March 18, 2009 - Peaks and Valleys

The following is a letter that I am not going to send (for fear Dr. Pita would get a concussion when he bangs his head on the desk after reading it), but provide for your amusement. The exchange is in reference to a book that Dr. Pita is currently "peddling" (his words not mine). The book is by one of the authors of Who Moved My Cheese. Dr. Pita apparently just recently read the book Peaks and Valleys and LOVED IT.

The premise of the book is to learn to deal with and appreciate the ups and downs of life. It is a good book written in the style of a parable. I liked it, but when you read my fake letter you will see I had a bit of trouble with it in my current state of mind.

Dear Dr. Pita;

To say I am perturbed by your recent book suggestion is an understatement. Wednesday afternoon, on my way to see Dr. Pins and Needles, I used my Borders coupon to purchase Peaks and Valleys. At the time, I did not know that I should have asked you for a prescription for Xanax to get through it.

I settled down to read the book later Wednesday evening. It starts out nicely before it gets into the nitty gritty of what it is trying to teach. As I progressed through the book my mind begins to whirl faster and faster. I do not know if I was looking for hidden meaning or what, but the following thoughts kept going faster and faster in my head. Of course, these are only a small fraction of what I was thinking.

*The young man is in the Valley, does this mean he is depressed? Why is he depressed? What is it really signifying?

*Does the old man mean that when we are in a valley it is okay? That we should just "stop and smell the roses?" That the bad stuff will go away on its own? Scratch that. That is not what it means.

*Are Peaks and Valleys REALLY the same as HIGHS and LOWS?!?! What?!?

*So is the book saying that during the good times we prepare for the bad times? If so, does it mean we should always just stick with the basics and be done with it?

*Peaks and Valleys are not really the same as depression and "the super opposite of depression" (you know I REFUSE to use that other word). They are external factors, in a way. Right, they are not the same? Or are they in a way?

*Urgh!!!

*Ooooo...looking at the "truth" behind what is causing a Valley is a good point. What is causing my current Valley? I know! I got away from the basics and what was working!

*Okay, so I plan what the next Peak looks like. Do I need to write it down? Do I make a project plan to attain it? Isn't this much like goal setting? I KNOW! I KNOW! I should do this for my Mini Marthon training!

As you can see, Dr. Pita, my mind was very busy. I had to take a nap after reading the book. Fortunately, it only took me about 40 minutes to read the book, but I had to sleep for 12 hours to recover from it!

One of Your Favorite Patients,

Kristi

P.S. Since I gained 2 pounds (brought the stock market up) the past two weeks (muscle and water) and had a problem with some binge eating, I will be in next week to get weighed. I am also going back to some basics, such as concentrating on my water and fiber intake. The rest should fall into place. My exercise plan is to keep up the Mini Marathon walking and strength training.

Originally Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

March 17, 2011 - A Funk and What To Do About It

Note: For those that started reading my blog during the Indy Boot Camp series you will not have all of the background for this post.  Basically, the theme of my blog is to document living (or trying to live) a healthy lifestyle.. The healthy lifestyle I am trying to live not only encompasses trying to lose weight and exercise, but managing all aspects of my health also including mental and spiritual. This post is in regards to an abnormal problem I have with mood swings.

I am in a funk. It is a really good indication that your mental state is a bit "off" when you cry for almost an hour after leaving Boot Camp. Since Tabata Tod had not thrown a kettlebell at my head I knew the tears had nothing to do with Boot Camp. 

It is well known when I am in a funk by those that know me well.  Several of my friends at work have made comments and tried to offer some cheer. My sister gave me my birthday present early. Another friend sent me an online greeting. When a funk is not caused by anything external, these acts of kindness help, but are not the cure.

The goal originally set forth by Dr. Pita was to acknowledge that the funky and hyper moods will always be around, but I must learn to shorten their duration in order to minimalize their impact on my life. In order to accomplish this goal I must learn what triggers these funks. 

While crying in my car I realized what might have triggered this particular funk.  The following are the top candidates.

• I am bored.  An idle mind is not a good thing.  Bad thoughts stack up and repeat.
• The Japan earthquake and tsunami have caused me to beat myself up over even little "things" because I say to myself; "You are leading a charmed life. Think how awful it could be." I then start to cry for the suffering.
• The hostility at the Statehouse by the union and non-union protestors. Just being around hostile people starts to wreck my mood. I have a tendency to be too empathetic.

Well, when confronted with a problem we should either tackle it or ride it out. In the past I would try to fight it in the wrong way or run from it.  First thing I am going to do is TURN OFF THE RADIO and not read the newspaper!

The second thing I am going to do is prepare for the next Peak based on the principles in Peaks and Valleys. Remember how I complained about that book?  Well, it has come back to haunt again.

