SED

What Do Folks Ask Me?

Recently, my blog and story got a boat load of attention.  That’s okay, I don’t mind.  With that, I got a ton of comments and questions.  Some of them almost made me cry.  I have been attempting to respond to everyone personally, but it is beginning to get difficult 🙂 Also, it occurs to me, a few of the questions may be on other people’s minds as well, and could be worthy of a blog post all on their own.  And maybe selfishly, it’ll save me time in the future when I get asked these same questions again, lol.  I am not putting the names of the person(s) whom asked, they will know who they are.  I will also paraphrase somewhat for continuity sake.

1. “I find often I am singing myself the ugly fat cow song when I look in the mirror. Tell me how you fight this and get over this. How did you get the guts to step out from behind the car to have your picture taken to even take selfies without loathing yourself? I think this is the biggest problem I have right now.”
   • Well, God made me and God doesn’t make junk.  But I fully recognize not everyone believes in God or believes that.  I did write a poem to this belief here.  One thing to remember is that people are seriously not looking at you or thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are.  They probably are not even noticing. Only YOU notice your flaws.  Usually, anyhow.  As for haters or trolls, ignore them. Truly, grow a thick skin and learn to ignore them.  Nobody else gets to live in your body or live your life, don’t let the opinions of others rob you of your joy or your ability to get out into the world and enjoy it.  Put on that bathing suit, wear that tank top, splash in the water and laugh out loud.  Life is for the living.  I highly doubt you will be on your deathbed happy that you hid behind a tree.
2. “How do you deal with loose skin?”
   • Well that is a doozy of a question.  First of all, I DO have loose skin. It’s not horrible, but it IS there.  Please remember to lose weight slowly. That is important, especially if you have a LOT of weight to lose. Also; drink lots of water.  Lift weights. Push and pull things.  Bend and twist your body.  Use essential oils and wraps and take very good care of your skin. Eat right.  Honestly; strength training is critical!  And the water.  Drink the water.
3. “You wrote you started going to a gym but you didn’t write about what you did with your food and eating… of course I’m curious what changes you made!”
   • I hate talking about my food and eating because a) I have SED and what I eat will be boring to most people and b) I honestly believe folks should keep their eyes on their own plate and customize their menu and diet plan to their own needs. However; with that being said … I HAD to incorporate some new things into my diet and that was very difficult to do when you have grand anxiety over trying new foods; and you have a gag reaction to many textures, tastes and smells. I started out juicing a few fruits/veggies and moved onto Smoothies.  I will say that smoothies were key for me.  I began going to Jamba Juice and tried several of their creations. Some I liked, some I loved and some I hated.  I watched how they did it, then I went home and experimented on my own.  Meanwhile; I was also able to add eggs (only scrambled) into my diet, as well as several nuts, pecans, almonds and seeds into my orbit. I can now also eat most berries as-is, without putting them in a blender. My dad about fell out when he saw me eat a strawberry, lol.  I really like blackberries now. I can even eat watermelon. I can also eat sweet potatoes now, not just white potatoes.  However; there are some things that will just NEVER get into me because they make me sick, no matter how many different ways I try them.  Peaches would be one example. Broccoli is another.  I still do not eat salads and my food will only have sea salt, never pepper or any seasonings, no condiments, no sauces really.  Very plain and bland.
4. “If you have any suggestions for overcoming SED I’d love to share them with my family.”
   • Basically, see above answer 🙂  My tips for overcoming SED are to start slowly, and do it in the privacy of your own home.  Whenever I decide I want to try something new, I usually decide ahead of time (not spontaneously), and I do it at home.  Nobody wants to get sick in public or in front of people.  I also suggest trying out juicers or blenders, and discovering smoothies.  I highly recommend the Vitamix. One thing to remember for the non-SED family member is that someone with SED will in fact go hungry before they eat something you deem they must eat.  That old saying ‘well, if they’re hungry enough, they’ll eat it’, well that’s not true.  Anxiety and fear will win out over hunger, every time.  So don’t be pushy.
5. “What do yo do when you just DON’T wanna?”
   • Fake it til ya make it.  Sometimes you just have to do something anyway, whether you want to or not.  Energy creates energy.  Sometimes you just have to get moving. Inertia is a beautiful thing.  Sometimes you may have to make a deal with yourself, such as … well, I’ll just do 10 minutes, and then I can stop if I still feel bad.  Well, most times you will keep going.  Or, if you’re a gym person – just promise yourself you’ll go to the gym – just set foot in the place and check in – and then you can just sit in the lobby if you want, but just make yourself be there.  Well, 9 times out of 10, you’ll feel stupid just sitting there, lol … so you’ll do something.  Or not, but at least you’ll have made progress off the couch.  I will say that depression is a real thing, and that needs to be addressed if that is the problem.  If it is just a bad day, or you have some very REAL reasons to be in a bad mood … then give yourself 24 hours to feel those emotions.  Be mad, be angry, be sad, be pathetic – whatever – and then when the 24 hours is over – get back to your regularly scheduled life.  Pity party concluded.
6. “How do you deal with physical pain and/or ailments?”
   • First of all; figure out if you’re just sore from working out, achy from the weather or something … or if you’re actually injured.  There IS a difference.  If you are, in fact, injured, then of course, see a doctor and address the injury and work around that. Also; if you are injured … that is the time to pay even MORE attention to your nutrition.  If you are just uncomfortable and experiencing some aches and pains ~ deal with it.  Soak in a hot tub, stretch, make friends with epsom salt and lavender oil.  Get busy.  You should be very aware of your body and very in tune with what feels normal and what are signals that something is seriously wrong.  Bottom line: Do not look for excuses to miss a workout.  Rather, look for ways to overcome challenges.
7. “Do you work out if you’re sick?”
   • If I have a fever or I think I may be contagious, then no.  Rest is important.  Your body will need all of its energy to fight infection and recover.  If I am just dealing with sniffles, allergies or a common cold of sorts ~ then some moderate exercise may do me good.  Again, know your body and use your judgement.  Do NOT go to a gym though if you think you may be contagious.  I know that seems obvious, but you’d be amazed at the bulk heads I see pumping iron and sneezing snot, lol.
8. “Do you work out when you’re on your period?”
   • Almost always.  However; I know some women that have debilitating cycles, so I cannot speak for them.
9. “How do you lose weight when you hate eating vegetables?”
   • Smoothies.  It’s all about Smoothies, baby.
10. and last but never least…. “Did your sex life and sex drive improve as you lost weight and got more fit?”
    • OMG, hands down, YES! Amen, hallelujah, thank God ~ YES.

As Always, Make Champion Choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady