CASSIE STICKLAND Blog

After years of over indulgences and very little exercise at only 33 years old it was already starting to catch up with me. For the past few years I have been suffering from depression and as such formed terrible sleeping and eating patterns. As a mother of three with a husband that works away for weeks at a time, a good sleep was something I could only hope for, so when my Dr encouraged exercise as a way to help my depression, I thought "add that onto the list", I was always busing looking after the kids not one to sit around but exercise for me consisted of running in from outside the house to answer the phone and even that left me breathless! Sleep deprived and lethargic I began using food to try and make myself feel better and it wasn't good food I was reaching for but anything high in sugar and fat, anything to give me some energy to cope with the daily demands of raising three kids and running a household. Although instead of making me feel better I ended up feeling worse and even more depressed, it was a vicious merry go round that I couldn't seem to get off.

The turnaround came after opening up to a close friend of mine who runs her own online personal training business http://www.getactiveonline.com. I explained how I was feeling and she encouraged me to try a 12 week program. She told me I would be amazed at just how good you will feel. It helped knowing how much exercise has helped Hilde fight off depression and realizing I wasn't the only one out there who suffers from it, I actually started to believe that maybe I could actually feel better and it was time for me to finally do something for myself!

So with the support of my amazing husband and three beautiful kids I started a program, I was both excited but also really nervous about not wanting to let anyone down, could I really do this? Could I finish what I started? But with the help of Hilde & constant support and encouragement along the way I quickly learnt some good eating habits and exercise patterns that fitted in with my busy schedule of raising a family. It wasn't long before all of those negative thoughts became positive ones and I realized how important exercise was, not only for my health & fitness but for my mind! I couldn't believe how much better I was feeling.

There were times when it was hard to keep going, I got sick, then the kids got sick and it all seemed too hard but with Hilde's reassurance that no one is perfect and it's about doing the best you can each day I just kept going. I noticed that as I changed and became happier so did my kids and husband, I finally realized that it's not selfish to look after yourself and taking some time for me actually benefited the whole family.

I now have become a great role model for my children, we all eat healthier and exercise regularly. You see it's not just about how you look but how you feel and no new outfit or chocolate donut could ever make me feel like I do now! If you have any doubt whatsoever like I did and think you can't do it, you are so wrong anybody can do it, you just need to make a decision and do it, it really is life changing. If you need help, get an online trainer, get your families support and believe you can do it. I now not only have a healthy body but I also have a healthy mind!

Posted By Hilde on Saturday 15th November 2008 @ 21:40:07

Updated : Saturday 15th November 2008 @ 21:40:07 | Words : 623 | Views : 101 | Comments : 0

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