Happy Monday!! Since we just came off a holiday weekend, I wanted to share a concept with you that has helped me out TREMENDOUSLY.

As someone who LOVES FOOD, it’s easy to use when I feel a variety of emotions. It could be to celebrate a holiday or a victory. It could be used for emotional comfort. It’s easy for me to even turn to food when I’m bored and I find myself opening the fridge or pantry even though I JUST ATE.

Have you ever done these things too?

I’ve learned that if I use food for every emotion I can literally find an excuse to eat all day because we are FEELING MACHINES.

We feel something all day, every day.

And one of the easiest ways to use food is to show love and to celebrate. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing but if you look at the calendar, it can get out of control fast.

  • Drink on New Years
  • Chocolate for Valentine’s Day
  • Have a pint(s) for St. Patricks Day
  • Chocolate bunnies for Easter
  • Candy and flowers for Mothers Day
  • BBQ for Memorial Day
  • Dad’s favorite beer for Father’s Day
  • BBQ again for Fourth of July
  • One last BBQ feast for Labor Day
  • Candy for Halloween
  • Pies for Thanksgiving
  • Cookies, Candy Canes and Hot Cocoa for Christmas

This doesn’t even include birthday’s, anniversaries, sports games, theme parks, beach days, lake days and just random get togethers with friends.

As you can see, it’s easy to chain holiday after holiday or event after event and ALWAYS have an excuse to celebrate with food.

My goal for you is to find 2-3 things to processed emotions that are non-calorie. Here’s some of my favorites…

  • 15 minute walk
  • Bike ride around the neighborhood
  • Play with the dogs
  • Read
  • Listen to podcast or music
  • Take a drive

All of these examples are non-calorie ways to process emotions. If we turn to food every time we are emotionally uncomfortable, it can easily create a link between our mind and mouths.

Discomfort = Eat

Emotional = Eat

Anxious = Eat

I’ve learned that I need to connect OTHER activities that make me feel better and do not contribute to weight gain. I call them “non-calorie comforts” and they are a great go-to option. Heck, most of the help me to get closer to my goals, not further away because they are movement based.

Last point I will make is that we are often emotional, anxious and filled with worry because we are TOO STILL in our day. We are sitting and not getting enough movement. Again, this doesn’t apply to everyone but to most since the stats on sedentary adults is climbing.

When we move (walk, bike ride, etc) it literally helps us to process our emotions. Don’t you always feel better when you spend time outside? Have you ever felt like crap after a short walk?

We don’t fully understand the science behind movement and nature and the effects its has on us but you can FEEL the difference for yourself when you do it.

Hope this was helpful. Have a great day and LEAD THE WAY!