Have you ever had this experience? The other day, I took one good look at my house and was like "WHAT IN THE WORLD?"
Being a busy wife and mother of 3 children, I take pride in having a clean and organized home. BUT for the past month, my house has been a hot mess!!! Clothes everywhere, dishes all over the place, too tired to clean up after work and just sick of tired of cleaning up after everyone! SO I protested and held a STRIKE!!! That was it, EVERYMAN FOR HIM/HERSELF
So what did that do to my healthy lifestyle? It messed it up BIG time. I was reading an article entitled CONTROL THE CHOAS and that is when it hit me, the choas in my home clearly represented the choas that was happening with me internally. I have replaced my need to eat when I stress with shopping and that is a huge problem.
1) I love to shop and its perfectly normal to enjoy a great sale, however when my shopping becomes excessive its a warning sign that I maybe stressed or have alot going on in my life. Yes, its true retail therapy as some may call it works for me, (insert smile) it calms my nerves and it makes me feel wonderful inside as if I received a big hug. I have on many occasions gone to the mall to de-stress, making purchases only to create additional clutter on top of the stuff that I can't already manage. Similar for those who eat to deal with stress, the instant gratification is good but unfortunately after its all said and done, the weight issue remains or have worsen. Its true we carry unwanted clutter in our lives—in our HOME, OFFICE or BODIES!!
2) Since I decided to clean my house and get rid of the clutter, I have told myself that I will make an effort to only engage in activities that will bring GOOD INVESTMENTS INTO MY LIFE! The shopping has slowed down a bit.. (baby steps) I went shopping on Friday and you should have seen me, I was in and out of my favorite department stores. I asked myself the following questions as I carefully tried on each clothing item: "Do you love it? are you in love with it? and can you live without out? These are very important questions because I am known to talk myself into a loving relationship with an outfit but once I bring it into my house, ends up in the "um, I changed my mind, I don't love you anymore pile"
Similar to individuals who overeat or overindulge in unhealthy eating whether conscious or unconscious, they are adding clutter, fat on top of fat into their bodies and lives. On Saturday, we took the kids to Chuck E Cheese, I had 2 slices of pizza but out of boredom, I wanted an apple pie.. I consciously decided that eating that warm yummy APPLE PIE was not a GOOD INVESTMENT. I wasn't prepared to add fat to my backside so I didn't eat the apple pie and didn't clutter my body!
3) Here are some tips to help you remove ALL clutter from your life:
Physical Clutter:
Clutter not only impacts the physical beauty of your home but can jeopardize your weight release goals. For example, my beautiful granite counter top where I normally eat my meals was filled with mail, kids end of the year stuff and junk. Because I didn't feel motivated to cook or straighten up the mess, I ended up eating in front of the Television. Thankfully I don't have junk in my house cause that was what I would have eaten.
Emotional Clutter:
Understanding triggers are so important. We often allow our moods to guide our actions whether its unhealthy eating, shopping or another unhealthy habit. Understanding the root of "why we do what we do" is extremely important to self discovery and healing.
Organization and planning are critical to success. This past weekend, I decided to DE-CLUTTER my mind and clean my house for optimum weight loss.
Here is what I did:
1) I had a reality check.. Truth is, I shop TOO much! All of these clothes that were all over my bedroom floor did not magically appear, it was a build up.. Similar to fat, it just didn't happen yesterday, every unhealthy meal we eat contributes to weight gain.
2) I set out a goal for myself and that is to live to a clutter free life, a clean house, just like before and I set out to accomplish that goal. Similar to weight loss, identify a goal and move towards it!
3) I told myself that I can no longer be consumed by others actions in my home. In order to live clutter free, I must do my part. Keep the clutter out and clean my house. Taking responsibility for your overall well-being and weight loss is important. We can not be concerned and/or consumed about what others are doing, this is not a competition, it is a journey and we will arrive at our destination, at our own timing.
4) Okay ladies, I did it, I threw away all my clothes that were too old, out dated and too damn small.. I did the same for the kids!! How liberating. For some people who may eat out of past feelings, understanding your triggers and dealing with them is the first step to wellness.
5) Make decisions that will bring GOOD INVESTMENTS whether its shopping or eating..
My mind is now FREE and I know the best is yet to come!
To your best health, Ange Anglade
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