Hi, my name is Shelli and I’m an emotional eater.

“Big salty tears
Are what I tasted
As I drove
Past your house tonight
And now they’re resting
On my burger
As I start to fry”

- The Ziggens

I love this song, but a few years ago admitting that to myself (let alone to the world) that it was an accurate depiction of myself when I’m upset would’ve been nearly impossible. What is it they tell alcoholics and drug addicts: “The first step is admitting you have a problem”?

So, so true.

Of course, I wouldn’t be telling you guys this if it wasn’t painfully relevant. Sadly, I’m having one HELL of a week. It’s been a full blown “when it rains, it pours” week. You know — the kind of week where one becomes so numb from all the crap piling up that pretty much nothing else could go wrong (because everything already has)….

Yep,  it’s been bad…. and because I’m an emotional eater, my thoughts have been turning to food for comfort (Pinterest does not help btw, will you guys quit posting brownie pictures already?!).

But , damnit, I refuse to have a Big Salty Tears moment this week and a “what could I have done differently?” moment next week.  I’m really done with excuses, regret, emotional eating and this ridiculous plateau.

Instead, I’m pushing through the shit and here’s how I’m gonna do it:

I’m gonna plan ahead:

Tonight I’m going take a good, hard look at the next week and make a plan. I’m going to make sure I have healthy meals, snacks and my exercise schedule laid out on my calendar. I will make it very, very easy to stick to my healthy plan.

I’m gonna comfort and spoil myself:

Please note:  “comfort and spoil” does not mean the same for me as it does for my adorable, black lab. It means:

• Finishing A Clash of Kings (aka Book 2 of the Game of Thrones series)
• Visiting the in-law’s (wait, wait, they have a hot tub)
• Cuddling with my husband
• Watching bad T.V.
• Allowing myself to quit working early

I’m gonna continue living by my “No excuses and no fear” mantra for the year:

I’m not going to….

• Skip a single work out
• Stop watching what I eat
• Reward or console myself with food
• Accept my own invitation to the pity party

I’m gonna fake feeling better until I do:

One of the most inspirational things I’ve read so far this year was a wonderful wrap up of posts that were written during Body Image Warrior Week. One quote by Sally McGrawl, in particular, really stood out for me,

“What if you forced it? What if—on those days when you looked in the mirror and saw Grendel—you made yourself don a flirty frock, curl your hair, and slip on a sassy set of boots? Would it help or hurt how you felt about your body and face and overall self? Swear I’m not going all Fernando Lamas on you. Just hear me out. We’ve already established that the cycle of self-loathing is inextricably linked to the cycle of self-neglect: Feel bad, look bad, feel worse, look worse, and on and on. But I maintain that a cycle of self-love can be perpetuated by a cycle of self-care. If you feel awful about how you look and allow yourself to LOOK as awful as you feel, you spiral down. But if you feel awful about how you look and work against that negativity—beautifying yourself with the tools you have at hand—you spiral up.”

Genius.

Faking it (for me) means:

• Taking a shower and washing my hair
• Wearing perfume and a pretty dress or an outfit I love
• Watching funny movies and allowing myself to giggle

I’m Gonna Ask for Help:

As much as I hate to admit it, I’m not perfect…. (please note: If you confront me with this fact I will adamantly  deny it)… This week, I’m not going to be afraid to ask for and accept the help of others.

So, with that, I’d love to hear from you guys!

What do you do when you’re feeling emotional and you just want to stuff your face and stay in bed?