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Feeling empowered... small steps to a healthier me!

Determination29
Determination29 Posts: 43
edited February 1 in Chit-Chat
I wanted to share this with someone, anyone!!!!

I'm now on day 6 of my weight loss journey. Everything around me has got to change in order for me to be successful and continue making better choices for myself. I have realized that I am an emotional and a stress eater. I am trying to find ways to deal with the issues so that I don't have to resort to eating a bunch of food.

I am a single mother of a wonderful 4 year old boy, a full-time student taking online classes working on my last few semesters of my BA degree and i do in-home daycare. Right now my schedule is so crazy that I am always feeling stressed out! My biggest stressor of all is the hours that I work. There is no personal time for me. Kids come as early as 5 a.m. and leave as late as 11 p.m. in order for me to get up each day and repeat it over and over. My son is acting out b/c he's not getting the attention he needs, I feel frustrated at him and the only thing I need to do is make some changes to better both of us and our surroundings.

Today I notified my parents that I will be closeing each day at 5 p.m. no more late nights, no more sundays, no more staying in the house all day and not getting things done for me and my family. I love love love the children that I care for, but I need to make sure that I am happy and my son is happy.

I feel so empowered!!!!!! I feel like I can do anything!!!! I have made it 6 days already with no fast food and staying within 250 calories of my goal. I have been eating more fruits and veggies which in turn is giving me more energy and I feel better! now that I am going to be changing my work schedule and getting more sleep and personal time I can join a gym! I can take my son to a movie! I can get a pedicure! I can't believe that I have been living like a zombie b/c i have been stressed and have turned to food!

gosh I feel great! I wonder what stressors i can tackle on day 7 to help create a better me!!!!!!!!

Replies

  • RN514
    RN514 Posts: 1,107 Member
    Good for you for deciding to take control and not let the stress keep you from where you want to be!! I hear you on the emotional/stress eating thing. Trust me, for the last few years eating has been my #1 coping skill, so I get it. Bike rides, bubble baths, exercise in general, sit ups, and at home self manicures have been helpful since starting this fitness stuff. :) just some ideas!

    I also fell in love with this quote: "Dear stomach, you're bored, not hungry. So shut up." It is so fitting for me!

    And I really made changes when I was no longer doing swing shifts or 16 hr work days. I know you cutting your hours with child care will help you out a ton! :)

    Remember the reasons why you want to be healthier. Always push through. And when you feel like you can't go any longer or do anymore, go one more minute or do one more push up just to prove yourself wrong.

    Good luck with everything...you've got this!! Feel free to add me as a friend!
  • Determination29
    Determination29 Posts: 43
    I really needed to hear that! I felt really guilty at first for cutting my hours which means i will be losing business, but i don't care. My son is so important to me and he needs to be happy! he needs his mother so if losing a few bucks per month or if one of the children I care for has to leave due to schedule conflict I wont feel guilty. i will miss them but I have to do this for me.Thanks again! request sent!!
  • jojo86xdd
    jojo86xdd Posts: 202 Member
    so glad you're taking such positive steps! ive realized this is all about sacrifice. you have to sacrifice time, money, even friends and family sometimes in order to become a better version of you. You're doing great! And thats the kind of motivation I like to see everyday. Request sent!
  • RN514
    RN514 Posts: 1,107 Member
    No problem, girl...thanks for the request!

    It's time to take care of you so you can be an even more amazing mom to your son. Hang in there :)
  • oldandhealthier
    oldandhealthier Posts: 449 Member
    Nothing to feel guilty about, besides lowering your stress and improving your health there is one thing far more important. Having time for your child and being able to spend time when you are feeling better. Take it from me the time with your children goes so fast till their grown and moved out and all you have is memories between visits. I wish you success with this journey your on but more importantly I wish you love and good life.:flowerforyou: ps you can add me if you like
  • Determination29
    Determination29 Posts: 43
    You guys are the best! I had no one to tell so thanks for reading and offering support!!!!
  • jamiemommy
    jamiemommy Posts: 58 Member
    I absolutely think you've done the right thing about your schedule! that's craaaazy!!! and you are setting such a wonderful example for your son and he will be so proud of you, doing all this for him. Children are difficult at time (I have a 3 year old daughter and my son who will be 2 next month) and they drive me crazy all the time, but all they want right now is attention from me. I can't believe how thin you were stretched. It's amazing that you have come so far, keep it up!
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