Creativity as a Cure

Lately, I've been feeling like my legs are made of iron.  I can't seem to get moving.  When I get home I typically study, work on work-related things (and believe me there is a ton that I have to do on my own time) and I watch television.  I have been stuck in this rut for a couple of weeks now.  I think the worst part of this new routine I've found myself in is that I've been eating when I watch television.

I am a compulsive stress eater.  If I feel stressed then I eat.  I have found myself gaining weight as a result of the choices I've been making.  It hit me when I realized that I am undoing all the hard work and effort that I put into losing weight and living healthier.

What is a girl to do then?  Forgive herself first and foremost.  It took doing my yoga practice this morning (which I haven't been able to successfully do for more than 15 or so minutes) which lasted 45 minutes to realize this.  The focus was on the opening of the heart.  I worked on repetitive motions that were cleansing to the body.  All the while, I focused on the patterns that I wanted to rid myself of.  I was able to then let go of the negative routine and thoughts I had been living.

I decided that I needed to cleanse my kitchen of things that were not conducive to a healthy lifestyle for me.  I realized that I have complete control of what enters my body as well as my kitchen.  Then I went to the best place I could think of (that was local) to buy foods that my body needed.  Earthfare.  I love that place.  The moment I walked through I could already feel the sense of renewal.  I found fresh fruits and vegetables and bought some fresh beef to make a meatloaf for myself.  No more pre-packaged foods for me for awhile.  If I want it, then I will make it.  There is something cleansing and so satisfying about consuming the foods you create.

Which leads me to my next realization--creativity.  I revisited the Naturally Slim program that I participated in over a year ago.  It was a great program that enlightened me and helped me to kickstart my weight loss.  I never stopped drinking my H2orange beverage (a simple concoction of 1 part orange juice to 7 parts water and for me, crystal light).  One of the other principles that NS introduced me to was the fact that there are 7 Vital Needs that we need to have fulfilled in order to be content.  One of my Vital Needs is creativity.  I haven't been satisfying that need at all.  So today, I enjoyed finishing my Ohio painting and then I drew Syrah.  It was so nice to spend some time to do that.  I feel so rejuvenated.

The lesson here: spend some time doing something creative, move and connect with my Self, and eat only when hungry.