Detoxing days = depression days.

Let me be open. I find that it's only when we are completely honest with ourselves that we are able to heal. Maybe sharing one's deepest, darkest secrets or concerns on a blog isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I truly feel that my journey is one that I am meant to share.

For years, I've dealt with depression. This isn't news to many, but it could be to some. It's true that I have a naturally sunny disposition and I consider myself a very happy person, but there are some really, really dark days. Today has been one of them, so I decided to write about it. It's hard to type, honestly, because during these times, I get so consumed with what could be "wrong with me" or what I am "doing wrong" - which, of course, I feel is everything - and even putting myself out there subjects me to a level of vulnerability that I would normally be comfortable with if I weren't battling the demons of sadness. Unfortunately, having depression has led me to contemplate suicide on many occasions, but thankfully, not every bout leads to this scenario. Today has not been one of those days, thank God, but it is something that I will openly state that I have had an issue with and something I will continue to be aware of for the safety of myself and others.

Some of having an issue with depression is the result of carelessness with my diet. This excerpt from a study by Jurriaan Plesman has summed up the best correlation that I could find with insulin resistance and depression, definitely making me feel like I'm not alone.

"Excessive sugar consumption, when converted to glucose, can expose the body to free radical attack upon the immune system and DNA. Glucose is easily oxidized into peroxides and other toxins. The body has a defense mechanism against excess sugar consumption: it shuts down receptors for insulin that controls the amount of glucose (and other nutrients) getting across cell membranes into cells. This is called Insulin Resistance, which may result in hypoglycemic symptoms. There are many studies showing a significant association between depression and insulin resistance. See here.

With insulin resistance blood sugar levels tend to rise, triggering more release of insulin - called hyperinsulinism - and this may provoke a sudden descent in blood sugar level called hypoglycemia. Thus the brain tends to be exposed to wildly fluctuating blood sugar levels, responsible for many ‘psychological’ symptoms. See graph here.

When the brain is starved of energy it could lead to the death of brain cells in a matter of minutes. In reaction to this threat, the brain triggers the release of stress hormones - such as adrenaline and cortisol - that function to convert sugar stores in the body (glycogen and amino acids) back into glucose so as to feed the brain again. (See image) See also Rita Elkins et al.

But these stress hormones, generated within the body are also responsible for the varied symptoms of mental illness, from depression, anxiety attacks, phobias, delusions ,insomnia, compulsive behaviours and thoughts, alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, hypochondria, PTSD, OCD and so on and on. "

So, given all of this information, I'm sure you can see that detoxing days after some consecutive slip-ups are incredibly difficult. Sugar is the most addictive substance in the world, and when I let it go, my body mourns its loss - literally. I usually cry all day, and this is something I've never shared because I, like many, see my depressed self as someone who is weak. What I'm starting to understand is that even through this time of weakness, admitting my true feelings - not the lies - to myself and allowing myself to feel whatever it is I may feel is a sign of strength. I know my body so well and even deciding I needed to take this day, knowing it would be so hard, is a milestone that I should internally celebrate once the "girlbrain" turns her cerebral mouth off.

Living with prediabetes/insulin resistance is not something to mess around with, but I did the best I could this weekend. I had sworn off bread on Thursday morning - something I needed to do for a while - and had broken that promise to myself and my trainer later on that evening. And then again the next day. And the next. And the next. Today, I stood up for myself and my oath. This day should be celebrated. That's really the bottom line.

As I recover from poor choices and lean toward purging the toxins from my body through gentle foods, exercise, and water - the healthy stuff, ya know - this will be my mantra:

To practice grace during the down times and encouragement during strength.

I'm sure this post was all over the place, but thank you for reading. If you have any questions to ask, please do, or if you would like to share anything, you have the complete freedom to do so.

Business time.

One thing I'm majorly considering for this journey is to write a book entitled "Death & Sugar." Sounds morbid, but it will detail "one lady's journey through diabetes and finding her way on the other side." Or something like that. Or nothing like that. Who knows?! But I like the "Death & Sugar" bit, so don't steal it. Or I'll cut you. (Not really, but pretend I'm serious because that would be a pretty bitchy thing to do.)

