Confessions of an Emotional Eater

Well, this Monday marks the one month finish line for the nutrition goals I set for myself.  Buuut, I have to be honest with you guys, and mostly with myself: I did not feel that I was successful in completing this task.  =/  The first two weeks, I did great!  This shows me that I can in fact do this, and that it's not impossible.  But, the final two weeks were more difficult for me.  I have thought about this, and think there are several reasons why.  First of all, I don't like to tell people I'm on some sort of strange eating plan because I don't want them to look at me like I'm a weirdo or some girl with a complex.  Second, it's really hard to socialize and go out with people when I can't eat most things on a menu (in particular, on a happy hour menu).  This is especially difficult because I never did my research to find out what kind of alcoholic drinks I can consume, and still stick to my plan.  Third, I have found that lately I am a bit of an emotional eater.  This was my reason for starting the nutrition plan in the first place.  I was sad, and felt like my relationship with food was very unhealthy so I wanted to change it up.  However, in the past two weeks I found myself having hard days, and trying to use food as a comfort.  When I think about it, it is so silly!  Eating a cookie and cheating on my nutrition plan only exacerbates my frustration!  When will I ever learn!?  =P

 

For the two weeks that I was very diligent, I noticed that this had a drastic impact on me.  I didn't overeat because while the food I was eating still tasted good, it wasn't so amazing that I just kept eating and eating - therefore, I stopped when I was full.  I also didn't think about food as much or over-analyze what I was eating.  Since when I'm following this plan I know I am eating healthy, nutritional food, I didn't feel the need to monitor how much I was eating or feel guilty if I did eat something.  While these things might sound minor or silly to some, they are very big improvements for me and ease my mind so much of a lot of needless worry.  But now I feel like since I haven't been following my plan 100% in these final two weeks, I feel extremely guilty and think about it way too much.  I'd say that right now, I'm following it about 85% of the time.  So, I have a new plan of action and hope for support!

 

I am going to start my one month of clean eating...completely over.  I will start on Monday, October 3rd.  Before then, I will research what alcoholic beverages I can have so that when put in the situation, I wont have to worry about it (however, in the past month I have avoided all alcohol).  Until Monday, I will continue eating good but wont be 100%.  When Monday comes - the challenge is on.  I will not cheat and I will report to you guys more frequently on how I am doing.  I really want to do this, for me.  I want to feel better and I know that when I am eating clean, I do.

 

So here's to me and this challenge I am determined to complete.  Monday it will start, and this time it will be a success!  I'm sorry I haven't been better this time around, but hey, hopefully I'll be able to teach you guys a thing or two from my difficulties and show you how to be successful!  Woohoo. 

 

Happy Friday everyone!  Enjoy your weekend - play hard, have fun, and take a step toward healthier living - one day at a time!

 

Much love!