How recognizing yourself can help you STOP emotional eating
4:30: Wake up
5:00-7:00: Teach four 25 minute classes with VIPKIDS
8:10-8:55: Teach Core De Force Live Class
9:30-10:30: Leg Workout for 80 Day Obsession
10:30-1:30: Mommy like a BOSS
1:30-2:00: 1-1 Changing thoughts coaching call with client
2:00-3:00: Work or nap or clean or whatever else comes up
4:30: Drop off kids with Mom and Dad
5:05-5:55: Teach Core De Force Live Class
6:00-8:00 Mommy Like a Boss (Dinner, Play, & Bed)
8:00-8:30: 1-1 Changing thoughts coaching call with client
8:30-10:00: ME TIME
10:00-1:00 Teach five 25 minute classes with VIPKIDS
So why did I just lay out my days schedule for you? WELL, first I'm totally bragging; I mean look at all that shit I got done. (Insert that crying/laughing emoji that I completely over use in texts) But seeings that this blog is about how we use food as an escape or to emotionally check out, I'll also get to that point as well
But first, I wanted to share with you because I want to encourage you to take a few moments today to really think about everything you have done. How often do you really take a second to look at everything that you get done in a day? How often to do assess everything that you accomplish? Most moms focus on what they are not getting done. What they haven't done or what they have failed at accomplishing. Most of us don't take the time to acknowledge that we work our ASSES off day in and day out.
One thing I realized as I was starting to really become aware of my thoughts and feelings is this daily grind of HUSTLING to take care of my family I was always wanting someone to acknowledge how hard I was working. This would cause so many frustrating times with my husband. I just wanted him to recognize what I was doing, how hard I was working, and what would happen if I just stopped. But what I realized is that I needed that from him, because I wasn't doing it for myself. I was never stopping to be proud of myself or acknowledge my hard work. I was looking for it in him to do it for me. By recognizing and taking time to acknowledge what I do each day I was able to change my thoughts from "I'm not doing enough" to "HOLY SHIT I'm doing a lot in a day."
Now, a schedule like this can have its moments of being very rewarding especially if you are an achiever, a go-getter, or whatever other name is out there to characterize those of us that can't seem to sit still. However, a schedule like this day in and day out can be extremely exhausting. And it was. What I ended up doing was using food as a way to get through the exhaustion and to reward myself for the completion of tasks.
So lets take a look at using food as a reward. Using food as a reward is a common belief that many of us hold. It makes sense as to why it would be. Think back to your childhood or even currently how you are raising your own children...did/do you get/give a treat when you were/are potty training, how about when you/your kids did well on a test, or what about after sporting events, most of us celebrate accomplishments by going out for food and drink. Its what we do.
So there is no wonder that when you want to "reward" yourself you turn to the pantry for a yummy treat or a glass of wine at the end of a long day when you didn't totally lose your shit on your kids...Cheers...right?
Now let me take a second to say that having a treat or a glass of wine as a way to celebrate is not "bad". But for most of us it does not serve us. And for me it wasn't. I was participating so much in this 'rewarding' myself and celebrating my accomplishments with food for the day that I was eating almost all day. This thought that I should reward myself for a job well done; was not serving me and not helping me get the RESULTS I wanted.
When a thought, feeling or action is counter-productive to you getting the RESULTS you desire; it is not serving you. When a thought feeling or action does not serve you THEN it is time to change or modify the behavior.
Now here is how these two thoughts connect with one another. When you take the time to
acknowledge yourself, when you take the time to observe and become aware of how hard you have worked, what you have done for your family that is the REWARD, that is your celebration!
You don't need the food to congratulate yourself on a hard day that you survived, or the hard day that you dominated like the MOM BOSS you are. Because you have given your self that validation, you have affirmed yourself and you no longer need the food to emotionally do for you, what you have already done for yourself!
