Amy's Checking In Again

[Soprano]

Well done on reducing alcohol. Drinking less has helped me a lot.

Indulged a little over Christmas but back to watching consumption now.

Jx

[Sammybunny711]

I have quit drinking alcohol whatsoever and am enjoying mocktails a lot. Especially Shirley Temples. I hope you're doing well in the new year!!

[Amy3010]

Thanks Sammy and Soprano...reducing alcohol has been a huge part of my journey these past few years.

We've just been through a very difficult week - my youngest son's girlfriend's mother died unexpectedly last Sunday and the funeral was yesterday. She was only 55, and her children are just 26 and 21. We are heartbroken. She was a lovely person and I can't even put into words what a huge loss this is.

As we shifted into support and logistics mode this week, I noticed myself not looking to food for comfort, I had no appetite and almost had to remind myself to eat something. I think the last time I experienced this was when my father died. I guess it's those times in life where food loses its power to comfort or distract...

I hope you all are doing well. Life is so short...

[Ellis]

Hi Amy, I am so sorry for your loss. It makes so much sense that food doesn’t feel comforting right now. Grief can take away even the small things that normally help. Be gentle with yourself.

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Ellis...things continue to be hard. It was also busy at work - my week to lead the team. And my husband was out of town for work for four nights. So my eating went from being almost effortlessly green last week, to all over the place this week. Sigh. I will focus on doing better in February, finding a reasonable middle ground. Just sticking to the basics.

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, I'm just checking in to say "hi" and that I hope you're doing well. Best regards, WIN

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Win. Just dealing with some yucky virus now and staying home from work a couple of days. Not eating too much but not worrying either - sick days are technically "S" days... planning on making a bit pot of comforting soup today.

[Sammybunny711]

I hope you feel better, Amy!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Sammy - feeling a bit more normal today. Didn't do much yesterday, didn't even make soup. But that is my plan today. And tomorrow, back to work

[Sammybunny711]

Thanks, Sammy - feeling a bit more normal today. Didn't do much yesterday, didn't even make soup. But that is my plan today. And tomorrow, back to work

I wish we could all be independently wealthy and not have to work!! I hope that getting back into the groove of things goes really well!

[Ellis]

I hope you are starting to feel a little better, Amy. Sometimes a day with doing absolutely nothing can be just the thing you need right now.

[Amy3010]

Thanks Sammy and Ellis for popping in...the flu is really going around at work, multiple colleagues are out sick. I went back last Friday but wasn't really feeling better until this week. It has been challenging to get back into normal routines, with everything these past three weeks. I just keep trying to plug along and take it day by day...shifting my focus to things I am grateful for helps a lot.

[Sammybunny711]

Thanks Sammy and Ellis for popping in...the flu is really going around at work, multiple colleagues are out sick. I went back last Friday but wasn't really feeling better until this week. It has been challenging to get back into normal routines, with everything these past three weeks. I just keep trying to plug along and take it day by day...shifting my focus to things I am grateful for helps a lot.

That sounds so tough to deal with!! I hope that you feel 100% soon!

[Amy3010]

Thanks, Sammy! Finally feeling back to normal. Now I just need to get back in my habit groove...

[Ellis]

Good to hear you are starting to feel a bit better! Hopefully you will get into your routine smoothly!

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, I wish you good luck getting back into your habit groove as we tackle Monday. I'm glad you're feeling better! All the best, WIN

[Amy3010]

Thanks, guys

This past month has been quite an emotional roller coaster. I've eaten some pretty crappy food the past few weeks. I've had moments where I was wondering, what is the point? But deep down I know the only thing I can do is to keep striving to do my best, especially on the days it feels really hard.

[Sammybunny711]

I am an emotional eater so I totally understand where you're coming from. It can be so hard to make the healthy choices we want when we're struggling with stress. But I believe in you! I know you can do it!

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, Your body, mind, and spirit need the deepest support on the toughest days. That "what's the point" feeling is our brain's shorthand version of "I'm so tired, When can I catch a break? When do I get a rest? When will things get easier? Who's taking care of ME?!". The trick is to answer the question "what's the point?" with some version of "because I'm all I've got and I don't need to kick myself while the world is eager to do it for me". Please know that I'm not intending to minimize your feelings at all, or hand you a touchy-feely, patronizing platitude. I just recognize the feelings you're struggling with. I want to encourage you to be the nicest person to yourself that you encounter all day. And keep coming here for support. This internet stranger will be thinking of you and wishing you all the best. WIN

[Amy3010]

Thanks to you both I know you (and other folks on this board) really get the struggle, and how it can dominate how we feel and think on a daily basis. And those feelings and thoughts then determine our behavior, whether or not we stick to our healthy habits or not...the one feeds into the other and the cycle goes on and on... Just taking it day by day at the moment. Today is looking like it will be green, which would be quite an accomplishment for me

The funny thing is that I just got off the phone with my youngest sister (it's her birthday, it was a long phone call) and I felt at loose ends, but it was only about 20 minutes before dinner...I was thinking of having a snack to bridge the gap, and I also had not had my pre-planned snack yet. But then I decide to open my laptop to do something real quick, and then came on here, and now I can safely transition to dinner.

I might need to consider pre-logging meals here again for a while, I've been doing it half-heartedly in a notebook and it's not really sticking at the moment. We shall see.

[Sammybunny711]

It can be so hard when we're struggling to stick to plan. I find, for myself, that sticking to plan gives me a little boost of confidence and comfort even more than extra food will. Maybe that would help as well (but feel free to disregard if that thinking just adds more pressure). I hope you can feel successful today no matter how you eat. Maybe preplanning would be helpful! I find preplanning hard because my tastes can change on a dime, but I know a lot of people benefit from it.

[WINhappy]

Hi Amy, Nice work skipping the snack. Sometimes a "real quick" type distraction can interrupt the thought-->"let's eat" decision long enough to either move past the impulse or make it to the next meal. All the best, WIN

[Soprano]

I often get the urge to snack about an hour before dinner. I am currently trying to recognise and make a distinction between genuine hunger and habit.

Jx