I took a baby vacation a few weeks ago to reset. I did yoga, meditated, read, detoxed with some raw food, slept a lot. It was a grand idea, and then I had a really rough week full of depressing situations and stupid lies I started believing about myself via business schtuff. I'm super glad that week is over because the truth is that life is gonna throw some curve balls at you, regardless of whether or not you just started eating healthy again. Ugh, right? The good news is that I got through it (thanx to friends!!!).

So here's what's up, baby bubba:

+I'm learning to trust Erin, my trainer, more and more. I really started to fight her pretty hard there for a while because a) I'm a stubborn little bitch, b) I go through bouts of denial [Read: Danger for a prediabetic!], and c) I haven't known her for that long and we aren't "like, OMG, besties." I have trust issues, ok? But I came to terms with them in time for her to really start making an impact on my life. She seriously means well and she wants to help me not have missing toes and heart attacks and really serious, life-threatening, bad stuff one day. If that's not as awesome as a "bestie," then I don't know what is! She seriously rocks - and her patience (Hi. She deals with ME, here.) - is outstanding.

+Dietlandia: I also gave in and instead of just thinking about it every year, I actually gave up sugar for Lent. Oh wait, I gave up more than just sugar. Ready? I gave up sugar AND artificial sugar, even the natural stuff. I am only allowing fruit and moderate amounts of honey. (It's ok to breathe. Are you still alive?) It's quite a shock - and actually, it's not that hard... so far. I'm learning SO MUCH about natural sugars that exist in other foods. Like milk - that junk is sweet on its own (you know, the organic kind)! I never tasted the delicious sweetness quite like I did the other night. It was quite the discovery. So, other than denying all of my sweet teeth their cravings, I'm eating healthier in general. This means lean meats, fresh veggies, fruit, and limited carbs/starches/etc. I bought myself some steak to bring all of this home. And so I would force myself to clean my grill. :D

+In addition to seeing Erin twice a week, I try to stretch/do some form of yoga every morning and go for a walk on the days I don't see her. It is currently SXSW, so that makes getting a good walk in pretty easy, but the real test will be when it's all over. I had some really bad back problems happen (and re-occurred yesterday), so this part is pretty serious to me, especially right now.

That's today. I've got plans for the future, too! Check 'em out:

+I'm gonna try Bikram yoga. Yep. The girl who LOVES things to be sweet has given up sweetness, so now that same girl who HATES to be hot is going to subject herself to hot yoga. I might have to give myself a pep talk every day as I walk through the door, but I want to do the 30 for $30 thing at Sunstone at the Triangle. And then... I wanna try a 60 day challenge. (Who AM I?!) Chock all of this up to my girl, Marsha, at http://breathingalwaysnormal.com/ for educating me and giving me tons of wisdom, guidance, and support. That girl is such an inspiration!

+I haven't given up on my bike. (I have one again after the other one got stolen this summer... and I'm still bitter about that. But whatever, moving on. :{) I will try it again, but I think I'll need the Bikram to get myself in a little more shape. My back has to be a ton better before I try the bike for serious. Here's hoping!

+Prayer is pretty important to me, so I've tried to incorporate this into my daily life, especially when all of this becomes challenging. I'm finding so many ways to remind myself just how fortunate I am to be here, alive, and pretty well, for the most part. I have such an incredible support system with the friends and family who surround me. They know I can reach wellness one day. I just have to keep reminding myself. And being thankful. The Lord is good - and good things really do come to those who are patient. I'm working on patience and diligence, 2 hard words to practice, but I am running after them with all I've got.

Routine and I don't get along.

Why is it so incredibly difficult to stick with a routine? I guess we are all creatures of habit, and my habit is that I do every day differently. I like that. However, it may no longer be healthy for me. So where does that leave me? Not in a good place.

I found out that becoming a Nia instructor is quite costly, so that's out for a while. There is a Zumba Basics 1 class - in Charleston - that I could take, but I don't know how that would go over. I think that needs to be a goal for next year, seeing as I have very limited funds. The truth is that I will have even more limited funds next year, but we will cross that bridge as it ices over.

I took a vacation and gained a bunch of weight. I felt really horrible most of the trip because I wasn't making the right choices that are best for my body. It's strange/awesome how I've learned a lot about listening to what your body tells you and taking some sort of initiative toward correcting what may be upsetting it. The Deep South is full of fried food and other stuff that isn't very good for you, so I had my share of battered and ugly for a while. I had some major damage control upon my return, and a trainer to kick my ass back into "shape."

