anxiety

What You Need To Know About Meditation

February 2, 2021 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

When you are centered, believe you can conquer anything. Doing is believing and transforming your state of mind will transform you, your body, and your being. After all, health is wealth so why not create a sense of happiness within – in your mind – as well as outside – your body.

The effect of mindfulness is holistic. Mindful practices evoke a feeling of intention. They raise your vibration and help you live fully in the present moment. This post will help guide you into a life that is open-minded and practical. It will teach you there is an interrelationship between the body and the mind. By practicing mindful activities, you will construct a beautiful life with positive influence and change.

Starting small and increasing your practices will guide your body into a natural rhythm of mindfulness. Practicing yoga, adding walks to your daily routine, wearing spiritual bracelets, and mindful eating will also help us stay energized and balanced.

Via: Pixabay

Practicing meditation and mindfulness can and should become an essential part of your day. Meditation is a mindfulness practice and just 10-15 minutes per day will nurture your body and yourself within. To achieve a sense of mindfulness, you need to dig deep within yourself and stop your emotions from getting in the way. Expand your worldview and master mental resilience to curate a sense of calm for your body, your mind, and your wellbeing.

Mindfulness can also be heightened through external bodily practices. Being outdoors and in nature is grounding and enhances that mind-body connection. Nature has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Mindful practices, like gardening, give a sense of community and offer physical activity. All whilst getting some vitamin D, which can improve cognitive function. Gardening is an incredibly therapeutic activity and can reduce depression and anxiety symptoms by easing stress and improving your mood.

There are many other ways to be outside and practice meditation all at the same time. Daily walks in nature, watching sunrise and sunset, picking flowers, sunbathing, swimming, cycling, and watching the world go by are all therapeutic mindful practices. Being in nature has a cathartic effect. Whatever activity is uplifting and soothing for your mind and body should be what you continue to practice every day. Finding what works for you is the key to personal happiness.

While most people feel they need to go to a class to meditate, that is not true at all. The beautiful thing about meditation is that you can practice it almost anywhere. Anywhere that is calm, comfortable, and collective is a place where you can meditate. Find yourself space where you can effectively clear your thoughts and use that as a place to practice daily.

Also do not believe that meditation has to be done in silence. If taking a walk or listening to music helps you be mindful and calm, then do that. As long as it can clear your mind and let you reap the benefits of the practice, so be it.

You may be wondering how exactly to meditate. It’s a very simple practice and all you need is yourself and a quiet place to be able to do so. Meditation will allow you to get a fresh unexpected perspective whether you’re a beginner or experienced. The best mind-body techniques to insert into living your beautiful life blueprint include:

Set achievable goals – Start small. 1 to 2 minutes a day is enough to practice and get a feel for meditation. The best advice for meditation is to set achievable goals. Whether you are a meditation newbie or truly someone who’s tried meditation and given up (like me), start small and realistic. Do it for 1 minute. Starting small is the answer to success. It reinforces the idea that you can do it. Just showing up for yourself is already a success! As you feel more comfortable and mindful, your practice will naturally get longer. Around 15 minutes per day is a good goal to aim for once you’ve mastered your meditation technique. Create a vibe. Whether it be music, scent, or space. Then, make it something you look forward to.

Meditate first thing each morning – Allow yourself a fresh unexpected perspective. A daily practice of quiet allows us to become more present, more creative, and more open. Setting this intention will allow you to go about your day with a sense of gratitude, happiness, and mindfulness.

Check-in with how you are feeling – listen to your body and your mind to see what perspective you want to focus on and work on. Each new practice will bring new emotions and working on the day by day is a great way to grow.

Count your breaths – when you can, count your breaths and see how your stomach rises and falls throughout each breath. You may not be able to keep this up throughout the entire practice as you may have things you want to think about, focus on, and channel and that’s okay. But, when you get the chance, focus on your breathwork.

Come back when you wander – try and stay with whatever arises in your mind and stay on track throughout your practice so you feel satisfied after. When and if you find your mind trailing off onto other thoughts, come back to your original focus so that you can wrap up on a positive path. The mind is our most precious resource through which we experience every single moment of life. Don’t beat yourself up if your mind wanders. Taking the time to sit and be still is looking after your mind and there is no downside to that.

