It is that time of year for seasonal affective disorder. Michiganders and many others know, with a nearly 6 month long winter at times, how real this is. I know first hand how hard it is to keep to a workout regimen and follow a healthy meal plan when suffering from depression. You no longer seem to care or you can't muster the strength. On days you feel better you berate yourself on quoting making yourself only more depressed. You are not alone. You matter, your feelings matter. Maybe it's time to seek professional help. Maybe you already are. Do you have a strong support system? If yes, that is awesome! Hold on to these people, let them help you and most importantly tell them what you need from them to keep you going on days you don't want to get out of bed. If you don't, this is the perfect time to reach out to a trusted friend or family member. As a fitness coach I am a part of that same support system, not just to get you hooked into a workout regimen and diet but to help you actually obtain your health goals. I do care. I suffer from Bipolar Disorder, it does make keeping to routines extremely difficult no matter how badly (when I am well) I want to. Depending on how much accountability and motivation you need/want is solely at your discretion.
I'm going to give you a few tips to help you through, to keep you motivated during times you lack all motivation.
1. Try to for at least 1 hour a day, do something you love to do. (Ex: singing, drawing, dancing, cooking, making memes, going for a walk, take a bath, watch your favorite show, etc. Just be true to you.)
2. When it comes to working out, don't over do it out the gate. Like doing a workout that is extremely to difficult, (ex: Insanity workout when you need a low impact workout like PiYo) If you can only do 2 pushups, 5 squats and a 30 second plank; then only do that, but do it everyday. Even when you don't want to. Pick a time of day to do it when you are more likely to actually do your activity/workout. Set and Alarm or reminder on your phone. Tell your coach, friend or family member when this is so they can ask you later if you completed the task? The accountability will help a lot on the days you just can't bring yourself to do it. Start small. If that is what you need. Some like to jump into a new routine that is 6x week for 60 days. If you can that is awesome go for it! If that isn't for you that doesn't mean there isn't something for you. Pick a simple challenge, such as 30 days of yoga, 30 day push up challenge, etc.
3. DO NOT beat yourself up. We make mistakes because we are only human right? Same concept, you miss a workout, don't attack yourself. It's mentally and emotionally draining. Start every day as a new day, a new day where you can choose to move in the direction you want to go. Live the life you want to live. Choose to be healthy, happy and fit.
4. Food is not the enemy. Starving yourself only brings health risks in your life now or in the future. I'm not saying you have to opt for a salad for every meal but eating taco bell for lunch everyday is going to thwart your efforts and leave you disappointed.
5. Commit. Commit to change, commit to your goals and commit to yourself.
6. Join a fitness group or challenge for support, accountability, to answers questions along the way. It's okay to reach out for the tools to help make this change in your life a success.
7. Be positive. Love yourself. You are the one person who will be in your entire life. Wanting to be better, happier, healthier is perfectly okay and great but you're not becoming a different person. You're taking care of the person you are.
Don't say, "I can't do this."
Say, "this is hard but I'm going to try."
Don't say, "I look ugly (or fat, or gross, etc) in this dress (or shirt or whatever).
Say, "I will look more fit in this, I can do this." and, "I am beautiful."
The fact is, you are even if you don't see it.
8. Just breathe. You got this.
**Important note: exercise does actually improve mood, among many other great things. :)**
Just a few things that have helped me along the way. If you are interested in having me as your coach, I'd be glad to help you on your journey. If not, no worries at all, this blog, me, i'm only here to help.
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