Tuesday, September 11, 2018

At the moment I need to focus on gratitude, rather than Ron's intense mood. LOL! (He's just upset about a colleague whom he believes is being unfairly treated. He has justice issues.) Did you know that actively, consciously noting 3 things for which one is grateful on a daily basis has been shown to significantly reduce depression, enhance mood, and increase quality of sleep?

Have a workout with the trainer at 6:00 pm. That will be pleasant and stress reducing. So, I am grateful that I am a strong 54 year old man. I am grateful that I have a healthy, sweet, rambunctious litter of 9 1/2 week old Airedale pups. I am grateful to a good job, money to pay the bills, and a few dollars in my savings. I am VERY grateful I chose a career with a retirement system in place that forces me to save almost 10% of my income each and every month! Believe me, that adds up after a quarter of a century!

Food is food. I made a decision that until the pups go, it makes no sense for me to even try to start a new regimen of eating. Dealing with puppy people is exhausting and emotionally taxing. That's sort of a set up for failure in my book.

There is something very 12 step-y about Bright Line Eating. Even though I consider myself a recovering alcoholic, I was never into the whole AA thing. I went for a while, but it really didn't offer me much in the way of friendships or camaraderie. I think I had been sober about 8 years when I realized that booze probably wasn't a primary addiction, but rather a good substitute for eating. Cuz, you know, you don't eat when you drink - kills the buzz! LOL! Seriously, everything I have done that is not exactly good for myself with any habituation has usually been centered around eating less and helping me lose or maintain my weight. I was always a little pissed that when I quit drinking all those years ago I didn't lose any weight. But of course, I found ICE CREAM early on in my sobriety. I guess it's never really left me, except during my first couple of years post VSG.

Ah, but this is a rabbit hole to go down farther another time, I think. Better get ready for the gym.