Life Style Changes

AnnT - I feel for you with depression. Winston Churchill used to call his 'Black Dog'. I used to sit and weep for absolutely no reason and hubby did not understand, still doesn't. Only one of my dear Daughter-in-Laws understands but I don't want to burden her all the time. I have been taking St Johns Wort for many years now. I don't 'DO' doctors so self medicate and understand in Germany it is a common thing to take for depression. Walking also helps but as we all know, when you are depressed, you sit and think about all the things you ought to be doing, and the fact that they are not getting done makes it worse. I lose myself in my farms and that also helps, firstly because it takes my mind off other things and secondly I feel I have achieved a little something as well.

Spots - I know animals are so necessary in our lives. Have you taken in another dog to cherish? We have cats and stroking them is so stress relieving - I think they enjoy it too!

PNP You have reminded me of something else to add to my list. Photos. I have had albums ever since I was a child and up to 12 years ago (when we move to Cornwall) I religiously kept them up to date and even wrote the exact date they were taken. Now everything is digitalised I have let it slip. I also have many photos from the early 1900's. My grandfather was a keen photographer so I have plently of pictures of my mother and her family as children. I always think it is a shame when you see photos with no idea of who people are. Even some of the ones I have are difficult to name/date. Keep up the good work.

Big hugs to everyone who wants one and little hugs too. Hot chocolate coming up.

 

Pnp, on the farm, hugs are always accepted and appreciated . I'm glad you're feeling better today, we all have out-of-sorts days, it's allowed .

Farmerumf, yes, I still have 2 boys, Cam and Moose, and you'll find I talk about them probably more than I should, lol. I vacillate between wanting another puppy and not wanting any more pups after these two, but have reached a compromise with myself. We can have another puppy after my husband retires and can be the one to be its primary care giver. That way, he has a chance to bond with it instead of it picking me by default (since now I'm around them 24 hours a day and he's not), and I can enjoy the puppy love and maybe not freak out every time it has an upset tummy (is he sick? does he have Parvo? am I crazy? )

 

I loved this thread in the old forum, and I'm so glad it's been revived here. Thanks to everyone for sharing your obstacles and goals. I'm sure every one of us, if we're being honest with ourselves, could think of something we need to work on. I know that there are some who maybe feel apprehensive about posting their struggles, but keep up with this thread because they find encouragement here. I think that's great, and hope that one day they'll feel comfortable enough to share their challenges and successes here, too.

I love this. It's best piece of advice I've read anywhere. This is something anyone can do, every single day.
Find one thing....challenge accepted pnp.

-Good luck to everyone in reaching a goal today.

 

heidels - I love the star idea!!!!I'm also going to do it!!! Wow...marathons?? You are doing so much right now! Give yourself a break, and like pnp said, choose 1 thing to do today! I also really like how you said we are "rooting for each other"!!! We are our own Farmerama support team! Life is a marathon, but it sounds like you're sprinting right now with all that you're tackling. This stressful time will pass...and you will be able to slow to a nice, steady jog(metaphorically). I congratulate you on all you are accomplishing! You know....the dieting will wait...it will always be there....but a little exercise and eating right will make you feel better and more able to handle all these huge changes in your life! Go girl! I applaud you!
farmerumf - Great idea of the back/forth to your house! If you're tired...stay home after a lap! I'm a nibbler too. I recently had to finish baking cookies for my Mom(her oven broke). I remember what my Grandma taught me....don't want to stick or taste things as you're cooking...chew gum. It works!! Who wants gum & cookie dough? icky! Water & almonds are brilliant! Almonds are very healthy!
AnnT - Fantastic clearing house of processed food! That is a giant step in the right direction! You are NOT the "Queen of Failure"...I've seen pics of your wonderful family....you've done many, many things right! Yes, depression is an awful thing to battle...as many of us seem to struggle with. Please know, I'm praying for you. Pre-cut fruit in ziplock bags is my savior lately....instead of chips I grab a bag of melon or peaches etc. You are not powerless...I know there is a strong, powerful woman inside you.
spots - Thank you for your brave sharing. Yes....we all are bonding over our maladies. We are all human and have (ahem) a few faults.........yet so many of us fortunate forumites have found great humanity, support and kindness with each other. I know you are a wonderful doggie- mommy!

pnp - I'm glad you're feeling a bit better today! You are such a fantastic person...and I'm lucky to count you as a friend and neighbor!

