Stress, Stress & More Stress

So without going into the long gory details, the last two weeks have been nothing but stress for me. Marriage is hard, sometimes it doesn't always end up the way we had expected.  Working full time and trying to be a good mom, while also spending ten hours a week on the road to get to and from work, really gets to me sometimes. Having a family member whose days here on earth are numbered, and the impact it has on a family is part of life, but extremely hard and emotional.  Combine all three of these things at one time, along with trying to diet, and they really don't mesh very well for me.

I am definitely an emotional eater and I have turned to this to ease my pain and stress these last couple of weeks too many times, and then I feel guilty.  In addition, stress and dieting do not go well together in general.  Your body emits a hormone during times of high stress which make it almost impossible to lose weight or burn fat.  I have had to learn to rely heavily on my support group during these tough days and I am thankful for each and every one of you.  I have to constantly remind myself that no matter what is going on, the end goal is far too important to forget, and will make me much happier and healthier than any food ever could. 

I am just fascinated by how powerful our brain and minds really are.  My brain is slowly reprogramming itself with new information on alternative methods of coping with stress.  It really is becoming easier and easier every day to stay on the program and say "No" to stuff that is really bad for my body.  I can feel the difference and I feel better when I am on plan.  I have a lot of things to be thankful for, and I need to try harder to remember these things when life is just plain tough. 

As of today I have lost 15lbs.  This is my sixth week on plan.  Trust me when I say if you follow the plan as instructed you will lose more. I would have lost more if it weren't for all the times I have given into temptations.  My mom started the program on Monday, she is on day three and she has already lost 6lbs.  She is doing awesome, but I expected this as she is going to have a harder time remember to eat all of the meals, versus feeling hungry like many other experience in the first week or two.  I am so pleased with this program, it has made this journey so easy and is helping me to make a long term change with my eating habits.  I expect this journey to take a year or more, but I am ok with this.  The longer I do this the easier it becomes for it to be the norm.  I am happy with where I am and am so looking forward to where I am going!!