Hard getting back on track after emotional stress

catsdogsh

Two weeks ago my 95 year old Grampa died. So I had a house full of grieving stressed out relatives. I was on a roll of eating right and losing weight steadily. Then I had a house full for a week. Then they left and I'm very depressed and lazy, before they came I was doing 90 minutes a day of cardio and resistance weight training. How do you fight the depression? I keep slipping. I have only gained one pound but I'm not back on track.

Rogstar

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's hard to get back on track with whatever you were doing after any life-changing event.

The only thing I can offer is start small. It may seem overwhelming now to get back to where you were 2 weeks ago, so maybe don't do that now. Maybe go for a walk every day for a week instead of full-blown intense cardio. I've found short walks of 1-2 miles (especially outside in the Spring!) can do wonders for my energy levels. I usually come back and feel like doing dishes! Or try a new exercise that you've never done. Or take a few relaxing Yoga or meditation sessions. Even if they're off of Youtube.

If it's food, maybe eat at maintenance for a week or two more. Don't stop logging or tracking; it's a good habit to have. But it's OK to take a break from having a deficit for a while.

Or even give yourself a date to get back into the swing of things. Just being on this website says to me that you're ready to go back to where you were, but in case you aren't, set up a reminder 1 week, 2 weeks from now to start up again. I personally wouldn't trust myself to do this, so I'd either need to do it NOW or set it up with someone else to kick me in the butt at the appropriate time.

Think of what motivated you in the first place. Was it health? Family? The mirror laughing at you? (Get rid of that judgemental mirror if that's the case!) See if it is something that still motivates you. Surround yourself with friends and family as you are able. Ask a friend to go on a walk with you and talk. Smell the roses! Life is wonderful, and you will always have the memories of a wonderful Grampa.

Good luck and many blessings!

hiyomi

First off sorry for your loss, and secondly the only advice I can think of is: Would you grandpa have wanted you to be sad and depressed/lazy? If not, think of him and do it for him!