Musings about stress…
I have been reading many posts lately saying that if you go through a difficult time, don’t push yourself too hard, relax, take care of yourself, don’t be too strict in self-evaluation if you failed healthy eating and exercise.
I wonder if a doctor would tell a person with diabetes, “you have so much stress now, have a candy and don’t worry about anything” or if a bank manager would say to a customer, “you are in debt and close to losing your house, now get another loan and buy something nice for yourself, you are so stressed.”
Sometimes I can easily detect a state of mind that is busy looking for excuses why I should “take it easy” and start shoveling food into my mouth. Sometimes I can make a choice to step into a “zone” of healthy choices and make myself stronger to dea with stress.
And frankly, how is it being bloated, sluggish, feeling heavy and sick from overeating and weak from not moving would help me tolerate stress while “going through a difficult time?” It would only make it worse.
Life is about stress. There is always something happening. If it’s not work, then it’s family, friends, taxes, gas prices, etc… We don’t stop breathing when we are stressed, we don’t stop eating, we don’t stop sleeping, and we don’t stop going to the bathroom. Why then should we stop healthy eating and exercising? Being mentally and physically fit would improve our resistance to stress. We can choose to thrive instead of finding an excuse to dig deeper into misery.
I watch skinny, healthy people dealing with stress. They don’t baloon in just a few weeks when they face problems. They go on with life… brush their teeth in the morning, exercise, eat healthy breakfast, and look for ways to resolve problems. They don’t try to “eat” their problems and find solutions laying on the couch.
I wrote this blog mostly for myself. If it triggers something in you, I apologize.
The “looking for excuses” state of mind was what got me into binges and gaining weight on the first place. Coddling myself and recounting “hurts” and unfairness actually helped me to remain fat and unahppy. So. I want to stop the insanity of being in this cycle. I don’t see stress. I choose to see possiblities and opportunities. I don’t see hurts, I see a chance to be compassionate. I don’t see unfairness, I see the reason, the consequences, and the window of change.
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I actually believe it is okay not to beat myself up after I binge on yummy foods. I generally already feel bad enough and I far prefer picking myself up and trying to learn from my mistakes. I always say treat yourself like you would a best friend, with love and compassion. Have a good night. I’m going to get a half-gallon of ice cream, lay on the couch, and watch a movie. I’m having a rough time and don’t feel like pushing myself too hard.
Ouch…that spanking hurt…but I won’t do it again…I have learned from my discipline! The hard way! : )
Seriously…that was TRUE what you said…and the truth…well…it WILL set you free!
Sometimes it takes some of us who have learned this behavior as a coping tool to unlearn it and to make the turn…especially if it was something ingrained in us as children.
No excuse…just reality! We might fall down, but then we will get up–and keep heading in the right direction!!
You are absolutely true in everything you say Tatiana. It is a vicious cycle and many of us keep right going in that same cycle.
Its like smoking cigerettes…a cycle…a very nasty cycle, but I broke that after a 30 year habbit…I’m learning along the way and agree with you….we must fight harder, stay focused and find away to deal with stress in a healthy way. Thank you for making me really think!! love ya!!
All very good ideas Tatiana. Thanks to some buddies here and some refreshing ideas in my readings I am FINALLY starting to see the light. It is awful to just continue making things worse instead of better and sometimes it takes some tough words to straighten up. Humor is good too! But you have also said to move on and be gentle I think before. And it is a fine balance of being tough and being gentle.
Well guess what, I was in a funk this AM, but I got over it and instead of feeling worse and making things a whole lot worse, I got some things accomplished and made a big salad to nurture my body and mind. And you know, all is well. That and a reminder in Jo’s blog to remember that it all passes….
You are so incredibly wise. And great new pic by the way. You are a hottie Ms. Thing!
Have a good one.
I so needed this thank you. No time like now to stay healthy!
Okay Tatiana, I needed that. That shoe fits so I guess I gotta wear it. You are so right, we have to move past the old excuses that made us feel better about our lack of self discipline. We all know what we need to do but sometimes we need someone to be brave enough to say the emperor has no cloths on, so just suck it up and do it. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank You !
Tatiana I deal with stress by turning to my faith. I am extremely self-disciplined and that alone causes me to stress. I am a perfectionist also but not when it comes to my weight. You see, I get up in the morning and I pray that I will respect my body enough to feed on only healthy food. I tell myself also that if I mess up it is only a reminder to stay more focused and then I usually do. Without allowing myself those minor and infrequent pitfalls I would fail miserably at everything I do because my goals would be set too high! There is truly a huge difference in being a constant screw up and being normal. He is the one who keeps it all in check for me and helps me to balance it all. Without Him I am nothing!
yep. yep. yep. i totally agree! nice to see it so well written.