Picking Myself Up

SparkPoints: (112,738)
Fitness Minutes: (179,250)
Posts: 17,397
7/8/11 11:21 A

Hi, JODISAIM !

It sounds like you've been going through quite a bit recently. start with small changes. take baby steps, literally and figuratively. Don't try to do everything at once or you will end up frustrated. Slow and easy really does win this race.

Speaking of which, have you thought about taking up running again ? You don't have to run a marathon, but how about signing up for a 5K ? You may find training for a race a good way to help you reduce some of your stress. Studies have shown that exercise can help reduce depression and stress in many people.

As far as food, I agree. Start loading up on all those great fresh fruits and veggies you can find during summer. Buy cherries, blueberries, oranges, kiwi, etc... whatever is on sale, stock up. Think quality of the food more so than quantity. Let the food you eat nourish your body. You'll find that eating good food will also help and not just with your weight, your moods too. Eating foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat just reek havoc with our emotions. So, do your best to eat more and more wholesome foods.

Posts: 1,242
7/7/11 7:05 P

Buy fruits and veggies that you like and set up a workout schedule for just the next week, make it something you enjoy also. Please take care of yourself!

SparkPoints: (58,804)
Fitness Minutes: (54,159)
Posts: 5,710
7/7/11 6:13 P

I think you just made a great beginning by choosing to post here and not just give up.

Start with just making a plan for tomorrow. We can really only impact one day at a time. it's easier to stay on track if you think in terms of just getting through this one day with drinking plenty of water, eating your fruits/veggies, and moving your body. If you have a lot of days in a row like that you will see a positive trend.

One of the things I like about SP the most is that it has great tools and a great support system. I've been on here almost two years and during that time lost two family members (cancer and heart attack), bought a new house and moved, my son had surgery, I had surgery, I changed jobs....and through it all the one thing that was consistent was the support and structure here on SP. I made a commitment to log in every day - some days that is all I did - but it was enough to keep me grounded and remind me what I was here for.

Have you joined any teams that you are active with? I find that a really good team can help you with encouragement and accountability. If you haven't complete the Getting Started Guide, find that on your start page in the Quick Links box on the right and work through that.

Hope that helps and I wish you much success.

Posts: 14
7/7/11 4:30 P

Life has really handed me a heavy load to carry recently, but I know that my problems are not unique. Dealing with the loss of a loved one coupled with the discovery of my long-term boyfriend's affair, have really taken me to my lowest level of self-esteem. I was already a month into my SP plan when the ball dropped, and at first I was getting results mainly because I was barely eating. I assume also partly because I would run to relieve some of the stress when I was unable to sleep. However, slowly things are starting to get better. I feel myself coming out of the depressed state somewhat. This is a good thing, however this has lead to more socializing which has ushered in more unhealthy eating and a loss of my exercise routine. Of course, I do not want to isolate myself from the world but it sure seemed to make staying on track easier. The 4th Holiday weekend and my birthday this week have only made the slip from the previous week a complete jump off the health wagon. I am disappointed in myself for letting it happen! I don't want to give into the urge to give up altogether. I've been off track for a good two weeks, any suggestions on where to begin?