Bridge Over Troubled Water

I came across this photo on a friend's Facebook page and thought it might be something good to share.

I am once again at a point in my life where I must decide which path to take--having to live my life five months at a time isn't as exciting as it may seem. It's three months of ignorant bliss and then two months of sheer panic and stress. I'm hoping my next bridge covers a little more ground than that. And doesn't fall apart like that bridge in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

I know I'm not the only one who might be trying to decide what bridge to take and which one to burn (I think it relates to many aspects of life), so enjoy!

Living to Eat and Eating to Live Happier

I mean no offense to anyone when I say this, but now I know why people who aren't happy in their lives tend to be overweight.

I came to this conclusion as I stared down a plate of brownies this morning at work. I've been stressed, sad and frustrated and eating one would have eased all of the pain. I find comfort in food but knew that ruining my diet at 8:45 a.m. would set me off on the wrong foot and not make me feel any better in the end.

I have this conversation with myself about five times a day and don't always win. Which is why I boldly stated that people who are miserable might be overweight. If you're like me and are unsatisfied with certain parts of life--like being homesick and having trouble with work, relationships and/or living situations--it'll make you want to overeat. Unless it's just me.

Like I said, I find comfort in food, and when everything in my life is extremely stressful, trying to remain disciplined in eating, counting calories and and working out seems nearly impossible and just adds to the stress. Counting out 1,400 calories every day, tracking every bite that goes in my mouth, and then monitoring my pace and heart rate while on a jog or the elliptical at the gym isn't fun. Exercise is supposed to clear my mind, but my doctor told me I had to keep track of the numbers, so that's all I obsess over as soon as I lace up my sneakers. I always hated math and I still do.

The only thing I can seem to control in my life right now is what goes into my mouth and what and when I eat. When I am frustrated or upset, it is SO easy to just say "screw you" and enjoy a cupcake. Key word being enjoy, because it just might be the only moment of pleasure I get that day. Instead of saying "screw you" to a boss, coworker, friend or other person, it's easier to say it to the dieting gods who won't talk back (because they live in your subconscious and always make you feel guilty about it later).

Right now, my stomach is more upset than I am. Guess I won't be eating for comfort tonight...

Just Say No... Is it Really That Simple?

Here comes the season I've been dreading: the holidays. A time for candy, desserts, festive drinks and lots of succulent food. I was confident I could resist it all, but as Halloween came and went, I've found myself popping mini Milky Ways like they were my fish oil pills. I'm ashamed of my lack of will power to resist these little chocolate treats.

This also might be why I am running the Hot Chocolate 5K tomorrow... I'm pretty much solely doing it again this year for the chocolate fondue and hot chocolate party at the finish line. (That's me and Megan after last year's race)

I'm a little worried about how this whole holiday season is going to go with my calorie counting and weight loss challenge. Clearly, I can't even resist chocolate! (my cubicle has become a dangerous place--the other day my cubemate Natalie made mini cupcakes and left them on the desk space in between us).

However, I do have a little inspiration. What could be more motivating than talking to two Biggest Loser contestants? I had the opportunity to interview Jessica (who is still kicking butt on the show this season) for my November Pulse article. And this week I also got to interview Johnny (he was sent home after Week 2) this week for an article for the sister magazine Vitality.

During the interview, I asked them both how they planned to stick to their guns and new lifestyle during the holiday season. Jessica said she was planning on bringing her own treats and teaching people how she eats (she even gave me a recipe for baked apples she used to make for the other contestants on the ranch--check out the article to see it) and Johnny's straight answer: I'm just going to do it. He said he made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle and he just had to do it, that was all there was to it.

They both spoke with such conviction that it made their choices seem so simple.

Maybe it is that simple. In theory at least. Either way, I'll try to keep their voices in my head as I fill up my plates this holiday season. And maybe in the fondue line tomorrow. I'm sure chocolate dipped marshmallows and banana aren't part of their diets, even if it is after a race.