Brad and Becky Sanker

You just got into a knockdown-dragout fight with your spouse. Or your kid. Or your mom. Or the guy behind you in the checkout line. Your reaction is to head for the kitchen to soothe yourself with something smooth, fattening, creamy, sugary, salty, or crunchy — pick your poison. Sound familiar? If so, you're an emotional eater. But you've probably figured that out already. You've probably also figured out that unhealthy overeating leads not only to weight gain but to a destructive pattern of anxiety and self-loathing that's tough to break on your own. Want to break the cycle? I'm here to help. You've got to start by facing the fact that there will never be a totally stress-free time in your life. There. That's as bad as it gets. Now on to the good news: You can stop emotional eating. The key is to identify the things that make you feel pressured, sad, angry, or anxious. Once you understand your triggers, you can break the cycle and start regaining control of when, why, and how you eat. The best way to identify your emotional triggers is through self-examination. Face your issues. Bring them out of your subconscious and into your conscious reality. This is the most empowering thing you can do for yourself. To change the present, you have to let go of your past. Forget about the times when you binged because you were upset, hurt, angry, or depressed. The past does not define you; the present does. Having a crystal clear vision of the future affects your behavior now. Let your daily actions be governed by your game plan for a new you. Keep that game plan in the forefront of your mind by writing about it and letting it become real. There's no deadline. Just commit to the process and take it day by day.

It has the power to energize you through one more mile. It could mean fewer trips to the dentist. It’s known to keep skin glowing and it’s not a fad diet. Water is beneficial and vital to all life – especially yours. Every part of your body from your skin to your brain relies on ample hydration to function. Drinking water is a simple step you can take that can have a huge impact on your body. You’ll have a tough time losing weight if you’re not drinking enough water. If you’re actively trying to lose excess weight and don’t drink enough water you will actually increase your body fat. Water contains no calories, fat, or cholesterol and is low in sodium. It’s nature’s appetite suppressant and helps you metabolize fat by aiding in digestion. In your quest to look and feel the best you can, it’s one of the simplest ways to reach your goal. Maintains muscle tone. Muscles are composed primarily of water. Water removes waste and transports nutrients to muscle cells and decreases recovery time. Water and wellness. The traditional recommendation is to drink a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. However, it’s best to base your water intake on your body weight. Try to drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily, for example if you weigh 200 pounds, drink at least 100 ounces. Water tips for athletes. • Eat a balanced meal and drink plenty of water 24 hours before a major workout. • Drink two glasses of water before exercise and following your workout. • Drink water at regular intervals while you exercise. You should consume 6 to 8 ounces of water every 15-20 minutes while exercising. • Weigh yourself before and after a workout to make sure you’ve replaced fluids lost while working out.