Develop a loving attitude – practicing meditation every day will soon become a part of your life you will not want to live without. Learn to love it, to learn yourself, and most importantly, smile when you’re done. It will make you feel incredibly composed and grateful.

To achieve your highest sense of mindfulness, you must be present. Focusing on your present self and your surroundings instead of the past and the future will allow you to be aware of your thoughts and actions in a non-judgmental manner. Being present and mindful is the core benefit of meditation and will allow you to communicate how you are thinking and feeling to both yourself and others.

How do you meditate?

Thank you for reading!

Health

An Introduction To Health Anxiety (Hypochondria)

May 20, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 3 Comments

Worrying about your health and well-being is, to an extent, par for the course; something that all humans do from time-to-time. However, for some people, these standard everyday worries can quickly take on a life on their own, resulting in the development of a condition known as health anxiety.

Pixabay – CC0 License

Overview

Health anxiety is, as one would expect, an anxiety disorder. The condition is usually seen as a subset of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), as the patterns of behavior people with OCD engage in – triggers, compulsions, and seeking reassurance – are usually present in health anxiety.

People with health anxiety worry excessively about their health, often to the point of irrationally believing they (or their loved ones) are unwell. People with the condition are usually well-aware that their concerns are irrational or not factually based, but feel afraid of them anyway – a juxtaposition that can be very distressing.

The two different types of health anxiety

Most people with health anxiety fall into one of two groups: “avoiders” or “reassurance seekers”.

Avoiders will usually avoid all forms of medical intervention. They avoid seeing doctors when they are sick; will always decline important preventive or screening options such as an eye test, hearing test, or any other form of regular check-up; do not use medication, and limit their exposure to medical information (for example, turning the television off if a medical condition is being discussed).

Reassurance seekers are the opposite; they seek reassurance from medical professionals, often opting for as many tests as possible, and often visiting their doctor more than is necessary.

Both “avoiders” and “reassurance seekers” experience high levels of anxiety and worry about their health, and can experience unfortunate consequences as a result of their condition. For example, “avoiders” can avoid treatment for manageable conditions or identifying early signs of health problems, while “reassurance seekers” can be over-tested, often resulting in financial issues as a result.

Treatments for health anxiety

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most standard form of treatment for health anxiety. Medication can also be used, often in conjunction with therapy, if a doctor believes this would be beneficial.

However, many “avoiders” find accessing treatment very difficult as a direct result of their condition. In these cases, telemedicine or online therapy can often be less stressful alternatives to conventional care.

The “attention seeking” stigma of health anxiety

In popular culture, people with health anxiety are often dismissed as eccentrics; hypochondriacs who are simply seeking attention by way of their health concerns. Unfortunately, this stigma can cause many people with the condition to feel they have to hide their symptoms, which in turn can worsen their anxiety as seeking assistance becomes almost impossible.

People with health anxiety fear being unwell; they are not seeking a diagnosis or simply wanting attention. Thankfully, medical professionals who are familiar with health anxiety understand this, and will be highly compassionate and sympathetic to anyone who raises concerns over the way they think about their health.

In conclusion

Health anxiety is a little-known, but potentially very upsetting, mental health condition. If you experience excessive concern or anxiety about your health, then speaking to a medical professional for further assistance can be the first step towards finding a solution.

Thank you for reading!

Health

The Best Ways to Reduce Anxious Feelings

February 8, 2020 By lyndsinreallife 1 Comment

Life can’t always be a metaphorical sunny stroll in the park; no matter where you come from, how much you earn, or how successful you are, there will be low moments. And studies have shown that low moments, especially those related to mental health conditions, are on the rise. Anxiety, to name just one example, is perhaps more common today than at any other period of history. While we all experience a few anxious nerves from time to time, if it’s beginning to influence your everyday life, then it’s important that you take steps to reduce those feelings. We take a look at a few ways to do this below.

