Stress Eating

Confession: I have an incredibly unhealthy relationship with food. When stressed out, some people go for a run/walk or vent to friends...I do those things sometimes, but mostly, I eat. This is a habit I need to break and one that I've known that I need to break for a REALLY long time. I know what's healthy and what I should eat and what I shouldn't, but when stressed, all I want is wings, a coke, and lots of ice cream (or some other unhealthy combo). When stressed, the last thing I care about is what I'm doing to my body. So bad, especially for someone who knows better! After I've scarfed down the 100 grams of fat, sugar, and the million calories, I feel really upset with my self. It's pretty darn ridiculous.

Anyway, this is changing. When I got into medical school, among other fears, there was one that kept rolling around in my mind. I kept thinking, "Oh Gosh! I'm going to gain an unbelievably large amount of weight and ruin my arteries and heart from this stress eating thing I do." I can't let that happen, I won't let that happen! So, I made the decision to start paying closer attention to my food choices and working out more (at least 3x a week). It's been pretty successful so far. Of course there are weeks where I may only go to the gym once or twice or eat a cupcake, but that's better than when I went weeks without making it to the gym or eating a cupcake once a day everyday (okay, I never did that, but you get my point). It's all about intention (remember that post). I should also note that since I've started being more aware, I haven't been under much stress....until yesterday and today!

With my last day at work fast approaching (tomorrow, in fact!), there has been a lot that I needed to get done to complete transitioning the new staff member. Along with that and other job factors (too boring to discuss here :)), it has caused me an intense amount of stress and anxiety. Yesterday wasn't so bad, but coupled with today, I really just wanted to eat and cry.

By 3:30pm today, I'm ready to pull all my hair out! So, before leaving for the afternoon, I convinced myself that I didn't care, I can have one day to indulge. All I wanted was sushi, a coke, and fried ice cream!  And, I was sure I was going to get it! I took the exit that would lead me to my favorite sushi restaurant and too my surprise, I drove right past it. This is going to sound crazy, but I don't know what made me do it. I was so sure, and as I got closer, I just didn't. I did ask a friend if she wanted to join me, she said no, so maybe that had something to do with it...but, I eat alone at restaurants all the time!

Anyway, I went home, ate baked chicken strips, sautéed (in coconut oil) asparagus, green and red peppers, onions, and tomatoes, and corn.

I also really wanted a dessert so I opted for my banana and peanut butter smoothie: 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 serving of all natural peanut butter, 1 banana, and ice.

And voila, I feel so much better and I don't feel completely gross. I always feel better when I opt for healthier options, but, at the moment I can never think of the gratification I get later, rather, I want instant gratification from crap food. I'm excited that I was able to not give in to my unhealthy desire and I hope it's something I can keep up! For me, it's not about always denying myself ice cream, a cupcake, or wings, it just can't be my go to food when I'm not feeling great! Taking control of one's health is not easy and I understand that there are lots of barriers that can prevent someone from being healthy (contrary to how those fitness gurus make it look), but I do think if you're ready, it's possible. So here's to trying!

Now to conquer my disdain to working out...remember why I started this blog? Well, I've yet to accomplish that goal, but I do intend to do something about it.

If you have any tips on how you handle stress eating, let me know!

xoxo
Rosa

I'm BACK!

Wow. Can't believe I haven't posted since February 14th! Trust me, I had no intention to take a break from this blog, especially for that long! Almost daily, I thought to myself- I should sit down and write a post. But each time I sat to write, my thoughts were so jumbled, I couldn't make sense of them. The last few months have been filled with sad moments and news, but also filled with happy moments and news! I honestly felt like I was in another world for most of it! There is no way that I can explain everything in one blog post and to be honest, I'm not sure if I've decided to share everything! Maybe in time. But, what I do promise, is that I'm back! Woohoo!  For your viewing pleasure, I've posted some pictures of the happier times these past few months! :)

1. Visited my best friends and family in Miami. I ate WAY too much, but no regrets here. We went to a fresh fruit and vegetable market where I had the BEST mango milkshake I have ever had in my life.

I got to babysit this little one for an entire day- loved every minute of it! 

 2. I interviewed for medical school. No big deal. NOT!! There will be an entire blog post dedicated to this.

 3. Celebrated this girl getting hitched! Bachelorette party was so much fun!

 4. Then she got hitched! :) Her husband is from Nigeria and she is from Ghana. Both the traditional and "American" weddings were spectacular! It was truly a weekend full of celebration and love! I am so incredibly happy for them both.

 5. Caught up with old friends!

Renee and I: we were both in the MPH program together and part of the same group that traveled to Niger, West Africa! Hadn't seen her in a couple years!

Colleen, Jason, and I having brunch at the best place in Nashville! Loveless Cafe- I was in food heaven! I also hadn't seen them in a year, but this was my first time visiting them in Nashville- it only took me 5 years!! Had such an amazing time and can't wait to go back! 

Amanda, Colleen and I having dinner at City House in Nashville. Again, one of the best dinners I had had in a long time. Love these girls!

 6. Cooked crab legs for the first time! A friend of mine had never had crab before and I told her if she were to be my friend, that is not okay. On our way home from the beach, I made the impulsive decision to buy 3 pounds of crab to boil. I got back to her place, realized I've never done this before, called my mom and followed her instructions! Came out delicious.

7. Celebrated my best friend's birthday. She turned 27!

8. I got accepted into medical school!! *Insert big cheesy smile here* So, the wonderful people in my life have started the going away celebrations!

Going away dinner with my BRIDGE family! 

Going away lunch with my co-workers! Apparently, I had no desire to look up at the camera. 

 8. Made the decision to pay more attention to my food choices and eat healthier. More on that to come.

My first green smoothie! 3/4 cup almond milk, 1/4 cup skim milk, 1 banana, 1/2 cup of spinach, 1 cup Kale. I won't lie, I was so scared to take my first sip because I was sure it was going to be gross and I would have to inhale it down to handle it. Not the case. It was delicious and I savored every sip! 

9. Supported my great friend Linda as she finished her first 5K!!! Woohoo!!