Eating my feelings

So, one of the things I've realized since I started staying home with Dane is that when I'm stressed, I eat. When I'm lonely, I eat. When I'm bored, I eat. NOT good combined with more time sitting on the couch while Dane naps. I've always loved sweets, etc, but have really realized how little self-restraint I have when I'm alone and not busy. It's been frustrating to realize what's happening and still feel like I have no ability to control myself. In my past life, when I've been busiest, it's been easiest to keep in shape. When I have a schedule full of other people, I focus on that and eating isn't on my mind. Hence, I've realized that in my current life, one in which my visits with other people are few and far between, I'm filling that void with food. Does a rice krispies bar make me feel better long term? Not at all. But for some reason, it makes me feel decent in that moment. While I haven't been outwardly gaining weight, I have been feeling slower and have had much less energy than normal. Some of that is due to the lack of sleep lately (Dane's sick again, for the fifth week in the last three months), but I know that all the sugar isn't helping either.

I recently visited my sister in Miami, and one of the things she observed, just from talking to me, was that she thought I was alone too much. With Mark working between 60 and 90 hours a week this year, he can't be the support I need in that area. With all the craziness of Dane's birth and development, I've had trouble meeting other moms. I have a few friends from Tyndale, but my days are mostly spent keeping Dane happy. I've made a point to work out 4-5 days a week, and while I've met a few people at the sport center, I haven't actually been going long enough to make friends yet. So basically, I'm realizing how important community is for me to be the happiest I can be. It truly affects all areas of my life. I'm thankful God is making this apparent to me, never more so than this weekend, when I was able to spend some quality time with my best friend in Madison. The real challenge now is to do something about it. Since my good friends are now spread out all over the country, but not nearby, my goal is to make close friends nearby. Everyone needs to share their life with others. I'm going to start praying more about it, and would appreciate your prayers as well!