I don’t know about you, but as I was looking over my calendar yesterday afternoon and just couldn’t believe how many things we have scheduled over the next several weeks.
Some of my older children play instruments and they have musical obligations 10 out of the next 14 nights. Yikes. My husband and I have Christmas parties at his work, out-of-town company coming in three different times in three weeks but you know what? Life is good.
In my life as a weight-challenged mother of just three kids, weeks like this would have literally sent me driving as fast as legally possible to the grocery store to stock up on supplies. And I’m not talking about cereal, bread and milk. I’m talking about candy, cookies and ice cream. Stress-filled, busy holiday seasons meant stress-eating for me.
I would think nothing of eating a whole pound of Hershey’s kisses or M&M’s in one day. It was part of the holiday for me, and it didn’t do much for my holiday cheer.
I’d feel guilty and eat more. I’d wrap a few presents, unwrap a bit of candy and think about how “bad” I was for eating all the candy that was meant for stockings. As I drove from one holiday activity to another, I’d stop at a drive-thru restaurant for some fortification, then feel incredibly guilty for my lack of willpower.
Ever felt that way?
One good thing about having so much weight to lose was that it took a long time to lose 158 pounds. That meant I had to go through all the seasons and holidays of the year and learn how to manage my stress and busy life without eating everything in sight. Quite frankly, I worried whether or not I could do it.
Imagine my relief when I made it through that first Christmas without a gain, and actually lost some weight. Over the ensuing years, I learned that when the holidays got stressful and busy the absolute worstthing I could do was eat junky foods all day long. Number one – they made me feel terrible, and number two – I didn’t need those foods.
This year, perhaps out busiest yet, you won’t find me pre-shopping for Christmas candy, nor will you find me “stress-free.” I still get stressed like everyone else, but keeping to a regular eating schedule, staying committed to exercising and pre-rationing out an occasional treat has worked well for me.
How do you handle the inevitable stress and busy schedules during this time of year? Diane
the older I get the more I realize that there is in a way no other answer for me than ONE DAY AT A TIME
and, this time of year, it’s frequently one moment at a time.
Miz´s last fabulous musings ..What are your pink gloves
I agree! It’s a tough time of year – my focus is so spread over so many things, it’s hard to keep things on track. I guess my goal is to do the best I can without beating myself up and feeling guilty.
Amy´s last fabulous musings ..Hello Winter!
Lists. Lots and lots of lists.
Karen´s last fabulous musings ..Don’t Tell the Kids
It is so busy, and my strategy is to remember that sometimes, the schedule can be too full. It isn’t possible to fit EVERYTHING in. So sometimes I pick and choose. I realize it’s okay to say no. And I make sure I get adequate sleep. When I get enough sleep, I’m a much better person… better for me and better for others.
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations´s last fabulous musings ..Eating Mindfully Book Club – Week 1
Like you Diane, I learned with time how to not go to food during this craziness, although mine is way lass so than yours!!!
I plan ahead for my exercise & food & try to stick to that plan. If the exercise gets messed up, I reschedule it. Food, I just do my regular eating stuff like any other day & plan for my treats…
Jody – Fit at 53´s last fabulous musings ..Risk Can Be a GOOD 4 Letter Word
I’m taking it one day at a time and use a lot of lists for the things I have to get done. When I don’t have much time which I usually know ahead I plan meals that are ready within 30 minutes. I don’t eat much different in December as in other months. I find it more difficult to stick to my workout schedule when life gets busy.
I agree that this is a stressful time of the year. Last night, as I was thinking about all I had to do and pull together to make Christmas enjoyable for everyone, a bit of panic set in. I noticed that I immediately became irritable with my husband and I started thinking about what I could eat. That has always been my holiday pattern. Instead of eating, I picked one activity that I could handle last evening–that I could check off my list. I decided to clear my cupboards of foods that I likely will not be using. because they are beginning to overflow. I put the “extra” foods in a box, and today I will take them to the food shelf. I had gotten rid of sweets and desert-type food a couple of weeks ago, and now I got rid of canned and boxed foods.
I felt like I had accomplished something, and I didn’t have to eat anything. I am going to get this accomplished in small steps, each day, and hopefully I won’t resort to food and being a cranky wife.
Jane´s last fabulous musings ..Challenge Updates and Backing Away For Now
For me I just have to work really hard to keep my workouts and my healthy eating a priority. I remind myself that all my other responsibilities will seem so much easier if I can just keep moving my body and eating in a way that fuels it.
Desert Agave´s last fabulous musings ..Blissful Sunday
Since I LOVE chocolate… I am really trying hard not to let it in the house until I absolutely need it (i.e. make my various Christmas treats for my family as well as friends and family).
I think dealing with the stress of the holidays for me this year is centered around finding some peace. I take a moment out of every day to relax and find my center.
