Having lost over 40kgs over a 30-week period, but ‘The Long Journey – 209 days’ tells a lot more of the reality of a huge effort and achievement. A much lighter, but also much wiser Maureen emerged. It was all worth it – she said.
The story of the battle of the mind is the focus of this letter; part 2 of our weight loss journey with Maureen from Ipswich, QLD.
We tell this part of Maureen’s story, because today is also World Mental Health Day. We hear from so many organisations, (see links to other stories at bottom of this episode) people and survivors how mental health impact on their and our lives (and off course our clients as well). We celebrate with World Mental Health Day Australia today and share with you our wonderful success with our client Maureen as she relates her mental journey…
“When I started The Natural Way, I did not realise that it was going to be a big part of helping to control my mental health and the way I look at my world.
I lost weight. I ate fresh healthy food. I felt awesome. I had lots of energy that I had not had for a long time. I walked. I ran. I exercised. I took natural, locally made herbal supplements. My body and mind felt good. And still does.
To boost your mental health, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables along with foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon. Dark leafy green vegetables in particular are brain protective.
Mental health for me is a mystery. Unknown, unfathomable. A scary beast that rears its ugly head when I least expect it. I don’t ask for it to come and visit. It is not welcome in my life nor my head. But it’s there.
I have suffered from anxiety for many years now and I took anti-depressants for quite a few years, and I was a continually happy person during that time. But then I stopped taking them. I did not want drugs because I started to believe that they were masking the problem.
My eating habits did not change, but my circumstances did (no prescription drugs). I ate a lot of crap, unhealthy comfort food. But I was content because my life was good. I was and am responsible for me and answerable to no one.
Until the day that I could not go to the Post Office. In fact, I could not step outside the front door of my house. There was no reason for this, no trigger. I sat on my favourite chair just inside my front door and cried. For about three hours. Then I just stopped. I went and did what I had to do and came home, and life went on.
This frightened me. I did not ask for it to happen and I could not explain why it did. But I set out to find solutions.
Can you see the pattern here?
When I put all the pieces together – The Natural Way taught me the healthy eating way, to regularly exercise, to take natural herbal formulations and I realised that these were my way of controlling my anxiety.
To be able to do the things that I want to do is the best feeling in the world. To be in control of what I put into my body and what I do with my body is even better than the best feeling in the world.
I have done some amazing things since I reached my goal weight about 18 months ago.
Of course, anxiety and mental health issues do not just disappear. I am stuck with them. However, I can control how my body and mind feel by what I put into them.”
The Natural Way has a holistic approach to long term weight management. Healthy eating plans, regular everyday exercising, helping the function of our body by taking natural herbal supplements, and individual coaching – and have been doing this since 1979. Maureen is testimony of what can be achieved with a good plan, dedication, hard work and tenacity. Improving your health, both physically and mentally by making better lifestyle choices. Want to learn more? – contact The Natural Way today – 1300SLIMMER (1300754 663), or the number you usually call for your consultant / stockist. Online go here:https://thenaturalway.com.au/about/
We have more to share – so Part 3 to follow in a week – can’t wait!
World Mental Health Day – October 10, 2024
Links: More stories https://worldmentalhealthday.com.au/stories/