*gasp*
The over the top sarcasm is my way of admitting that I realize I'm not curing cancer here with this insight. We all get it - and I would argue that if you're of the mindset, anything can make you eat more. That's why I thought this article from the November 2012 edition of Shape Magazine was worth passing on as well as intigrating into my NEW WORLD PLAN FOR HEALTH DOMINATION.
It's got 30 things to do when eating is what you want to do. Yes, these are usually to help alleviate stress, but I truly feel I could integrate them into any of those trigger moments that get me closer to baking cookies.
Who am I kidding. To going out and buying cookies. Or to eating PB on a spoon with sugar sprinkled on top because I'm too lazy to go out and buy cookies and DEFINITELY too lazy to bake them.
Only the truth for you, beautiful readers.
So here it is in a snapshot:
So I'm not totes sure how to go about this in a realistic way. The first thought I had was to tape this up on my wall in my craft "area" so I don't forget about it. Easy enough. But if you know me, you know that my craft "area" is a place where idealistic dreams sometimes go to die. (Something else on my to do list) I think that's why I decided to actually take the time to read through these, see what ones I might already do - what things I'll really honestly never do - and what things I should plan on doing. And then I'll make a plan.
Wanna do this with me? I'll pretend everyone just stood up and cheered.
Hold on, we need to add some light to this room - DEPRESSING! While you're waiting on me - take a listen. Going to see him next week with Holli - he sounds a lot like Amos Lee - but way more nerdy.
Okay I'm back! (I also peed and brought laundry upstairs - gotta make use of time off the couch)
So let's read through some of these - maybe 1-10 tonight. (and again - this list isn't from me - street cred goes to Shape magazine)
1. Watch comedy clips on Youtube - I love that the first line after this suggestion is "You're not procrastinating - you're simply boosting your mood." Yay for validation! I already do this - there are some great channels to subscribe to with original humor - I'd make suggestions but I think it comes down to personal flavor. A lot of ppl do video clips on Weds or Thursdays -- if you subscribe then they're right there on your Youtube app when you click on it randomly in the bathroom - before bed - between clients (only the really stressful ones, and during a sanctioned break of course).
2. Refill your water bottle - yeah yeah blick yeah. I've actually done this twice while writing this blog - and yes I am shamelessly looking for applause. I just don't like water. I like what it does for me, so I'm dealing. I've tried the different additives, they're okay....meh. I've found the chug method is best for me. I did see an interesting idea on pinterest about writing time limits on your bottle -- let me see if I can link it...
There - I'm a genius!!! I tried this at the hospital and it worked okay - I just had a styrofoam cup (yeah I know - whole other guilt trip there) and I kept turning the cup when it was refilled and breaking it down by the half hour. I think you could do this with one glass - just keep turning it -- we'll see if I get creative or not on this. I wonder what they use so the marker doesn't sweat off...hmmm.
This would be one of those examples of me making something simple into a huge ordeal/project so I focus on that instead of the core task - like drinking H20. I mean, it's cool to make things fun, but you still need to DO the original thing you set out to do....
3. Curl up with a book - yeah, I have this one covered. I like that this article suggests even 6 minutes a day - don't say you don't have time to read! You can get through a chapter in about 6-10 minutes. Put something next to your couch and read on the commercial breaks - and let's not forget obvious other places like the bathroom, bedside, and car. YES the car - how much random time do you spend waiting in there?? And don't forget the Kindle app on your phone.... I'm trying to make myself read books that I want to say I've read but honestly bore me. :) Wouldn't it be nice to know what the Pickwick Papers were all about? The thought of spending my night reading that is similar to the thought of doing situps all night. But six minutes? I can do that (maybe in three two minute increments...) Here's mine right now.
4. Stand Tall - at first I took this metaphorically and got all emo. But no guys, they just mean stand tall. Open your stance, roll your shoulders back, focus on pushing your spine forward - it feels good! And I feel like my bust gets bigger and my tummy gets smaller - and I focus less on looking down and getting frowny faced. Have you ever caught a glimpse of yourself at your desk in the glass? My new office has a glass wall (I know, I'm kind of important) and I never realized how slouchy and UNimportant I look in my natural stance. I swear it looks like the computer's winning. Head held high, Heidi!