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Calm Your Mind

There are some tried and tested methods for calming your mind that have been shown to have a profoundly positive impact on anxiety. Perhaps the best method of all is meditation — this is the process of sitting still, counting your breaths, and waiting for the magic to happen. If it sounds simple, that’s because it is. Yet the simple process brings big rewards. You might notice the effects on the first day, but no worries if you don’t — things will be happening under the surface, and sooner rather than later you’ll find that you’re feeling calmer and happier.

In the Outdoors

We’ve normalized life in the city, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s normal. In terms of our biological makeup, it might be wrong. Now, no-one’s suggesting that you should pack up your belongings and move to the woods, but it is important that you get your fill of nature time. Studies have shown that simply surrounding yourself with natural life can have a hugely positive impact on your anxiety levels, so be sure to build some nature time into your schedule, even if it’s just for an hour or two a week.

Tried and Tested Products

You don’t have to go through your battle with anxiety all alone. There are plenty of products and foods that can help, too. For example, did you know that there are scents that can put you into a more relaxed state of mind? It’s true, so look at investing in an essential oil diffuser, and stock up on your favorites. You can mix anxiety-reducing foods with CBD isolate, available from CBD Flower Isolate, too. Dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, fatty fish, and Brazil nuts have all been shown to have a positive effect on anxiety, for example.

Limit the Triggers

It’s also recommended that you take a look at your lifestyle, and see if you’re doing anything that might induce anxiety. Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and having an overly sedentary lifestyle, for example, can all bring about feelings of anxiety. Cut down on these things, and you might just find that the number of anxious moments you experience begins to reduce.

Take a Walk

Finally, put faith in the trusty walk around the block! It helps clear your head and calms you down. You will most likely feel better afterward!

Thank you for reading!

This post was a collaboration.

Health

Anxiety Hates These 3 Things

September 11, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

If you are someone who finds themselves frequently disturbed by anxiety, it’s important to bear in mind that you are not alone. Many people all over the world have anxiety, and it is actually one of the most common mental conditions out there. It is also the victim of poor misunderstanding a lot of the time. For instance, it is perfectly possible to find yourself both anxious and depressed, as these are not mutually exclusive. You can also be anxious without knowing what you are anxious about – or at times, the cause of the anxiety might be all too clear. Whatever else, it’s important to know that there are always steps you can take to help fight it within yourself. So what are some of the things that anxiety just hates for you to do?

Pic Credit – CCO Licence

Self-Care

When you are in the grip of an anxious period, you might find the idea of self-care very difficult to take on board indeed. That is perfectly natural and normal, but it is a cruel reality; looking after yourself is actually one of the best things you can do to keep anxiety at bay in the first place, or to help get rid of it once it has appeared. If it seems impossible, just make a point of starting small. Shower or bathe, wear clean clothes, just generally look after yourself, and then build your way up. You will be amazed at what a difference this can make, in the same way that it tends to help those with depression. Of course, if you have both anxiety and depression, then this is definitely a wise move to make, even if it may be more difficult.

Medication

Deciding whether or not to take medication is a huge decision. The trouble with a lot of medication – and this is what puts a lot of people off – is that often we don’t know how it works, and that can be very worrying for a lot of people who already have anxiety. However, at times, it is the best way to improve the anxiety, and for that reason you might want to think about what you can do to help yourself best. Bear in mind too that sometimes this means finding something to self-medicate with such as CBD oil, as reduced anxiety is one of the documented CBD oil benefits. But you should always take care when it comes to self-medication. Often times, it makes matters worse and isn’t always healthy.

Pic Credit – CCO Licence

Sleep

Sleep makes pretty much any physical or mental ailment better, and that is certainly true of anxiety. If you frequently suffer from anxiety, you will want to make sure that you are getting enough sleep. If you’re not, then it’s highly likely that this is affecting your ability to think straight, which keeps anxious thoughts at bay. When you sleep well, you are much more likely to fight anxiety with all you’ve got. So make sure that you do whatever you can to sleep more hours each night. It will make all the difference.

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Health

What Can We Do Against Stress?