So, I really love Erin - for many reasons. I knew what I had done on vacation and how it was going to effect me. I asked her if she was mad and she said she wasn't, but that I should be mad at myself. After that, I really was angry with myself, but glad that she said that and didn't blatantly point fingers. Her gentle honesty really put things into perspective for me. It's amazing how easily I can lose sight of that.

One thing that Erin tells me that I try so hard to remember every time I'm in a situation is that the bad things are like poison for my body. She also says that one day I can have that stuff on special occasions, but that I should limit my intake for now. It's difficult to hear that when you have a sweet tooth as big as mine, but it's very important advice for the future.

I'm hopeful. I keep giving this a shot, and I think as long as I keep trying that that's what matters the most. It's easier to give up, to be honest, but I am actually tired of giving up. I want this healthy routine. I have a future that I want to be brighter than ever, and the decisions I make today - and every day - are going to secure that.

Something I've been doing more often now is visualizing the future. I want to see a happy, healthy me who doesn't have to contend with back pain when there are little ones running around. I want to see an organized me. I want to see an even more creative me because all of these other things are in place. I want to see an inspired clientele, a thriving business, a warm, healthy home, and friends who don't worry about me. (I think I've given everyone a heart attack lately about different things. It's not intentional, but I have issues that pile up that make the people I love the most really nervous.)

So, I'm trying to do an overhaul of everything. I am cleaning out a lot of clutter to do some emotional purging because I've been watching "Hoarders" and "Hoarding: Buried Alive," and I identify with a lot of the people on these shows. I have always just accumulated - stuff, friends, pounds, love, etc. - and I think there's a lot of good when you stop accumulating and, in some cases, start giving things away. I've given a lot of stuff to my friend Becky and to Goodwill to give myself more room to breathe. I've cut some ties with friends recently because they were poisonous relationships. I've gotten over past relationships because the things I held onto were, again, poisonous for my future relationships. I've been losing weight because the extra weight is contributing to a disease I am on the verge of having. I've been giving away more love instead of hoarding it because, well, it's just the right thing to do.

My hopes are that I will engage in a healthy routine to get me through the next 24 years of life and beyond. I want to make friends with this concept and let it carry me, relying on it and not allowing myself to give into the pressures of the world around me that can so easily taunt me into eating the forbidden fruits. I need to take it one day at a time. I really believe that I will get there.

New Commitments

I have a trainer named Erin who is my personal Jillian Michaels. She's pretty amazing. She has a big heart and she's very encouraging, but I know she won't cut me any slack. That's actually really nice. I don't need slack. I've had enough slack. I'm done with slack.

Erin and I meet twice a week. I'll admit I've given her some excuses, but I'm pretty straightforward with her as she is to me. I trust her. She trusts me. I need to really trust myself now.

That said, there are some things I feel I should update on are some commitments I really want to make to myself for my health that I can refer back to when times get a little tough or busy or what have you. Excuses, excuses - screw those. I rely on that way too often. I think it's time for me to grow up, and I'm realizing that I can still have fun while doing that. I just have to make the right choices. Here we go.

+I am committing to choose one day a week where I allow myself to have whatever I want to eat.
+I am committing to have fitness goals once every quarter. (Upcoming: Warrior Dash.)
+I am committing to take necessary steps to start the process of becoming a Nia instructor by September 15.
+I am committing to take dancing lessons in the Fall. (Salsa, swing, belly dancing - we'll see!)
+I am committing to not become obsessed with the number I see on the scale but rather celebrate the way my body feels when I move and treat it properly.

On my birthday, I hope to have lost 5 inches from my waist. Doing this means that my risk for heart attack is decreased significantly and I will be 2 inches away from being at a healthy waist measurement. Hopefully, those 2 inches will follow quickly. I'm counting on it.

Also, let's not forget that my brothers and I have a bet at Christmas. I'm getting nervous about that, but maybe that's something I need. I hope I win. God knows I could totally use the money! Oh, and for those who don't know, I got 3rd place in my Biggest Loser Challenge with my friends. $100 went straight to groceries - the healthy kind, of course.