Note: Peaks and Valleys is a story about how we all go through ups and downs. The key is how we prepare for each extreme that gets us through them smoother. I highly recommend this book. You can read what I originally thought of the book here.

Personal Training, Boot Camp, and Walking are now habits that get me through BOTH the Peaks AND Valleys. Even though I have been struggling I still make it to Boot Camp, Walking, and/or Personal Training.  For those that do not know me you would never understand that this is a major accomplishment in my life. I am able to exercise while in a funk. I am sure the exercise prevents the funks from getting worse. I believe the exercise has evened out the peaks and valleys.

During this time in the Valley, I am laying the ground work to prepare to focus on eating to LOSE weight not just MAINTAIN my weight during my next good or hyper mood.  Learning to eat for weight loss is a lot harder and requires preparation, concentration and energy. It requires a stay on the Peak.

I am living proof that I eat healthy. I have kept off A LOT of weight!  I learned many of the basic principles from Dr. Pita. I am going to take the lessons learned from Dr. Pita one step further by practicing some new principles about eating from reading the book The Metabolic Effect.

Over the next few weeks I will start to write more about my successes and failures with The Metabolic Effect. No worries, my posse members will still inspire me to write about them as well!  LOL!

Until then, I suggest turning off the television if you are starting to get a bit depressed. Do what you can to help the less fortunate, but you must remember to take care of yourself!  This was the lesson I hoped to convey today.

Take Care,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

November 7, 2010 - Peaks and Valleys Part 2

A long time ago I wrote a blog entry about a book that was recommended-Peaks and Valleys.   The blog entry is here: http://kristiasher.blogspot.com/2009/03/march-18-2009-peaks-and-valleys.html

At the time, I was not appreciating the book very much.  Now, I have a new perspective. I DO highly recommend this book.

You see, for about 6-7 months, the dark cloak that sometimes darkens my eyes and weighs heavy on my shoulders has been covering me more often that anytime in the past couple years.  It would lift and things would be bright again for a short while.

When the world seems a little brighter, I start to plan.  I plan big. I feel I must make up for lost time. I have more and more things I want to get done, things that will make life easier, tasks that will take me to new and exciting places.  I guess it is this planning that I think will make the cloak burn up and go away.  However, it never does. It lands upon my head again.  Obviously, the plans made when life seems a little brighter do not work.

I am currently in the middle of one of those lulls right now. Getting out of bed is a chore. Exercising is a drudge (even though I feel better doing it). Work is boring. All my "fun" activities are dreadful.  I do not want any human contact.

Yesterday, while cleaning, I came across Peaks and Valleys. I began to read. Now, I get it. Ultimately, valleys are good. It is when we are in a valley that we must plan, watch, and learn. It is inevitable that the dark cloak will return. Embrace it. Learn from it for next time.

While on a peak when must do more of what got us to the peak, but do not overextend. Get to bed on time. Do not commit to too much. Ultimately, save energy.  Getting off balance might cause falling off the peak a bit quicker.

Lessons for us all.

Later,
Kristi



Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

March 25, 2009 - Down in the Valley

Hello All,

Continuing last week's them of Peaks and Valleys, apparently I decided to dig a hole in the valley and climb right into it! I am having trouble with motivation and feeling overwhelmed. I think what I need to do is concentrate on only the bare necessities to get through this dip. Of course, one of the main necessities is doing everything I need to do to prepare for the Mini Marathon. It is taking me a lot longer to walk the miles that I need to, but I am getting out there and doing it most days.

Now, I do not necessarily think the author of Peaks and Valleys is referring to depression as a valley, but it did get me thinking about one of my favorite Podcasts of all time. It is part of The Moth storytellers series and is very amusing and poetic. You MIGHT still be able to get it on iTunes by subscribing to the the free The Moth podcasts, it should show in your list. The storyteller is Andrew Solomon who wrote; Noonday Demon. If you want to hear it and cannot get it, let me know.

Now, you should listen to the story on iTunes, but if you do not have time click here to read a transcript of the basic gist of the story of what happened when he attended a ndop. A ndop is a ceremony that is performed for people to make them feel better in Senegal. Senegal does not have a word for depression, but they obviously experience it in non-Western civilization as well.

In the iTunes story he goes on to explain that years later he is in Rwanda working on another book. There he learns they have a similar ceremony to make people feel better. Again, it involves sacrificing an animal, the people in the community dance around you, you are outside, and music is playing. All of these things are good for getting your heart pumping, and in essence feeling like you are part of the community. I am not going to ruin the punchline for you, but you get the gist of the story.

So, I have some questions for you:

*Does anyone have a Ram, 2 cockerels, and a couple of hens we could sacrifice?

