That is what I was thinking today, as I was longing for a Banana Split (since it is National Banana Split day). Ok not really, I wasn’t really wanting a Banana Split to celebrate this day of honor…but in thinking about some of the “pitfalls of dieting” this one is a list topper for sure…STRESS!
There are so many oppurtunities every day for us to become stressed, our homes, our kids, our spouses, our jobs….etc…and the list goes on and on…..and alot of times when those moments arise what do we turn to??? FOOD, yes that friend that never lets us down, that one who makes us feel better….FOOD. And do you ever notice we don’t go for the broccolli when we are stressed…haha At least I don’t…LOL I go for the cookies, or the chocolate, or the ice cream…something good to quiet my screaming (or whaling) on the inside…..so how does this urge to eat when stressed stop? When do we channel that energy in a different place? Good question…
I think it happens when we realize what we are doing to ourselves….I think once we realize that we really are hurting ourselves in the long run is when we channel it somewhere else. Not only am I feeling stressed, but now since I was stressed I ate half of a pan of brownies, I feel guilty, and sick, and sad, and defeated…OOOO how many times have we done this…whether it be a pan of brownies, or a bag of chips, or a pint of ice cream, all in the name of stressed.
It is a vicious cycle, and we have all run this wheel like a hamster so many times….we all know it happens, yet we find ourselves doing it again and again.
I was never a stress eater before, that is before i had kids….LOL I am not sure what happened but now when I can’t take the whining and crying any longer all I can think about is chocolate….and it takes me to my happy place 
where children are happy and I am getting a pedicure, and my house is clean and dinner is made…LOL but does it really???
So think about it, if you are a stress eater, what is it really getting you? It doesn’t really bring me the joy that I hope it will, and it for sure doenst make my kids stop cryin! LOL But what will? I don’t know but if you do, spill it! I am sick of hearing them whine! LOL No, haha no amount of food is going to bring me peace from that stress…..but what is?
That is what you have to ask yourself today, what can I do that is going to bring me what it is that I need when I am stressed…..and if at all possible find a way to get it. It may not be easy but think of the rewards….not only are you going to find what you are looking for (Bono and the rest of the U2 band would be so jealous!hahaha), but you will feel better about how you got there!
So what is it??? What is it that you can do to help you cope with the stress and not eat??
kdbush