HALT!!!!

H.A.L.T.

I had rough weekend, not rough in the bad sense, rough in the extremely busy and too much to do sense. Although I have been trying very hard to practice healthy habits and seriously change a few habits of food and drink choices, I found myself at the end of the busy weekend with still more left to get accomplished and very tired.

I had a ten mile race Sunday morning as well and I beat my hoped for time by 6+ minutes, so I really did push myself. Wonderful thing is that the weather was clear but cold, and my asthma remained under control since I use the Galloway Method of run/walk/run and practice good lung maintenance.

Anyway, as I winded down from the weekend, I was saying to myself "I need that brownie or a glass of wine" before hitting the sack. I really wanted something. Then I remembered the word HALT and listened to what my body was telling me.

HALT is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. The question I asked myself first is WHY do I want the brownie or drink? The next question to ask is AM I hungry, angry, lonely or tired?
B-I-N-G-O! I took the minute to feel and listen to what my body was telling me. I was extremely tired and also very hungry since I was so busy that I had not even had dinner or rest since running the race.

My body needed nourishment, not a food or drink that would be wasted calories as well as a waste of my hard earned victory. No, my body was telling me that I needed real nutrition, a shower and get to bed and relax earlier than normal.

So I had a wonderful bowl of homemade soup, a nice warm shower and went to bed a half-hour early. Success! This morning I feel like a new woman! And, I do not have the regret of the bad choice!

HALT and listen to what your body is really saying, are you too hungry-angry-lonely-tired?