Six months ago, I was able to get off anti-depressants. I had been taking them since Mom got sick. Once I started running, I found a new state of content, and with my doctor's help, slowly decreased the dosage until I was able to be completely off. Now, when people ask what I "am on" to keep me happy after Mom died, I tell them, "Jesus and Vitamin Brooks." They look at me funny until I hold up my running shoe. Which I wear every day because they remind me that I need to move my butt.
http://blogs.webmd.com/food-and-nutrition/2012/08/your-brain-on-exercise.html Want proof that exercise is excellent for your attitude? Read the article I linked to above. I read it about two years ago, and decided that I HAD to move, not just for my weight, which I fight with daily, but my well-being.
Running not only improves balance with time, but it also helps with awareness, test scores, muscle tone, digestion, and sleep quality. It is seriously the best medicine for being blue. That doesn't mean that you toss that Prozac right this second. Instead, create a regular exercise regimen and stick with it. If and when you feel better, then talk to your doctor to determine the best method of coming down from the medicine. All anti-depressants are mind altering in some way, so it is important to not stop taking them cold turkey.
I was doing GREAT until I came across a news story yesterday in regards to Wal Mart labeling plus sized women costumes, "Fat Girl Costumes." http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/mega-retailer-uses-fat-girl-costume-category/ar-BBbxyKH?ocid=anscnbc11 That made me heartsick. I hate being called "fat" even though technically, I am not anymore. But anyone can tell you the first time they were ever poked and told they were "fat." It never felt good. It never came out nicely. An apology from the company came, but that is honestly how they feel about their customers. Nice.
Some people thought it was funny. I understand. If you have never been overweight, or if you don't care (Mama June), then yes, this could be possibly construed as humorous. But if you were a little girl in a bathroom and had your aunt tell you "You sure are getting fat, aren't you?" It can be taken differently. Suddenly that "chunk" was a thing to be ashamed of, embarrassed by, and something to loathe. All of which I did. I wanted to be a "skinny" girl.
I tried starving myself in junior high. That went horribly. First, I had a teacher tell my Mom, then I got a cavity from the brief amount of purging I did. Oh, and I didn't lose any weight. Not a single pound. My Mom told me we were "big boned" and I should appreciate how I looked.
By high school, I had tried almost every diet out there. But it didn't help that our families idea of diet food was eating a box of Snack Wells Devil Food cookies, because they were "low fat." We worked out to Richard Simmons "Sweatin' to the Oldies." The long and short of it was we didn't know how to be healthy, thin, people. We thought we were doing the right things to lose weight.
The scale didn't move until I moved out. I started reading books that said to use real butter, not margarine. Literature that told me carbohydrates are actually sugar in disguise. Your body stores them the same way in digestion (I was the pasta queen- so not good news). I found out that meat should be eaten in moderation and vegetables should be cooked al dente not with a cheese coating. I quit buying processed garbage and spent a small fortune at Pampered Chef. I still have the items I bought, so it was a good investment.
I know I am so much better off than I was before. I know that I have to exercise six days a week. I know that NO ONE is going to take care of my body except me. I know that I am unconditionally loved. I know that my weight is just a number. I know that I am a valuable member of society with two of the best kids on the planet. I know that this too shall pass. I hope you know these things too. Because we are precious, no matter how a store marks our size.
Copyright October 28, 2014 H. Jennings 99037 United States of America. No publication, reproduction, translation, spinning, or otherwise using this post without my permission. Because I am very bossy. Ask my sisters. Also, if you do decide to rip-off my work, I hope karma comes in the form of being attacked by a cat in your face. Not a tiger or anything, just a house cat with litter-box claws straight to your nose.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
I'm Back!
After the race I was given crutches, and told to stay off the foot until it was healed. I have a four level house. My husband and wonderful children can't find anything. No, I don't hide things. That is a myth. They. Just. Don't. Look.
