Exercise has a direct impact on mood. So does what you eat. Whether you're trying to lose weight, feel better emotionally, stave off physical illness of some sort, or all three, let's talk about it here.

Why is healthy living / wellness important to you?
What are you doing to take care of yourself health-wise (mentally, physically, or both)?
How are you creating health and wellness in your life?
What are your personal barriers to doing so?
How can you move through these barriers?



Healthy living is important to me because I first and foremost want to feel better mood-wise. I want to manage my symptoms in a positive way, with healthy eating and exercise. There are so many positive benefits of exercise for the mood, for instance. I recently heard that 20-30 minutes of exercise a day, can help you become less emotionally sensitive and less vulnerable to intense negative moods. Basically, it makes one's moods and mental health symptoms more manageable. I would also, ultimately like to lose weight. I am not unhappy with my size and I do not dislike my body. But at the same time, I'd like to lose weight for myself and my health.

[Skeezyks]

Hm-m-m-m.... well... I think this is a great topic for a thread! Unfortunately I'm not really doing a lot in the way of wellness. I'm at a point in life where I'm pretty-much content to allow things to be as they are. For a while I was doing a combination of some yoga & physical therapy exercises. But I started to develop a physical problem in the process so I stopped. I won't do anything that's likely to lead to me ending up in some doctor's office somewhere.

We do have a dog. And between my wife & I we take him for at least 2 walks a day regardless of the weather. (We have to since we live in a townhome & don't have a yard.) I'm also a home bread baker. (I guess not everyone thinks bread is healthy. But I love it!) And since I develop & test out my own recipes it helps to keep my mental processes functioning. Plus... just the process of working with the dough itself provides at least a bit of exercise. I do also watch my weight though.

Nice!! Guess what I learned today? That you bake bread. I think that's so cool. Also it sounds like you are keeping yourself healthy in your own way. It sounds like you are enjoying life a little and isn't that what life should be?

I myself have to go to physical therapy. I have something going on with my shoulder and elbow. It might be tendinitis. I'm kind of excited about it depending on where I choose to go. I like one on one doctorly type visits. lol.

I'm pretty much eating wrongly today. If there is a food god, I'm going to a place with all celery stalks and carrots. Lol. I ate Chinese, ice cream, it was so good though. I also had salad and an apple. And tea.

The coolest thing I did today in terms of wellness....I have been watching a youtube series on DBT. It's really good and it is super helpful. I am learning stuff.

[twistypringle98]

I pretty much quit exercising after high school. I'm only 25, and that is a big reason why I haven't gained a lot of weight. During high school, I was into running and tae kwon do. I don't do that now because I don't like to use tampons. (I know excuses, excuses!) I pretty much eat only two meals a day and sometimes some snacks. When I eat meals though, they are large in size. I'm also a sodaholic so that sucks. I think the only reason that I haven't gained a bunch of weight is because I keep on walking and do keep on about tracking my food intake.

I have goals for this year about losing like 50 lbs, eating less and adding a third meal, and stopping soda. These goals drive me because I want there to be a time when I can stop going to the doctor and maintain my disorder without medicine because that is possible for me. I just don't want to stop going there while I'm still on my parents' insurance.

There has been a life long coorelation for me with being physically active and how I feel and look. For those of us who are older--they say that increased oxygen flow helps preserve our cognitive abilities. So do physical activities that challenge us to learn a new skill. They help strengthen or preserve muscle and bones (prevent osteoporosis).

Nutrition, positive social interaction and living in a safe environment are also important. For me nutrition means, cooking your own food from scratch so you know what is in it (no additives with words you do not understand--food that is usually found along the perimeter of the store rather than the isles).

Positive social interaction takes two but I have been improving in this area by having more conversations with people about things that I am concerned about. I hate confrontation but with people who have a direct impact on my life I am becoming more assertive and frank. Could this be a function of my age? (54) Have you ever noticed that many senior citizens are not afraid to speak their mind? Or maybe I am being more forthright because I am not depressed/have healed. Though my old habits do come back over and over--I been asserted my rights more. It has helped my self image so much. One reason I attempted was guilt about not being more assertive about some things.

