Those Darn Triggers

Take responsibility for your actions

What triggers you to overeat or eat something that you just shouldn't?

I am a definite stress eater.

I hear that the first step is to change your thinking. So I'm supposed to say, "I used to be a stress eater." So, let me start this post over again.

I used to be a stress eater. Whatever caused me stress, would drive me to an emotional vulnerability that I thought food could fill. I wasn't always that way. In college, when stressed, I would jog and jog and jog.

This evening when I had a sad experience, I ate a jumbo pretzel.

I had just found out that my oldest son ALWAYS points to the sad face at school when his teacher asks him how he feels. When he was coloring with my sister today, all he drew was frown faces. I asked if he was sad and he said yes. I could only think of one reason that might make him sad. "Are you sad because you can't talk well?" "yes." Broke my heart. And while this is heartbreaking, it doesn't have to be a meltdown. He is improving. He is speaking so much more clearly. Just like I *was* a stress eater, he *was* a poor speaker. He is so much better now. I need to praise his effort and even his tiny improvements.

Anyway then I remembered how much better exercise is at relieving stress and promptly did 50 jumping jacks. I was aiming for 100 but my little baby girl had different plans for me. (She wanted to be rocked to sleep.)

This is a very tiny set back. But it was completely within my control. I didn't have to eat the pretzel. I wasn't even hungry.

That brings me to today's point.

REWARDS

I've set up a couple of rewards at certain mile markers.

Once I get to 140, I am going to let myself buy this beautiful butterfly ring I saw at Earthbound.

Set-up rewards to help incentivize yourself. And in that moment of stress focus on your goal.