Hi! And Rough Day....How do you cope?

CourtNut19

Hi everyone!
I joined MFP 2 weeks ago and have lost 5 lbs in those 2 weeks (4.2 lbs the first week - but I think some of that was water weight). 0.8 lbs this week.

I know I should be pleased about my progress so far, but I had a rough week emotionally. Yesterday was kind of the tipping point. When I got into work, I had someone ask me if I'm pregnant (no...I'm not....). Then I had my biometric screening done as part of a work/health fair. I know I'm overweight. So, I wasn't getting any information I didn't already know, but hearing the nurse tell me "did you know you were overweight?" (WHOA! Really???? I had never realized...) and then to tell me "you just need to move more and eat less." (OMG! Why didn't ANYONE ever tell me this before???)

It just rubbed me the wrong way. I hate how simplified she was treating the whole ordeal. Did she really think people who are overweight don't realize they are overweight? And that they don't realize they just need to "move more and eat less"? I'm tempted to write a letter to the fair sponsors stating that perhaps they should consider offering additional helpful information (such as addressing the psychological aspects of weight management.)

Anyhow, both of those encounters really brought me down yesterday.

What do you do when you are having a rough day/week? What helps keep you on track despite emotional influences?

David0081

Focus on what you have achieved, and be happy with the progress you are making. A lot of people get a bit out of shape, not everyone makes the effort to do something, as you are. Take satisfaction in the progress you are making, set small personal targets, and celebrate as you reach them. Other peoples opinion matters nothing, so long as you are happy that you are making headway...

Best wishes

David

Hondo_Man

Congratulations on the weight loss and I hope you stay with it.

Regarding the nurse. Don't let it bother you. She didn't state it to be mean, I'm more than sure. As a health professional, she is only doing her job. I wonder how many people she sees that are in denial. So, she stated something that was correct and that you are already aware of. Again, don't let it bother you and simply move on. If a stranger stated it, then it might have been done with cruel intentions. A medical professional isn't stating something to be mean or spiteful. It was stated as a professional observation.

Perhaps as I am older, things rarely bother me. But when something does, I breath in deeply, exhale, smile and know that in five minutes, I'll be right as rain. Tomorrow is another day.

Staying positive and loving life, not simply enjoying it, is a step in the right direction. Getting fit is tough, but staying positive is one step in that battle towards fitness and a healthier, happier life.

Edit: Agree wholeheartedly with David's remarks.

fitbrit19

First off, congratulations on your success so far!

Emotional eating is a big problem for me. What I try to do is stay out of the kitchen! Then I will go for a walk or clean something until it passes. This works if I am at home. If I am stuck at work I luckily don't have much access to anything working nights at a hospital (but of course there are ways of getting junk) so I will log on here and peruse the boards to distract myself.

Just don't sit and stew over it. Overeating is like an addiction & anyone not affected by it will most likely not understand the struggle.

David_AUS

This is where you need to find your centre. On the profile page it gets you to fill out your reasons why you want to be healthier. Do not underestimate the power of these. I have come to a point now that eating my emotions only compounds the problem, it is the practice of swapping habits that support your reasons for a healthier life. The more you do this the clearer the choices become.

Athena53

I agree, that was thoughtless of the nurse. Our wellness program has specific on-line courses that address getting active and eating healthy, including some of the emotional aspects of overeating (there's only so much you can do in on-line courses). They could be trained to mention what forms of support are available instead of the simplistic "eat less, move more". They have no idea what physical limitations might restrict exercise, or what emotional issues may underlie overeating, or what meds may be making it hard to lose weight.

As for what to do after a bad day- I'm lucky to have DH. He always listens with a sympathetic ear and offers constructive suggestions. I work out every day and that always leaves me feeling better. I also make sure I have enough time to just vegetate and surf the Web or read the paper, no matter how crazy my day has been. If I want a pick-me-up I stop by the grocery store on the way home and get a bag of baby carrots or an interesting vegetable to add to whatever DH is making for dinner. Last night it was fresh mushrooms to sauté and add to for the spaghetti, and a banana as a snack for the road. Neither is a danger to my diet. So, I can come home wired because I'm trying to get the computer to do what I want it to do and by bedtime I'm relaxed.

Definitely do write that letter. You may still be motivated but who knows how many people hear that "advice" and decide that it's useless to try and lose weight.

cwolfman13

What do you do when you are having a rough day/week?

Usually dead lifts and squats...they cure all. A nice long ride on my bike does wonders as well.

CourtNut19

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful replies!

I know the nurse was just doing her job. I think it had just been an emotionally rough week and that was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak. Our work hosts the health fair every year. I go mostly to get my free cholesterol screening (which, my cholesterol numbers are great. And I'm happy that my HDL levels are even higher this year than they were last year.).

