Goal 4: Make healthier choices.

Healthy Choices.

Well, today I have been off cigarettes for a week and I realized that for me stress was a gateway drug to bad choices. When I was stressed out I smoked and when I smoked I said I couldn't run because I was a smoker and therefore didn't exercise like I should. When I was stressed I ate more than I should just because I wasn't paying attention, and I drank loads of caffeine. The good news about realizations is once your realize something is out of whack you can take steps to fix it. This week I have kept track of what I have eaten, I have planned healthier meals for our family dinners, I have worked out everyday, and I have quit coffee. I thought when I made all these changes that by Friday I would be crazy in want of a cigarette, tired from all the running and lack of coffee and really hungry but I feel great!

Another thing I realized is that the habits I formed though bad were needed to fill a void. I smoked because I didn't know how to deal with stress, I ate out of boredom, I drank caffeine because I never went to bed on time, etc. So, really the art of it all has been substitution. Trade a bad habit for a good one. When I am stressed I exercise instead of smoking. When I can't exercise I chew gum with xylitol which is good for your teeth. When I'm bored I start a new cleaning project. The exercise has in turn helped with the insomnia and my new attitude about what has to be done now versus what can be put off till tomorrow has gotten me in bed by 9:00 every night this week.