By day three, the crutches were in the closet. I had figured out a way to bandage up the blister and wear a shoe so we could still work. The foot wasn't allowed the perfect healing time, but good enough for this operation.
We went on a short trip to see family a week later. That was quite the adventure. I got to see family and friends. My husband went to a concert and hang out with his friends. He got to have his birthday with family, and old friends.
A lot of good happened and some bad. We learn from the bad and keep marching. The best marriage advise I can give is this: never stop talking to each other. Even if you fight, talking and listening is the best way to get through anything. It is only over when someone stops talking.
I started running while I was on vacation. The blister was *mostly* healed. I could feel myself getting out of shape by the day, and that wasn't working for me. My digestive system only works when I run. So I tied my running shoes on and went for it. I was so happy I did. Yes, things hurt a bit. But I felt like I was alive again. I had the mental focus and clarity that only comes with physical exertion.
We got home ten days ago. But life has a way of going very fast this time of year. And Halloween candy has a way of finding it's way into my home. Ugh. I have a love/hate relationship with candy. Okay, that's a lie. I love candy. Thankfully, I now loving running. So I indulge in the good stuff only. Why waste calorie intake on Good n' Plenty? Give me my organic, dark chocolate with sea salt and coffee nibs. And no, I don't share with my kids. And no, I don't feel even slightly guilty.
Today, I did the third round of 1.65 miles in my neighborhood. The doctor said one mile until the foot is healed (6 weeks plus). This is my version of obedience.
I live in the cold north, or Washington State. I also signed up for the "Winter Warrior" group locally. We plan to run every week, even through rain, sleet, and snow. Because we are banana's, that's why. I am going to keep running and earning points. I am just competitive enough to try.
Copyright October 25, 2014 H. Jennings, United States of America. No part of this blog may be used, translated, copied, altered, spun, or stolen. If you do any of these things I have spoken of, may your printer ink be dry, your cereal to have moths, and the air in all of your tires escapes. Because stealing copyright material makes you a jerk.
By day three, the crutches were in the closet. I had figured out a way to bandage up the blister and wear a shoe so we could still work. The foot wasn't allowed the perfect healing time, but good enough for this operation.
We went on a short trip to see family a week later. That was quite the adventure. I got to see family and friends. My husband went to a concert and hang out with his friends. He got to have his birthday with family, and old friends.
A lot of good happened and some bad. We learn from the bad and keep marching. The best marriage advise I can give is this: never stop talking to each other. Even if you fight, talking and listening is the best way to get through anything. It is only over when someone stops talking.
I started running while I was on vacation. The blister was *mostly* healed. I could feel myself getting out of shape by the day, and that wasn't working for me. My digestive system only works when I run. So I tied my running shoes on and went for it. I was so happy I did. Yes, things hurt a bit. But I felt like I was alive again. I had the mental focus and clarity that only comes with physical exertion.
We got home ten days ago. But life has a way of going very fast this time of year. And Halloween candy has a way of finding it's way into my home. Ugh. I have a love/hate relationship with candy. Okay, that's a lie. I love candy. Thankfully, I now loving running. So I indulge in the good stuff only. Why waste calorie intake on Good n' Plenty? Give me my organic, dark chocolate with sea salt and coffee nibs. And no, I don't share with my kids. And no, I don't feel even slightly guilty.
Today, I did the third round of 1.65 miles in my neighborhood. The doctor said one mile until the foot is healed (6 weeks plus). This is my version of obedience.
I live in the cold north, or Washington State. I also signed up for the "Winter Warrior" group locally. We plan to run every week, even through rain, sleet, and snow. Because we are banana's, that's why. I am going to keep running and earning points. I am just competitive enough to try.
Copyright October 25, 2014 H. Jennings, United States of America. No part of this blog may be used, translated, copied, altered, spun, or stolen. If you do any of these things I have spoken of, may your printer ink be dry, your cereal to have moths, and the air in all of your tires escapes. Because stealing copyright material makes you a jerk.
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