Emotional Eating

"A Clear Understanding of Negative Emotions Dismisses them." Vernon Howard

Yesterday I gave in and did some emotional eating. Only a little bit ... but still, I did it. I've been struggling and yesterday a ghost from my past snuck up on me triggered it. Major difference this time, I recognized it as it was happening. I was completely conscious of what I was doing.

I knew when I was shopping in Trader Joe's I was going to eat. I chose white cheddar popcorn -- knowing the whole bag was less calories than a bag of chips. I hadn't intended to buy it when I walked in, but it ended up in my basket anyway.

At home I talked myself through the whole process -- is this going to serve your goal of winning the Isabody Challenge? No. Ok, well then leave them alone. I repeated this conversation and circled my kitchen like a shark after blood. Opening the bag, closing the bag. Opening the bag, eating a little, putting it away. Finally I was like, "just eat the bag, do it and be done." So I did -- and you know what -- I enjoyed it, a lot!

But here's the key differences between this time and all the times before -- I didn't beat myself up. I didn't keep going. I had a shake for dinner and was right back on the program. I also recognized the feeling of inadequacy made me turn to the comfort of food. So courtesy of my friend and client Nancy Mendell ... I came up with strategies to try next time ... walk the dog, journal, do some art ... try one of these things before settling in and stuffing it down.

What strategies do you have in place for your next struggle with emotional eating?

Clear Skies

You know what it's like right after a storm? When the skies finally clear and the air is cool and crisp and clean, and the sun is not just shining, but sparkling ... That's how I felt this morning when I got up.

Like I'd weathered this dramatic storm and the reward was clear blue skies! Yesterday was just a test ...

I did not give in to the foods that were calling me. I rallied strength from my coaches and friends. (thank you Beth for recognizing the little waver in my voice and calling me right away!) Then I realized, this is the Isagenix difference. The personal coaching. The bonds you form and the friends you make over challenges that are unique but the same to all of us.

David Wood says when you're feeling doubt, uncertainty, fear or apprehension, those are signs you're being challenged. Yesterday I thanked him (repeatedly) for those words of wisdom because I was living a day FULL OF CHALLENGE! I remembered that an uncomfortable state is natural -- I call it growing pains -- "Here I grow again" is one of David's favorite mantras ... Now I understand why!

So next time you're in the middle your own personal storm, remember what I learned from yesterday ... 1. it'll pass and 2. say to yourself 'here i grow again' ... know that the bad weather doesn't last forever ... clouds will pass and skies will clear! The rewards for sticking it out are unlimited! Have a fantastic day!

On the Edge ...

Today was kind of a bad day. Well parts of it were anyway. Things got so bad they were laughable about an hour ago ... but that's when I almost went over the edge. Pizza and beer at Dino's was calling my name! LOUDLY!

You see today I did something really stupid. I weighed myself while having a horrible day, in the middle of the afternoon, after have a shake for breakfast, chicken and cabbage stir fry for lunch and a shake at 4pm. Oops! Seriously oops.

So here's something many of you may not know about me. I've had a long and tumultuous relationship with the scale. It's taken me many, many years to shrink my fat head. And just when I thought it was safe ...

Weighing myself today, while already in the midst of an already emotionally stormy day, was an interesting form of self-sabotage.

The scale said I've only lost 3 pounds in a week and a half.

This after the weekend cleanse struggle made me instantly go to the 'What's the Use' place. You know the place. It's on 'I Should Just Give Up' street in the town of 'This'll Never Work." Anyone else ever visited here?

Luckily, I had Isagenix teammates and coaches to call and they encouraged me to get out of that place right away. And while at the moment I'm still on edge, I'm no longer on THE Edge, ya know?

Their support has made all the difference!

Peace!

Full Moon

Tonight is a full moon! Perfect for wishing. But wishing on it's own isn't enough. Wishes with action, now there's the magic!

I made it through my through the second day of my cleanse. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it, but then this morning I had a breakthrough. The cleaner, leaner me realized that when you feel like you can't go on, when you feel like giving up, if you hold on and see it through, miracles will happen. You're headed for a deeper level of clarity.

Trust me. You have the power to create your own magic!

Weekend Cleanse

I've been doing back to back nine days(race to maintenance) pretty easily ... shakes days during the week, cleanse days on the weekends. But this weekend it was a little tough to get into.

One thing that's saved me this weekend is Michelle William's tip about eating cucumbers. Just gotta love that vegetable!

For some reason, today I needed to graze on something. Luckily Michelle had shared with me her trick about cucumbers ... she cuts them up and puts Balsamic Vinegar on them and munches on them during a cleanse day.

I cut them up and used Rice Wine Vinegar and the tiniest splash of sesame oil. My own simple sunomono salad! Yum! This seems to be working.

And although apparently my brain is going through a rebellious phase ... I'm working my way through it. Anyone else got tips they want to share?

Healthy Living with Beth

It's Friday and I'm grateful. Extremely grateful. Am looking forward to another day of work tomorrow, which is always fun since basically, I work with my friends!

One friend, Beth Kandell, has this great new blog.

Beth is all about quick and easy, healthy gourmet meals! Perfect for the time-challenged! Her meals take about 5 minutes to prepare, 30 minutes total time with cooking -- giving you far more time for this ... And really, who doesn't need more of this???

On the menu for this weekend ... Chilean Sea Bass w/ Mixed Green Salad and Roasted Asparagus!

Check her out at bkhealthyliving.wordpress.com!

Who Am I?

So today at 7:40 in the morning as I was driving to a networking meeting for Women Entrepreneurs, it hit me. I was up before 9, and functioning, and clear-headed, and not drinking coffee, and driving on the 101 freeway HAPPILY. Talk about total transformation. I mean, who am I??! WOW!

In my life, I swear, I never thought the person I just described would be me. I even was up til way after midnight last night and got up easily this morning at 6am without an alarm!!! Seriously, who am I??? I am a totally different person. With totally different energy and a totally different outlook on life.

Somewhere along this journey a paradigm shift has occurred. Inside my head I went from being the 'fat girl' with a heavy mind and heart, to the person I am at this moment. Somewhere along the line, I started to believe. I mean, really believe that a life shift was possible.

Now I know that I can let go of the multitudes of past weight loss failures and eating issues and all that other junk that's been weighing me down. That I can have a healthy future. That I can change my life and the lives of countless others by just doing what I'm doing.

So who am I now? I am the woman who is finally, finally, finally shedding the fat cocoon she's spent her life hiding in and grown new wings to fly! I am the woman transformed.

I wish you peace and the strength to make your own transformation!