Some Days You're Up... and Some Days You're Down

One of the questions I was asked in the last week was how do I avoid emotional/stress eating.

As I sit here staring at this blinking cursor on my screen, trying to think of the best way to answer that, the only way I can is to be completely honest and open. 

I don't avoid emotional/stress eating.

First, I'm a chick.  Now whether you're a guy or girl, or whatever the heck you think there is in between, you know one very fundamental fact about chicks: we are emotional.  We cry when God blesses us with precious little babies, when we feel confused, or when we see sappy love stories about lifelong romances between two people.  We have a protective wrath like none other when it comes to safeguarding our children and can balance checkbooks, laundry, meals and cleaning, all the while holding full-time jobs.  Yet we can't be trusted to have the same, predictable emotion every second of every day.  You hate it.  We hate it.  But hey, it is what it is... it's emotional and part of what makes us so passionate.

Now throw food into that.  And add to this equation a very strict diet regimen that doesn't allow for decadent and soothing treats such as chocolates, pancakes, macaroni or even pizza. 

Fuego Takis... one of my most favorite, unhealthy cheats.

As a chick, it's not easy.  If there are chips and salsa in front of me, I won't even hesitate to plow in.  And by plow, I literally mean plow.  Oh yah.  I'm a pig and I'm owning it.  And let's not even say what great lengths I would go to in order to indulge in some chocolate.

So what's the answer?  How do you avoid those weak moments and cheating?  For me, these basic rules work best:

1. Weekly meal prep (preparing all meals for the week ahead of time; the next blog will detail this)
2. Never go to the grocery store hungry
3. Coffee with sugar-free syrup
4. Flavored BCAAs and water
5. Trying to redirect my thoughts

It's never easy.  Anyone who has done this will tell you that overcoming your own dietary wants/cheats is the hardest thing about this.  It sucks.  It's not easy.  But it can be done.

There are so many healthy alternatives to our favorite cheats that you can usually find something that works for you.  And if you're not prepping for a fitness competition, occasional cheats are allowed and help you keep the mental focus on your goals.

Remember.... fitness and health are journeys... not destinations.