Making it through the next 5 weeks

[cleochatra]

Maybe it was just the turkey, but I really want you all to know that there is more stress coming down the road, as we near the end of the year. You know what each of your stressors are, but I want you to know what works for me when I'm mad, tired, angry, or in some way unable to handle what is happening around me.

I need you to understand that eating when we are upset is an emotional response that you've programmed yourselves to do. We all have.

Reprogramming is very difficult, but I am going to lay out for you what works for me.

The stressors will be there, but you will be ready for them, because you will analyze them. The first time sit might seem unnatural and difficult. It becomes easier each and everytime, until new solutions come as naturally to you as eating once did.

YOU CAN DO THIS! I know you can!

Follow these steps the next time you feel like you're ready to crumble.

1. Write down what you are feeling. "I feel helpless" "I'm mad"

2. Analyze your emotions. Are you angry? Tired? Overwhelmed? Depressed?

3. Let's talk action. Will eating REALLY make things better if you're tired or will sleeping? Maybe you ought to not worry about sending out a bazillion cards this year instead of doing it and coping with food. Look for solutions. Take a walk. Take a nap. Watch a movie. Call a friend. Email cleochatra.

4. Take action. Discuss what you did instead. "I napped because I was tired"

5. Analyze outcome. "As a result of sleeping I woke up refreshed and able to handle situations around me."

Now, everytiime you feel tempted to wat I want you to run throwugh these 5 survival steps. I want you to keep a sheet on each experience filked away for another time when you need ideas, recollection of rational thoughts and encouragement. If you find the nap didn't work, focus on the next emotion or experience which is holding you down.

Trust me.

It works!

I care so much about you guys! Even when you're thin there will be stress! Learning to cope with those emotions and situations now make all the difference between negative cyclical habitual behavior and the real new you.

[2big4mysize]

remember we are celebrating the friendship and love of our family and friends not the holiday foods and gifts!

You can do this. Don't make it harder then it is. Plan plan plan don't get caught out without your Atkins Emergency Kit handy.

Plan your way around the high carb foods and meals. Talk with the hosts/hosteses ahead of time and offer to bring a dish or two if there is nothing on the menu you can eat. Hosts/hostesses love free already fixed food.

keep your pantry well stocked so you don't get caught short of time and "have to eat high carb casuse the pantry was empty.

you can do this and just think how happy you are going to feel when you get dresses for your New Yrs eve party in that tiny new outfit.

[dreamof145]

I totally agree with your five steps. The most important step to winning the battle is to PLAN what to do when life gives us moments that are stressful. If we have pre-thought what to do during these times, then we stand a much better chance at getting through them without looking for comfort in food.

When you are not under stress is the best time to make your plans of action. Sit down and think back at times when you ate because you were angry, mad, sad, anxious, happy or afraid. What triggered you to overeat or eat the wrong things? List things that you could have done that would have kept you strong. GOING FOR A WALK? TALKING TO AN ATKINS BUDDY (phone, chat, or elsewhere)? WRITING AN ARTICLE FOR THE NEWSLETTER? DRINKING WATER? or just EXERCISING. DO SOMETHING instead of eating!! Planning ahead has been the one thing that has helped me more than I can say. The first part of my journal has a two-page emergency plan written in it that I turned to many many times when I first started Atkins.

You are right Cleo, the holidays are a stressful time for some. Our lives seem to become topsy-turvy and faster paced, more events to go to, more foods to tempt us, financial worries, and the weather gets worse too. We all really need to put our plans in action to get us through the next few months so that we can stay strong.

Thanks Cleo for bringing this to everyone's attention. I think it is very important to be prepared and plan ahead.