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Words of Encouragement Needed

Last post 11-02-2009 8:53 PM by BEVOLASVEGAS. 10 replies.
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  • 11-02-2009 9:41 AM

    Words of Encouragement Needed

    I need some words of encouragement, please.

    I've gotten off track, and I'm so disappointed in myself. I think I've just been stressed....stress w/ the house in NY (lots of paperwork still, and MIL is on my ass about it), stress about saving money, stress because FIL has alzheimer's and was recently diagnosed w/ prostate cancer, stress with the decision to 1) finsh my BA or 2) get certified in something else (EMT maybe), stress because I'm in a wedding that I don't want to be in and DH is the best man in 3 weddings this year (money thrown out the window, IMO- not his).....ugh. I've been working out because I think it's one of the only things that keeps me sane, lol, but my eating habits have been terrible.

    -Stephanie
    Apollo- black Labrador Retriever
    Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel
    Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel



    "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
    A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta
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  • 11-02-2009 9:55 AM In reply to BlackLabbie

    • stardog85
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    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

     (((hugs)))  We all have periods in our lives where nothing seems to be going smoothly - when that happens to me I try to take it one day at a time, allow myself some wiggle room when it comes to "bad" habits, and find an activity or two to do regularly that'll help me reduce the stress level.  It sounds like you're on the right track.  HTH

    Erin, the Amazing Maggie Mae, Ziva the Wonder Dog, and Kestrel the Up and Coming



    "Always keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go." - Louise Priscoll
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  • 11-02-2009 10:17 AM In reply to stardog85

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

     I have several big projects (actual school projects and other projects) and other "stuff" that must get done. Luckily, all of mine have deadlines, so they will be out of the way on certain dates. So, I'm trying to remember, as each one comes up, that the particular stress will be over on it's scheduled day. Then I don't have to stress over it any more.

    Emperor of the Markie Fan Club
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  • 11-02-2009 11:17 AM In reply to BlackLabbie

    • JackieG
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    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    Steph, let the stuff go that you can't change.  I know it's corny advice but that doesn't make it any less true.  Have you ever taken a yoga class?  Great stress reducer and of course the exercise you already do is keeping you sane. lol  When you eat something you shouldn't, acknowledge it but don't make it a big deal, because that just adds to your stress and you eat more bad things. lol 

    {{Hugs}} 




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  • 11-02-2009 11:27 AM In reply to BlackLabbie

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    I'm going to give something other than encouragement... I bet the reason you gained the weight you recently lost was because of stress.  If you fall back into the stress pit and allow it to take all your hard-earned achievement of losing that weight, then you're going to be defeated twice.  You created a new life for yourself with your healthy mindset - hold onto it, or you're going to lose it back to the stress demon.  You are stronger than you may currently believe, but if you fight back during this stressful time, then you will prove a great deal to yourself about your strength.

    Just because you fall off one day, and the next, does not mean the entire week is shot.  I can fluctuate every single day by the amount of calories and exercise I do.  You can recover from a "bad" day the very next day by doing what you know works.  BIG props for maintaining your exercise!  That is harder to pick back up on when you skip a few days, then a few more.  You picked the smart thing to maintain, and you can get the eating back in order.  If exercise isn't mitigating the effects of stress on your body, and you're naturally turning to food to help you, then maybe it's time to find a new stress coping mechanism.  Yoga?  Meditation?  Being aware that stress is having this effect on you is half the battle.  Reminding yourself when you reach for that "bad" food that stress is the reason, then you can choose to think about it for a few seconds and find a new way to address the stress.

    Yeah, pollyanna and not something you don't already know... but I know that stress clouds our image of ourselves and our capabilities.  You are capable of a great deal - just look at that ticker in your signature!  You did it, and you can continue to do it.

    Paige - dog.community Moderator with Gracie - 6yr old Doberman
    Plus Patrick - 10yr old Akita mix & Henry - 5yr old BC mix

    "Never confuse education with intelligence." ~ RFD

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    "So you've 'had dogs all your life'? I've had teeth all my life. Doesn't make me a dentist." - JV McDonough, Certified Dog Trainer ~ www.fortunatek9.com ~
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  • 11-02-2009 7:52 PM In reply to miranadobe

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

     Here's my thought. 

    Yesterday doesn't matter.  Tomorrow isn't here yet.  The only thing that counts is the rest of today.

    Just make one healthy choice today.  Don't push it.  Tomorrow you can make two.  And the next day, 3.  Before you know it, things will be better than ever.  You can do it.

    Jezabel




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  • 11-02-2009 8:01 PM In reply to miranadobe

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    Thank you so much, I seriously needed some words today (especially after the weekend, oy!). I feel like the entire month of October was a waste and I gained 5lbs to top it off. It started w/ DH's b-day, my parents 25th anniversary, the house, FIL's diagnosis, my b-day, Halloween (we went to 2 parties), and MIL is calling daily about the house in NY (I swear, she drives by it every. single. day. and reports to me about everything...which is usually good, but she's bitching about the lawn and how many leave are on it and we should hire someone to get it taken care of, seriously...).

    -Stephanie
    Apollo- black Labrador Retriever
    Molson- buff American Cocker Spaniel
    Patty- black American Cocker Spaniel



    "Q: If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
    A: A dog, so my wife would love me more." -Oscar De La Renta
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  • 11-02-2009 8:18 PM In reply to BlackLabbie

    • JackieG
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    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    BlackLabbie:
    MIL is calling daily about the house in NY

     

    You don't have to answer, ya' know. 




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  • 11-02-2009 8:32 PM In reply to JackieG

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    This is a lifestyle.  So, there are going to be times in life when things happen or go on and you may get off track a bit.  But, just turn the page, don't worry about what happened, it's done and over, nothing you can do. 

    I wish you knew how many days I do great up until nighttime and have to "start over" the next morning, LOL. 

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  • 11-02-2009 8:49 PM In reply to willowchow

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    Make a list of everything that stressed you out during the month of october. Then make another list of things that are stressing you out right now. If needed make another list and call it future stress. This is stress over something you know is coming.

    Now look over list 1. Can you change any of it today? How did it turn out? Was the result as bad as you thought it would be or maybe it wasn't so bad afterall. After looking at all that, set the list down and put it behind you. Its done. Get rid of the stress of that.

    Now look at list 2. Prioritize based on what actions you can take today and tomorrow. If its something you can't control then acknowledge that and write it down. As you do things on this list update with what you did and what the result was.

    List 3 is future stuff. Can you control or change anything that is coming down the road. Are there things that are bound to happen? Draft up a plan on what things you can do on each point. Some might be nothing. Other things might be simple like making a phone call or offering to help.

    Having this stuff written down and organized should help you from feeling like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. It will give you insight on why each thing is making you stressed and what you can do about it. Sometimes doing something about it means that you accept that you aren't or cant do anything.

    After all that take a walk or some sort of exercise.

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  • 11-02-2009 8:53 PM In reply to JackieG

    Re: Words of Encouragement Needed

    JackieG:

    BlackLabbie:
    MIL is calling daily about the house in NY

     

    You don't have to answer, ya' know. 

    Great advice!!!

    Hang in there Stephanie!

    Amanda

    Tact is for people who aren't witty enough to use sarcasm.

    Seize hold of the moment and begin the journey, wherever you are on the path, however many times you have faltered, begin again. - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
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