Comments on: Down In The Dumps

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:48:34 +0000

I just read that from Gretchen, that Exercise makes you happier. Try that.

I hear you though. I feel that same way these days. Part of it is my family is really busy these days, and Stress accentuates the negative feelings.

I wonder about not getting enough “me” time too.

By: macdaddy

macdaddy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:29:25 +0000

Thanks Brigid! You’re right, I’m working on it. And feeling much better now that the kids are somewhat healthy and I got a good run in on Monday.

By: Brigid

Brigid — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:46:28 +0000

Whining is not a calories burner – just an energy-sapper. So stop it!

Sorry – just some tough love for you:-)

Cheers!
Brigid

By: Mamaw

Mamaw — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:22:42 +0000

make a date with your wife. I’ll be there soon and listen to everyone above

By: macdaddy

macdaddy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:16:58 +0000

You guys are making me feel better already. I know I’ve been here many times before. In the past, I haven’t been able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This time, I truly know that this is a temporary feeling.

Some steps I’ve already taken…The house is much cleaner this morning, I’m hitting the gym at 3:00 today and the driving range right after. Tomorrow (if the kids are feeling better and back at school) I’ll run outside and Thursday, I’ll run with T. A phone call to the sitter has been placed and I’m awaiting a response.

Thanks so much

By: Greenman

Greenman — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:59:36 +0000

I’ll just remind you, Mac, that you’ve been here before — many, many times. You’ve turned it around. It might pay to sit down and think about the techniques you’ve used in the past. They worked.

I’ll also make a specific recommendation. It’s hard to do something about “feeling overwhelmed.” But it’s possible to do something about, say, making a dinner date with your wife. Or making sure that just the kitchen is clean each night before turning in. Or meeting your running partner on Mon, Wed, and Friday mornings for a 3-mile run. A small, manageable problem is a lot easier to tackle than an amorphous feeling — even if you fail at a specific, concrete task, you always know exactly what you need to do going forward.

You eat when you’re anxious and feeling overwhelmed. This is an old pattern for you. Be patient: when this feeling passes — whether or not you “make” it pass — you’ll be back in the right head space to change your eating habits soon.

Put an ad on Craigs List and get a $12/hr house cleaner to work with you, side-by-side, for the next three mornings. Cross that source of anxiety off the list by mid-week. (Oh, and get your H1N1 shot. The swine flu will make mincemeat of your fitness regimen.)

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:04:28 +0000

Dang this resonated today… while I work full-time, my wife and I bought a house recently and have a teething toddler, so this is what I feel like 1/2 of my life is like (and the other half is being overtired while at work).

“But for some reason, these days it seems like thereÂ’s not enough time in the day to get everything done so taking time off for myself feels selfish.”

I think every (good) parent feels this way pretty often.

By: Di

Di — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:09:23 +0000

Welcome to my world – and a lot of other single mom’s world out there.

What you do is:

Pick one thing you LIKE to do and just do it. Then take care of all the rest. Then, do it again – something creative or if you like working out … do it. Then do the rest.

It will work. And, take a few deep breaths and think that it won’t always be this way.

Honest.