For me...it's Monday....I'm busy with work, family stuff today! But I'm going to walk(and put a star on my calendar) eat better...and begin on the pile on my desk! Have a great day!

 

It has been busy that last 2 days. I did finish gluing the tiles of my little mosaic. I took a picture yesterday when I was working on the 2 tone red stripe. I forgot my cell phone today so no new picture. Each of the 4 panels is 1 foot by 1 foot.



I have been eating extra cereal especially yesterday. This is not horrible, but it is not good either. Today, I messed up and did not cook my usual meal of rice. Now it is late and I have nothing to eat, but more cereal. Hopefully, tomorrow I will do better.

I hope everyone is having an easier time reaching your goals.

 

That is beautiful sglick I especially like the the two red colors

 

I love your mosaic Sglick.
I don't know how you cook your rice, but I keep a box of 'boil in the bag' rice for emergencies. The little bags are just enough for one. Are helpful when Granddaughter joins us unexpectedly- just drop them in boiling water and boil for about 10 minutes!
I have achieved a couple of my goals. Did some outside work. Lots of mowing, bouncing about on the mower in the bottom field for about an hour and a half counts as free physiotherapy on my bones! Picked loads blackberries - left arm aches this morning (I am lefthanded). Started tidying kitchen. Going to sort out farms today as it is raining a bit.

 

sglick your creation is great!
I guess your avatar mosaic is again one of your creations?

 

Beautiful mosaic, sglick, thank you for sharing it with us! I'm sure everyone sees something different, but to me it is a new day dawning . I never thought about your avatar, is Ariel right, is it one of yours? It's wonderful too!

 

Thanks for this thread! a long (very long) time ago I had my house and most areas in my life organized, then well life happened. lol
I am my own worst enemy, this I know as a fact. I am a perfectionist, and it served me well for awhile, then became more like a curse.
I was taught growing up that anything worth doing should be done the right way and done well. I've been known to make my kids empty the dishes out of cupboard and rewash all if I find any dirty ones in them, in an attempt to teach them it is better to do it right the first time around, incidentally all they seem to have learned is that I'm impossible to please and therefore they won't help at all.
I don't do diets ( at least in the normal sense) I go through phases where I can't even tolerate the thought of eating, this probably was caused by T.M.J. (temporal mandibular joint disease) that I deal with. yawning is a very painful thing to do, I am not supposed to open my mouth more than an inch when TMJ flares up, if I do I end up with Jaw unhinged and have to manipulate jaw with hands to get it to shut again. I rarely talk about my struggles with anyone, I'm a very privacy oriented person, so even posting this much makes me really nervous.
Like farmerumf I do not deal with Drs. I have had more horrendous experiences with drs than I care to revisit, I mostly use homeopathics
and natural remedies... there is a wealth of info to be found and used. For those who don't know, Spices are really healing. do some searches on healing properties of cinnamon, garlic, tumeric etc... it will blow your mind how Spices have been ignored by western culture in getting well and staying healthy.

 

I'm usually very private also, joyce, so I understand what you mean by being nervous about posting. *hugs* I'm glad you're here, tho, my favorite jester . I remember talking to you about the turmeric, except I had it in my head it was pnp for some strange reason . I tried it in honey like you suggested, but the flavor was a bit too...exotic...for me, so I found it in capsule form, and now if I have a headache that isn't too bad but I don't want to get worse, I'll take 2, and they do seem to help. I've found it helps to take them with food in my stomach, tho. I agree, the things cinnamon can do for you are amazing! And garlic has long been hyped as a cold preventative. We have a friend who eats a lot of it, and he rarely gets sick. Of course when he does, he REALLY does, but for the most part he avoids all the little sniffles and bugs that go around all winter long. Hope your TMJ is not bothering you today, and that you have an enjoyable, imperfect day!