So... here's to my life. You know, in saying all of this, I'm asserting that my life is my own. It's important to take ownership of something that can affect others. Let's do this.

break ups are bad for the diet

well, my friends gave me cupcakes after my break up. i'm glad i didn't eat the whole box - instead, just a few. it's hard to reprogram your life away from stress eating and channeling it into exercise. i've realized that exercise's release of endorphins is something i look forward to in this time of need.

i've kept off 12 lbs. successfully, so i'm feeling good about that. i'm counting the small things as victories, too. i also rode my bike for 15 min. yesterday! (don't tell mom about bike!) today, i'm shooting for 30, and i don't think i'll be taking any hills... my apartment complex people may laugh at me for going around the square too many times, but at least i'm getting somewhere, right? (haha i wouldn't literally be getting anywhere, which is ironically funny.)

through all of this, i'm still proud of myself, and that is pushing me to continue doing what i've been doing. it's hard, but i knew that going into this. i just know that this will be one incredible story in the end.

15 is a good number to get excited about.

The updated count is 15 lbs. Not too shabby! I feel a lot better than before the holidays and I've been making some better choices all around to help with just dealing with life.

There was an instance this week that had me a little down. Someone from my past who was continually a jerk to me showed to me, again, just how heartless and hurtful he can be. It threw me off track as far as a mental state is concerned. I let him get to me, and in turn, started focusing on other negative things that didn't need attention. Needless to say, this week has had much unneeded frustration, but I've actually started channeling that into exercise! So, yay for me! I would get frustrated about something and then do the elliptical for at least 20 minutes. If it was really aggravating, I would push it up to 25 minutes. It's amazing how fast time goes when you're completely pissed off and you're sweating it out.

That's all I have to say about this past week. Hopefully, my friend will help me put my bike together today or tomorrow! We have big plans for cycling around the South side. Pretty exciting! (Don't tell my mom!)

It's easy? That's weird.

I feel like I've finally come to the point where this "dieting" - rather, lifestyle change - feels kind of easy. I've read the South Beach Diet a few times, and this last time, I feel like something finally snapped and it almost seems natural.

I guess a big part of that is accepting the fact that this is going to be the rest of my life. That means, in a nutshell, I will have relatively the same eating habits for 60+ years. That's a really, really long time, and instead of looking at it like "God, do I really have to conform to the same foods for 60 years?!" (which isn't completely true) I look at it like "Hey, I'll get to run around with my grandchildren in 60 years instead of having my limbs removed from bad circulation from diabetes!" Granted, my case is a lot worse than some of my family members. It seems that when I got passed down the wonderful genes, it was saturated and therefore about 2 times the evil than for anyone else. And that's fine. It's a challenge! I love challenges, and this one I can overcome. I might even write a book about it one day. (I've been on an "I'm gonna write a book!" kick lately.)

Yesterday, I went to the doctor. They weighed me on the first visit, which was sometime this Summer. It was 250. I knew it was probably in that range, which is why weighing at the doctor during the holidays was sooo much *fun* (especially seeing her push it to 262). They weighed me yesterday at 251 (with clothes on), and the nurse was actually proud of me. (Same nurse who was kind of hitting on me one time... and shortly after started wearing a wedding band... Yeah.) It felt good to only have gained 1 lb, when I know in reality I gained a lot and lost a lot. It's just a really great feeling.

Pretty much my whole family is on a diet. I'm not sure how some of the diets will work out in the long run, but I am really encouraged that all of us are trying so hard to be healthy. This is probably the first time we've actually talked a bit more about exercise, too, and that's the part that makes me really pumped up about all of this. We have come to know ourselves as a sedentary eaters. We've more or less defined ourselves as such, which is so unhealthy, safe to say. I just get so excited that at least 9 of us have fairly recently made the commitment to take care of ourselves, and we are doing it together. Yes, some of us are on a bet, but it still works out that we are doing it together and that we talk about it. My cousin Austin just called me not too long ago to congratulate me on losing 12 lbs.! She has lost the same amount, and I am really proud of both of us. Another thing I'm really enjoying is our ability to be open and vulnerable with each other. We are posting our weight on the Facebook group, and weight is such a taboo thing to share. I'm just really happy for us. I truly hope this continues. It will be interesting to see how different holiday meals will be for us this upcoming year!

So, 13 lbs. down, 7 lbs. to go for my first mini goal, and 58 lbs. to go for my main goal. Feelin' good in the neighborhood! :)