*Where can I get millet?

*Do you think you could take the day off of work, come to my house and dance around me while I am covered in blankets with the ram?

*Anyone play tribal drums?

Let me know!

Kristi

Originally published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

March 4, 2010 - Marathon Motivation

Hello All,

Sorry for no post last week, I was getting ready for the Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans. I COMPLETED IT! Woo hoo!

I have a specific request this week to write about motivation. From the request I am assuming exercise motivation, but I will probably bounce back and forth on the topic.

As most of you know the main motivation for me starting on a healthier path was the fact that I thought I was way too young not to be able to walk a half marathon like many of my friends. On the day I realized there is no reason I could not get in shape to walk a half marathon, I called and sought support from a local weight loss clinic. This small step changed my life.

I still do not know why it started that day. I guess something just “clicked” or it was the start of a mid-life crisis (LOL). There were situations in the past that should have prompted me to lose the weight, but they did not.

Along the way my exercise motivation ebbs and flows. When it wanes I find something new to motivate me. Currently, I really enjoy walking the 5Ks, 10Ks, and Half Marathons. I find them fun and a bit of a challenge. When I complete one I am really excited and proud of myself. Why?!? Because it is something I am certain I would not have been able to do just a couple of years ago. This is very motivating to me.

As most of you know, I completed the New Orleans Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon on Sunday. During the event I had to constantly re-motivate myself. In order to re-motivate I had to find motivation in the small things.

It all started when I could not get a cab to the start line. I realized that walking was my only option. The house where we stayed was at least 2-3 miles from the start line. I seriously thought about turning around and going back to bed. I did not because five friends flew down to New Orleans to see me finish that race. So, I walked. I did finally catch a cab.

Right before the race I called my sister to remind me to “suck it up.” I still was not “feeling it” before I started so I needed someone to motivate me again. Even when I was about to start I was reminding myself that I could always quit.

The Rock ‘Roll events have announcers keeping the participants motivated until their time to cross the start line. The announcer said something very interesting and motivating; “I like the people in the back corrals. They have the most compelling stories. You don’t find a recovering alcoholic in Corral 10.” Sure enough, the woman standing next to me was walking just because it was her mother’s birthday and she had died of breast cancer the prior year.

Right before I crossed the start line two people from the Biggest Loser (pictures will be on Facebook this weekend) hopped in front of me to start the race with my corral. I do not watch the Biggest Loser, but even I found that inspiring.

As I settled in to begin the race and tried to shake off the doubt I passed by buildings still with the X from the ruins of Hurricane Katrina. It was then I reminded myself that I lead a blessed life. I sped up and quit whining in my head.

For the next several miles I found the scenery kept my mind occupied. I spoke to other people as I went along. I also spoke to some of the spectators who were thanking the walkers for visiting their city. Also, the bands along the course were very motivating.

At one point, I passed a man with an obvious neurological disorder. He was shuffling along enjoying being part of the group. It was then that I realized he did not have a bib number. He just wanted to take part in the Half Marathon. As tears filled my eyes, I realized I needed to keep moving.

At mile 8.5 I had one of the best motivations of all. Five of my friends were wearing feather boas and cheering along all the participants including myself. Again I was reminded of how blessed I am. I am relatively certain that my paced picked up from the energy my friends projected. These friends had come to New Orleans not only to party, but to support me. This is priceless and highly motivating.

I had several other sightings of motivation along the way. Because I kept my eyes opened and absorbed my surroundings I stayed motivated. Granted, some days I would not have found any of these things motivating, but it worked on Sunday.

Motivation has peaks and valleys. To combat the valleys I always have a goal and keep that goal in mind. For the Half Marathon I wanted to finish and collect the cooool medal at the end.

For the past couple of years I have maintained my motivation by keeping track of a major goal that did not include weight loss goals, but would help me lose weight (e.g. half marathons, certain number of 5Ks). I also sign up in advance for these events so I HAVE to do them.

I also try to be motivated every day. Normally, if I open my eyes and pay attention I can find something that keeps me moving that day. For example, today was an absolutely beautiful day. I am glad that I am a healthier person that is enjoying it in all it’s glory because I have worked hard to be healthy. This will motivate me even more in the future.

There will be days that I do not have the motivated and happy thoughts, but being prepared for them and keeping the faith that there are fewer bad days than there are good does keep me motivated to live for the good days.

My ultimate advice to my friend is to find an activity you enjoy doing and find a goal to reach with it. It can be an official event or something else, but do find some accountability with it. I believe this will help you stay motivated. It always helps to be held accountable to someone and for that, just keep me in the loop.

Til Next Week,

Kristi

Originally Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com