I am a qualified Nutrition Coach and Zumba Instructor. As well as this, I have personally lost over 20kg on my own weight loss journey. The aim of my site is to share some of the insight I have picked up by making every mistake there is along the way.
This week Fitty talks about the benefits and limitations of mindfulness. Fatty gives us some advice for dealing with bereavement during the holiday period. Thanks for listening xxx
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I talk a lot about my dog Annie. She’s a seven year old German Shepherd and she is one of the great loves of my life. She is the sweetest creature. Full of fun, boisterous, incredibly loving and unbelievably smart. Too smart at times. I could swear she understand every word we say. She is also acutely sensitive. In the years she has been in my life, she has taught me so much.
Occasionally though, and usually because of other stuff going on with me, I lose my temper with her. I snap, tell her she’s a bad dog and instruct her to go to bed. What happens next is both hilarious and heart breaking.
She is never quite sure what she has done wrong, but she understands that momma is mad, and she wants to make it better. She instantly starts cycling through her repertoire of tricks. Sitting, giving first one paw and then the other. Bestowing kisses, lying down and then going back to sitting. She will repeat this sequence, hoping to hit on the one that will make everything alright. She will only stop when I tell her she’s a good girl, give her a cuddle and let her know momma’s not mad anymore.
The funniest part of this, is that I have realised lately I do the exact same thing. When I go into a situation where there’s an atmosphere, I am compelled to try to fix it. When I am in contact with someone in a bad mood, I have an unquenchable desire to try to make them feel better.
Most of the time, this has the exact opposite affect. We all know there’s nothing more annoying than someone trying to cheer us up when we just want to work through whatever is going on by ourselves. Preferably in silence.
On a rational level I understand this, but some old instinct kicks in and makes me feel unsafe. The negative energy charges the room with a sense of the unpredictable and I am never quite able to relax. In short, I have the emotional intelligence of my dog!
A lot of us grow up pleasing and perfecting. Collecting gold stars and praise for being a good little girl. For being sweet. We perform to make others happy, finding safety in their smiles. Most of us grow out of this behaviour in adolescence. I seem to have skipped over that step.
I am deep into my third decade on this planet and I still have this innate desire to smooth everything over. As often as I tell myself your mood is nothing to do with me, I will still try to “fix” it. As much as I know your silence and withdrawal could have a million motivations, I will still find a way to take it personally. I will sit, give the paw and roll over until such time as I feel like order has been restored.
The irony is, doing so will most likely alienate you or make you think I am a crazy lady.
There is great power in self awareness. Now that I know I do this, I can try to stop myself from diving head first into every drama I encounter. Other peoples’ moods are none of my business and I am certainly not responsible for altering them. This is going to require a herculean effort on my part, because just sitting in the discomfort, without trying to do something about it is completely alien to me.
Just like Annie, I am too sensitive for my own good. Getting a thicker skin is most likely not going to happen at this stage, but I can stop putting my hand out to be slapped. I can stop taking on the problems of the world as if they were my own.
Let’s hope I can pick up new tricks just as easily as Annie can. Be well xxx
This week Fitty talks about Contagious Negativity and how to avoid it. Fatty talks about the sleep deprivation she is suffering as a single mom and how it can affect you. Thanks for listening xxx
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This week on the show Fitty talks about the coaching relationship and choosing the right coach for you. Fatty talks about PMS and tells us about some foods which can help with symptoms.
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This week Fitty talks about loneliness and social isolation. While Fatty gives us some tips to tackle food waste. Thanks for listening
https://fittyandfatty.podbean.com/e/fitty-and-fatty-s2-ep42-loneliness-and-food-waste/
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On this week’s episode Fitty talks about the problem with perfectionism while Fatty has some recipes for DIY beauty products. Thanks for listening xxx
https://fittyandfatty.podbean.com/e/fitty-and-fatty-s2-ep41-positivity-and-diy-beauty-products/
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Last weekend my best friend and I boarded a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Glasgow. We were on our way to see P!NK. We had tried and failed to get tickets for her Dublin show, so my friend’s husband treated us to tickets for the show in Scotland.
The trip was organised months ago, and I should have been eagerly anticipating it. But, as often happens with these things, the closer it got, the more the little gremlins inside my head started piping up. Saying things like “work is so busy right now, I can’t really afford the time off.” Or “my house is a tip, I could really do with getting it sorted out.”
There was never a chance that I was going to cancel, but these nagging thoughts threatened to ruin the experience for me before it had even begun. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go. It was that anxiety or apathy was trying to find an excuse for me to stay home. Because let’s face it, that’s always the easier option!
As soon as we arrived at the airport and ordered a drink I started to relax. All the annoying niggles began to fade away. The weekend was a great success. The show itself was amazing, and we had a blast for the whole weekend. We sampled Glasgow’s gay bars and casinos. Neither of which we had actually set out to do. Furthermore, it reminded me of a few important things.
My travel companion has been my best friend since we were 16. That’s not today or yesterday! We have literally been through everything together. From family drama to being bridesmaid at each other’s wedding. She knows me better than I know myself at times.