September 7, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Stress has become a detrimental part of our day-to-day lives. Whether it’s the congested road on your way to work, or the recent argument you’ve had with your best friend, we’ve grown used to stress. In many ways, we’ve even welcomed it inside our homes and helped it settle down.

However, this has to end. You can’t make stress a regular guest in your life. You need to find a way to fight it off without actively aggravating the situation. Stress is the body’s response to events that are unexpected, unpleasant, and out of the ordinary. There’s no denying that you can’t always control what life is throwing at you. While in some specific situations, you can reduce anxiety and tension by directly sorting out the underlying problem, more often than not, the best way to defeat stress is to manage it.

Below are a few ways to help manage your stress:

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Keep informed about life-changing remedies and treatments

Ultimately, while a little stress is healthy and can even boost your performance (a lot of people do well against a deadline), there’s a thin line between the healthy and unhealthy amount. Indeed, too much stress can have handicapping consequences, like anxiety disorders or panic attacks. It’s a vicious cycle that is almost impossible to break through. However, there are more and more alternative medicines and remedies that can help you to tackle high anxiety. If you’ve been struggling for a while, check out the marijuana expo to hear more about how medical professionals are using CBD to help patients deal with mood and stress disorders. It could be your way to gain back control.

Make exercising a priority

There’s nothing a good workout can’t do. Not only is it the perfect way to clear your hearts and lungs from the clogs accumulated through our sedentary and passive lifestyle, but it also provides a strategic answer to stress. Working out releases happy hormones that can single-handedly reduce your stress levels. You don’t need to be highly active to benefit from physical exercise. Something as simple as walking after dinner gives you the opportunity to relax and forget about your worries.

Be your own voice of reason

Stress starts in your mind. Therefore, as long as you understand how to control your mind, you should be able to tame your stress monster. Your emotional answer to stress is (generally) a choice. Always take a step back to ask yourself how you feel. You can’t control what happens around you, but you can decide how it makes you feel.

Why does stress win?

Most people, however, continue to feel overwhelmed by stress. It’s important to understand that while stress is a trigger for your unease, the real issue is how you choose to manage it. Unhealthy coping mechanisms are the first cause of mental and physical health troubles when it comes to stress. From giving in to emotional eating to choosing isolation, stress makes you your worst enemy if you’re not careful about the choices you make.

We can’t defeat stress as long as we fail to see that we are in charge of how we feel. You have a choice to make at the start of your stress management journey, and it’s to give your body and mind a fighting chance. Through alternatives treatments, exercise, or even rationalizing your fears, the only mistake with stress is to let it dictate your feelings and reactions.

•How do you handle stress?

This post was a collaboration.

Thank you for reading!

Lifestyle

Do You Collapse In A Crisis?

February 9, 2019 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

Most of us would probably like to say that we were pretty good in any kind of crisis situation. After all, the idea of being the one person who’s able to keep their head when everyone else is losing there’s is a pretty nice idea. However, it’s fair to say that most of us are probably not quite as composed under pressure as we would like to think. Which raises the question, if you are normally the kind of person who totally crumbles when they’re in a crisis, what can you do in order to deal with those kinds of things more effectively? With that in mind, here are some things that you can do in order to stop yourself from collapsing when everything goes wrong.

source

Think in Practical Terms

One of the best things that you can possibly do when it comes to taking a lot of stress and panic out of any kind of crisis is to stop thinking about it in terms of emotions entirely. Instead, think about it in purely practical terms where possible. Think of any kind of crisis as a problem with a solution, rather than something awful happening to you. If you’re in an accident, then think about things like insurance claims, hiring attorneys, and getting justice instead of focusing on how unfair it was that this happened to you. The same applies to everything from getting fired to getting sick. If you can think about the practical stuff and deal with that first, you’ll have a whole lot less emotional fallout to worry about.

Take Your Time

One of the most common instincts, when things go wrong, is to run around trying to fix it as quickly as possible. Now, dealing with things right away is a good thing, but if you’re getting to the point where you’re running around trying to put out all of the fires at once, you’re just going to end up causing yourself far more stress and upset that is unnecessary. Take your time and think things through before you dive in.

