Good Morning! Christmas week is upon us, believe it or not!! So far, my weight has not fluctuated since Thanksgiving which is good as I think I read once that the average American gains like 5-10 pounds during this time of year! I will say, since I don't eat gluten, I avoid a lot of calories that I'd consume if I could have gluten since there have been a plethora of cookies and treats around the office!
While this is a fun and celebratory time of year, it's also a season that seems to heighten people's stress levels. In the past, I will say that I would give into bad eating habits when I was stressed. I've gotten better at choosing healthy activities when stressed as I've gotten older.
I was reminded of this last Monday when I had the most frustrating day that I've had in months. Traffic was ridiculous backed up as not all the lanes of the roads in the city have been plowed. It was so bad, it took me over 90 minutes just to get out of the parking garage at work. I seriously thought I was going to lose my mind. Because of the traffic delays, I had to miss out on meeting my friends baby and missed a class I should have attended with my sister-in-law.
I was FUMING.
My initial thought was to go home and eat some comfort food. But instead, I went to the gym and ran off some of my frustration. It helped immensely. I left the gym feeling a little bit more calm. I was still far from being in a jolly mood, but I wasn't fuming anymore. As a result, I probably slept better than I would have if I hadn't ran.
If the last couple of weeks of winter are any indication of what is to come, I have many more nights of terrible traffic ahead of me. My goal is to choose exercise over other unhealthy habits on those nights!
*****
Hi: Getting some good runs in on the treadmill with no pain in my knees (I had some pain after the marathon).
Lo: I attempted to do some 'real' push-ups. Total fail. I really need to work on my core strength!
PS: I'd like to wish a very happy 41st Wedding Anniversary to my parents! AND a very Happy Birthday to my cousin Suzanne!
18 comments:
I would've been going nuts over that traffic too. I often turn to chocolate in those times but exercise can certainly fill the same void!
I can't believe that traffic! I hope you guys don't get too much snow today- I'm thinking of you! <3
Oh man!! That is crazy traffic!! I would have been inclined to go home and eat some comfort food too..so, good for you for using your bad mood to do something positive for yourself!!
Ugh, things like that are the worst! So proud of you that you chose exercise! And when we were BBM'ing I wanted to reach through the phone and punch all the cars in front of you so you could get out sooner! (I am nothing if not helpful).
Oh my goodness I would've been SO frustrated :( I'm so sorry you had to miss meeting your friend's baby!!
Good for you for taking it out on the treadmill though - I'll think of you next time I'm tempted to reach for a chocolate bar!
Wow, that 90 minute parking garage thing? I think I lose my mind. I seriously probably would've gotten out of my car & starting running in circles screaming.
I don't know. I don't know what I'd do. WOW.
I was thinking about you yesterday as I was sitting by the fire last night eating monster cookies.....I thought "Hm....if I were Lisa I would not be consuming these unneccessary calories!"
I agree exercising when stressed makes one feel MUCH better than comfort food. Good for you for having the ambition to hit up the gym after a day like that! That's not easy!
I don't blame you for going nuts for it taking that long to get out of the parking garage! That's crazy! Nothing is worse than traffic not moving...I'd rather be stuck in traffic that is at least moving a little bit!
Take a deep breath because by rush hour tonight we are supposed to have another winter storm. Be careful out there! This weather has been depressing, I agree. Exercise really does help for stress. I use a balance ball for those core strength exercises and find it works well.
Huge congrats to your parents & their 41st wedding anniversary! That's amazing.
My hi for last week: getting my diploma in the mail.
My lo: getting so sick I couldn't go to the gym!
Good for you! Exercise does always make you feel better than eating after stress, it just never sounds like the fun option in the moment, so kudos for picking it!
Oh and ps: I knew I could count on you to be excited about my library ladder wishes!! :)
I still can't get over that 90 minutes in traffic! So terrible!! I would have been FUMING mad too! Running always does help with those kinds of things though.
I have been trying to do 10-20 pushups a day for the last few weeks. I have kind of been failing at it but I do them 2-3 times a week :)
Ugg I hate driving when there is snow! It is do frustrating! I am glad you got a run in and it made you feel a little better! that usually happens with me too, working out doesn't make me feel totally happy if I am mad, but at least it takes the edge off and makes me not want to punch people!
Whew, that kind of traffic would give me a headache as well! But yay for some runs. It's amazing how much a run can clear your head after a stressful day or incident. Happy Christmas week!!!
Oh, my gosh. 90 minutes JUST to get out of the parking garage? I would've probably cried. Yowza.
But YAY on going for a run instead of reaching for comfort food. Something I need to do more. ;)
Happy Anniversary to your mom and dad! That is great!
Traffic like that would make me cry. Did you have a book or anything with you that you could read?
Running helps all fuming moments!
Yuck! Living in a small town [500 or less] has it's drawbacks, but we never get stuck in traffic! I hope you had your Nook in your purse!
The traffic sounds awful! i would have been fuming too!
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