Breaking Through

Today, I broke through a barrier. For about four weeks, I have hovered between 270 and 275. I haven’t gone ABOVE 275 – which is great – but I couldn’t get below 270. I tried lots of things – doing the treadmill more – eating less – nothing seemed to matter. But this morning, total JOY – I was 269.2. The really good news in all of this? I haven’t been frantic about my lack of progress. Annoyed? Yes. Frustrated? Definitely. But not panicked.

My health insurance company sends out a monthly newsletter. Normally, I glance over and through the articles, but don’t settle down to read them. However, today they had a really good article on emotional eating. Since I’m am, and always will be, an emotional eater, I thought I would include the link for it here: http://www.humana.com/resources/healthy_living/articles/mental_wellness/emotional_eating.aspx?WT.mc_id=EMEPPOCT10

Don’t get me wrong – I am learning to make better choices. I am fighting this. But like an alcoholic who always says, “I’m an alcoholic” – even after years of sobriety, I will always have to say that I’m an emotional eater. The tendency to turn to food for more than nutrition will always be one of my battles.

I’m making progress in all of the areas listed in the article, except one, and it is one that is often not associated much with losing weight: Get enough sleep. I’m up at 5:30 to get ready for work – and many nights, do not even get home from evening activities until 9:00 or sometimes even later. By the time I sit down to unwind and relax a bit – it is frequently 11:00 or later before I start to get ready for bed, and I am often pushing midnight before I actually get into bed. I have been blessed to be able to fall asleep almost instantly, but that still doesn’t give me the sleep I need. So, I’m putting it out there – my goal is to be IN BED by 10:30 on weeknights (before work), and 11:30 on weekends. And I am willing to let all of my friends and family who faithfully read this hold me accountable on this. But be patient with me – it is going to be difficult.