Have had a very difficult time lately, where everything just piles up on top of everything. Dealing with a friend's suicide, personal failures and now being mugged, I'm certain this sea of unhealthy eating isn't making things any better.

Feel that I should have been able to control this. That eating shouldn't have been the comfort to fall back on.

And lately I try to step back up on the wagon, everyday I make a new chart and every night crumbling it up and making a new one. What do you do when it eating is your only pick-up? I even gave made myself this elaborate plan where I can gradually slip back into it and start slowly, but it seems that I've completely stopped caring about this. I was even considering not posting this.

I said to myself, "now it's winter, once summer comes I will be in a situation where I can run every morning in the sun, like last summer." As if it'll be like a fresh start.

Perhaps the psychology should be worked on before the exercising? I know that next time I do it, I don't want to gain it back like this. At least I've maintained all the muscle mass I gained (arms pushing 15").

I believe I know what needs to be done, but there is a big, depressing boulder blocking the way. Everything was going fine, I was on this for five months, then suddenly it poured.

Oh boy, talk about being in the same boat... its such a horrible feeling to make great progress and then slide, trust me I know. Been there.

I started working out and eating carefully from about Jan '05 and by Aug '05 had lost 20 pounds, around 18% BF. It felt amazing. I maintained this till Dec when I don't know exactly what hit but a combo of personal and work related stress combined with the shifting weather patterns resulted in eating for comfort. At least I initially kept working out and the damage was small but eventually things got so bad that I started slacking from the working out too. I piled on close to 8 pounds, lost definition and felt terrible. The worse I felt the more I ate.

I couldn't really pay attention to working out until I got the eating under control again. This might be different for some people. When you say you've been eating "unhealthy" do you mean quantity or type? I first focused on eating "better" food again - didnt worry about the bingelike portions I was virtually inhaling but made sure they were good, clean food. Took short 20-30 minute walks everyday and didnt stress about HIIT and weights. If I got to the gym fine, otherwise I just let it go.

I got through that period and am now in active recovery as I call it :) Portions are more controlled and workouts are regular though again I'm not stressing any strict plan on either. I plan to continue in this fashion till the end of February. Just getting back in touch with myself on the fitness/health related stuff while sorting my life out.

I don't know if this helps, but just my two cents. Hang in there...

I've suffered through horrible, debilitating depression that was accompanied by a furious bout of overtraining, in an attempt to make myself feel better. It sounds like you're doing the opposite, for the same reasons.

Physical and mental health don't need to be mutually exclusive. In fact, I've found a rational, non-obsessive fitness and diet plan has helped my mood and outlook immensely. I go to therapy and I go to the gym. One helps the other, for me.

It sounds like you have a heck of a lot on your plate right now. I'd advise anyone not to do anything rash, on either side. If you have a way to get some help for the difficult times you're going through, I'd suggest that in conjunction with a fitness plan, but don't try to fix everything, physically or mentally, at once.

Have had a very difficult time lately, where everything just piles up on top of everything. Dealing with a friend's suicide, personal failures and now being mugged, I'm certain this sea of unhealthy eating isn't making things any better.

Feel that I should have been able to control this. That eating shouldn't have been the comfort to fall back on.

And lately I try to step back up on the wagon, everyday I make a new chart and every night crumbling it up and making a new one. What do you do when it eating is your only pick-up? I even gave made myself this elaborate plan where I can gradually slip back into it and start slowly, but it seems that I've completely stopped caring about this. I was even considering not posting this.

I said to myself, "now it's winter, once summer comes I will be in a situation where I can run every morning in the sun, like last summer." As if it'll be like a fresh start.

Perhaps the psychology should be worked on before the exercising? I know that next time I do it, I don't want to gain it back like this. At least I've maintained all the muscle mass I gained (arms pushing 15").

I believe I know what needs to be done, but there is a big, depressing boulder blocking the way. Everything was going fine, I was on this for five months, then suddenly it poured.

Learn to eat 6-7 delicious and healthy meals during the day. Fish, vegetables, rice.. almost endless possibilities on how to make your food taste good.

Put low gi fruits into refrigerator. You wont need any more candy after this. Grapes taste great this way!

Using a silent stationary bike while watching tv is fun.

Day 1 is today, not the beginning of some month or year. After day 1 comes day 2 and 3.

