Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Healthy You Challenge Week 36

HYC time again! I do not have a weight to post as I didnt weigh myself yesterday. I normally dont weigh myself on days when I am eating more than usual such as a holiday, or when my schedule is different and I wont be weighing myself at the same time,etc. But thats fine, I allowed myself some indulgences at a cookout yesterday, and Im sure I am up on the scale anyways. I know its temporary so I am ok with that.

In regards to exercise though, I had a great week. I got in 5 days of exercise and it feels good to get back to that number again. Some weeks are easier than others to get it in, and Im glad this past week was a good week.

So the Healthy You Challenge is not just about weight and exercise, but about being healthy. I think there is one other aspect in my life that needs a little help. Mentally, I am not so very healthy lately. Its kind of ironic that for once in my life, my weight is not what is out of control! Lately I am just feeling unhappy with a lot of things in my life and its making me pretty depressed. Most of my unhappiness has to do with my job, and I am really turning into a person that I dont like. I get angry and irritable very easily, and the stress I feel is just overwhelming. I really need to get control over the stress and anger, and just some other things that I feel are adding to my unhappiness (money, not being engaged,etc).

One thing that is contributing this is related to food. I used to use food in all of the above scenarios to help me deal with things. And while the food itself did not do anything, now that I no longer use food as a tool to help me deal with things emotionally, I actually have to feel those emotions. Scale Junkie wrote about this a while back and it really related to me. Sometimes now it HURTS to actually feel things, things that I used to run to food and try to forget. Because who really likes to feel sadness or anger? No one. Most people can cope, but others use something, such as food or drugs, to deal with it. I used to use food. Now I dont, and I have to find other ways of dealing with things in my life and feelings that I have.

So a new challenge for me in this HYC: to find ways to live a mentally healthy life.

15 comments:

Lainie said...

I think it's a really good thing that you are at least recognizing the mental things that are stressing you right now. At least you are not in denial about them or feeding them comfort foods. Good luck with working through it all.

Unknown said...

Heather, I can totally relate. I have been struggling with the same thing for what feels like my whole life. I wish I had an answer, but at least we've put our finger on exactly what's out of place. Good luck!

Twix said...

You go girlie!! Five whole days of working out, AWESOME!! Keep looking at all the progress you have made. WAY TO GO!! :D

Susie said...

Well, just think how much worse things would be with that extra 50lbs..the sweating, the feeling yucky about your looks, the binging..i guess contrary to what I have always though..LIFE ISN'T PERFECT WHEN YOU ARE SKINNY. I am sorry that you are going though a rough time. Do some things to try to make YOU happy. Good for you with the working out. Here's to a better week. Love the new blog look!

Ceres said...

Sorry to hear that you are sad. I think I can relate to some degree, I'm not feeling at my best either these days. But you know that food was not really making bad feelings go away, it only postponed the pain, and added injury to it...

Perhaps you should try to find other paths to comfort you, which don't include taking in calories; walks, music, dancing, some other hobby... Or perhaps you could try talking with someone about your feelings. And maybe tackle the things that make you unhappy, one tiny bit at a time?

I really hope you feel better soon. Sending some positive energy your way :-)

Ceres said...

PS: Good job on the exercise! And I love the new blog look!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear you are feeling so down! Trust me, I know all about that! There is nothing that will *make you* happy, but you. i know that sounds silly, but until you learn how to be happy and find joy within yourself, it won't matter if you are married, have a great job, or weigh 140 pounds! I am speaking from experience. I relied on outside things to bring me joy, and all it truly does is leave you disappointed.

Life is hard, finding happiness in life can be pretty near impossible at times, but believe me its there. Try to focus on you. And find things that keep your mind off of life's problems and disappointments, fiugure out what truly makes you happy. Be selfish in that respect! Good luck!

Tori Leslie said...

It's great that food is no longer your crutch. You have come so far and really conquered your food addiction.
Hope this work out with all the hot-spots in your life right now.

Way to go on that 5 days of workouts!!!

Natalia said...

Hi there! It's good that you are allowing yourself to feel these feelings instead of stuffing them down with food. What a great NSV! Congrats on the 50 pound loss. What an inspiration!

Diana Swallow said...

Its such a weird feeling isn't it? Feeling those feelings we would bury and numb with food. I'm still struggling with it too but at least now we can recognize it for what it is and move forward from here.

I think with everything you have going on at work, maybe a hobby or a take a class that purely for enjoyment.

Trisaratops said...

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling right now. I applaud that you are recognizing that you need to make some mental changes too. I hope you continue to take care of yourself with the exercise, and talking about what is bugging you. Good luck!

new*me said...

great post Heather. I hope you can find some things to help you cope that are good for your body and mind. Stress-reduction is a learning process. I use deep-breathing ALOT.

Manuela said...

I'm with you on achieving mental health and finding happiness in what you're doing. Life is definitely about more than the numbers on a scale.

BTW, I love the new look of your blog. The colours are great for fall :)

Manuela said...

I'm with you on achieving mental health and finding happiness in what you're doing. Life is definitely about more than the numbers on a scale.

BTW, I love the new look of your blog. The colours are great for fall :)

Anonymous said...

This is a great post. I'm sorry to hear you are feeling down. I think we have all been there. I personally am going through something similar right now and don't have any answers for you, only a virtual hug and lots of sympathy.

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