Lighten up!

Today I had an appointment with a retail dietitian at my local Shoprite grocery store.  I figure I'd take advantage of her free knowledge.  I went in there with an open mind!  After all, I've been doing Weight Watchers for almost 20 years; and that I'm following the new Points Plus program and only have 15 lbs. to get back to goal!  I've got my exercise covered by having an overflowing library of Beachbody programs like P90X, INSANITY, TurboFire, 10 Minute Trainer and Chalean Extreme!  So what's the problem?

I have gotten into this nasty little habit of eating while totally stressed out!  I mean intense stress where I started to get a numbing tingling in my right arm.   I was so overwhelmed with stress on Saturday, I actually had a meltdown and started crying.

The dietitian, Jessica, and I had a lovely conversation about some areas to improve upon and there was nothing she could offer with my nutrition except that I should be visualizing my goal.  She said it might be helpful to post a picture on my cabinet where I keep some snacks that I've been over-indulging with lately.  If I keep a picture there then it may trigger my unconscious (and sometimes conscious) quest to comfort myself with peanut butter and chocolate chips!  OK I said it, I'll admit besides enjoying a Shakeology smoothie almost every day, I'm still looking for something sweet and chocolaty.

The great thing about meeting with Jessica today was that we pinpointed 2 things: 

1. I wasn't having much fun with my snacks; although I was eating very healthy, I wasn't always excited about what I was eating
   
   
2. I was giving into emotional eating.

I realized after speaking with her that I was being to rigid with my meals and need to build in an occasional treat.  Now that I've narrowed it down to what I can fix, I am going to consciously make an effort to put myself first, plan out my meals and fitness schedule on a monthly calendar and will abandon the notion that I must be "perfect."  If I eat in moderation and allow myself to have something I truly desire, then its OK to eat without guilt.  In the upcoming weeks; I will blog about what actions I'm taking to control my impulses.

I would love for you to join my event, 21 days to a Healthier you!