Dealing with stress

charis2979
charis2979 Posts: 38 Member
in Motivation and Support
Right now I'm am off from school and just dealing with normal stresses, work, family, etc. But come September I'm back in school, which is difficult to say the least. I am worried that my diet and exercise will be the first to go and I won't continue to be successful in my health and weight loss goals while dealing with this added stress. Does anyone have any tips or encouragement on how to keep going while also dealing with school?

Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    High intensity cardio exercise works better than valium for me. I have a bad day at the office, I come home swearing and wanting to kick things, then I go do hill repeats on my bike and I'm (1) too tired to care, and (2) happily wrapped up in a cloud of endorphines.
  • aahart78
    aahart78 Posts: 31 Member
    Walk that stress off or meditate, find people you can vent to is what helps me most
  • melholmes80
    melholmes80 Posts: 36 Member
    Hi there, I'm going back to school in September doing my Masters while working full time in a high stress job, and the usual family stuff. I've been maintaining my goal weight (lost 70lbs last year), and the idea of adding more stress to my life while decreasing my exercise time scares me. Feel free to add me and we can support each other through the stress-eating
  • sunnybeaches105
    sunnybeaches105 Posts: 2,831 Member
    Exercise helps reduce stress. That is one of several reasons I do cardio. I get a rush from lifting, but I find that calm center place comes most often from a good deal of cardio.
  • kad254
    kad254 Posts: 24 Member
    I'm facing the same thing. I find that it really helps me to plan my workouts into my schedule in advance. I found a gym near my grad school and I have time for a quick workout after work and before class. Once you've scheduled it in, it feels more manageable, plus actually doing the workout will help with stress, as everyone is saying!
    I've definitely been guilty of stress eating too. Feel free to add me for some support in September!
  • kad254
    kad254 Posts: 24 Member
    Oh yeah- I'm also trying out something that I learned about in an Econ class to help me stick to my goals. There are different sites that offer "commitment devices", which are basically plan-ahead consequences for yourself if you don't succeed. The big ones are Stickk, Beeminder, and Pact. You can set your own goals and you're own consequences if you don't meet them (lose $5, donate $ to something you hate) Worth checking out!
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,213 Member
    I agree completely that exercise really helps with stress but sometimes when I'm stressed, exercise is the last thing I want to do. Stress feels physically exhausting. So I hear you. Distracting myself with munchies and TV or video games had been an easier way to deal with stress, and occasionally still is. Part of the solution for me is to do what I can to avoid that completely stressed feeling to begin with, which includes sticking to my regular exercise program as closely as possible. But also things like tackling a small project and seeing it to conclusion helps me feel back in control (like getting my kitchen sparklingly clean). Phone a friend can work, as can getting out into the sunshine/nature. Journaling often helps too.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    charis2979 wrote: »
    Right now I'm am off from school and just dealing with normal stresses, work, family, etc. But come September I'm back in school, which is difficult to say the least. I am worried that my diet and exercise will be the first to go and I won't continue to be successful in my health and weight loss goals while dealing with this added stress. Does anyone have any tips or encouragement on how to keep going while also dealing with school?

    Have a plan for managing stress. Set aside 10-30 minutes a day to meditate, journal, exercise, sing, dance, paint, garden.
    Prioritize your life and get help. You can not go to school, cook, clean, work, care for children, mow the lawn, run errands, spend time with your partner, etc. Work out with your family who will do what so the workload is more even. Lower your standards on some stuff. Hire help if you have the means.
    Try a limited rotating meal plan. Choose a set number of items that you know fit your goals well. If you don't cook look up choices at restaurants you frequent and have a list of things that fit your goals okay.
  • ashcky
    ashcky Posts: 393 Member
    edited July 2016
    I am worried about this as well. However I am considering blocking out a chunk of time on the weekends to do meditation. It always seems to make me feel better. You can get some guided meditation videos off of youtube.

    Also I plan on using Sunday as my day to prepare all meals for the week. Since going gluten free I definitely can't eat any of the food near or on campus so I have to bring my lunch. I've already done a complete dinner plan for the month of August to prepare. I am trying to stay on top of everything for this semester because it is a very important school year. I cannot slack off at all! Good luck to you!

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