Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Replacing bad habits with good...

Finally, after a week of being here, I got everything in that I wanted to in a morning. Weigh in, an informational class, a therapy session and an hour workout. Since I have been here, I have slept ALOT. Last night, my dog Murphy (yes, they let you bring your pet) had to wake me from a dead sleep on the couch watching TV.

Upon returning to my apartment, I got some negative news about my business. Nothing drastic that can't be handled with a little paperwork, but it did upset me. What was the first thing I thought of?? Food. The "go to" comfort answer to EVERYTHING. Instead I stopped...and I really thought about it. What can I do to alieviate this sick feeling in my gut over this negative news that doesn't have anything to do with food?? And the answer came fairly quickly...

I grabbed my shoes, my sunglasses and changed clothes and went for a run. No Ipod. Just me, my breathing and my thoughts. I cried a little (this news did upset me..but again..nothing major) and I kept to my Galloway method of walk/run for a full hour. Upon my return, I felt calmer...a little more at ease. This news still has me upset but not as much as I was BEFORE the run.

So I guess my lesson today is simple: replace the old habits of stuffing down emotion with food with good habits that will lessen the stress and bring positive changes in my health.

More soon...

2 comments:

Irene Odell said...

Going for a run is healthier than bad eating, but is it trading one addiction for another? Ask your therapist, please, and let me know the answer.

A long time ago, I realized that I traded a food obsession for triathlon, and when I'm not training (like after a big race or an injury), I seem to switch RIGHT BACK to food too.

Thank you for posting about your experiences....you're helping out your athena sisters more than you might realize!

The Traveling Yogi said...

Good job on avoiding the food and getting the run in. You sound like you are doing great!