5. Hop in the Shower - This is something I'm discovering more as a grown up. Taking a shower to relax rather than clean is kind of nice. I mean, wash yoself please! But take some time to do a mask or something. Add some oils on the shower floor, add a candle or something. It doesn't have to be an elaborate bath event - just let the water hit your head, close your eyes, and try NOT to think of anything.
6. Pop Some Omega - 35 - I haven't tried this before and I'm never good at remembering pills. I was told almost two years ago that I'm Vitamin D deficient, and I'm looking right now at the big bottle of Vitamin D sitting on my side table. Do I ever remember to take it? Nope! Maybe it's time to get one of those daily pill things....yeah right. One more thing for Heidi to forget to do! Anyway this article says 12 weeks of this supplement = 20% decrease in anxiety. I'll think about it.
7. Cook Like A Zen Master - This one made me laugh - but I'm willing to give it a whirl. The next time you cook - turn on music, slow down, smell each new scent that you're adding, really look at the food as you prepare it and combine it all together - even get into how it actually feels to slice a whole vegetable into manageable pieces with a sharp knife. Basically, get into it! Get closer to your own experienes, that sort of thing. I really enjoyed making applesauce with my mom this year - and canning in general is always fun to me. I'm not going to spend an hour plugging those pics in - you can see them on Facebook! Here's a teaser:
8. Engage in "Healthy" Gossip - This is definitely one to work on for me. If you're a gossiper - okay scratch that. WE ALL ARE. When you gossip, catch yourself right there. Don't think that saying "I shouldn't say this"...and then saying it makes it okay. Just don't do it. At the same point - this points out the importance of passing on an experience you have that wasn't good - do you see a coworker exploiting the system? A server coughed in your coffee? SAY SOMETHING. Yesterday I went to Taco Bell (guilty toe glance commence) and ordered a Dt Mt Dew with my meal. The lady didn't even give me a drink at first, then tried to give me someone else's dark pop (don't know what it was, but even I could see through the cup it was brown), then started to fill a cup with REGULAR Mt Dew - then threw that away after I had to call through the window that I said Diet - then she's all hollering at someone offstage about why isn't so and so filling these drink orders and at the same time my drink starts to overflow with bubbles -- so she just BLOWS THEM OFF THE TOP WITH HER MOUTH! And I didn't say a thing. Yes I drank it - don't judge me - and it was Baja Mt Dew - which in my opinion is the grossest beverage out there unless you're 10 years old or a video gamer.
ALL that stuff you want to say and don't gets stuck inside, you feel guilty because you didn't blow the whistle or undervalued because someone got away with treating you poorly - and next thing you know you're knuckle deep in the cookie dough. I really think this one hits home for me. Also, think of how much better your relationships will be if you are honest with people? If they aren't receptive, that's okay. That's their bag of issues. If you're doing it out of respect/integrity/love, it's the right thing to do. And let's admit it, it's a lot less stressful than talking shit behind each other's back and then hoping that person A doesn't tell person B or you find out months later that person B is actually married to person C whose mother plays Euchre with person A's aunt on Wednesdays...you know what I mean, and you know you've been there.
9. Head Outdoors - pretty simple. Stroll twice a week - even casual meandering burns calories - and it again gives you time to really see the world you live in. Need to do this!
10. Befriend Fido - So, my cat just died and my doctor just told me I have no business getting another pet w/ my crazy asthma. This one will be tabled for now -- but as a lifelong pet owner I have no question that there is truth in this. Instead of just existing in the same home as your pet - take some time to play with them! They'll make you smile and chill out.
Okay wow that became really long - glad I just did 10 today! It's cool to see that I do some of these already - looks like I might focus for now on taking the meds I'm already prescribed (we'll think about Omega stuff later), changing how I "gossip", drinking water, and getting outside more often. What seems like a good idea to you? I'd love to know!
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