Emotional Eating Assignment

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

One of my "assignments" for this week is to write about my triggers for emotional eating and what I'm going to do about them.

My major stressor right now is my job. I supervise people and for the last two years I have had the boss from Hell. I try to act as a buffer as much as possible between my boss and the people who work for me so that they can do their jobs, but this often means that I throw myself under the bus so to speak in defending them. The nit-picking and micromanagement can be really tough at times, and it's so unpredictable! I just never know what's going to happen.

My boss is also into yoga and meditation and such, but I find it almost laughable that she can be so heartless, needlessly cruel and completely unaware of the negativity that oozes from her every pore. I think she actually does mean well deep down, but when God was handing out empathy and basic civility she must have been off stealing candy from babies. I say it's almost laughable because it is more just really sad for all of us.

All of this being said, I know in my mind that I am not responsible for her actions and I need to take ownership and responsibility for how I deal with this situation. As a middle manager, I am definitely caught between those above me and those below me. It's a delicate dance because I am trying to keep "my" people happy so they can do a good job and at the same time keep my boss happy.

So, this is my reality -- now what am I going to do about it? What I can't do is use this as an excuse to give in to emotional eating -- in other words, "Man Up"! I've actually been pretty good about this. I can feel my stress level elevate just knowing I have to meet with her so I try to take deep breaths, and I sometimes even re-read some of my saved SP articles before I go. Just a reminder that my life is much more than my job and I need to take care of myself is helpful. (It's probably not such a good idea that I consider her my enemy and that if I give in then she wins, but it's working, at least so far).

I am also sure I internalize all of this way too much. I have a habit of hanging on to things that are bothering me and letting them fester. This is the thing that I need to work on the most I think. In this, I could look to my boss as a role model, as annoying as that thought is. She says something hurtful and then she's over it and everything is OK. I need to just live in the moment like she does and not take everything so much to heart. Not everything is earth-shattering or the end of the world. (I guess I should add "Lighten Up!" to "Man Up!")

Ok I'm done, but I don't feel that much better... darn! I'll work on that!

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

So Mad at Myself...

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

I went to a conference today. It seems like whenever I get to do something fun that takes me out of the office I forget almost everything I've learned and just go crazy. I was doing OK until dessert after lunch. I ate 4 cookies! I didn't want them and I barely remember eating them. I certainly didn't enjoy them. It was so not worth it! Ugh!
However, I did say that I forgot ALMOST everything. I do know that I have to pick up where I left off and start fresh RIGHT NOW.
Nobody said this would be easy...

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

Appreciating the Little Things

Thursday, February 03, 2011

I haven't had much of an occasion to go off-campus for anything during the work day because: I've been really busy; it's a long walk; the weather (Upstate NY) is not conducive to foot travel right now and it's really COLD. Plus I always bring something from home for lunch. (Also it's way cheaper!)
Yesterday, however, I had to go to the bank, which is about a 15-20 minute walk (downhill). I didn't get anything to eat because I had some healthy and tasty soup waiting for me, but the walk back to my office is pretty much uphill the whole way and frankly it used to be a big drag. Anyway, I got all the way back to my office and I was eating my soup when I realized that I hadn't gotten winded and my knees didn't hurt AT ALL! The really cool thing was that I didn't even notice the walk at all! It was like no big deal. This is so great. I have many pounds to go, but little victories like this really help keep me going.

Also, thank to everybody who sent me well wishes about my ribs. They are feeling MUCH better. It still hurts to drive, but it's definitely improving! Take some advice from someone who learned the hard way... DON'T COUGH!

Thanks SparkPeople!!!

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

Reached my first goal today!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Today I met my first SparkPeople goal of losing 22 pounds. I'm ready to start my next one, but I want to savor my completed ticker just for tonight. This means I also met my 5% challenge for the Winter Challenge.

I still have so much to go, but I've made it through the first "leg", despite cracked ribs!

Onward and downward!!!!

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

It Only Hurts When I Laugh... cough, and sneeze

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Almost a month ago I wrote about injuring myself in the rib area when I got a hacking cough that lasted for about 3-4 days. Sneezing and coughing were torture and driving was difficult, as well as BREATHING!
Well, it didn't get better and my husband had been on my case for a while to have it looked at. I went today and the doctor told me that I cracked and/or separated some ribs on my left side! No wonder. There is, unfortunately, nothing they can do about it and it takes 2 months or more to heal.
I'm actually glad I went, though, because I was afraid he would tell me there was nothing wrong and that I was just getting the creaky achy stuff that happens when we get older.
There is a silver lining to this: It may get me out of shoveling snow for a while. Doctor's orders you know.

  Member Comments About This Blog Post: