I need to get a grip

[wanderingenough]

...on my eating. I can't step away from the (junk food/soda/alcohol/insert terrible choice) lately. Give me tips. I'm very down on myself. I don't get to the gym as much as I'd like and I give myself every free pass to make poor choices (e.g. Migraine again - a Coke and chocolate would help).

[amaranth]

1: When you have a migraine, if coke helps, let yourself have it guilt free. Even if it only helps you cope mentally. As a fellow migraine sufferer I spent months feeling guilty about my coke intake before the doctor finally said that the side effects of coke are a lot less severe than a cocktail of other meds I could be experimenting with. It made me feel so much better. You do what you have to do to function, because life with migraines is hard enough. *hugs* there. I am so sorry they aren't getting better

2: Can you transition your favorite junk food or food weaknesses into "healthy" versions instead of trying to just cut them all out? That has been my only successful method this past month. For example, I was living on bread products. So I found a fairly healthy banana bread recipe and tripled it, froze it, and that was my breakfast for several weeks. It lowered my sugar intake, increased my vitamins, and made me feel like I was making a better choice while still giving into my cravings. Another great substitute for me is smoothies instead of ice cream. I still get sugar, but it's better fruit sugar instead of processed. I can add yogurt/keifer for protein and kale for a veggie serving. It's a great snack that makes me happy. I am sure whatever your cravings are have some sort of similar compromise you could find.

3: Are you nursing? I can't remember. If so, be kind to what your body is asking for craving and calorie-wise. It's a huge demand to eat for two. Just think, not only do you need extra calories for the milk itself, but the process of making the milk is a whole new operation that needs extra energy and calories. If you're not nursing just ignore this. lol.

4: Regarding the gym, I don't have any great advice here because I never really got my workouts back together after M, so in a few weeks I'll probably be here asking for advice myself. But the fact that you go at all is amazing. Is the issue here time, or a lack of motivation? If it's time, then that is hard to change. If it's motivation maybe you could find a less strenuous exercise than CF for now that would feel less daunting to get into. I'm so in awe of CF people, but there is no shame in stepping back if that workout itself is making it hard to succeed.

You are seriously rocking at life right now! You keep inspiring me for after this baby comes, so try to view yourself how I see you. A new mom juggling full time work, a new baby, and still manages to mostly eat well and even work out. That is incredible.

[HoneySpider]

I have no advice because I suck in these areas....but I agree with amaranth, you are a rockstar. Don't be so down on yourself. You really are an inspiration.

[MrsMB]

I would stock up on healthy snacks to keep at work.

But for migraines..give yourself a pass. Fo realz....

And ditto amaranth...you are a rockstar!!

[estrellita]

I'm the same way lately. I just can't seem to stay away from the unhealthy stuff I keep wanting to get up early (or about the time I used to get up) and work out but can't seem to get motivated. But I agree with giving the pass on something that helps with migraines. I know how much they suck and how hard it is to figure out something that helps!

[wanderingenough]

Thanks ladies. Y'all are the best. It's just hard because I have always been very all or nothing on this kind of thing. Like, I need to eat totally clean/paleo because one little "cheat" is like a flood gate opening. But then committing to something like that when I'm working and traveling for work and getting no sleep seems so daunting. So, so, daunting. So then I just do nothing and keep making poor choices. I feel bad because our dinners usually consist of whatever I can take from ingredient to table in less that 20 mins. If it takes longer than that at this point it doesn't happen because I'm so worn out and have so much to do at night.

amaranth - I like your idea of finding some healthy treat options. That might be my goal for next weekend when I'm done traveling. And you are totally right on the Coke thing. It's not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. It's just one more check in the "wandering is weak" box. I know that's stupid though. In terms of the gym, it's really just time. I had to start going at 5:30am when I went back to work because I don't want to give up any time in the evening. If I haven't slept well or having been dealing with a headache, the LAST thing I want to do at 5:00am is get up for the gym. I've only been making it about twice a week lately.

MrsMB - I need to figure out some good treats for my desk. I keep trying to take cut veggies and hummus but then it just never sounds good.

Ugh, sorry that got really long.

[katespade]

wanderingenough - I'm the same way that you are as far as being "all or nothing," and I think recognizing that is a great first step. I've had so many people try to recommend moderation, and that just doesn't work for me. If I have access to it, I'm going to eat it. I have to get everything I don't want to eat out of the house and make sure that I have ready to eat options that meet my eating requirements. I make sure to have a variety of options so that I can safely pass on things that don't sound good in the moment.

I don't know what kind of work you do, but I try to find excuses to do laps around my office during the day because I am waaaaay too lazy to go to the gym. Heck, I have a treadmill in my house that I'm too lazy to use.

Do you think it's the caffeine in the soda that's helping your migraines? Is there a chance that you could try a healthier caffeine source to see if it helps?

[wanderingenough]

katespade - Honestly, I think it's like amaranth said, its usually just a mental thing. More like "I feel like crap and want a treat that mayyyy help." It usually doesn't.