Personal Training - Hard Slog
* image courtesy of www.rbkdirect.co.uk
I’ve been finding exercise is getting more and more pleasurable as my fitness levels improve.
So I wasn’t all that impressed this week to find my personal training session a very hard slog.
Perhaps I shouldn’t have been really. After all:
a) I didn’t sleep well the night before
b) The emotional drain over the weekend took a LOT out of me both physically and emotionally.
c) It was my first day on a reduced dosage of my anti-depressant medication
d) It was “weigh and measure” week (okay, that probably had NOTHING to do with it but I had to throw it in there anyway 
).
Weigh and Measure
I think this went okay. Not much happening on the weight loss front but that was about what I was expecting. Some improvements in measurements though. Nothing earth-shattering but progress in the right direction.
Positives
- Most of the time I’m enjoying exercise which is a relief after the hard slog I’ve found it in the past few months. I generally look forward to it (especially my personal training sessions).
- I’m slowly improving my eating habits again and I’m hoping that will have a gradual snowball effect (improved health leads to improved fitness and improved fitness leads to my body craving healthier foods and on it goes).
- Not counting the ups and downs of the depression, I am feeling better within myself.
- The massage at the end of my session today was REALLY good.
- My trainer had planned some flexibility exercises as part of our session. Which made it less “full on”. Have I mentioned how amazing she is yet????
Not so Positives
I didn’t get quite the same high after my session today. I think my body is kind of quivering on it’s last legs right now. I was a bit teary when I got home. I don’t think that had anything to do with the session. Just that I’m disappointed that my body is struggling.
It is really really hard to put up with feeling bad. Feeling bad is BAD. I WANT to feel good!!! (*stomps her feet like a 2-year old*)
What’s Happening on the Drug Side of Things?
Monday was my first day of cutting back my medication dosage. Who knows what kind of a rollercoaster ride we’re in for in the next few months? I’m supposed to give it around a month on this dose before reducing again. Personally, I’d like to reduce it faster and get it over and done with. But they don’t think that’s a good idea. So for now I’m trying to be good and listen to what they say.
I’m trying to approach this with a “expect the best but accept the worst” type attitude. Which is REALLY hard.
My biggest fear? Losing my fitness AGAIN. I can cope with not making too much progress over the coming months (I think). But going backwards would be somewhat devastating.
I’m toying with the idea of cutting out sugar. I’ve heard that this can help with improving depression symptoms. Not sure if I have the willpower to follow through on it right now. Is it really fair to deprive myself of chocolate through these dark days?????
For now I’m trying to cut BACK rather than cut it out. But I have heard that it’s addictive so cutting it out makes more sense. 
Whatever happens over the coming weeks, I hope you’ll stick with me. I’m hoping it will be “business as usual” around here. Time will tell.
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8 comments:
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Oh, listen to them because it can really throw you in a spin, getting weaned.
I think the same thing about sugar, comfort food and exercise - but then, I am not the best at going cold turkey on ANYTHING!
Give yourself a pat for doing it despite not having the anticipated high at the end - I know that sleep is a MAJOR factor in appreciation of life.
You inspire me.
I thought you looked a bit flat.
Just remember there are a LOT of people who love you and who would do anything for you. All you have to do is keep us in the loop, don’t try to hide your feelings and be all tough!
I will pray unceasingly, because we know that the Lord is the one who will carry you through this time.
Hugs and Blessings
Sharon
Hang in there Lightening. I’m just about to start on the drugs thing. Have to have some blood tests first to rule out other causes first.
I admire you for taking on so many life changing challenges; exercising, weight loss, and weaning off your meds.
Take it gently
Be good to you.
Hugs. You are doing well. I wish you the best with your coming off drugs. I looked at an elimination diet recently to see if maybe that would support my choice in being Antidepressant free (its certainly not drug free as I took 9 (NINE) tablets this morning). Decided for me it was too hard and instead I would add in good things rather than take out the bad.
So I’ve added in Tuna at least 5 times a week. That was as far as I got, LOL. There are plenty of ‘good’ foods out there for helping with depression, maybe cut back on some of the ‘bad’ foods and add in the good ones and see if that helps.
I’ve been AD free for a few months now (my situation is different to yours and everyone elses as we are all different). I find I cope best when I follow my plan.
Currently I am taking PMT Multivitamins, Magnesium, Caltrate, Zinc and copious amounts of Vit D. I am also trying to get to the Gym at least 3 times a week. And make sure I do something concrete/tangible (like craft or some such) each day.
I dont always acheive the above, but when I do I certainly feel much better.
Good luck, Hugs, and know I am thinking of you (even from my normal lurkdom stance on my feedreader, LOL).
It sounds like you have some challenges coming along. I know it’s awful to be reliant on drugs and can understand your wanting to finish with them quickly. As the others have said, don’t be too hard on yourself. Take it slow and steady. Best wishes.
Hey, I remember exercise. It’s that thing where you get up off the chair and move around, right? Yeah, that’s it. I’ve heard that music helps.
Chocolate is not addictive. Not at all. REALLY. I’ve been eating it all my life and I’m not addicted……..
So how are you going on your third drug reduced day?
Just thought I’d check up on you.
Hi Sharon. Yesterday was a mixture of good and not so good (hey, what day isn’t???) but so far I’m happy with my progress.
Thanks everyone for your comments and support. You guys are wonderful!!!!