Struggling

[Fittea]

Hi everyone. I want to apologise for my disappearance lately. I have been struggling with my mental health and sleep (I either don't sleep or sleep at awkward times). I got up an hour ago after being in bed for 18 hours. I then proceeded to have one of my biggest breakdowns and I'm currently waiting for a call from my doctor.

So I haven't been "dieting" properly but I haven't fallen fully back into my previous habits. I have had a few Subways over the weeks with my boyfriend, and also a few KitKats. Therefore not ideal but I don't think trying to diet right now is a good idea with my mental health. However, after weighing myself the other day I was pleasantly surprised to find I had reached my first 1 stone loss. Since posting on here I have lost another 5lbs. I guess due to my messed up sleeping, I'm accidentally intermittent fasting? At least I have found what works for me.

When I'm feeling better and more in control, I'll give intermitten fasting a go. If anyone can provide advice or link me to good websites, that would be great. For now I'm resting and being grateful for my boyfriend who is waiting hand and foot on me, he's currently making me boiled eggs and toast. I'm craving chocolate though.

I hope everyone else has been better than I. Sorry for the depressing post.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling, Fittea, but you're one of the last three people that have posted today, all of you struggling. Why don't the three of you get together and see if you can offer each other some support at this difficult time? You can all 'meet' on the Nutty Natterings post healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and see if you can help each other

[N-o-r-d-i Maintainer 64kg]

Your ‘depressing post’ which you apologise for has so many little rays of light in it, it’s really hard to miss them and see it as a depressing post 🤗

Have you ever looked into any of available light therapies to help with sleep patterns? Could be useful.

[Food4Fuel 7lbs]

Really sorry to hear how you’ve been Fittea. Please rest well and go easy on yourself till you start to feel back on your feet. Don’t apologise/worry about not posting or focusing on the diet - you have other priorities right now - come back when you are ready and you will find a warm welcome and lots of support 😊 take care 💐

[lucigret]

Fittea, Hidden has gone to the Nutting Natterings post, I suggest you do to and have a chat together. Mutual support will help.

Dieting is the last things you should ever think about doing. Adopting a healthy life style is what you should be doing and believe me, from one who has had first hand experience of depression and anxiety, a good healthy diet of home cooked fresh foods, little carbs and some good fats in there, is far tastier than any sub way and will have a very positive effect on your mental health. Come on, make some changes and yes, I do know how hard it can be! Small changes to start with, lead to bigger changes and a far happier life You can even start that intermittent fasting now. Just make your eating window shorter, eat breakfast 2 hours later and your evening meal an hour earlier. It's a start

[TheAwfulToad Visitor]

I won't comment on the eating because you've already had some good ideas there, but just a thought on the insomnia: I'm not sure what's going on right now in the UK, but I'm assuming you're still basically "locked down", or at least not in a regular 9-to-5 routine. If that's the case, you have a chance to run an experiment. I recommend not trying to force yourself to sleep. Many humans have a naturally biphasic sleep pattern and don't get along well with the modern eight hours non-stop sleep. You might be one of those.

If you find yourself awake at odd times, just get up and do something until you feel tired. Don't watch TV or play with a gadget (the glare of the screen will keep your brain 'fired up' and unable to go back into sleep mode). Read, or write. Practice an instrument. Maybe even practice cooking. It doesn't really matter - just do something productive instead of staring at the ceiling and worrying. And don't blame yourself for "failing" to sleep. You might always have a slightly unorthodox sleep pattern, but so what? It doesn't really matter as long as you get sufficient sleep in any 24-hour period.

Having said that, disrupted sleep patterns are associated with Metabolic Syndrome (the cluster of signs and symptoms that includes obesity and Type 2 diabetes), so if you're "struggling to lose weight", now is the time to get it right and fix a whole load of problems in one go. Eating right is not difficult or unpleasant (the people who sell punishing diets are wrong) so it can really only have a positive impact on your mental health. Don't put it off until tomorrow.

[Progressoverperfect Restart June 2024]

Although you're not at your best with regards to your mental health, you have posted on here whilst waiting to hear from the GP, so there is a chink of light there.

It may be of no use to you at all but I have the mantra ( I have two actually) that are in fact lyrics from my favourite band, U2.

"When you think you're done, you've just begun"

"There is a light, don't let it go out "

They may be of no use at all, but I find they help me when I'm feeling a bit down