 

AnnT, I am thinking of you big-time, and wanted to thank you for sharing your struggles with depression and eating. Our admission of things that are out of balance and need attending to is so powerful - I see your sharing as a huge victory! You are brave and courageous, and have really done so well to look out for yourself by finding strategies that can work for you as you go along (replacing the cookies with the fruit, GREAT idea!). It seems this is an amazing group to cheer you on I know I will be rooting for you, too!

Sglick, I may have given you the wrong idea. Super Mess is probably a better name. My over-committed life/schedule/whatever you want to call it, causes unnecessary so much stress, worry, anxiety, and is costly to my health and sanity, etc....it's really quite a circus. I could go on and on about what a mess I am, but hey we have lots of time and I'm sure it will be obvious soon anyway. Ha ha! That said, I am trying to stay positive in my self-talk and keep it together until life is, if not calmer, more simple. Or vice versa. I have something of a similar block with morning exercise. Mostly that if I do not do it in the am, I will almost always find a reason why it does work or fit into the rest of my day. I am trying now to talk myself into something like, "10 minutes ANYTIME of day is better than zero minutes." It only works some days. :/ I love your mosaic and am jealous (but admiring!) of your ability.

spots, thank you for sharing your story, too, and farmerumf. I have relatives with depression (mother, grandmother, even my great grandmother). I am fortunate not to be dealing with that, at least in this point in my life, but I know the type of depression that you speak of and it can be crippling, I know. You both have all my sympathies and I admire you for charging through it with your best efforts each day. That is really all we can ask of ourselves. Spots, I have the same train of irrational worries about my dog all the time - does his skin look red today? Has he been scratching at something? Is that a lump on his neck? Is he drinking more water than usual? Are his kidneys failing? Oh dear...just stop, heidels. He is fine. You, on the other hand...Ha!

Brooke, I'm glad you like the star idea! It has worked really well for me and it is so easy! I just order a different roll of Amazon every time, sometimes with sparkles or faces, and it's like a mini-treat that costs me pennies and is totally worth it.

crzyjoyce, I am a very private person too. I don't post very often but I do read many threads here. It is really the only message board I venture onto. It is strange for me to be sharing here. But, here we are! and I am glad, too. We use a lot of natural remedies in my house, as well. Turmeric for inflammation, has helped immensely all members of my household (we also give to the dog). We make our own by buying capsules at the food co-op and bulk turmeric, we have never had a problem this way. I know it bothers some in the stomach. We usually always try whole food/spice/herb remedies first when we can, it is amazing how many things can be helped/fixed first this way. Since our first stop is usually the kitchen anyway, it works out. LOL! Love it .

Yesterday's goal to drink at least 10 glasses of water during long work and school day - accomplished! Woot!
Today's goal to exercise at least 10 minutes not yet done....I am done with work in a few hours and with a short class after, should be able to get it in. I will tell on myself, to you, if I do not.
Still thinking of what I want to set myself up for tomorrow!

Wishing you all a lovely day (afternoon, evening?), and best wishes for whatever your personal objective may be today!

 

I've been thinking of each of you off and on all day. I congratulate you for all your efforts! I encourage you when you encounter something hard.

I have not walked since Sunday...(time to tattle on myself). I never got out of my pajamas on Monday due to total body aches and fatigue. Tuesday the only thing I accomplished was taking a shower and getting dressed. I was all set to go when I leaned over to pick up some items from the floor and suddenly a severe headache came on. I felt like I had been hit in the back of the head and it made my stomach queasy. Since it did not let up for many hours, I elected not to walk. Today...hubby was off and we put blacktop sealant on the driveway. He poured it out and I used the long handled squeegee to spread it out. Now...there are no words to describe how I feel right now. I am off to bed with a heating pad and some Advil hoping I can move tomorrow. Wishing you each a wonderful evening...

 

@farmerumf I completely forgot about saint johns wart! I'm such a mess... I stopped taking it about a month ago (when I ran out). I had even gone out and bought more. I've now added a few into my Aleve bottle so I don't forget to take them.

