When I am stressed with school work I sleep less and as a result my stress increases and my hunger gets the best out of me. Even when I am NOT hungry but stressed I like to munch on food; any food! I am a victim of emotional/mindless eating when under stress, lack sleep, poor planning and lose sight of my goals.

I work 32 hours a week, I going to grad school full time and a 100 minute commute (if I am luck not to catch traffic!). This week I have 2 midterms (Thursday and Friday) and one assignment due this evening. Although my time is limited I still manage to get a workout in the gym 5-6 times a week and sleep for 7-8 hours. When stress hits, however, I am more likely to EAT more than what I should.

I've been studying and working all this week. Yesterday I did not pack a lunch and had to eat out. I chose to go for a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl with brown rice and lots' of veggies. Not too bad, right? The restof the day I ate well. I went to bed at 1am because I was studying and this morning woke up at 6:20am and was ready to hit the gym. I had a great back, biceps and shoulders work out this morning and pre-workout meal: 1 scoop of whey protein and 1/3 cup oatmeal; post-workout meal: 6 oz. orange-mango juice and 1 scoop whey protein powder.

I did not pack my meal again today (went to sleep late!) and for lunch, I allowed too much time between previous meal and I was starving by 1pm! I tried to make the "best" food choice and I ended up at El Pollo Loco (veggies, rice [they made a mistake instead of giving me the beans I asked for] and chicken breast). For dinner I also tried t had a tuna Subway sandwich (tuna+mayonnaise=FAT!!!).

At my 7pm class I was incredible thirsty and I realized it had to be all the SODIUM I ingested through eating "healthy" FAST FOOD! All of this because I am under stress! I hate it!

Lesson learned: When I am mostly stressed, I will maintain my eating habits and eat well. No more fast food for me: I spend money; waste resources (wrapping, preparing, etc.), eat tons of sodium and fat, I get super thirsty; waste precious time for my turn in line, my tummy feels horribly full after eating, I get heartburn, I feel fat, I feel gross, and the hard burned calories come back as EMPTY calories. It makes absolutely no sense! I will not do this to myself again.

Best,

Bea