Robin Williams and Depression

Opening statement: this is not a fitness post. It is a health post, and a very important topic.

This week, we lost an amazing actor and human being. I'd be surprised and heartbroken if there was a household in America that did not know who Robin Williams was. He touched so many lives, including mine. He made me and so many others laugh when we felt like the world would end, and that is such a powerful gift. I can only hope his afterlife is like the one in What Dreams May Come: magical, beautiful, and peaceful.

The saddest thing about the whole situation is that I understand why he did what he did.

It's hard for people who have never had depression to realize it is an ongoing battle. Every day is a struggle, and sometimes you don't win. In some cases, you stay in bed for days and cry. In others, you see no other alternative then to end it all. This may seem like a harsh thing to say, but I know it to be true. Sometimes you aren't able to see the amazing things you have because it feels like the whole world is crashing down around you. When you hit that point, you feel like there is no one else in the universe, even if they are right in front of you.

Mental illness is not a switch you can just turn off. It is always there. Sometimes it gets better, or it gets worse. It's complicated and messy. If you have never dealt with it, lucky you, because it sucks.

Robin Williams was depressed, and if you looked closely, you could see it. You could see it in the early years when he abused drugs. You could see it in interviews where he seemed to be a little tired, or like he was thinking of something else. YOU COULD SEE IT. The problem is, most people don't look closely. They enjoy the happy times, and those sad moments are just that. Sad. It'll go away and everything will be fine. But, sometimes, it doesn't. Sometimes it's not sadness.

I have opposing viewpoints about suicide. In some cases, I do think it is selfish, mainly because there is always an answer. However, I also understand what it feels like to feel like you are drowning and can't fight your way up. It is very scary, and you feel like no one will listen to you,  no one can possibly get what you feel. I promise, there is always someone. Even if you don't have anyone in you life at that point, there are so many **RESOURCES** available if you just reach out. A lot of people are told that therapy is useless, or it makes them weak. It is not, and everyone is weak in one way or another. Do not be afraid to seek help, either in friends, a therapist, or a hotline.

To every single person reading this: pay attention to the people around you. We live in an age where it's so easy to connect to people, yet so hard at the same time. Take the time to check in with people, and never be afraid to ask if someone is okay, or if they want to talk. Even if they say no, you could help immensely just by showing you care.

Closing statement: CARE. Care for the people in your life, even if it's someone you just pass by on the way to work. Smile instead of avoiding eye contact. You never know who might feel isolated, and that little touch of humanity could turn it all around.

Lifestyle changes! Yay!

Hey guys! Sorry I was away longer than expected, but I'm back now and I'll do my best to not abandon you anymore haha.

I woke up super early today, and couldn't get back to sleep. I had this overwhelming urge: I wanted to do a blog post that would help others on their wellness journey. I wanted to INSPIRE everyone who read it to make at least one small change to their life.And the only way I saw of doing that was to share what I am doing. So here goes!

I am eating better 80% of the time

I have changed my eating habits a lot in the past month. I used to snack every single day, usually on chips or pretzels with ranch dressing. Not the healthiest options, especially when I was grazing all day long. I never really ate full meals except for dinner, and a decent amount of the time we were ordering out or eating fast food. YUCK.

Now, I limit my snacking a TON. I have no ranch in the house, so if I do decide I want pretzels, I eat them with vinegar or hot sauce. I switched from potato chips to tortillas and spicy salsa, which limits how much I can eat at one time (you can't continue if your tongue is burning lol). I also make sure to eat breakfast and dinner every day, and try to eat lunch at least 5 days a week (sometimes I forget still, OOPS). We cook at home all the time, and try to keep the meals somewhat healthy.

I am not on a diet, however. I will not limit myself fully. If I absolutely 150% need a cupcake, I will eat that cupcake. I don't do it every day, and I make healthy choices the rest of the time. I do not feel bad about indulging, as long as it doesn't become a habit.

I cut out soda (for the most part)

Hi, I'm Trish, and I'm a soda addict. I kicked the habit numerous times, but somehow always find my way back. It probably doesn't help that my work only stocks soda. UGH.

I have a 12 pack of Coke sitting in my kitchen from yesterday. Normally it would be gone by now, and I'm sure by tonight it will be. However, I have only had two cans, and that is all I will probably have. I have been drinking mainly water, sometimes juice.  It is a hard transition for me, and I struggle with it a lot. But I am determined to stick with it, because I have seen the difference it makes.

If you have never tried going without soda for even a week, I highly suggest challenging yourself to try it. The difference in the way you feel is crazy. Also, if you have never researched the dangers of diet sodas, you should. Your body is not made for artificial sweeteners. Key word in that sentence: ARTIFICIAL!!

I am working out (again)

I'll admit, I have a hard time staying focused. I need constant motivation to do anything, and I CANNOT manage to motivate myself. This rings true especially when it comes time to exercise. I know its good for me, I know if I start I'll feel so much better. I just can never get my butt up to do it. 

I have switched back and forth between so many programs lately. I was doing Turbofire, then jumped into P90X3, then switched to 21 Day Fix. I loved the way each one made me feel, but I couldn't keep it up. After a few days, I crash. (That is not a normal reaction to these programs. There are outside factors at work here)

I realized I need something a little gentler to start out with, and work my way back up to a harder program. I have chosen Piyo! It's a yoga/pilates infusion, but unlike yoga, you don't hold the poses as long.  It's a lot more movement, so you work all of your muscles, but it's not as difficult as the other programs I was trying. For me, this is a good fit.

To stay motivated, I am going to schedule a block of time every day to work out. Also, I have a workout buddy who will ask me a million times if we are going to work out today (8 year olds ask way too many questions lol)

Can you change your life? (hint: the answer is yes)

As you can see, my changes are not huge. That's perfectly fine. You don't have to do a complete overhaul of your life to make a difference. I have found it is easier to master one small step at a time than to do a huge shift.

What can you do to help your health? Could you take more walks, or switch out one meal a day for salad? Don't worry about the outcome, just take that first step!



If you don't know where to start, want extra motivation, or would like to purchase a program, please sign up for FREE coaching. If you sign up this month, I will tell you how to receive 15% off of your first order!