I've added a sign to my refrigerator door " Do you eat to live or live to eat?" It's a good reminder for me think first.
I came home from work today and got into the pool. I wasn't thinking about exercise, I just wanted to cool off.... but I wound up swimming a few laps. I'll go back in and "play" more after dinner.

pnp and everyone else suffering in pain (of any kind), I just want all of you to know that I'm keeping you in prayer.

 

heidals - I have my stars...but haven't walked yet this week. Tough day at work on Monday...long, long day! Yesterday, I also stayed in my jammies all day pnp! We should have a pj party! Was feeling awful..achy, stomach cramps etc. Today, better but had to catch up and it still is 98 and HOT!

AnnT - great saying for the fridge! Good for you for swimming laps...it's about the best exercise ever!!! Our pool is too cold now...gets too much shade! We cannot afford to heat it...so it's just this large decorative blue thing in the yard.LOL

Come blankety blank or high water...I'm going to walk for at least 45 minutes tomorrow!

 

AnnT - I am proud of you for addressing three things today: depression, food and exercise! Way to go!

Brooke - hugs for you. Hope today is a day you feel better.

Our weather is absolutely perfect! It has been chilly at night (40-50s) and in the 70s during the day. No too hot, not too cold, just right Goldilocks! We don't have a pool but I always wanted one. I enjoy my yard, trees, flowers too much to rip them all out and the yard is not big enough for both.

Time to get the day started.

 

Today I got up really late - nearly 10.30. I am trying to get motivated to do something! So I thought I would read the forum and exercise my mind.
I was thinking about exercise - there are all sorts of small things we can do.
Go to work/shops on the Bus? Get off the stop before and walk the rest of the way.
Go to work/shops by car? Park a bit further away and walk in.
Supermarket? Park at the far side - I never understand why the Mother's and (fat) children parking is near the shop - they need the exercise. Only a short way but it soon adds up. And it is so much easier to park at the far side!
Take the stairs rather than a lift - although the last time I went in a lift is a long time ago. Not many of those in Cornwall!
Oh to be able to run up the stairs two-at-a-time like I did when I was younger!
It is humbling to read all the obstacles you have to overcome and so uplifting to see everyone doing something to make their lives better. Keep up the good work. By being realistic about what we can do, makes it much easier to achieve.
I am also trying not to feel guilty if I miss a day - that makes me feel better too.

 

pnp, I hope you are feeling better today *hugs* (getting pretty good at this hugging thing ). Did the heating pad help? Sounds like our weather is comparable, tho supposed to be in the 80s today, but rain by the weekend, which is okay, I like rain. *shares a cup of double chocolate flavored coffee to get day started right, lol*

Brooke, I also hope you're having a better day, aches and stomach cramps are no fun . Hope it was a quick bug, and not flu. *sends hot homemade chicken noodle soup*

umf, I like your ideas on exercise. I always park my truck way out in the parking lot, partially because I don't want it getting hit, lol, but also because I figure that extra distance is good for me, especially when pushing 1 (or often 2), fully loaded, very heavy carts . I used to have a pedometer I wore when I went to town for shopping, to see just how much distance I put in in the course of the day, but it broke and never got another. Maybe I'll look into investing in another one.

So, set some goals for today. Okay, goal #1, call the prescription plan and try to convince them, yet again, that yes, my husband really does need that prescription, and no, the generic versions will not work for him as they make him ill and unable to work . Our once-a-year dance that I so look forward to. Then, I pledge to give the bathroom a thorough scrubbing and cleaning instead of a quick clean (your bathroom closet cleaning has inspired me sglick!). And, if my knee and back will allow, I will do some type of exercise for at least 15 minutes today, be it walking on the treadmill or using hand weights to work on my arm strength, I will do SOMETHING. I always tend to overestimate what I can/will get done in a day, so those 3 little things will have to suffice for now, lest I make big plans and then feel like a failure for not completing them. Good luck to everyone in their goals today! I'll let you know how mine turn out.

