Handling stress post op (aka - I am NOT going to slide back into my old ways)

Work has officially gotten stressful.  In my job, the stress level ebbs and flows, and right now, it's REALLY ebbing.  This is the first super-stressful time I've had, since surgery.  Historically (pre-op), I've handled the stress by skipping meals, then eating big unhealthy meals at night, having unhealthy snacks, and skipping the gym.  I'm excited/nervious to see how I will handle the next few super stressful months.

I am proud of myself for what I did yesterday...  We had some candy at home, and I brought it in to work (something I normally do, when we have candy around home that we don't want to eat).  I completely intended to put it in the breakroom to share.  However, I forgot it in my lunchbox and discovered it around noon... when I was very stressed and very hungry.  The old me was in the back of my head telling me how the candy would make me feel better.  The new me was telling me that the candy wasn't that great, that it wouldn't make me feel better, and that I should eat on plan.  New me won out, and I ended up giving the candy away :)  In addition to eating on plan for the day, I stuck to my normal workout routine.

As I enter another really stressful day, I vow to stick to plan.  Since I was up almost 3 hours earlier than normal, I made sure to pack an adequate number of meals/snacks for my long work day.  I will eat regularly (every 3-4 hours) to ensure that I don't get over-hungry.  I will make time today to work out (even if it's just 30 minutes on the treadmill at the work gym).  Today will be a stressy, but successful day :)

This is great - nice job!!!

I LOVE the new habits we are forming.

Great job! 

Try to find some non-food reward for yourself in the evening for staying on plan during the day. It'll give you even more incentive.

I think  my non-food reward with be- no working from home after 7pm :)

Ah, to have a gym at work !!! I get up extra early to go to work out before work. It keeps me centered through-out the day, and helps me to remember that I STARTED the day out RIGHT -- and to keep it that way !!

Being out of doors is my reward in the afternoon. Of course, liing in Southern California does make getting outside easier...but I live in the high desert; last week we had an afternoon of snow fluries. The rest of the staff watched from inside. Me, I took my jacket and umbrella out and walked the parking lot -- three times.

This weekend I gardened -- hard -- pulling weeds, trimming, bagging debris. About 3 hours each day. THAT was a beautiful reward -- how long I could garden without having to stop and catch my breath - being able to bend over without passing out, and realizing that this was something I could not have done in the past.

And I scheduled a facial for lunch time today !!! (for work purposes; I have a dermatologist appt !) And for the rare massage appt to celebrate weight loss goals...."physical therapy".

Hey Vaca!
I so understand where you're coming from! I found out last week, the majority of my company got laid off including my boss. I did not lose my job...myself and 2 others are staying to wrap things up here and we were promised employment through August. I've been a walking stress ball and I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the new duties added that my boss used to handle. My sleep has been off and I know it's just all the stress.

I've really been concious of what I'm eating and more importantly what I'm drinking...making sure I'm drinking enough and staying hydrated. In the old days I would use this as an excuse to eat crap because I "deserved" it. New life and a new attitude! Best of luck to you through all your stress...hopefully this too shall pass!

Heidi

Ooh, for the past 2 months, I have been going through an incredibly stressful time at work, worse than in many years. I feel it in increased appetite, even for *good* foods.

You know how many people say you can mistake stomach acid for hunger? Well, I can mistake ANXIETY for hunger. Yikes! Too bad there's no PPI for anxiety!!

I am trying to up the fluids and have more vegetables. Anything but eating compulsively!! Thanks for your inspiration, and good luck!!

Thanks!

So far, so good.  I'm drinking more fluids than usual (which is a good thing), and I had my midmorning snack at 8:30.  Some meetings got cancelled, so I'm going to do a short lunch with friends at noon, to relax a little :)  I feel on plan, and think I'll even have time for my regular workout tonight (45 minutes of spinning and maybe 30 minutes elliptical).

Coffee break walk around the block. I usually sit at my desk at coffee, but end up dealing with work stuff on my break, or cutting it short. If your not there the phone can't ring, no one can ask you a question. You get some fresh air, and an opportunity to move around a little. More importantly a mental break.

and its one day at a time, making these positve choices that leads us to our goal....thanks for sharing it, keep up the good work...