Okay so I think I've figured out what I'm doing wrong with the weight loss challenges. I'm so focused on losing weight that I'm missing the other component.
So my new challenge is to exercise for 400 minutes before the 4th of July. That's only 80 minutes a week or 20 minutes a day 4 times a week and I can do more if I want.
I think that's a good challenge for me to try and attain. Anyone want to join me?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Social Anxiety on Vacation
I just got back from vacation on Sunday afternoon. If you have social anxiety you can understand what a worry something like vacation to visit family you don't know can be. Especially if they are related to your spouse and you desperately want to make a good impression.
I hope that anyone who is about to go through this has the type of family that my husband does. Music Man's family was loving and kind. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and safe. I will never forget them for doing that.
My advice to all who are about to embark on such a journey is this:
1) Take allergy medication with you. The climate you are headed to may be different than you're used to and you don't know how it will affect you.
2) Get plenty of sleep before you arrive. Speak up to your spouse if you feel tired. Being well rested makes the time out with others much easier to handle and less likely to cause you to panic.
3) Try to drink and eat well. Don't over do it, but do eat and drink. You are less likely to panic when you are not hungry and when you're not thirsty.
4) If you just aren't comfortable staying with relatives, talk to your spouse before you leave. Try to work out a compromise on staying with relatives vs. a motel room.
5) Talk to people. It doesn't have to be deep and meaningful, just chat. It will help relieve the stress and anxiety.
6) Have fun, remember that's the point of vacation.
I hope that anyone who is about to go through this has the type of family that my husband does. Music Man's family was loving and kind. They went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and safe. I will never forget them for doing that.
My advice to all who are about to embark on such a journey is this:
1) Take allergy medication with you. The climate you are headed to may be different than you're used to and you don't know how it will affect you.
2) Get plenty of sleep before you arrive. Speak up to your spouse if you feel tired. Being well rested makes the time out with others much easier to handle and less likely to cause you to panic.
3) Try to drink and eat well. Don't over do it, but do eat and drink. You are less likely to panic when you are not hungry and when you're not thirsty.
4) If you just aren't comfortable staying with relatives, talk to your spouse before you leave. Try to work out a compromise on staying with relatives vs. a motel room.
5) Talk to people. It doesn't have to be deep and meaningful, just chat. It will help relieve the stress and anxiety.
6) Have fun, remember that's the point of vacation.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Social Anxiety
Okay so the past few weeks have been chaotic beyond imagination. Which is strange cause if you asked me what I've been doing, I couldn't tell you. No really, I know I've been busy. I just don't know what I've been doing.
Well, my birthday passed and I know I didn't meet my challenge. I'm not as surprised as I should be. I haven't been tracking my eating and I haven't been able to exercise everyday. Big mistake for both. I know I need to do both. I do also know that I have been eating real food. I'm not eating junk food. I've been cooking real food and getting full without overeating. Now I just need to work on exercising. That one is a little harder.
So on to the point of my blog for today. I have anthropophobia. Otherwise known as social anxiety disorder. What is it? Well, it's pretty simple really, I am afraid of being around people. To the point where it does interfere with my life. I'm working on it and somedays I am more successful than others days. So, why do I bring it up? Well, it's pretty common among overweight people. I described my symptoms to my wonderfully patient husband and we looked up phobias. That is one that most closely described what I feel. It's not a fear of leaving the house, which is what most people think I mean. I don't have a problem with leaving the house, it's being around the people. It absolutely terrifies me. I have trouble breathing and if it gets bad enough I am unable to be around people. That is part of why I want to live in the country. Music Man thinks the city will be better for my condition as I will have to be around people then.
So, for any anthropophobics out there: I hear you. You don't have to suffer alone. I'm with you all the way. In the coming weeks I will be posting some incidents that have happened to me along the way that have made my condition the way it is. My goal is to help anyone suffering like I do. Please understand that these incidents are very painful to me and until I told my husband about them on Friday night, I had kept them to myself. None of the incidents were criminal, just embarrassing to me. I think the only way to get over them is to talk about them and since this is where I share that kind of stuff, this is where I will share them.
I'll be gone for the next week and a half on vacation, but I will update when I get back. And I will post one of those memories.
Well, my birthday passed and I know I didn't meet my challenge. I'm not as surprised as I should be. I haven't been tracking my eating and I haven't been able to exercise everyday. Big mistake for both. I know I need to do both. I do also know that I have been eating real food. I'm not eating junk food. I've been cooking real food and getting full without overeating. Now I just need to work on exercising. That one is a little harder.
So on to the point of my blog for today. I have anthropophobia. Otherwise known as social anxiety disorder. What is it? Well, it's pretty simple really, I am afraid of being around people. To the point where it does interfere with my life. I'm working on it and somedays I am more successful than others days. So, why do I bring it up? Well, it's pretty common among overweight people. I described my symptoms to my wonderfully patient husband and we looked up phobias. That is one that most closely described what I feel. It's not a fear of leaving the house, which is what most people think I mean. I don't have a problem with leaving the house, it's being around the people. It absolutely terrifies me. I have trouble breathing and if it gets bad enough I am unable to be around people. That is part of why I want to live in the country. Music Man thinks the city will be better for my condition as I will have to be around people then.
So, for any anthropophobics out there: I hear you. You don't have to suffer alone. I'm with you all the way. In the coming weeks I will be posting some incidents that have happened to me along the way that have made my condition the way it is. My goal is to help anyone suffering like I do. Please understand that these incidents are very painful to me and until I told my husband about them on Friday night, I had kept them to myself. None of the incidents were criminal, just embarrassing to me. I think the only way to get over them is to talk about them and since this is where I share that kind of stuff, this is where I will share them.
I'll be gone for the next week and a half on vacation, but I will update when I get back. And I will post one of those memories.
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