Ask for Help

As much as it would be nice to say that you’re the kind of person who can deal with any problem on their own, you really don’t need to. The truth is that there are always going to be people out there who are willing to lend you a hand when you need it most. From friends and family, to trained professionals, there really is no need for you to try and take everything onto your own shoulders.

The truth is that there will always be times when something will come out of nowhere and send you reeling, that’s just the nature of the world that we live in. However, if you can understand the right ways to deal with emergencies and crises, then you’re going to be far less likely to end up panicked and confused when things go wrong. Just remember that for every problem, there is a solution. You just have to be able to find it.

Thank you for reading!

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Health

The Strange Reasons Why You Should Chill The Heck Out

January 28, 2019 By lyndsinreallife 4 Comments

Stress and anxiety have been a part of the human struggle since time began. Both are evolutionary responses to circumstances in our environment, and adaptation allowed for them because they help us survive. It’s better to be anxious and stressed in the face of certain doom than it is to be calm and relaxed, because people who were stressed were more likely to take action to survive.

But in the modern world, we rarely face threats to our lives. Rather we experience a kind of chronic activation of our stress-response system, which is unhelpful.

The problem with stress, though, is that it’s not just something in our heads: it has a direct effect on the body, too. And while many of us know about the visible signs of stress, like heart palpitations and sweating, few of us are aware of the stranger, less common side effects.

Stress Undermines Your Immune System

Blood Cells Virus Helper Cell Defense Immune System

Max Pixel

Your immune system is in a constant state of war against pathogens trying to overwhelm your defenses. Healthy people can repel the majority of attacks, but when the body is under stress, it can actually produce fewer immune cells. You often see this in people who do a lot of strenuous exercise – the number of white blood cells in their body goes down by about 50 percent – but it’s also common among the chronically stressed.

I can attest to this. This past December, I was so incredibly stressed, more than I’d ever been before, that I became physically ill. I was nauseous every day and night, I found myself throwing up at work, and I couldn’t eat or sleep. Stress is very, very real.

Stress Makes You Constipated

Stress is a response to danger – or at least that’s what it was in our evolutionary history. And so when our bodies get stressed, they tend to shut down other vital systems not required for immediate survival, like digestion. Most westerners are constipated anyway because of a lack of fiber in the diet, but stress can lead to a cessation in bowel motility, meaning that the bowel no longer transports waste products from one end to the other. Sure, that’s a good thing when you’re running away from a bear, but not so good when you’re sitting at your office desk, fighting a deluge of emails.

Stress Can Result In Heart And Lung Problems

Flickr by mararie

One of the reasons you might want to take advantage of a cheap vaping deal (opposed to smoking cigarettes, or quit altogether!) is the effect that stress has on the heart and lungs. Stress causes the HPA (hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal) axis to go into overdrive. Cortisol, a stress-related hormone, gets released, causing elevations in breathing and heart rate. While cortisol is safe over short periods, it’s the chronically elevated levels that start to lead to problems. People with higher circulating cortisol suffer a faster heart rate, which has been shown to be correlated with shorter life span, high blood pressure (a leading killer worldwide), and increases in asthma attacks.

Stress Can Hurt Your Jaw

One of the problems that people with stress have is bruxism – or the unconscious grinding of their teeth. Bruxism usually occurs during the night while sleeping, leading to jaw ache and damage to the teeth. The tension can then spread from the jaw area to the surrounding tissue and muscles in the face and neck. It may also be a contributing factor to TMJ. I have TMJ and it is incredibly painful.

I’m not a stress expert, and I’m not a doctor, of course. These were just a few things I wanted to share about!

*This post was a collaboration.

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Ambassador Fitness Nutrition

I Am A #SweatPink Ambassador!

May 10, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 9 Comments

A few weeks ago, I was accepted as a brand new #sweatpink ambassador with Fit Approach! It has been an amazing few weeks already!

This is the Fit Approach mission (borrowed from the Fit Approach website):

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick.

