One of the problems with having spent most of last year in survival mode is that my health has suffered. I have probably been suffering from depression for most of the last year but I’ve been too wrapped up in everyone else’s problems to take it seriously. As a result, I’ve let healthy eating disappear from our lives and I stopped even trying to get in any exercise. Late last year I booked an appointment with a psychologist that I’ve worked with before through the Carers association and this year I got honest with myself and got back onto antidepressants.
Getting the depression somewhat controlled made me realise how much junk we’d been eating just because I didn’t care enough to menu plan or cook. So I bought myself a new multi-cooker (Instant Pot type thingy) and started cooking again. Still going for the super simple because, hey, I’m on my way back not really and truly okay yet. Still quite a few night when I’m heating up whatever leftovers are in the freezer, but at least I have leftovers in the freezer and don’t have to rely on take-away.
The next step was to get back to doing some exercise, any exercise. One day, while reading a magazine in a coffee shop I found a recommendation for some exercise apps. So I took a photo of the page and checked them out at home and started using on that promised a 7 minute workout. I use the smart workouts with warm up and cool down and it ends up being more like 15 minutes but it’s hard work for this less than fit woman. I’ve been using the Johnson and Johnson 7 Minute Workout. I also introduced Casper to this app and she’s been using it too so I have a ready made exercise buddy! Yay, for exercise buddies! In return Casper introduced me to the Headspace app and the Pacifica app which we’ve both been really enjoying and encouraging each other to use. I have noticed very positive changes in mood and energy since getting serious about exercise and meditation.
And then, my doctor decided I needed a cholesterol test and the junk from the last year showed up – big surprise! So, now I have appointments with an exercise physiologist and a dietitian. Yay! So I’ve got back onto Sparkpeople, which is a fitness website that I have used in the past and I’ve added walking with Mowgli three days a week. I’m hoping that I’ll have made some very positive changes before seeing the physiologist and the dietitian. Thankfully I have a doctor who sees drugs as a last resort so I’ve got 3 – 6 months to make enough lifestyle changes to avoid drugs.
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So, now I’m caring for my elderly mother who has decided to live with us although she has a house 3 hours away from ours, 2 homeschooled teenagers and finally, and certainly not before time, me!