Busy + Stressed = Junk Food, But Don't Give Up

Today has been one of those days where I had to do my job and the work of others.  Now, I am sitting at work at eight o'clock at night again, trying to finish my own.  Strike that, trying to just put band-aids on things until tomorrow, when I can finish.

All of this has led me to stress eat.  I ordered Chinese delivered this afternoon as I saw everything unraveling.  I knew I would be here late again and I justified it that way.  Team that with the fact that being so busy left me no time for my workout with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center and I am unhappy.

And just now?  I took a deep breath, sighed and let it go.  That's what you have to do on the days when 'it' doesn't go the way it should.  'It' being the healthy plan you have carved out for yourself.

We have to let it go, because to be honest, we are too busy not to.  If we don't just mark today off and reaffirm our commitment for tomorrow, we will be lost in a downward spiral.  One meal of junk food can easily lead to the mindset that, "Well, I ate that, I might as well eat this...".  That's how we have gained and lost and gained and lost a thousand times.  We weigh ourselves down with regrets.

So, the next time you have a day like mine, let it wash away.  It's just one day, one meal, one workout; it is not how you are going to live.  No, YOU are going to live healthy, don't give up!

Yours in Health,
Kate

State Fair Friday Report

First, let me say I got a surprise today when I called my mom and she was at the State Fair with my nephew Caelen.  I love him so much and he was having the kind of fun we should all have.  He was eating ostrich sausage and looking forward to seeing the big steer.  He will be 7 in less than a month and everything is interesting at that age!

Me?  I went to the State Fair yesterday afternoon to work the Komen on the Go booth for LITE 104.1.  It was really fun meeting people and helping educate them about breast cancer.  The lady from Komen national paid me the nicest compliment, she loved the way I worked the crowd and thought maybe I worked for the local affiliate.  That's my specialty, I assimilate information, it's like I am the Borg.  :)

As for the food - the downfall of all fair goers?  I did really well.  I had my turkey tenderloin sandwich from the Iowa Turkey Federation grill.  It was so good!  I mean I am sitting here not thinking about it.  It was moist and flavorful and one of the healthiest things you can eat at the fair!  I also had a little fried rice, two crab rangoon and took some kettle corn home to snack later.

Overall, I think that's not bad.  I was mainly intrigued by the fact that I wasn't even tempted by fried things on a stick or deep fried vegetables.  Although, to be honest, it may have been because I didn't have my partner in crime with me.  When Lori and I go this coming Friday, it may be different.

Well, I better go, I have to go find the items that will be featured on the cover of the next !ntuition Magazine and I have no idea what it is yet.  LOL.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Struggling with Food

I had a grilled cheese and fries last night and popcorn with M&M's at the movies - it made me feel ill.  Yes, physically, but also mentally. 

I was in a hurry after a remote broadcast and so, I stopped in at Stella's.  My only saving grace, once I had grease, the malt no longer sounded good.  Then it was popcorn and candy at Iron Man 2.

Both choices could have been avoided, but my old habits kicked in, because I am feeling mentally crappy.  I had somebody hurt me this week.  It made me angry and self-destructive.  Why do we do that?  I didn't do anything wrong.  I shouldn't be punished.  But that's exactly what I was doing in my attempt to feel better via food - punishing my body.

I am looking forward to my Intuitive Eating class Monday night at the Mercy Weight Loss and Nutrition Center.  I want to learn how to turn off that mindset of 'food=comfort'.  I know Dietitian Katie will lead me there.  I was skeptical after last week's class, but now I am ready to try anything.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Getting my Ya-Ya's Out

Going in to this weekend before my official start at the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center, I had no intention of throwing caution to the wind and noshing endlessly - but I did.  It was a "Tour de Food" through Central Iowa.  Every time something was presented I was like, "Well, this is the last time I can do this for a while."

Admittedly that's not really true, I am a big believer that once you get your basics down about food - calories, nutritional composition and portion size - you can eat anything in moderation.  Which I did, each time I indulged. :)

Here's the full confession:

Friday night - Lori's Birthday dinner - Le Jardin for truffled chicken with savory mushroom bread pudding and for dessert apple bread pudding with creme and caramel.  Both were AMAZING and I recommend it to anyone wanting a splurge.

Saturday - Lunch at Hickory Park for Aunt Marla's birthday - Open face turkey sandwich with gravy and mashed potatoes and a scoop of coffee ice cream with hot fudge for dessert.  Saving grace?  The gravy and mashed potatoes were both salty, so I did not even come close to finishing.  The ice cream of course was just fine. ;) 

Saturday night - Dinner was simple - a cup of potato leek soup from the Weight Watchers cookbook and 100 calories worth of pistachios.  However, then it was off to Gateway Market downtown for their third anniversary party - couple bites of cheese, several bites of bread, taste of ravioli and small piece of anniversary cake.  Oh and a couple of their amazing almond macaroons to take home and eat.

Sunday - Lunch at Bruegger's, did right thing and split chips with Lori.  However, then went next door and had homemade ice cream at Bauder's.  Somehow it just tastes better when you are sitting at an old fashioned soda counter - another recommendation.

Sunday dinner - I am getting ready to go down stairs for dinner now and have the chicken brat that also came home from Gateway last night and some veggies.

Wow.  That's a lot of food.  The best part of today, health wise, was three hours in the yard today, though I know I will be sore tomorrow.

And that's the best thing of all - tomorrow.  That is the day I officially begin again to begin again.  I will soon not get sore doing yard work or be in pain walking stairs.  I have a whole world reopening to me tomorrow that I have really missed.  I can't wait to reintroduce myself.

Yours in Health,
Kate

I need to be busier

Anyone who knows me would think that statement was a bit insane.  I work too much as it is and volunteer when I can.  But what I really mean is, the busier I am, the less likely I am to eat junk.

In fact, if I play a day right, I barely have time to eat the healthier stuff I do bring.  As long as the stress doesn't go off the charts, I even forget the vending machines are there. 

Of course, the exception to the rule is when I am out and about being busy.  Then that drive through is far too convenient.  I plan to start packing protein bars again to address that.

I will however, never be one of those cute girls who says, "I forgot to eat all day!"  Honey, my thighs may let me get away with  missing a meal, but sooner or later the rest of me will catch on to the fact that food is missing.

Does anyone do that?  Have their healthier eating habits do better the busier you are?

Yours in health,
Kate

Snow = Junk

I've been at work since 4:45 this morning.  Weather means work for me.  But it also means eating junk in between go-go moments.  I don't know what is for dinner tonight, but as long as it doesn't come pre-wrapped, I will be good.

At least I started well today with a half-cup of high fiber oat cereal and coffee.  It went downhill from there, kind of like the weather. :)  Oh well, as Scarlet would say, "Tomorrow is another day."

Yours in health,
Kate