Living the Lifestyle Wednesday 8/3

Rachel0778

Everyone says it, but just how do you do it? How do you take the guidelines of the WW program and turn them into a lifestyle you can live every day...from now on? That is what we are here to explore. Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Newbie? Join in! Veteran? Join in! Your thoughts may be just what someone else needs to hear.

Monday -- GadgetGirlIL (Regina)
Tuesday -- goldenfrisbee (Chris)
Wednesday -- Rachel0778 (Rachel)
Thursday -- misterhub (Greg)
Friday -- Jbrack381us (Joe)

Today's topic: What do you do to get yourself out of a funk?

I've been in a bad mood this week for no reason and have had a heck of a time shaking out of it. Since our moods affect our weight loss/efforts so much I figured this would be a perfect venue to pose it to the group.

steve0mania

A lot of the time my bad moods come from a feeling of lack-of-control about things going on in my life. Thus, my approach is often to do something to regain a sense of control. It might be as simple as cleaning the piles of papers off my desk to help me feel more organized, or perhaps staring or finishing some task that I've been putting off. Other times it may require major changes (or at least a decision to take on a major change), particularly when I can identify a "root-cause" for my bad mood. Nevertheless, regaining some sense of control often helps me break out of a funk.

MICHGOLFER2

When I am in a bad mood, I try to do something to get my thoughts off myself and my mood. One action step that almost always works for me is to go do something outside. Being outside helps refocus my thoughts, generally gives me interaction with other people, and literally clears my head. Plus, I can't keep raiding the kitchen when I am outside. In addition to getting outside, doing something productive around the office or around the house helps. I like to be able to see a task accomplished, however small. It lets me know that my mood does not have to control my actions.

Calvin2008Brian

Good topic. I agree about getting outside as being helpful, but sometimes nothing works but time. I remind myself that funks come and go and always get better with time. I get down when I'm not feeling well physically (like 3 weeks ago when I was having back pain while on vacation). I wonder sometimes if the physical and emotional "funkiness" don't feed off of one another.

misterhub

Short term - I listen to Mantra Girl, which is an album of chants from India set to a modern composition. Sounds hokey, but if I am ticked or feeling at odds, listening to it changes something inside and gets me back to the land of the living. (available on iTunes)

Long term - Figure out what the pea is beneath the mattress. It may take some real honesty to get to it.

60in2017

Usually if I'm in bad mood, it's because I'm tired. Taking a nap helps a lot. If it's from another cause, a long walk or some form of exercise.

imastar2

Typically for me it's frustration like Steve said over things that are outside of my control. Yesterday was a prime example of just being in a funky mood. I even today don't know why yesterday was a bad mood day but I was just down.

What I typically do is intentionally alter my mood by putting on some relaxing music and if I have time pick up a book that has some type of positive message. A diversion if you will. I do not turn to food for comfort. That will just make things worse for me. This can be a very challenging aspect of a day when I'm busy but I know my mind can't be in a funky mood if I'm reading and concentrating on something else and hopefully the other thought is positive.

leeless511

I am usually pretty "positive" about life, but there are occasions when things get to me and I go into a funk. My usual approach is to identify, is there a particular thing bothering me. If there is I dwell/think about exactly what it is that is bothering me and then put an action plan in place. Recently I had to put one of my dogs down due to a brain tumor, it was heart wrenching, that set the tone for me to start to be unhappy about many things that normally don't bother me. It affected me to the extent that I stopped doing my daily run or walk and just did not have the energy to do what I had to do for home or work or myself. To overcome, I really just sat and thought thru what happened with my pup and why the decisions were made and I said some prayers, talked to my husband and slowly worked my way out. Once I got more balance in my emotions than I decided to schedule time in my calendar to take care of myself...i.e. runs/house related tasks etc. Once I started doing those items, my funk dissipated. I am still sad about my dog Mya (pictured in my Avatar, the brindle) but it is not causing me to sabotage my life/happiness. Normally I don't struggle with food when in a funk...it is more fitness impacting.

myallforjcbill

Also agreeing with Steve about matters outside of our control. Some long term health issues, coming to terms with a diagnosis of chronic pain has caused this quite a bit for me this year. I am learning, rather than give in to the down swell of emotion, to focus on what is in my control and is a positive step forward in my life. I find focusing on goals around new realities helps quite a bit. I am learning to include healthy eating as part of that. It does seem like a long journey of growth at times though.

88olds

First thing- long walk. Why am I in a bad mood? Some things are not in my control, some are. If appropriate, do something.

podkey

Mantra Girl sounds great Greg. I did get back to yoga class yesterday.

I have been in a sorta "mini-fatigue" funk just about every day. I feel much better after a 3 miles amble. And usually much much better when I get in a nice hour hilly ride later in the day in addition to the morning amble. I don't want to take drugs that "might help" at this point.

crewahl

I'm apparently either much more superficial or much less given to introspection.

For me, simple distraction is the approach. I don't have to know what's bothering be; I just need to change something. A lot of times that's a simple as picking up a book to take my mind from what's going on.

gadgetgirlIL

steve0mania wrote: »

A lot of the time my bad moods come from a feeling of lack-of-control about things going on in my life.

THIS!

Exercise does help improve my mood 99% of the time. Except the day I happened to be at the gym when a group exercise instructors' class took over the gym floor and their obnoxious music was blaring.

Sleep helps too. I'm not getting enough of that this week thanks to crazy long days and then waking up an hour early because my mind is racing about all the things that need to happen in this crazy week.

beachwoman2006

I've found that my "bad mood" days are few and far between since I retired

manladdvm

When I'm in a funk, my first impulse is to eat my way out of it. Usually some sort of physical activity clears it away.

goldenfrisbee

A bike ride of any length will alter how I am feeling. So I just have to make sure I don't get in a funk in the winter.

MurpleCat

Run of the mill funk: "This too shall pass. Things will look better in the morning." = Get a good night's sleep and my usual resilience will re-assert itself.

Longer-term funk: "Ok, this is more than just a passing mood. Is there something I'm perseverating over? Face your stuff, Kathy."

If its neither of those: "See the doc and figure out what's up." Had to do that earlier this year, and sure enough my labs were out of whack and I was not sleeping through the night, essentially for 3 months. Now that's being addressed and my mood is consistently better.

Murple

misterhub

leeless511 wrote: »

Recently I had to put one of my dogs down due to a brain tumor, it was heart wrenching, that set the tone for me to start to be unhappy about many things that normally don't bother me.

I am so sorry for your loss. Losing a pet can be truly painful.

minimyzeme

WW in some respects has become a metaphor for other parts of my life. I used to eat mindlessly for many (or any) reason(s). Whatever happened in life was an excuse to do it without thinking about it. Now, I t-r-y to understand what's driving my urge to eat before doing so, or not. I try to be more mindful.

I mention that as context for now approaching a funk. While doing something else can divert my attention and sometimes pull me out of it, I do put some time and energy into seeing if I can figure out the root cause. As others have said, sometimes it's feeling out of control or like I have no options but for me, I have found my funks are often the opposite. I'm somewhat of a procrastinator. Often my funks are driven by the fact that I've put something off. I find if I tackle one or more of my pressing tasks, if I make some progress on something, it helps me out my funks.

Little bites...can go a long way.

Jimb376

I book a flight out of Funkytown.