Crazy busy stuff going on again, folks. The last two nights, I’ve been exhausted when I’m finally home and able to relax. Lots of stress involved in everything. It’s amazing that I’m not flinging myself headlong into a tub of double chocolate fudge brownie ice cream.
I’m happy to say that while I might think about doing that as a fake coping strategy, I’m not putting the thought into action. I call it a fake coping strategy because opening up to a binge of compulsive eating is not coping. It’s a distraction. I sometimes think of it as the principle of the counter-irritant. When I used to binge and overeat mass quantities, I’d then feel so bad about the overeating that it would distract me, temporarily at best, from whatever situation was causing me the stress and upset in the first place.
I digress. The bottom line is that I’m stressed and overwhelmed, but I’m not overeating because of it. Points for me.
Today I was at my desk at work by 7:30 a.m. We had a media shoot from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All great stuff, but it was hot, humid and endless. I felt like a salt block when we were finished. I left work early, vegged at home for an hour and then went to Zumba. Seriously. I could have seasoned a movie theater full of popcorn with the salt on my skin from sweating. Thank goodness I sucked down water all day to remain hydrated.
Okay. Enough complaining.
My thoughts these days are very much focused on whether I need to make some changes in my activities. Not my exercise. I’m talking about the other things and organizations in which I’m involved outside of work. There are a couple of things that I don’t think are a good fit for me and vice versa. I’m paraphrasing an old defense strategy when I wonder, “If it doesn’t fit, should I quit?” If I’m not the person that’s truly what’s needed in this one circumstance, then I should step aside and let the role be filled by someone who will more effectively fit the situation. This is better for all concerned.
If I’m a square peg in this situation, then trying to shove myself into the round hole is uncomfortable and way too stressful. I get bitchy when I’m stressed and overwhelmed and that’s not effective or desirable either.
It’s going to take me a few days to reach a decision. In the meantime, I will not let the emotional turmoil kick me into a binge. The disease and the binge behavior doesn’t fit my lifestyle now either!
Wow, I just dozed off while typing the above sentence. Sorry, folks. That’s a sure sign that I need to get to bed!
Weighty Matters 
I have a hard time quitting, but I’m usually happier when I stop doing the things that don’t fulfill/sustain/entertain me.
I think it’s great that you are thinking about your other activities. Activities that don’t fit you/you don’t fit are stressful and you don’t need the stress. You would do better and enjoy yourself more in activities that are a good fit. And probably have more energy!
It’s so good to see you pushing aside the knee-jerk desire to bury yourself in ice cream! The longer you stay on this path, the stronger you get at it! Pretty soon, this “rut” will be much more worn in than the old emotional eating run, and easier to stay in!
Sleep well.