Hello again, everybody.

[Systematic Chaos]

I've just had a pretty tough week and I'm finally coming out of it. Between hurricane Katrina, and the fact that my wife lost her job last Tuesday my head has been spinning. I really don't fault her for losing the job, because it was a low-wage cashiering thing at a gas station, dealing with idiots all day long. I'm trying to convince her to check out some of the security agencies and see if she can get a job as a night watchman at some office building or what have you, so she won't have to deal with so many people. We'll see.

I really didn't exercise much at all because I was in too much of a funk to even want to be out in public, and working in a party atmosphere like I do when millions of people's lives are so badly affected is just surreal, and not very enjoyable. I'm coming out of it though, and I'm going to be making some changes to my routine to ensure that I'm eating better and not reverting to old patterns like I did this past few days. I didn't overeat too badly, but my food choices were mostly way out of the acceptable range. Depression does that to me, but I seem to be more resilient lately, which is good.

I hope you have all been doing well and feeling okay. :hi:

[Longhorn]

1. Your success is measured not by whether or not you have lapses

-- because you will -- but whether or not you get back on track afterwards.

So consider yourself a success! And I hope things start looking up again, too. Good luck to your wife in finding another job, maybe even something she enjoys! :hi:

[Droopy]

2. Sorry to hear about the job situation

I work around a lot of security guards and from what I can gather there are good posts and there are shitty posts. The guards that work the front gates at the factories I go to have it pretty good even though they don't make a lot of money. The job isn't too tough. Then there are the guards that watch our trucking terminal at night. The terminal is located in a very rough, poverty-stricken neighborhood and there have been incidences of violence and theft there. Those guards probably make better money than their factory counterparts, but it's a lot more dangerous. I know one of them has gotten beaten up and had to go to the hospital. Now I think we have armed security.

As the first poster said, just get get back on your bike and ride. I've faltered a few times as well over the last month and a half, but I kept going and now I'm making good progress.

[MissMillie]

3. Try to keep up w/ the exercise

I found that after developing a routine w/ my exercise that when life got funky, I had my exercise to keep me feeling "normal". Just as I rely on my family and friends to keep me sane when times get tough, I now rely on my workouts. Remember that a good endorphin rush every day can help fight off depression.

I hope things get better soon. Let me know if I can help.

[AlCzervik]

4. I'm sorry to hear about your wifes job. that sucks.

but please don't get down on yourself, you making progress and remember, all of us didn't gain this overnight, it's gonna take us all time to lose it. Big changes happen incrementally sometimes.

:hug:

[auntAgonist]

5. Glad to see

you posting again! Everyone else has offered so much. Don't be hard on yourself.

Today is another chance to start over.

:hug:

[u4ic]

6. Hi Gentle Giant!

I'm so sorry that your wife lost her job. :-( Good luck to her in her future pursuits.

My eating habits changed last week, as well...I felt sick all week. Us 'sensitives' have to watch the news in moderation, I think, in times like this. It really gets to us.

Glad to hear you're back on track. :hi:

[lavenderdiva]

7. Hey, Gentle Giant...

I'm soo so sorry to hear about your wife's situation. That sucks. I hope a new and far better situation opens up soon for her!

Sometimes you have to be kind and understanding with yourself, when you are dealt blows like this. Reacting as you did was perfectly normal, yet it sounds that you didn't go waaayyyy overboard. You are getting yourself back on track, and recognizing certain symptoms and dealing with them.

Glad to see you posting on this, and getting it out of your system! Keep up your good work; you've accomplished so much so far!

[Systematic Chaos]

8. I just replaced my bike seat so I can do my rides again.

My bike seat broke a few days ago, and I couldn't buy a new one until yesterday (Friday). These things just aren't made for riders my size, so the little clamps that hold them together break and there is no way to find replacements easily.

But, at least now I'm good to go again, for a while, and I can start getting my morning rides again. Also, we're going to the salad bar daily now so that will help a lot.