Ive read so much stuff about exercise, dieting and this stuff general so im very eager to start my near perfect program soon as I get all my equipment ready. And im never going to stop doing it.

i'm very sorry to hear about all you've been going through lately, it seems that life likes to hit us when we're high, however (at the risk of being flamed here) im going to have to say that you need to stop making excuses. you are allowing the circumstances around you to be a crutch to failure. Repeatedly making plans and crumpling them up, or reasoning that maybe you should wait until summer is NOT going to help you. Using your emotional situation as an excuse is hurting your progress.

i hope you dont take what im saying to be mean, or insensitive but i'm speaking completely from experience. Every single person on this board has faced similar (if not the same) trials in life. and some people are going to crumble under the immense pressure, start making excuses for themselves, and give up. Others are going to realize that life doesnt stop simply because bad things happen. No matter what situation you're in, YOU have choices, and now you are faced with a choice.....you say that youre dealing with personal failures etc, so why ADD to that feeling of failure by giving up on your fitness goals? Strength begins on the inside and learning to give yourself credit is difficult, but giving up is almost always going to make you feel worse. Use your unfortunate situations as motivation to accomplish your fitness goals because they are something you are doing for YOU. Learn the value of pushing yourself through tough situations. and remember that no matter what has occured today, it WILL pass. how you choose to handle the situations will mean the difference between success and failure.

again, please dont take what i've said as insensitive, focus on other things to take away from eating bad foods or too much food. And while most people fear seeing a 'shrink', they can be very beneficial by offering an unbiased honest opinion. while those who love you are more apt to say 'its ok, you are going through alot right now' he/she is more likely to say 'you're simply making excuses for your lack of self control in stressful situations.'

hi, sounds like u have had a string of unfortunate events, however life will always throw you some curve ball, and how you choose to respond to them is your choice. Maybe one suggestion I can give is for you to start small, maybe set yourself a goal to walk around the block every morning or eat small portions of food and drink lots of water, etc. Take it in baby steps.:gl:

i'm very sorry to hear about all you've been going through lately, it seems that life likes to hit us when we're high, however (at the risk of being flamed here) im going to have to say that you need to stop making excuses. you are allowing the circumstances around you to be a crutch to failure. Repeatedly making plans and crumpling them up, or reasoning that maybe you should wait until summer is NOT going to help you. Using your emotional situation as an excuse is hurting your progress.


I doubt you'll be flamed for speaking the complete and honest truth :tu: I agree 110% percent with tashimarie's views on this. :)

Regarding excuses everyone is guilty of them at one time or the other, its only human. We choose to be victims by not dealing with our problems in a constructive manner.

Rather than get upset about your circumstances, treat them as challenges in life and work towards getting yourself out of the rut and back on track. Im not speaking from some glorified pedestal, I like many others have had similarly devastating experiences(dont get me wrong I do understand where your coming from and am not taking things lightly).

Basically its boils down to choices. We have the power to be victims or not. If we choose to give in and accept our circumstances we lose. You have immense power my friend to make your life better or worse. No one is destined to be a victim, its a choice.

I know it sounds cheesy but live today, live now. So get your diet all planned out now, and then get down to following it with whatever fitness regime that youve planned. "Waiting till things are better", be it weather or situation could make things potentially worse. Trust me its a procrastinators mindset, I familiar with it because I go into that mode every now and then(Im sure others are guilty of this at some time or other). It really wont help you.

Psychology is important I'll grant you that, but its worse to procrastinate and create excuses to back it up. I know it isnt easy friend, but try and force yourself into some routine(fitness), it will take your mind off your problems and hopefully help both your mind and body. Im hoping this is the case because doing nothing is probably alot worse.

You said you know what needs to be done, now scream a battlecry and overcome the obstacles mentally and physically by doing something about it. I believe anyone including yourself can get out of a rut. All it takes is to start choosing the right things for yourself.

Take the first step :) and Im sure you'll be fine.

You will be dealt many hard-ships and attempts to derail your fitness goals.

The key is this:

"Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same".

If it is, you'll push through it all. If not, well......

~SC~

You will be dealt many hard-ships and attempts to derail your fitness goals.

The key is this:

"Your desire to change must be greater than your desire to stay the same".

If it is, you'll push through it all. If not, well......

~SC~

This is totally true..Keep the focus,,,if you slip up it's only a slip and recover your footing and keeping going...Do you know anyone who slips and just stops ?
And to add..Sometimes you think need to take a break..aweek off but this isn't always the best way to cope, sometimes it's only excuse making..

I saw a bumper sticker once... Pick YOURSELF up by your own bootstraps.. :)

Maybe you should seek counselling or get help from someone who has expertise in the area of temporary depression.

I agree to a certain point with some of the above advice and I also don't agree as well.

If you break both legs, you always get the people who say " You have a choice...so get up and walk!"".

Many of the decisions that people make in life are not based on logic with 20/20 foresight. They are based on feeling and emotion.

Many people like to think they have a choice 100 percent of the time.
It gives them a feeling of total power and control of their lives. And in a sense you do have the power of choice at all times. But much of it won't be based on rationality.

There are so many instances in life where it doesn't pay to sail the ship alone.

Acknowledge that there is help available and seek it out if you feel overwhelmed to the point where you cannot make a constructive choice.

There is a huge difference between a temporary bout of being "down in the dumps" and hardcore clinical depression.

The latter is a state where only one feeling is permeating your mind from the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep. Diet and "pick-me-up" chat will not change it. For many people it is something they cannot fix themselves.

They need outside help, support and guidance.

The unfortunate part about it is that they often will not recognize that they need help and as such refuse help and remain in denial.

"Tough love" statements work on those who care. But if they're at the point of depression where nothing really matters, the words are falling on deaf ears.