love. I knew that I could stop by my grandmother’s house 24/7 and there’d be cookies under the sink in a fully-loaded-BPA-container just waiting for me. And while I never really liked that particular cookie (please God, let there be gingersnaps, or even the raisin sugar cookies there today), I ate them. Why? Because I could sit down with my Grandmother and perhaps a sibling or cousin or two and “break bread”. Dinners were extravagant as well. We’d cram more people at the dining room table then we had room, Grandma would crack out the china and we’d have a complete meal with some kind of ridiculously fatty meat and the complimentary 4 other starches that made up the meal. No salad, vegetables included green beans – with butter. Don’t let me forget dessert. The ultimate compliment to the cook was picking up your dessert plate and licking it clean. Grandma LOVED that!
I honestly don’t have a problem with using food as comfort or even a reward. I remember coming home from college and Marilyn (our mother) saying, “Hmmm, it’s a lot harder to put that on then take that off.” She was referring to weight. Perhaps because Nancy was 7 years behind me, she missed those words of wisdom. (Marilyn was getting tired of telling teens what to do.) Everything’s good in moderation. So I don’t think that viewing food as a reward is bad. I also don’t think thinking about it is bad. I don’t think thanking someone you love, or someone who did something nice for you with food is bad. But I also don’t think we have to run to Sam’s Club and buy it in bulk either.
In regards to the weight loss, Nancy you’ve done an incredible job. I believe your struggle prior to you waking up one day and being sick and tired of it comes down to the fact that you really didn’t love yourself. And look at you now, you’ve turned that around. Just keep doing what you’re doing. If you are supposed to lose the weight you will.
Having said that, I’d like to know which cousin you’re talking about….