~Kellie
I try to keep to my usual exercise and eating routine and pick the best options at Christmas parties. I’ve done my shopping early this year, and I’m hoping that will combat the stressful week before Christmas.
I struggle with being busy at other times of the year, too, with work and balancing my alter egos of housewife and professional; it’s really difficult sometimes. I’ve learned to love my crockpot
Happy Holidays, Diane.
Cilla´s last fabulous musings ..Mmmm for Monday
I find I’m having to be aware and avoid all mindless eating more during the holidays then at other times. And to think about the whole day … i.e. if I do choose to have a sweet, then I am going to add exercise and/or figure out where I am going to cut to make up for it.
Siobhan´s last fabulous musings ..why bother
To handle the stress I plan ahead. I’m almost done with my shopping, and I’m planning what baking I’ll be doing and giving away. The kids and I have already talked about how we will bake, but enjoy the treats in moderation. I give most of it away.
For my health I will be getting my rest, blogging, journaling my food and sticking to my Hot 100 Challenge goals (my big one being getting that water in and exercising 4 days a week).
I will take it a day at a time and not stress about doing everything perfect. It’s a time to enjoy family and friends not worry about being the best at everything.
Thanks for the timely post, Diane!
Leah´s last fabulous musings ..Happy Monday Thoughts
I find that cheery music helps my mood as well as walks and eating very little sugar!
I have to make sure that some things stay nonnegotiable to keep me sane. That means my workouts. Yes, sometimes food gets a little more quick and easy during busy times, but I can eliminate a lot of stress by keeping up with the exercise.
Lori (Finding Radiance)´s last fabulous musings ..1500 calorie week done!
While I’m still the overweight mom of three, I do have a good handle on stress eating, with only the rare slip. I find the holidays busy and stressful as well, and the very best thing can do for myself is stay on plan. It gives me a sense of normalcy and control when things are going nuts.
As Mizfit said, we can only take this one day at a time. I wake up and start every morning on plan, as it is the best thing I can do to assure success the rest of that day.
Taryl´s last fabulous musings ..It took a long time
Continuing exercise helps my stress level immensely!! If I didn’t have that outlet, I have no idea how I’d function!
Lisa´s last fabulous musings ..Bar Hopping- Babies and Jello Shots
I run; best stress relief I know of.
Joe´s last fabulous musings ..Top Rated Running Shoes
I think my main thing is just to keep everything in perspective and try to tackle tasks one at a time…
‘Drea´s last fabulous musings ..Overheard at the Pool
This will and is the first Christmas festive season I will be going through that will challenge me in my eating ways. At the moment I handle the stress of the festive season by crying. If I feel overwelmed, instead of eating, I cry. I cry on my hubby’s shoulders and I feel better about it afterwards. I leave out the food and acknowledge my feelings instead of eating them away.
blackhuff´s last fabulous musings ..Having children in the Holiday season
mentally/emotionally – we can make ourselves feel truly awful. And I think being disappointed in ourselves, when we knew better, is a truly terrible feeling. I liked this post a lot.
vickie´s last fabulous musings ..Appointment is tomorrow!!!
By taking time every day for myself: exercise for one, and checking in on other blogs for two. Really helps me.
That you said “but you know what? Life is good” says it all!
My life is crazy busy right now too (4 jobs. 4 blogs. Writing another book.), but, like you say, life is GOOD. In fact, it’s awesome.
I think that’s when you know you’ve reached happiness – when even though things are crazy and stressful, you’re still able to see how wonderful life is and able to step away from it all and handle it WITHOUT turning to food etc to deal.
Sagan´s last fabulous musings ..E-book Excerpt
In the past, I, too, coped with food. And then some more food. And maybe a little more food. All the holiday “limited edition” goodies that I love, like peppermint ice cream and egg nog, and the office treats, and party treats. And I, too, was guilty of eating the treats that were supposed to go in stockings and having to replace them (sometimes more than once!). All it got me was fat and miserable over the holidays, looking forward to starting the new year with another new resolution (guess how long that lasted – there’s always something stressful around the corner).
This year, I plan to cope by exercising even harder so I can enjoy a few (reasonable) treats without guilt. I can’t wait for my one Christmas Eve glass of eggnog! Also, blogging and reading blogs helps keep me focused and accountable.
Liz´s last fabulous musings ..And I ran!
This year, the nurse at the high school where I work had the great idea of starting a Biggest Loser contest three weeks before Christmas, and continuing until three weeks after Christmas. This is a great motivator to think about what one is eating now, rather than the usual “wait until the New Year” approach, by which time five to ten pounds has been gained! This is my first time visiting your blog, and I am enjoying all you have to say.
Thanks!
Deborah´s last fabulous musings ..Sloppy Hos