CrazyBusy Mama! (Dot Calm)

For those of us trying to watch our weight, the holidays can be tough. We find ourselves surrounded by snacks and sweets, and though we know we should eat only in moderation, emotions associated with the holiday season can blow all self-discipline out the window. If we’re sad, stressed, or frustrated, it’s easy to think, “I deserve this,” or simply, “Who cares?”

Jillian Michaels has written a great — and short — article on “4 Ways to Make Yourself Feel Better Other Than Eating. You’ll learn some ideas to help yourself soothe those emotions in ways that don’t involve food and won’t make you hate yourself the next time you look in the mirror
(you shouldn’t be hating yourself, anyway, but that’s another blog post). We all need a little TLC once in a while, and I think she’s got some ideas worth reading.

I will add one other outlet for your pent-up emotional energy that Jillian didn’t mention: exercise. I know — weird that Jillian Michaels didn’t mention exercise, but she’s so well-known now that perhaps that’s just a given.

Nonetheless — get out there and do something when those emotions have got you down (or ready to scream). I went for a run with my daughter yesterday, and boy, I felt good afterward. I felt like I’d given it my all, but actually had some energy post-running. A little while later, we drove to the mall, and the mellowness kicked in on the way there. Not a blah, depressed mellowness, but a good, peaceful feeling. It occurred to me later that it was from running. (My daughter even said, “What’s wrong with you?” I had to convince her I really was fine — just mellow!)

Read more about the benefits and basics of running here.

Yes, I know the holidays are almost over, but New Year’s Eve is still on the docket, as is New Year’s Day. If you have more get-togethers planned, take a look at Jillian’s article and remember there are other ways to soothe a sad or cranky soul than by eating.

Happy New Year!

©2009 Sally Dinius
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Sally Dinius is writer-in-chief here at CrazyBusyMama.com, a blog created to inspire and motivate busy mamas everywhere to feel healthy, fit, and in control of their lives. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sdinius, and become a member of the CrazyBusy Mama Facebook fan page by clicking here.

Years ago, when I was going through a time of crushing stress, I began experiencing heart palpitations. My heart would race and then pound like crazy — here, there, and everywhere. Not only was my heart following a different drummer, it was the drummer.

When I finally saw my doctor about the palpitations, the only thing the EKG picked up was a slight arrythmia, something that he said would not have caused the strange beats. He then asked if I was under stress, and I explained what was going on. What he said next was an eye opener: “If you don’t let the stress out, it will find its own way out.” He suggested I exercise.

That was over 10 years ago, but it’s great advice that I’ve never forgotten. Now that I’m going through another period of heavy duty stress, and dealing with more palpitations (not to mention anxiety and depression), I’m finally “taking it to heart.”

I’ve been working out for the last month or so, following the ExerciseTV videos on Comcast’s OnDemand. I’ve already lost a couple of inches and a few pounds, all from working out at home. My abs are looking defined for the first time in my life, and my legs are getting strong. Is my stress gone? No, but working out takes my mind off of it for the time being, and being stronger physically makes me feel like I can handle anything.

If you don’t have Comcast, you can see the same videos at ExerciseTV.tv. I like to change up my routine, and look forward to trying new workouts. I’ve been doing the following workouts as my routine for this past week:

• Pilates Legs Slimmer and Toner with Nicole Stewart
• Abs and Back Workout with Amy Dixon
• Pink Ribbon Workouts – Strength Training for Runners and Walkers with Holly Perkins
• Pink Ribbon Workouts – Sports Warm Up with Holly Perkins

I also recommend any of Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo workouts — you’ll be able to find some of those either on Comcast or at ExerciseTV.tv.

Tomorrow we’ll look at other fantastic benefits you’ll reap from working out. See you then!

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