I forgot to add this, for all us procrastinators, a little encouragement:

 

Good morning everyone!

pnp - I had a good day yesterday...got lots done!!! I'm feeling pretty good so far today as well! I've been sticking with a very low carb regimin and cut in half my portions...plus downing the water. I hope you too are feeling better. We're joining you with good weather...it's finally left the 90's and today's high should be 84!!! Woo hoo!

spots - Thanks for the soup and well wishes...but it's crohns of which I suffer(an ibs)...but you did give me the idea to make homemade soup...which has helped! I adore the procrastination of....Mozart!!! Makes me feel less like a numbchuck for always putting things off! I feel pretty accomplished this week....made a list of things to get done this week...and already have 11 of 18 done!!!

farmerumf- Fantastic suggestions on walking more to/from stores or not taking the elevator/lift. Any movement counts...right?

 

sglick, your comment in the OP reminds me of the old saying... "Cleanliness is next to godliness."
My plan is similar to yours. But far less ambitious. I see a pile of stuff and start sorting thru it until I get tired. Which is only about 15 mins. The papers get set aside for when I want to sit and sort/shred. I have the keepers, donate and trash/recycle. I haven't been able to do anything but lay around and sweat since the air conditioner died. Autumn is here and the weather is changing. I've had to spend the past week getting ready for the rainy season, what we call winter here. We got significant RAIN shower today for the first time since April? It rained for almost 3h!!! According to TWC we have 10 days of sun ahead. But at least it's cooled off.

AnnT, good to see you. I miss your posts. I tried St John's Wort at one time, that's hypericum? Forget why I stopped taking it. I think it was a concern about it interfering with prescription meds. It does have some not so good effects on some ppl.

I recently met a middle aged guy that had a stroke and subsequent heart transplant some years ago. (Sometimes we don't know how good we have it.) He suggested magnesium for energy. I was telling him about my chronic fatigue. He had noticed my BIG FAT bald head aka chemo palor. lol Concurrently my sis, who has been struggling with heart symptoms and good test results, had a friend suggest magnesium for her. The other day I was watching a Criminal Minds rerun and they said that magnesium is good for serotonin. See more below...

I've had problems with certain prescription meds not sitting well in my tummy. My HMO seems to be doing a pretty good job these days of selecting sources that are closer to nongeneric. Exceptions only made for things like Serevent that aren't available as generic yet. Talk about expensive.

Today Dr Oz was saying something about standing for an hour a day. I might try that. 5 min an hour when I'm not out and about.

As far as pics are concerned... I would upload them to a pic server. I used to use flickr. Think they were bought out by Google. My "old" Kodak digital camera has software that allows me to sort them into folders in the computer, write captions, tag faves, etc. My TracFone smartphone allows similar options. It also is GPS enabled so it stores location as well as timestamp. So if I were in your situation I would load the pics to a pic server like photobucket or google+ or facebook, create a folder akin to "Aunt B's Birthday Party", tell anyone that wants a pic where they can find it. They can copy or print as they need. Choose a pic server that allows privacy settings, fb has had problems with that. You will probably have to create groups of people permitted to view. A bit of work to start but start with today's pics not last months or last years.

In the States we, as a culture, seem to put far more importance in our dental health than our mental health. I've yet to hear of anyone dying of dental caries or yellow teeth. Depression can be a very debilitating and even deadly disease. (I'm sooo VERY sad about Robin Williams.) You really don't have to suffer. These days they have developed some easy to tolerate and effective meds for most mental illnesses. And are developing better understanding and better meds rather regularly, these days. Please, everyone take care of you mental health.

For minor depression I try to keep moving. Movement helps to generate serotonin. Serotonin is a "good" brain chemical/hormone. We get it from eating chocolate, moving around aka exercise, laughing, etc. It also helps to keep pain levels down. At one time I was taking an antidepressant but stopped taking it because I was really sick and pretty sure it was from something I was "eating". Sadly I ended up suspecting peanuts. When I stopped eating them my constant tummy ache went away as well as many other symptoms. I hate eating meat and was trying to get protein from peanuts instead. Not yet sure about the effect of magnesium for me since my health is rather complicated lately.

TAKE CARE, everyone!!!