How awesome is that?! The mission is what attracted me to Fit Approach in the first place. Pink is my favorite color, so this was a no brainer! I am all about pink shoelaces. As a welcome, I was sent a #sweatpink tank and some pink shoelaces:

Everyone in the #sweatpink community is SO welcoming! I love the feeling of being a part of a community of like-minded people, and knowing that I can go to any of them even though I don’t physically know them! I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. <3

If you’re interested in becoming a #sweatpink ambassador, apply here! 🙂

Check out Fit Approach on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Bipolar Disorder Nutrition Personal

My Current Nutrition Plan, & Why It Has Nothing To Do With Anyone But Myself

April 26, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 16 Comments

There are two main reasons for this post.

To hold me accountable and to document my progress with my new nutrition plan
To clear up any confusion as to WHY I am doing this nutrition plan

Let’s start with what the plan is. It’s called the GAPS diet. GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome and was developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. Basically, my digestive system is in poor health. When I am stressed, I eat a lot of sugar and refined carbs. Read my previous post about my sugar addiction for a little bit of a background. In addition to this, I have bipolar disorder. I don’t want to take medication for the rest of my life, and I am very aware that good nutrition and regular fitness are very important for both physical and mental health. I decided to take a mental health coaching program from a holistic wellness coach who has bipolar disorder, and has successfully managed her bipolar without medication for one year.

I started the program with her almost two weeks ago, and officially started the GAPS diet this past Wednesday. My coach, Nellie, recommended this nutrition plan for me because I need to get my digestion under control. Every symptom I’ve been having is directly related to an unhealthy gut. I have candida, which is a fungus that overgrows when we consume too much sugar and refined carbs. I have almost every single symptom of it (and now it all makes sense!):

chronic fatigue
digestive issues
difficulty concentrating/foggy brain
irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety
seasonal allergies and itchy ears (I’ve never had itchy ears before- so weird)
strong sugar and refined carb cravings (oh my gosh, it’s awful)
skin rashes — I have had hives 3 times in the past 4 weeks. A couple nights ago, I woke up at 4:30 am with severe hives on both my arms. Here’s a picture (it was not pleasant and rather scary, actually):

It’s not only physical, but also mental. The GAPS diet is used for people with various mental health conditions, like depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, and so on. Having bipolar disorder, the GAPS diet is perfect. I told Nellie that I would be completely open and be the client (I’m used to being the health coach), and try out what she recommended for me. It has worked for her (and countless others), and I am really excited to see how it helps my mental stability! And of course the healthy body and weight loss will be great. 🙂

It really is a different feeling when you’re eating for health as opposed to eating for weight loss. It’s so much easier. Don’t get me wrong though, it is by no means EASY. It’s been four days and I am struggling. Sugar addiction is no joke. I crave it and I get really moody when I don’t have it. But I am finding alternatives, and today has been a really great nutrition day! So I feel optimistic about it.

While on the GAPS diet (however long I decide to be on it- at least five weeks), I cannot have grains/gluten, dairy, sugar, anything processed, and soy.

This leads me to the second point of this post.

I have been a health coach with Herbalife for exactly one and a half years in May. Herbalife has completely changed my life, and I am forever grateful for the company, the products, and the people who have helped me lose weight and go after my dreams! However, Herbalife meal replacement shakes contain soy. It was never a problem for me (like I said, it helped me to lose weight and feel amazing!), but I told Nellie I would be completely open, so that means stopping Herbalife for the five weeks or so that I am her client. I was hesitant about it at first, but not only am I paying my coach for the mental health coaching, I am committed to finding ways to treat my bipolar disorder holistically. Why would I do this program, and spend the entire however many weeks/months not doing what my coach asked me to do? As a coach, I know how frustrating that is! Having clients who you spend time on and give your all to, but they just won’t do what you ask them to do. I would be a hypocrite. It’s like what Seth Godin (my favorite blogger) said,

“If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, then you don’t have the time to do it over.”

Because I am doing a nutrition plan that does not allow soy (which therefore does not allow Herbalife meal replacement shakes, except allergen-free, which is totally fine), I do not feel authentic when talking about it at this time. I get that some people will not understand this. That since I have been with Herbalife (and I am successful with it), I should only promote Herbalife, no matter what. And okay, I do get that for some people. But it doesn’t feel right in my heart promoting something that I am not currently doing. It is not authentic. It denies me integrity.

