motd Friday Aug 12, 2011 - Depression

[Guest guest]

DOWN IN THE DUMPS

Friday, 12 August 2011

It's

no secret that the majority of the mail I receive

comes from people who want to lose weight. And I'd

say that most of them who write have been trying to

lose weight their entire adult lives...or even

since their teen years. Many of their letters contain

a recurring theme and that is...they just can't

seem to lose the weight and keep it off.

They

also tell me how depressed they are and how

they spend most of their days in a state of

near-misery about their plights in life. Yes, these

people, almost everyday, end up down in the

dumps. Since they can't cope...they mope.

Hey, it's sad but true. They keep thinking and

thinking about the things that didn't work out or that

aren't working out in their lives. They're

haunted by their weight and the problems that come

with being overweight or obese.

I do get frustrated sometimes as I read their mail

because I just hate seeing them like this. I

try giving hugs and kisses to make them feel better.

And I remind them, There are things in your life

that you can change and yes, there are things in

your life that you can't change. You simply have to

do your best, working hard at those places in your

life where you can turn things around. But,

I'm sad to say, many people aren't willing to do the

work it takes to make those changes. And because they

don't, they end up depressed...everyday.

Well, that's no good, is it?

Look,

some of you may not believe this. But I get depressed

sometimes, too. Hey, I'm only human, ya' know. Those

times when a depressing thought enters my mind, I

don't give it time to settle in. I say to that

negative thought..."Shoo, shoo! I don't need you

in my head!" See, if I dwell on

those depressing thoughts, well, they can end up

putting me down in the dumps for the rest of

my day. And I don't have time for that!

You've got to do what I do when I get depressed. And

what's that? You really wanna know? Well...I

exercise! That's right. I get myself up, put

on some hot music and...away I go! I'm

telling you, nothing helps chase the negative thoughts

out of my head like a good round of sweatin'. Oh,

there's just something about singing and dancing to

some of your favorite music. I know it always picks me

up! And I don't exercise for only a few minutes

either. I put in 45 minutes to a full hour of working

out. Talk about sweatin' the blues away!

Now

why do you think exercise helps clear your mind of

depressing thoughts? Well, it's because exercise

releases positive endorphins in your brain that make

you feel upbeat and positive. And here's the best

part, after you've finished a good workout, you have a

feeling of real accomplishment. You feel like you've

done something positive for yourself and, you know

what? You have! Look, I don't want you

down in the dumps. It's not gonna help your lumps!

Did I make you laugh? I hope so because, when you

laugh, you don't have time to feel depressed!

Love,