Have you ever had a hard day at work and been tempted to pull into the drive-through or pizza joint for a quick fix of junk food?
Or maybe you think about stopping at the grocery store for a pint of ice cream.
And you don’t even feel that bad about your plans to eat every single bite of it …
After all, you’ve had a bad day, right?
Stress eating is real. But guess what? It usually leaves you feeling WORSE after you finish it.
You’re bloated … you’re tired … you feel blah … and maybe you even have a stomachache.
And, most of the time you regret it or feel guilty about giving in afterward.
Giving in to cravings can soothe you temporarily, but it sets you up for even more cravings in the future.
—> Here’s why: Your brain burns about half of your body’s daily carb requirements. (Do you think that’s as AMAZING as I do!?)
Regular short-term “acute” stress can mean your brain needs about 12% more energy, which might explain the initial cravings.
But when your stress becomes chronic, your body releases a barrage of hormones to help you cope with it – including cortisol and insulin.
Over time, this can cause blood sugar swings, insulin surges, more cravings, and even slow down your metabolism!
Your body definitely doesn’t deserve that.
This is just one reason trainers and health coaches talk so much about stress management – even when you’re not feeling all that stressed.
Trying to “walk it off” when it comes to stress doesn’t set you up for success – but being proactive and mindful definitely does.
- Spend some quiet time every day – either meditating, taking a walk outside, doing breathwork, praying, or journaling. The point is to be intentional with whatever you choose. Allow yourself to relax!
- On days you’re tempted to “stress eat,” before you take the first bite, distance yourself from the food by doing something else – take a hot shower or bath, go for a walk, read, exercise, play with the dog or the kids. Divert your attention to something positive.
- Practice a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise.
If stress is a big problem in your life, talk with your healthcare provider.
I hope these tips help you tame the stress monster in your life – and the food cravings that go along with it!
|
The #1 enemy of your goals
If you could call out the #1 enemy of your goals, what would it be? There are so many to choose from:
Not having enough time, Lack of support, Not knowing what to do, Your genetics, Pizza…
The list goes on and on!
Your new favorite cookie recipe
Are you a fan of no-bake cookies? Soooo good!But have you ever seen the original recipe? Talk about fat and sugar bombs … whoa!Not anymore … I’ve got a healthified version for you that’s a lot less sugar, and – bonus – it’s loaded with fiber and antioxidants.
Setting realistic goals
Every once in a while I get a panicked email or call from someone who wants to “lower their cholesterol down x points before their next doctor’s appointment a month from now“ or “get ready for a marathon in two months”. Don’t get me wrong: Those are all important goals … but they absolutely are not possible (at least in a healthy and sustainable way) in only a month or two!
Upscale sandwich shop recipe inside…
Ever eaten at a gourmet sandwich shop and tried something new … and was BLOWN AWAY by the deliciousness?!Well, I’ve got a recipe for you today that’s based on one of those sandwiches. I’m drooling just thinking about it. It’s crunchy (the toasted bread) … creamy (the avocado & hummus) … and tangy (the sauerkraut).