And fitbrit, you hit the nail on the head - emotional eating has been such a struggle for me. I was raised to eat my emotions. "Oh, you had a rough day? Have some pie! You deserve it." I have found that if I distract myself the desire to eat something goes away. This week was tough though (I've also had a nasty cold on top of everything, so haven't been able to go for my daily walk.)

David, I will remember your advice to take satisfaction in my progress and to ignore negativity from others. Coming on MFP and reading others' successes have been helpful.

CharlottesDK

I have just had 2 rough weeks. I take one day at a time and am glad those days it goes forward. When it does not, then there is fortunately a new day tomorrow that I can do a little better. Im happy that I have got some really supporting people in here. They have helped me a lot these last 2 weeks. :-)

cheripugh1

Hi everyone!
I joined MFP 2 weeks ago and have lost 5 lbs in those 2 weeks (4.2 lbs the first week - but I think some of that was water weight). 0.8 lbs this week.

I know I should be pleased about my progress so far, but I had a rough week emotionally. Yesterday was kind of the tipping point. When I got into work, I had someone ask me if I'm pregnant (no...I'm not....). Then I had my biometric screening done as part of a work/health fair. I know I'm overweight. So, I wasn't getting any information I didn't already know, but hearing the nurse tell me "did you know you were overweight?" (WHOA! Really???? I had never realized...) and then to tell me "you just need to move more and eat less." (OMG! Why didn't ANYONE ever tell me this before???)

It just rubbed me the wrong way. I hate how simplified she was treating the whole ordeal. Did she really think people who are overweight don't realize they are overweight? And that they don't realize they just need to "move more and eat less"? I'm tempted to write a letter to the fair sponsors stating that perhaps they should consider offering additional helpful information (such as addressing the psychological aspects of weight management.)

Anyhow, both of those encounters really brought me down yesterday.

What do you do when you are having a rough day/week? What helps keep you on track despite emotional influences?

I'm sorry you were offended it does hurt! I use that pain to try and change it, sort of as my extra power, like if I don't feel like walking today well how many more people think you are pregnant? things like that.

As for the nurse I hate to say this, but yes there are people out there who are not only overweight but obese and they don't realize it, they think they have 'big bones' I know a gal who shares on FB that she is buying these retro sexy clothes, she actually thinks she looks like Marilyn Monroe! (nope) and you often hear those who are very overweight say, exercise doesn't work for me I've tried everything - blah, blah, blah... So I guess that is what many nurses are use to, had you asked her about some other things to aid you on this journey she would have (most likely) been surprised and happy to help you.

You are doing a great job so just keep your chin up and keep moving forward, you can do this!

CourtNut19

I'm sorry you were offended it does hurt! I use that pain to try and change it, sort of as my extra power, like if I don't feel like walking today well how many more people think you are pregnant? things like that.

As for the nurse I hate to say this, but yes there are people out there who are not only overweight but obese and they don't realize it, they think they have 'big bones' I know a gal who shares on FB that she is buying these retro sexy clothes, she actually thinks she looks like Marilyn Monroe! (nope) and you often hear those who are very overweight say, exercise doesn't work for me I've tried everything - blah, blah, blah... So I guess that is what many nurses are use to, had you asked her about some other things to aid you on this journey she would have (most likely) been surprised and happy to help you.

You are doing a great job so just keep your chin up and keep moving forward, you can do this!

I guess this is where our opinion differs. I don't believe people who are overweight/obese don't realize it. I think you hear a lot of the 'big bones' and "exercise doesn't work for me" excuses because they are trying to save face in front of people. We live in a pretty judgmental society and it's easier to make excuses than to say "I tried to lose weight, but it's a long, slow process and I just couldn't stick to those lifestyle changes."

I do like your outlook of taking negativity and using it as "fuel" to make changes.

Snooozie

Congrats on making the decision to get healthy!! We all know what its like to have a rough day; you might want to consider joining or starting a group (it's not for everyone just a thought).. I started one when I joined looking for others aiming for the same goals and in a similar age range and having others who can understand whatever you're going through, but will still "talk you off the ledge " and help you stick to your goals rather than diving into the nearest bag of chips for consolation... can really help ya thru the rough times . Sometimes just being able to vent and share a laugh or two is enough to save your sanity and get your head back in the game lol.

Good peeps abound in here; find the ones you can relate to who will emopwer you and encourage you, and remind you what your working towards rather than some who might go with the "treat yourself with crap food you deserve it" theory.. ones who are willing to listen,and sympathize, but want you to succeed so will kick butt if necesary lol. I could NOT have succeeded wihtout all the help from so many of the MFP's, not just those within my group but all of the wonderful peeps here who are so willing to share their knowledge and advice on everything from nutrition to exerise to explaining the myriad of confusing acronyms that can be a little overwhelming when you first start.. I had nightmares about BMI'sm TDEE's and all the others for the first couple of weeks lol...!
:laugh: