Depression is a serious issue and one that should never be taken lightly. In this blog post I am referring to mild not clinical depression. I understand these are two entirely different issues. So now that I have that cleared up.....I should also add a disclaimer that I am not a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. I have never even played one on TV. So seek professional guidance as you are lead.
Now. Let me get on with it. I have struggled with mild depression for most of my life. I would say that I had issues as a child but learned early how to hide it well. I found outlets to help me and those typically involved staying busy with school and friends. Keeping my mind distracted from it's own dark thoughts is what worked. In high school I started working part-time and this added another layer that I could hide myself under. I also turned to some unhealthy coping and while it was not illegal, it has had a lasting effect on me. I turned to food. I am not talking macaroni and cheese or pizza, those were fine, but my food of choice always involved sugar. I could eat 6 or 7 doughnuts, a dozen cookies, a LARGE Oreo blizzard, a box of Twinkies (I know, gross) or an entire bag of candy bars. I think you get the picture. I struggled with it for years. Hiding my evidence in trash cans and dresser drawers. Sometimes only to be discovered. It was humiliating. Just another thing to add to the list of things I hated about myself. Food was a drug for me. So if this is you....I get it. I stuffed my feelings by literally stuffing myself full of sugar. Fast forward to today and I can say with assurance that I no longer binge on sugary treats to manage my depression. I found that there are three essential keys to managing my depression. Nutrition, Movement, God 1. Proper Nutrition Giving my body what it needs to do what God created it to do is the answer for me. I fuel it with lots of lean protein, veggies and fruit and supplement it with the most nutrient-dense botanical on the planet...(game-changer). Now I still enjoy sweet treats but only in moderation. No food is "off limits" to me, but I find that the more I keep it fueled properly the less I crave the sweets. (Thanks Moringa Oleifera). Find meal plans that are simple and work on getting the basics before trying adventurous recipes. Focus on 80% of your meals being "on point". Life is busy and sometimes the drive-thru is what you have to choose. Plan ahead, meal prep and you will be so glad you did. 2. Movement I move my body and lift weights 6 days a week and make no apologies for becoming addicted to CrossFit. It has literally been the catalyst for my health and wellness journey these past three years. My friends and family at CrossFit Marion have made a huge impact on me and I will be forever grateful. You do not have to CrossFit....just move your body and lift weights. Find something you love and stick with it. Make yourself a priority and stop apologizing or making excuses about how busy you are. Your family needs you healthy and happy. 3. God It may be number 3 here but really God is number one. He is my source of strength in all areas of my life. He created me and I firmly believe that my body is a temple as His word says and the reason I should take care of it. I spend time in the Word daily with devotions and listen to an uplifting message. It keeps me focused on what is truly important and gives me hope. I use a great App from Proverbs 31 ministries called the First 5 if you are looking for a good daily devotional, I highly recommend it. It is on my phone and I have a reminder set to ensure I do not forget! In closing, I pray this helps someone today. If you want to chat about any of these things I would be willing to listen! Until next time, Susan
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Working out from home?! Some people love it. Other people hate it. Some think they can’t because they don’t have enough room. Whether you love it or hate it you can’t deny that working out from home is the easiest and most convenient way to workout, right? I mean, it’s exercising in your home. In fact, here are 3 benefits to At Home Workouts:
Essentially working out from home can be super helpful when it comes to creating consistency with your workouts and feeling/seeing results! So now that you’re on board and ready to workout from home here is what you can do to set up an at-home-workout-space! Equipment First, I like to note that you do NOT need to buy any equipment to have effective workouts from home. Nothing. BUT if you want to get some equipment here are the 4 things you might want to buy:
There are two ways to create workout space in your home: 1) temporary 2) permanent If you don’t have a lot of space or share the space with others you might want to create a temporary workout space. That might mean moving your coffee table over so that you have room to exercise in your living room. Some members also exercise in their kitchens where there is lots of room and hardwood floors! Essentially, get creative because all you need is enough room to move your body, for most of us that’s the same space as a yoga mat. If you can create a permanent workout space you are in luck because that just makes the whole process even smoother and better. What you would want to do is clear a space large enough to fit a yoga mat, lay out your yoga mat, put your equipment in this space, and then decorate the space with inspiring messages and pictures that make you feel motivated and empowered!! Commit Finally, while it’s definitely easier and more convenient to workout from home it can also be challenging as there are SO many distractions at home (like your laundry, dishes, work, email, pets, kids, etc). So if you are going to workout from home you need to commit. Commit to making time for yourself and following through. Some easy ways to help you commit include:
Adapted from an original post in Healthy Living Tuesdays By From Your Admins On May 8, 2018. Check out the Healthy Living Blogs they curate for some awesome tips, recipes and support! |
Susan Sloop
Jesus Follower. Kingdom Builder. Wife. Mom, CrossFitter. Nutrition Lover. Motivator. Sister. Friend. Dog Lover. Beach Seeker. Archives |