Some words from Mum

You hear from me all the time.  But, when it comes down to it, I’m not the one who has experienced depression first hand.  So I asked Mum to write a few sentences on anything about her illness that she is happy to share.

Below is what Mum wrote, both about the times she was extremely unwell, and about how she feels today.

“Bipolar disorder has impacted on me and my family big time.  It must have been ghastly for my husband and children in a household clouded by this serious mental illness and in hindsight, my many hospital admissions must have been well-earned respite for them!  Not even the low-point of being made redundant from the part-time job I enjoyed and was good at, in part because I was on sick leave too often and had ‘mood issues’, made me accept that I had a problem.

“Over the years I’ve passed across the files of heaps of psych professionals, but a turning point was being assigned to a psychiatrist, psychologist and community health nurse that I got on with, could trust and would listen to.  Maybe too, I’d finally realised that this competitive, high-achieving woman who’d assumed she could control her life herself, would always need medications and support from psych professionals.  Realising that family and friends weren’t actually ‘getting at me’, but trying to help was a big step towards where I am now too.  THANKYOU, I LOVE YOU!

“Being well enough now to resume part-time work is a big milestone and has given me a new sense of worth, normality and friends.  With my improved mood stability, acceptance of my illness and increased self-confidence, I’ve gradually opened up and it’s amazing how accepting everyone ‘out there’ is.  I’m not the nutter I thought I was.

“Feeling good about yourself and improving your self-esteem is a big issue for mental health patients and a good way to help that is engaging in sport.  It’s a well-known fact that the endorphins released during sport are good, natural mood-boosters.  Sport is a major part of my life and many of my achievements have been in the sports arena, mostly mountain biking and running, both for pleasure and competitively.  It’s easy for those with psychiatric problems to concentrate on their failures which may be overwhelming, but with exercise, you’re an immediate success – you’re doing it!”

Keep well,

Paddi Hodgkiss (Rotorua, NZ)

With Mum, April 2011

There are a couple of affirmations I regularly remind myself of:

“The door of opportunity won’t open unless you do some pushing”.

“What you can dream you can do, begin it”. (Johann von Goethe)

The things that female clients worry about…..

As a trainer, the majority of my clients are female.  Most are clients are driven to be fit, to be healthy and to be the best the can.  However, there are 2 big misconceptions I’ve come accross:

1. I don’t want to do too much strength training, because I don’t want to bulk up.

2. I eat really well (low-fat, limited red meat, loads of fruit……)

Which is why I went in search of relevant articles to put everyone back on track.  They’re both short, so take a few minutes to read these articles and see if they make sense to you.  At the end of them, you should feel ready for a better balanced approach to both training & diet – enjoy!

Why weight training won’t make females bulk-up

This article gives us 10 reasons why female athletes can’t and won’t bulk up like men (or like the heavily supplemented females you see in body building magazines).  As females, we have far more to gain from a bit of strength training than we have to lose.  It’ll help us to:

1. Raise our resting metabolic rate, meaning we burn more fat

2. Create better tone (in conjunction with a balanced diet)

3. Prevent or delay the onset of osteoporosis

4. Reduce the risk of several injuries

Read on to find out more…….  Female_athletes

Why a low-fat diet won’t make you lose weight

This article is a great overview of diet fact vs fantasy.  I decided several years ago to follow a few slightly different diet principles:

1. Cook using cocnut oil.  Olive oil is less stable, so is actually bad for us when it is heated.

2. Don’t be scared of proteins and fats.  They keep us fuller for longer, so we end up eating less.

3. Eat less fruit.  It’s sugar.  If you really want to snack on fruit, combine it with cheese or yoghurt.  Ideally, you’d get most of your vitamins from vegetables.

4. Fake food is no good.  Real food will always keep your more satisfied – studies show that people eating ‘fake’ foods (low-fat, artificial sweetners etc) have more cravings and end up eating more total calories.

5. Never eat just carbs.  We’ve been brainwashed by cereal producers that we need cereal for breakfast.  Think outside the square – eggs, avocado, cottage cheese – all great ways to start the day.

My weight and body fat have been more consistent since I’ve been following these principles and it’s easier to enjoy a more varied diet.  It never feels like I’m trying to be healthy, I just eat real food.  Read the short article for more of an insight into these principles and more, you’re bound to pick up something new…. Food facts and fantasies

Success!!  We’ve found a circus school willing to work with us for our launch event.  I wonder what is going to happen on September 1st? Watch this space…..