*Trigger warning* Eating for Health and Wellness

[Guest_1055]

I have been struggling eating and eating healthy foods over the last couple of weeks. I really do not want to go back further to how I use to eat, that is eating junk food, takeaways, copious amounts of chocolate, processed junk and comfort eating.

Finding it challenging to stay motivated to actually prepare what I know helps me feel better mentally, emotionally and physically. Plus I have been feeling overwhelmed with other stuff happening in my life, which somehow makes it more challenging. The old unhealthy comfort eating thing is coming back. And I think I am getting concerned and scared about that. I so much do not want to go back to how I use to be. I was so sick. Plus I now have some physical things not right in my body , so I need to be more careful and mindful of what I eat. ( Pre cancer cells , high blood pressure )

I was eating really well since Febuary of this year, it’s just the last couple of weeks I haven’t.

So I would like to use this thread to help me be accountable to Beyond Blue people. So like a diary where I can post and report what I eat. And also any healthy eating tips, motivating strategies to help eat better or anything related to healthy eating for our bodies including our mental health.

[Guest_1055]

I did not cope too good today. I coped.

This morning I drank a large watermelon, beetroot, ruby grapefruit and apple juice. I made it last night.

I then ate a falafel wrap with lots of salad on it from subway around lunch time. Plus some organic purple grapes. Plus one of those green super food drinks with ground flaxseeds blended in it.

Emotionally coping not the best today.... so I ate a whole block of chocolate as well. Feel discouraged about that. As I was going well without junk. Not much thought went into buying it, just mindlessly did.

I really wanted to do this cooking type course at TAFE. It started today. I only made it to 1 hour being in the class. Then I could feel panic rising up within me. Being amongst the other students, and quite a few of them. Walking through extensive commercial kitchens. Not knowing a single person. Not wearing a uniform like everyone else ( I did not know we had to on the first day) Then told we were to work in the cafeteria kitchen that very day. I do like to cook, but never have amongst other people. It was not what I was expecting. I thought we would just ease into it.

Anyway it got too much, so I soon found myself fleeing from that enormous kitchen, in a daze state and walking around the other students. I made my way back through the way we had come, hoping no one would see me.

Now all I feel like is a quitter. I thought I was brave enough to do this.

And I am sending perhaps a silent message to my son, saying it is okay to quit.

[Guest_1055]

Feel even worse that he may be learning off me in that way. Quit when it gets tough. Run away when you can't do it. So much desire to be a better mumma. Hate that I failed at this. I don't want to hinder him to be the best he can be. I know that is not food or eating related, what I just wrote. But yeah I guess it isn't

[ecomama]

Hey Shelll, big huge hugs!!!!!!!

There's so much I want to write to you, to bolster you.

All aware parents feel that way. They want to do their very best etc etc etc... but it's not perfection that's worth striving for, it's realism.

Please give yourself a huge warm hug.

You can go back to your Course next session.
This is getting back on the horse that bucked you.

Please don't let your own super high expectations of yourself weigh you down.
You appear to be your own worst critic right now.
It's not worth criticising yourself, it really isn't.

YOU ARE ENOUGH JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.

You can SEE that you are enough to your little boy when he smiles at you and loves you JUST the way you are.

Please be kind to yourself.

Love EM

[Paw Prints]

Hello Shell,

Lass I don't see a quitter... I see a brave lady who tried... you succeeded in turning up... that is by itself such a major achievement... you stayed there for that 1st hour... that is another achievement... ok it wasn't what you were expecting & you found it was more full on than you though it would be at first... but now you have a better idea of how the course works...

as Em said...

You can go back to your Course next session.
This is getting back on the horse that bucked you.

I don't think you are setting a bad example to your boy... you are showing him that being willing to try & do things outside of our comfort zone is a positive thing to do... whether we succeed or not... we will learn something from trying & grow as a person...

Hugs

Paws

[monkey_magic]

Hi everyone,

I've been wondering whether it's better to eat 3 larger meals a day or 6 smaller meals a day for fat loss!

I've been going longer between meals and actually feel better. A little light headed and hungry but also a feel good feeling.

I also fasted for 18 hrs the other day. Been reading about the benefits of fasting and just went for it. It was a psychological challenge but I did it.

I'm still on track with my weight loss challenge which I'm proud of. It isn't easy but it is achievable. Losing weight requires a change of eating habits that you have to stick to. I've had to be strong minded. But I want this. I really want this.

I'm not depriving myself rather eating the correct way now...or giving different things a go.

Eating less has been beneficial for me.

[Guest_1055]

Thankyou for what you said Em. You may be right about me being too critical of myself. I hate the thought of hindering my son. Anyway thanks Em. Thankyou for the hug too, I like hugs

[Guest_1055]

Thanks for your encouragement Paws.

[Guest_1055]

That's awesome with the fasting MM. That is a real challenge for some to do it.

I have always admired your "can do attitude" and the "fight for what you know is best for you" thing.

I am proud of you as well

[Guest_1055]

My eating has been a bit over the place.

I try to eat 1 healthy meal at least once a day. With lots of vegetables. But I have needed to make changes as my jaw sometimes aches from all the chewing of raw vegetables. (having some teeth issues) Especially raw cabbage etc.

Yesterday I made a large salad with handfuls of cos lettuce, tomato, cucumber, finely grated carrot and finely grated beetroot. Then poured over this homemade ranch dressing. I so much liked the dressing and it was the first time making it.

I also ate grapes and 2 juicy plums. But then ate a box of TV snacks (chocolate biscuits) later.

I made homemade baked beans the other day. Very yummy and I froze the remainder for another day.

I have also made falafels.

And one night just ate a plateful of an assortment of vegetables with mushroom gravy on them. I do like simple meals like that. Baked potato, baked pumpkin, green beans, cauliflower and carrot.

Some days I won't eat a lot at all. I don't really have any appetite. Though I have had cravings for junk at times. That is not true hunger though.

I do drink plenty of water. And drink a green powder drink most days. I also make a turmeric, ginger, vitamin C, vitamin B's concoction and drink that throughout the day.

I have eaten hot chips a few times, smiths chips and I have eaten 2 Easter egg bunnies.

I made a toasted wrap the other day. It had cashew cheese, tomato and chopped up baby spinach. Super yummy.

I also had my vitamin D levels checked. I needed to ask for the blood test. The GP wanted to know why I wanted it. I just was curious as low levels can be linked to depression, anxiety and whether your body absorbs calcium and delivers it to your teeth and bones. So yeah I was low. And even though I do get sunshine. I am very interested to see whether I am different after I get the levels up into the healthy range.

So anyone reading this and especially if you don't get outside in the sun. Please consider getting your levels checked as well.

[Guest_1055]

Not much of an appetite today. I have had some of the turmeric concoction. I ate some green grapes.

And a medium serve of hot potato chips.(ate out of habit, I think. As sometimes when it rains, my thoughts may wander to "oh let's get some hot chips")

I could force myself to eat a salad for dinner, but just not feeling like it. I may need to go back to juicing vegetables a lot more, at least I am getting in some nutrients.

My mouth continues to feel sort of achey, no pain though, so that's good. Also my mouth is so so dry. I know I am drinking enough water. Maybe my body is saying for me to fast again. I really don't know.