Figuring out why you’ve gained weight in the first place is half the battle of losing weight. Are you a stress eater? I know that when my toddler has super-tantrum days (and they are super-tantrums), the first thing I reach for is something starchy: potato chips, crackers, bread, bagels, cookies. Starch soothes me. I’m a stress eater. Do you reach for the cupboard when relationships, time commitments and work overwhelm you? If so, you’re a stress eater too.
If you’re a stress eater trying to lose weight and haven’t yet found some other way to deal with stress then forget about the diet. You’re going nowhere!
The best method of fighting stress is exercise. Seriously. With about 20 minutes of high intensity (sweat building exercise) you can get your blood pumping and get your body to release endorphins (the feel good hormones.) If you’re a stay-at-home mom and locked in with the kids all day, you might have some rather limited options but there are still options. If you get stressed out, consider walking the stairs quickly for 20 minutes or doing situps or leg lifts for 20 minutes. Another option is to get a treadmill or exercise bike to use at home. 20 Minutes on one of those and you’ll be feeling much less stressed.
I guarantee it!
If you can incorporate regular exercise into your day, every day, you can fight stress before it happens. One of the best things I ever did for myself was joining a gym that had child care. I get one hour to myself that is just for me every day. I can take a swim, lift weights, do aerobics or just take a steam and a long shower if I want. It is by far the best way to start my day. Why not give it a try?
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