Step 1: Admitting you have a problem

 Its easy to admit. I won't deny it. I never have. I am what can only be described as an "emotional eater". You would think I was Italian.

Sad....eat...you'll feel better.

Happy.....sweet....lets eat!

Celebrate. Eat.

Bored. Eat. 

Stressed.....eat!!!!

Bury whatever feelings you are having under a pile of food. The sweeter the better. Well, not always. Snacks....chips...crackers and cheese...candy bowl...ice cream....pretzels....peanut butter pretzels....cheese dips...salsas....street corn dip....hell....give a big salad.

As long as I am eating, I am good. 

But that isn't good. Eating like that it what got me to over 300lbs and miserable. I don't really want to go down that road again.

But....some habits die hard. 

We have had a bit of additional stress lately. Many reasons, but all are inconsequential at the moment. Lets say life is happening a little harder than normal right now. Fair?

I bring this up because I am finding it easier to grab a snack here or there and really eat shit that I don't need.....because I find comfort there. That short burst of endorphins helps me get through to the next moment. Unfortunately those also endorphins come with a shit-load of empty calories. 

Do you know what empty calories add up to? 

Its nothing good. 

Add the empty calories into the lack of riding and that makes the deal even worse. Its a perfect storm for shit to go sideways. Thankfully I am fully aware of this situation....and while I have had a few bad days here and there....overall I am doing 'ok'. 

That being said....it was a bit of a panic when I stepped on the scale on Monday. Weight had ticked up by a few pounds from the previous week. While not the end of the world, it was an indicator that I have been partaking in the stress eating more than I should be. In general I cannot eat much, but I can eat every few hours. So if every few hours I put in a candy bar or chips or peanut butter filled pretzels....its not going to end well. 

With another race coming in a few weeks....it is indeed time to buckle down and ramp up. Buckle down on the garbage that I shouldn't be eating. Ramp up on the riding. Keep up with off the bike routine. The formula isn't difficult.....but the struggle is real.

This is a new line in the sand. Kill those old habits. Keep developing new positive habits. Get back into the swing of the weights and cadence of the bike. Eat clean. Be happy.

Big things on the horizon. Just gotta get through the current rough patch. 

Get out and ride!