“I'm going to eat a crap ton of ice cream when we're done.”
This is what I said to my workout partner, Steph, when we started the Shred last night. I could feel the pressure of stress rising to the surface, but I tried to ignore it during the workout. It didn't work, I let it mess with me and I only did the minimal amount of work needed. But even then, the workout wore me down and I collapsed afterward on the couch. I took my notebook photo and then texted it to my sister in law. After a couple of texts back and forth, I just exploded into wild sobs. I admitted to her what I had said to Stephanie and she said that she could see how much I've changed in that regard, how working out instead of emotionally eating that ice cream is a major leap forward. Then I began to cry harder.
The moral? Sometimes salty tears taste better than ice cream. In this case, they did and I felt so much better for letting out my emotions in a healthy way.
What healthy ways do you relieve stress?
Awesome job! You're so inspiring to me! :) :)
ReplyDeleteGo, Ashley!!! I'm so proud you made it through the grueling workout, but I'm even more proud that you didn't reward yourself with ice cream afterward. I love it!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm stressed, I vent on my blog, to my boyfriend and my sister. I also workout and let loose. Kickboxing really helps let out the tension.
ReplyDeleteYou should also treat yourself in a non-food way. It works for me when I get a mani/pedi, haircut, shopping, bubble bath, massage...etc
One of my favorite quotes is by Isak Dinesen: "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." It's so intensely true. I agree with Safire - non-food treats have been so important for me and goal setting. I have my eyes on a rockin' at-goal body at a marathon this fall, and I want that way more than any junk food!
ReplyDeleteWow- that's SUCH a good point. Sometimes what we really need is just to let our emotions out. I often try to stuff them inside by eating, too. This is a HUGE step for you and you should be very proud of yourself. I know how hard it can be sometimes not to eat your emotions.
ReplyDeleteI am SO inspired by you. I am 5'10 and 253 and 28. It's the biggest I've ever been, and lately there have been some thyroid issues making it even harder to just STOP the pounds from piling up. We are working on figuring out how to help the thyroid but in the mean time I have to do something. I can't just comfort eat and sit or lay around all the time being frustrated and tired. In the past working out always seemed to help my energy level, and I'm going to try that again. I was wandering around lost and overwhelmed with the plethora of weight loss and fitness plans, but when I researched Jillian Michaels I felt really comfortable with her outlook of real food, fewer toxins and anaerobic muscle building to burn fat and tone, but I was always scared of the 30 day challenge. Then I read your 30 challenge progress and I kept thinking "If she can do it, I can do it! Look, it's not going to be easy, but she did it anyway! If she can, I can!" And then I started texting my friends and seeing if anyone wants to do it with me. I read all the way back through your blog and I find you to be incredibly inspiring. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
ReplyDelete