Well, it’s been a while (obviously) since I’ve written about exercise or diet or anything.
Let’s start with the bad news, shall we? I ate like crap the last couple of weeks. Comfort food. Fast food. Fried food. You name it, I probably had some. And I’m up seven pounds. Five of that was just the weekend that Sue was in ICU.
If you wanna say “that’s ok, you were obviously stressed and you eat when you’re stressed,” that’s fine. But the point is that I’m trying to UNDO forty years of eating when I’m stressed, to do other things to relieve stress (or boredom, or whatever) and that’s the whole point of this lifestyle change.
So, before I carry that train of thought any further, I’ll share the good news:
Even while out of town and living out of a suitcase, I managed to get my runs in.
9/29: 57 minutes / 4.7 miles
10/2: 30 minutes / 2.5 miles
10/4: 40 minutes / 3.5 miles
10/6: 60 minutes / 5.0 miles.
Yes, I ran five miles, stopping only once (for a few seconds) to tie my shoe.
Then, yesterday, I ran 30 minutes / 2.6 miles. Today is my day off.
So, maybe I’m learning a new way to deal with stress? And relatives (same thing).
And they all go marching down to the ground
To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Yay you!!! I’m so proud of you! Really…that running record is amazing. Five miles?! *high fives*
I had such a crappy run yesterday. Holy crap. I ran hills and my body is killing me today. I’m such a big *ussy. Oh wait…this is YOUR blog. Heh.
The eating is a coping skill. I’ve mastered it!!! The supreme rationalization is that eating saves us from suicide. If we didn’t have some way to deal with emotional pain… we’d implode. Eating is how we deal. It helps you protect yourself. It takes a long time to break that and be able to rely on new coping skills to give you the same “fix”. And the level of control it takes to make those alternate choices in times of turmoil for a fix that isn’t as fast or “deep”… it’s tough.
I dunno if you are interested, but there are books by Geneen Roth (she writes for Prevention Mag) on emotional overeating that I found really helpful. They are slightly girly in focus…. but I think you might find some of her thoughts both inspirational and insightful.
It’s not about just changing your ‘diet’. It’s about changing your way of thinking about stress, about how you deal with stress. Sounds like you turned to an ‘old comfort’, but still stuck with your ‘new friend’ as well. That’s why I exercise – so I can eat whatever the hell I want!!
*pat on the back for Ben*
Five miles in 60 minutes! wahoo! that’s an awesome accomplishment. WTG!
The stress is definitely a trigger for me, too. But the running is a total stress reliever as well — Hub has taken to looking at me when I’m being a total b!tch and saying, “Um, wouldn’t you like to go for a run? Now? A long one?” heh
Good job Ben. I fell off the wagon too. I am trying to drop just 25 lbs. Of course today I ordered a chicken salad sandwich on wheat toast and (gasp!) a side of french fries.
I knew better. We all do. It’s easy to fall of the wagon. It’s hard to get up, and even harder to re-board the wagon.
Keep it up!
Benny D
it’s GREAT way to deal with stress. It’s time alone with your thoughts. things are always clearer after I’ve pounded them out on the pavement.
Well done Ben.
At times like this, taking good care of yourself can be all about exercise. Don’t worry about how you’re eating, if you can let yourself off the hook. One major life change at a time. “Creating a new normal” is rough work.