Me vs. Late Night Munchies

Before you even ask.....I am NOT high.  Now that's out of the way.

This awful affliction strikes actors everywhere and there's no hiding from it.  Even if you are not an actor, just follow me on this one.  You know those nights when you've had to study late, sit up with the crying baby, closed down the bar or....OK.....danced with the Chronic?  So now we are all on the same page, right?  Good.

Late night munchies are the actors' foil.  You come home from the theater in the wee hours, full of calorie-burning adrenaline, literally running on fumes because, chances are, you only ate a carrot stick washed down with some Throat Coat tea before the show in fear of digestive unrest (to put it nicely).  In your refrigerator are luscious slices of pepperoni pizza because your other half didn't feel like cooking in your absence.  In the cupboard are cozy, comforting boxes of carbs cleverly disguised under the name "Barilla".  Oh yeah, I'd like to take a little trip to Italy at....ummm.....2am?????  Did I fail to mention that there is also fresh fruit, veggies and Icelandic Skyr yogurt in the fridge and oatmeal and low sodium Triscuits in the pantry?  Yeah, I thought I did.  But how can I possibly concentrate when I can be "transported" to an Italian piazza alive with cheesy, starchy goodness?  Transported for at least 5 glorious minutes....the time it took me to SCARF DOWN that pizza.

Yes kids.  Last night I lost this particular battle.  

But I am not beating myself up over it...you can count on that!  After a very stressful 9 hour day of rehearsal, I'm sure I could've found numerous bad choices lurking about in the kitchen with which I could easily have OD'd.  And the lesson learned came in the form of killer heartburn that woke me up somewhere around 5am......

Sometimes we slip and fall.  But we can always get up and remember to be more careful next time.

Peace,

PJ

Potential life control issues: you can only piss out so many fires at a time!

Sorry I've been gone the past couple of days kids......the weekend came and went!


One thing I didn't mention in my initial installment is that I am an admitted emotional eater.  It doesn't have to be sadness either.....happiness is just as good of an excuse for an extra helping of salty, fatty goodness washed down with a half a bottle of well balanced acidity, tannins and fruit.  Oops....slipped in Sommelier mode.....ok let's put it this way.  A beautifully marbled, rare Porterhouse with all the trimmings and Bordeaux.  As many closeted (and outed) emotional eaters well know, the stress elicited from negative situations is what really drives us into the tub of Utz Potato Chips or whole pints of Ben and Jerry's.....what's your pleasure?


I have found in my own personal experience that nothing short-circuits the "control button" more than multiple, simultaneous ignitions.  Just as nature intended, one fire sparks another and another and so on until....wait for it......it is OUT OF CONTROL!!!!!!  And of course, from the uncontrolled fire rises dark ashes of "How did this happen to me?", "Stop the world I wanna get off!" and my favorite, "Really?  I mean, REALLY?  Are you F***ing serious?"  


I'm here to tell you that as I am typing right now, I find myself in a field of fire.  As a result, my stomach is screaming at me and demanding fried chicken.  See what I'm saying?  The correlation between fiery stress and my desire for food, hungry or not, is simple and obvious but forever daunting.  I will spare you the gritty details regarding the field of fire analogy.....but will get to today's revelation....


Since this blog is all about maintaining control and balance in one's life, I thought I might address my subject heading today.  'Tis true....you can one piss out so many fires at once.  As I sit here pondering all of the unnecessary crap that has popped up in my life recently, I realize that I can only resolve one thing at a time.  Prioritize, resolve the issue and move onto the next shenanigan on the list.  In between, go punch the snot outta Mr Sandbag at the gym and then grab a piece of fruit and 32 oz of water.  Prioritize, one resolution, snot punch and re-fuel to piss out another fire.  Lather, rinse and repeat.


This is my control mantra of the day.  Take from it what you will and apply as needed.  


Go in peace, my friends.
PJ

SIMPLE equations that help turn things around in an instant!

"Success has a simple formula: do your best, and people may like it."~ Sam Ewing

 


Car craps out in New Brunswick today=WALK to the gym (extra 150 calories round trip!)