Sometimes a safe environment is a function of our social class. If you have more money you are able to move into safer neighborhoods with newer homes or do proper maintenance on an older home. Homes that have lead paint, mold, are badly insulated, have really old electrical wiring, are uncleanly, etc. pose more risks to our health. A home that is comfortable (does not need to be large--I am talking about not having too much clutter/ clean bathrooms/kitchens/comfortable beds that do not make your back hurt/ etc.) makes us feel better.

Staying healthy is a lot of work--but is so worth it!!!

Originally Posted by Hopingtrying

There has been a life long coorelation for me with being physically active and how I feel and look. For those of us who are older--they say that increased oxygen flow helps preserve our cognitive abilities. So do physical activities that challenge us to learn a new skill. They help strengthen or preserve muscle and bones (prevent osteoporosis).

Nutrition, positive social interaction and living in a safe environment are also important. For me nutrition means, cooking your own food from scratch so you know what is in it (no additives with words you do not understand--food that is usually found along the perimeter of the store rather than the isles).

Positive social interaction takes two but I have been improving in this area by having more conversations with people about things that I am concerned about. I hate confrontation but with people who have a direct impact on my life I am becoming more assertive and frank. Could this be a function of my age? (54) Have you ever noticed that many senior citizens are not afraid to speak their mind? Or maybe I am being more forthright because I am not depressed/have healed. Though my old habits do come back over and over--I been asserted my rights more. It has helped my self image so much. One reason I attempted was guilt about not being more assertive about some things.

Sometimes a safe environment is a function of our social class. If you have more money you are able to move into safer neighborhoods with newer homes or do proper maintenance on an older home. Homes that have lead paint, mold, are badly insulated, have really old electrical wiring, are uncleanly, etc. pose more risks to our health. A home that is comfortable (does not need to be large--I am talking about not having too much clutter/ clean bathrooms/kitchens/comfortable beds that do not make your back hurt/ etc.) makes us feel better.

Staying healthy is a lot of work--but is so worth it!!!

Hey HopingTrying
That is really interesting about exercise and cognitive abilities. I completely believe it. When I exercise I always feel better and I have felt more clear, too, in my mind.

And wow, good for you for cooking your own meals. I cook some of my own meals. But others, are pre-made. I don't mind though. Yesterday I cooked myself salmon, it was so good.

Yes, I would agree that maybe a higher income home would be safer. But I like that you talk about organization and cleanliness too. Organization makes me feel much much better.

ps: yes self assertion is the best. Really does wonders for my self esteem, too.

[twistypringle98]

I've started fasting because one of my goals for this year is to make it to about 145 lbs. I have a way to go but find inspiration in my cousin who continues to run the marathon and runs everyday. Running wouldn't be my thing anymore (bad knees) but Kansas has pretty good looking weather right now. I might ask her if I can join her sometime even though my head tells me not to. The thing is I don't want to walk alone in the neighborhood I live in, but I'm definitely over motivated to do something about my weight this year. I lost about 20 lbs last year and feel like I can make it through to my goal this year if I fast (I'm not really a diet-er. I can go through a day with only two meals and one snack).

I love the feeling I get after I exercise. Feeling my heart being that strong and the rush of endorphins and feel goods.

Originally Posted by twistypringle98

I've started fasting because one of my goals for this year is to make it to about 145 lbs. I have a way to go but find inspiration in my cousin who continues to run the marathon and runs everyday. Running wouldn't be my thing anymore (bad knees) but Kansas has pretty good looking weather right now. I might ask her if I can join her sometime even though my head tells me not to. The thing is I don't want to walk alone in the neighborhood I live in, but I'm definitely over motivated to do something about my weight this year. I lost about 20 lbs last year and feel like I can make it through to my goal this year if I fast (I'm not really a diet-er. I can go through a day with only two meals and one snack).

I love the feeling I get after I exercise. Feeling my heart being that strong and the rush of endorphins and feel goods.

What is fasting? Do you mean not eating?
Yes, I love the rush I get after exercise to

[twistypringle98]

Originally Posted by starrysky

What is fasting? Do you mean not eating?
Yes, I love the rush I get after exercise to

Yes. Fasting is not eating or not eating some foods. Of course I'm eating. I'm just eating smaller.