I will eventually introduce certain foods back into my diet, like my Herbalife shakes (trust me, I miss them!). I still love the products, I can still share about my experiences with them, and I still love the company. My current nutrition has nothing to do with Herbalife as a company or even a product. My current nutrition/situation has nothing to do with anyone or anything BUT ME.

I am still coaching clients. I am still building a team in Ohio. I feel good about the decision I’ve made, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. I just figured I’d clear a few things up. 🙂

I will be posting updates about my mental health coaching and GAPS diet weekly!

Bipolar Disorder Fitness Nutrition Personal

Health Coaches Need Coaching, Too; My Struggle With Sugar Addiction

April 14, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 28 Comments

As most of you are already aware, I am a health & fitness coach, and I also live with bipolar disorder. A couple weeks ago, I was talking with my psychiatrist, and he said to me,

“Lyndsay, you are always taking care of your clients and inspiring them. You’re taking care of the kids you babysit and the dogs you care for. It’s great, but let me ask you, who inspires you?“

A simple question, but it hit me hard. In that moment, I wanted to break down and cry. I absolutely LOVE what I do as a coach. The progress my clients make, the breakthroughs, helping others to live longer.. it’s absolutely amazing! I am in awe every day of how wonderful my clients and friends are. I love the feeling of being needed. I’m sure there is a specific reason behind that, but like Miss Maudie said in To Kill A Mockingbird, “All anyone wants is to feel needed.” My career brings me satisfaction, happiness, and hope.

But at the same time, I am giving all my energy to my clients, and completely neglecting myself. How can I be a good coach/mentor if I am not taking care of my mind and body? Who can I go to when I am not feeling strong? When I need inspiration, motivation, and help with my nutrition? Yes, I know a good amount about health, nutrition, and fitness, but I don’t know it all.

As much as I don’t want to admit this, I am going to, because honesty is incredibly important. Not only for the people you’re talking to, but also for yourself. I have a sugar addiction. Like a hardcore, legit, anxiety-fueled addiction to sugar. I have dealt with this on and off throughout most of my life, but when I get incredibly stressed, I lose control completely.

I have felt myself slowly spiraling out of control over the past two months. Poor nutrition, poor fitness, poor mental health. It is a vicious cycle. I feel sad/stressed, so I want to eat something that will release dopamine and endorphins, so I eat sugar (it’s comforting). But the comedown from that sugar causes me to feel depressed/anxious/stressed… and the cycle continues.

This photo represents the cycle of addiction. Any addiction. Did you know sugar addiction is similar to heroin addiction? It is very, very real.

This is specifically what happens in your body when you consume sugar. Endless, awful cycle.

You know how they say that people come into your life for a reason, and at the perfect time? It’s amazing! I was searching through blogs and stumbled upon Lifelong Wellness Coaching with Nellie Russell. I originally found her through her blog, Bipolar Out Loud, and saw that she offers mental health coaching. It’s something I’ve never considered, but something I definitely wanted to try. It’s similar to therapy, but I also get a meal plan catered to me and my physical/mental health issues.. plus Nellie has bipolar disorder as well, so she totally gets me. It’s a little different getting life coaching from someone who lives with what you live with, as opposed to someone who only studied it. Totally not discounting what therapists do, but it’s just a different experience.

My first session was tonight, and oh my gosh, I already feel like a new person. I have hope again. I don’t feel stressed (and I’ve been stressed ALL day.. hellooo taxes). It feels so good to allow myself to be the client, and to go into a coaching program with an open mind. I get so caught up in helping other people transform their lives (which again, I LOVE), that I forget to transform my own life. I am excited for what these sessions bring, and I am excited to improve my life. Physical and mental health go hand-in-hand, and it is time for me take full control of them both!

Have you ever dealt with any type of food addiction? If so, how did you get through it?
If you are a coach (or in any profession like it), how do you stay inspired? Who helps you?