No ride to rehearsal tonight=quality time at home to study lines and music


Friend who was interested in taking our old couches can no longer do so=one easy call to the Rescue Mission in Trenton who will pick it up and help a family in need


Problems diverted=sanity maintained


I suck at math but these are equations I understand.  Now, EVERYONE give it a try!!!


Have the best day you can have!
PJ

All it takes is a full body Neti-Potting.......

I used to love kickboxing and Tae Kwon Do.  Not only are they fantabulous forms of cardio and strength training but it gives you the excuse to KICK THE EVER-LOVIN' SNOT OUTTA SOMETHING!!!!  Just as my trusted Neti-Pot flushes the toxins right out of my sinuses and $4,000 nose (yes, it's a jobber.  Had it done when I was 19), pummeling a huge 200 lb sandbag is good for what ails your entire body, mind and soul. OK.  Sue me for the cheesy analogy.  This blog is free....deal with it. ;))))


Seriously though, it felt amazing to go to the gym this morning!  Let me be clear....I have had a gym membership for quite some time now.  I go MAYBE once a week, get on the Elliptical for 30 minutes, tell myself how wonderful I am and then justify an extra glass of wine with dinner.  C'mon....tell the truth....how many of you are meekly raising your hand right now?  "Ugh!  Me too....."*insert sound effect here*  ...whomp....whomp.


Woody Allen once said "Eighty percent of success is showing up."  That crazy little genius says the simplest, most brilliant things!  Today I showed up (there's my 80%) and then took on the Elliptical AND Mr Sandbag (may I add, a most formidable opponent, indeed).  100%!  Score!


Join me today and go "show up" to success!
PJ

Let the transformation begin.....

Sometimes you just don't realize there's a problem.......

Let me make this clear.  I have a pretty good life.  Yeah, I still ride the rollercoaster like everyone else.  You know, the unexpected drops, sharp turns, spit that lands on your cheek from the dude in the car in front of you that won't stop screaming.  Yeah, you know.  But in general, I have little to complain about. 

I am of the belief that I CAN control just about everything that happens in my life.  Whenever possible I surround myself with positive energy and in the face of potentially "toxic" situations, work diligently to remove myself quickly.  The trick to this way of living is that you must be self-aware at all times so you can maintain balance and control.  But.....what happens on the occasion that you don't realize that you've lost control???  It just happened to me last night.

I was tagged in some photos on FB from a performance that I did a few weeks back and went into utter shock when I saw, I mean REALLY saw, for the first time what shape my body has taken.  I know this is cliché but I honestly went into denial for a moment....."that can't possibly be what I look like!"  Every morning when I get dressed I take a look, a good look, in the mirror and I'm not completely disappointed.  OK, so my clothes are a "little" tighter.  OK, so my face is a "little" puffy.  OK, so I have a "little" tummy now.  I still look good, right??  I'm still attractive, right??  Smile, check teeth for lipstick, out the door.  Ummm....denial.

I have gained over 50 lbs over the past 5 years, more than 15 this year alone. Immediately, my first instinct was to ask myself "When did I lose control?"  "How in the world did this happen?"  I don't have kids, I don't take any medications that would contribute, I don't really enjoy sweets....what gives?  The answer folks:  I just love to eat and eat too much.  I am an amateur home chef and certified Sommelier.  Food and wine.....I watch TV shows, read books, flip through mags, tune into web casts.  Obsessed.  I live to eat which is well and good....when it's under control.  I have simply lost control.

If you are still with me here (and I hope that you are), here's the part where I reclaim this part of my life.  For the duration of my quest for control, I will be posting my progress here.  I encourage you to come back frequently and leave comments, suggestions and words of encouragement.  The only thing that will not be tolerated is negativity.  Anything demoralizing (realistic, OK.  Negative, no) will be deleted and if you think that is a violation of your rights or some BS like that....ummmm....too bad.  Then don't read this.

One final thought.  I want to make it abundantly clear that I am NOT depressed, suicidal or even hating on myself.  I reiterate.....my life ain't half bad! 8)  For aesthetics, for my health, to regain the control I once had.....I take this journey.  I hope you will join me.

Ready for takeoff,

PJ

Here a photo of the starting point......