Saturday, January 24, 2015

It's been awhile.....

Well, it has been almost 6 months since I have blogged anything.  Going back to work in August threw me for a loop.  I spend most of my day at work on the computer and when I get home, the last thing I want to do is fire up my laptop.

I have really been struggling with my weight/healthy habits.  I have managed to gain 25 pounds since Thanksgiving.  I have a problem with binge eating.  When I start eating what I am "craving", I can't stop.  It is definitely a problem.  I had a lot of stressful issues in December and I let it all get the best of me and ate my way through it.  Food always seems like it will be so comforting to me, and it is.  Until I am done bingeing and then I feel AWFUL!  It's more than feeling stomach sick.  I feel so down on myself that I "did it again".  It makes me depressed which sends me into another feeling of needing comfort and where do I turn?  Food!  Yes, it is a very vicious cycle.

The past few weeks have been tough.  I have really been struggling with depression.  I have been taking anti-depressants for many years now but have been on a very low dose for the past several years.  I  know that exercise and eating "right" help with depression but when you are in the "depths of despair", it is hard to want to exercise and all I want to do is eat, which in turn depresses me.  Yep, there is that vicious cycle again!  I went to see my Dr. this week.  She suggested adding another anti-depressant.  I was all for it!  I have been taking it for 4 days and today is the first day that I feel like being normal!  I am most definitely not 100% but I am hopeful!

In listening to Half Size Me, Heather talks a lot about focusing on one habit at a time and not trying to do it all.  So, this week, I am focusing on exercise.  I am committing to walking or doing the elliptical each day.  I can do that!  Next week, I will probably try to add in focusing on my food and how much I am eating each day.  Right now, the thought of doing it all is extremely overwhelming and I know I would just be setting myself up for failure.

We started a Biggest Loser competition at work this week.  I joined, hoping that it would give me a boost of motivation.  We paid $20 to join and then when we weigh each week.  If we gain, we pay $1.00/pound.  I know I will probably be paying for the first couple of weeks but I am ok with that!  I know that I will get my focus back.  I am not going to allow myself to feel bad about it because I am doing what is best for ME and that is all that matters.

God is good.  He has made himself so obvious to me throughout all of this.  I know He is there for me and that I need to rely more on Him but I also strongly believe that the depression I struggle with is a chemical issue.  He gives us wonderful doctors and medicines to help us and I am so very thankful for that.  I have nothing to be ashamed of for taking the medicine if it is helping me.

I hope to blog more.  I know it would be such a good outlet for me.  Thanks for reading!