A Little (Body) TLC
August 20, 2008
Image credit: amaze.typepad.com
At least now I have an explanation for the behavior, but stress and anxiety aren’t the only reasons why I have been falling back into old habits.
Part of it is that I’m not giving my body enough TLC.
I can feel my husband’s embrace around my waist, get compliments over Facebook from people I haven’t seen in years, hear someone at work tell me I look good … but if I, Melissa, am not giving my body the tender-loving-care it needs, well, I’m only hurting myself.
Today, my vow is simple: to not chew-and-spit.
This means not buying any culprits (chocolate, FiberOne bars–things I handled yesterday, for example, but might not be able to handle tomorrow).
It also means giving myself a little “No Choice” reminder that by chewing-and-spitting, I am not giving my body the TLC it needs and in fact am only hurting myself…or worse, deceiving myself.
As my new Beck book (The Four-Day Win) says, “Stop attacking your body and start supporting it.” Coping mechanism or not, I’d like to find a more natural, healthy means of dealing with stress and anxiety.
She also notes, “In general, I’ve found that the people who struggle the most with weight issues have the poorest mind/body communication. When they learn to speak and interpret their body’s language, their physiology finally starts cooperating with their conscious wishes.”
I definitely struggle with this. I have also never given Core the full 100% shot, where I meet all the good health guidelines and really only eat until satisfied. In my head, I always know the serving size and it’s hard to not finish it, even if I am, indeed, sated.
So today’s challenge will be not to chew-and-spit. Easier said than done…but I aim to report back tomorrow a successful day/night!
And when my Points reset on Friday, I will give myself one week to give Core 100%. I love Flex and don’t eat all that differently among the two programs, but it’s high time I loved myself and really showed my body some TLC… and that means trusting my body, too.
So that, as Beck suggests, my physiology will cooperate with my conscious wishes.
How about you? How can you give your body a little TLC?
Entry Filed under: Binge Eating, Emotional Eating, chewing and spitting, midnight eating. Tags: behavior, chew-and-spit, disordered eating, midnight snack.
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1.
Yasmin | August 20, 2008 at 2:05 am
To take care of my body and give it some TLC, I am going to go to the gym after work today and do a good 30 minutes on the bike! I have been feeling grouchy and unfit after just 1 week of not being able to exercise due to a silly broken toe, but yesterday the doc said bike riding was fine!
I have another 3 weeks to go before I can start running again according to the doctor (who said, “If you go running anytime in the next 3 weeks, don’t bother coming back here to ask why your foot hasn’t healed!”)
So as mind-numbing as I find bike-riding, it is better than nothing!! Maybe I will even (gasp!) get out hubby’s bike and try this crazy notion of biking outdoors!
Great post as always, thanks for the food for thought!
2.
lissa10279 | August 20, 2008 at 8:42 am
Great plan, Yasmin!! So sorry about your toe but I know you–this won’t be a setback!!! Def. rest the toe, and in a couple weeks, you will be in top form to start up again running without skipping a beat!
I LOVE outdoor biking, so if you can do it outside, you might find it’s better than the indoor bike scene.
Aw thanks! I aim to please
(And heal).
I am working out tonight, too–I need to lift even more than I need cardio; I always feel so strong when I lift.
3.
CS | August 20, 2008 at 8:51 am
TLC is something i’ve been striving to practice over the years, but it’s hard to break my cycle of weekend binge/weeday penance. I’ve been pounding myself this week at the gym after a rough weekend. One thing i try to run through my head whenever I push myself at the gym or start to feel a binge coming on - “is this a self-loving choice?” Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. As long as it works sometimes, that is progress for me!
4.
lissa10279 | August 20, 2008 at 9:48 am
CS, that’s a good question to ask ourselves, for sure. And you’re right–as long as it works SOME of the time, it’s progress!
5.
kristen | August 20, 2008 at 9:55 am
After years and years of not loving my body, and even hating it a lot of times, giving it some TLC can be very hard. Luckily it’s been so nice out, and I find that spending time outside, enjoying the elements really puts me in a good place.
Even if you usually go to the gym and do a rigorous workout in the evening, instead, go for a long walk after dinner and notice the sounds and smells. It can be relaxing and you’re still getting some exercise. Bring a loved one or a dog! (I wish we had a dog!)
I think you’re doing a great thing by tackling individual behaviors one at a time rather than using the all-or-nothing approach. I have confidence in you that you’ll be able to not chew and spit today, and follow the Core program next week!
6.
lissa10279 | August 20, 2008 at 10:15 am
I agree being outside helps a lot, Kristen. It just immediately puts me in a better mood. Biking Sat. afternoon was a total stress-reliever.
Ah, a dog–that’s what I want for my bday in October
Thank you–I feel confident so far and if I feel like I’m about to falter, I’ll remember my vow here. And tomorrow: repeat
I have had a Core bfast and have a Core lunch planned.
Dinner is unknown now but I can make whatever I have Core as possible.
7.
SmushPants | August 20, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Giving my body TLC is something I’ve yet to do…I’m at a stage right now where I hate myself and just want to change, but still feel pretty powerless.
Though I think I’m learning that lasting change comes from a positive place, not a negative one and so if I can learn to love myself, flaws and all I will be more willing to do good things for my body (as opposed to hating myself and wanting to punish myself for it all the time).
Good luck on your goal…I hope you hit it!
8.
lissa10279 | August 21, 2008 at 8:32 am
Thank you!! I did it–went a day/night chew-and-spit free, midnight snack free. I intend to do it again today.
SmushPants, self-loathing won’t help any!! Lasting change DOES come from a positive place…love yourself!
Easier said than done, I know…
9. Facing Your Fears «&hellip | September 23, 2008 at 4:31 pm
[...] Which is why I need to take another vow today to not chew-and-spit. [...]