In recent weeks, I had been feeling a little sad. There wasn’t anything specific I could put this down to. But I suspect being in therapy had made me a bit raw. Last week in particular, I was struggling and the only way I can think of describing it is as being heart sick. The feeling of unexplained loss and unnamed longing.
Spending 48 hours in the company of someone who knows me so well and loves me warts and all has been like a balm. As we stood among tens of thousands of people, singing tunelessly and drinking Tennants out of plastic glasses, I began to feel like myself again.
It’s becoming obvious to me that when we are at our lowest, being around people who just get us is so important. They don’t need to do anything or say anything, other than offer to hold your drink while you pop to the loo. When you feel that you are barely able to recognise yourself, it helps to be reassured that you are still who you used to be.
As we waited to board our flight home yesterday evening, I was tired from two late nights, and perhaps a tiny bit too much alcohol. But deep down I felt revived. Being in a new city, having a change of scene and getting away from it all, had restored me. Had we gone to the Dublin concert, it would have been the same artist, and the same show. The effect, however, would have been different. It would not have been a “new” experience and could not have been so uplifting. The mind loves novelty and it thrives on it.
Also, we often underestimate how much confidence can be gained from doing something new. Navigating a strange city and managing the logistics can make you feel very accomplished. (Remind me to tell you about getting lost in Rome another time!)
One of the reasons I am in counselling is because I am having what I am calling an “Existential Crisis.” I am trying to figure out my purpose in life and what I want to do when I grow up. I find myself thinking “there has to be more to life than this” on a regular basis.
This issue is exacerbated by my awareness that I am not getting any younger. I will be 38 this year, and I can’t help feeling like it’s all getting away from me. I am sure a lot of people go through this as they approach midlife, and it is a season that will eventually pass.
Until that happens, it is really nice to be reminded that I am still capable of having fun. That I am not too old to try new things or to enjoy myself. It was so lovely to see traces of my younger self alive and well. Maybe it’s not too late?
It turns out that as much as I tried to talk myself out of this trip, it was exactly what I needed. The next time you find yourself thinking that you can’t be bothered to do something fun, or telling yourself it’s too much hassle, ask yourself, “is this my anxiety talking?” “Am I stuck in a rut?” Try to figure out what exactly is making you feel that way. If you genuinely don’t want to do the thing, that’s fine. However, if it’s a case that avoiding adventure has become your default, challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone.
Unfortunately, when we are struggling, we are often tempted to pull away from people and avoid trying new things. This only leads to greater feelings of isolation and boredom, which in turn breed further struggle. It’s a vicious cycle and one that can seem impossible to get out of when you are in the middle of it. I try to think of it is as bicycle wheel spinning. All it takes is a small rod in the spokes to interrupt it.
Of course two nights away hasn’t solved all my problems. I still don’t have the answers. However, I have been given a glimpse of what lies beyond this, and the assurance that if I can keep persuading myself to put one foot in front of the other, I will eventually get there. In short, I feel better and you can’t put a price on that. Be well xxx
https://fittyandfatty.podbean.com/e/fitty-and-fatty-ep36-saying-no-depression/
This week we talk about how important it is to learn how to say no and ask for help. We also take a close look at depression.
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In this week’s episode we talk about the role habits play in getting you towards your goal. We also take a close look at anxiety.
Thanks for listening!
https://fittyandfatty.podbean.com/e/fitty-and-fatty-ep35-habits-and-anxiety/
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Straight out of the gate, I am going to let you know that this is not the type of article I usually write. Normally, I am very careful to avoid voicing my political opinions on this blog. I try to stay in my lane as it were. Gun violence is definitely not my usual scope. However, a headline caught my attention this morning that made my heart hurt. It had such an affect on me, that I cannot stay silent. It was this.
“Florida lawmakers to approve bill allowing teachers to be armed.”
There is so much wrong with these ten words, that I scarcely know where to begin.
Gun violence is a huge problem in America. It’s a problem I thought I understood the scale of, until I went to research this piece. In the month of April alone, there were 35 mass shootings. That is more than 1 per day. I struggle to wrap my mind around this, as I scan the seemingly unending list of numbered but unnamed victims. So far this year, 120 people have lost their lives in mass shooting events. Hundreds more have been injured.
I don’t know why this phenomenon has come about. In the 20 years since Columbine, mass shootings have become literally a daily event. I can’t tell you why this is. Neither can I speculate as to why this seems to be a uniquely American problem. I don’t know what the answer is. I do, however, know what the answer is not. More guns.
The idea that the solution to gun violence is more guns, is akin to thinking the obesity crisis can be solved with more cheese burgers. It is ludicrous.
As I read this story on the RTE website, I felt my stomach turn. My morning coffee soured on my tongue. I experienced a deep sense of foreshadowing, and all I could think was how long will it be before we see a headline reading “Florida teacher shoots unarmed student.”
I understand that, as Americans, your right to bear arms is protected under your constitution. Similarly, I understand that a lot of you are fiercely protective of this right. For many American people guns are a part of life. But what about your child’s rights?
Surely a child’s right to be educated without terror should be just as inalienable. It makes me incredibly sad to think of the lasting impact the trauma of gun violence will have on the survivors. However, the ripple effect goes far farther than I think we realise yet.
The kids in school now are the first generation of children who have had to deal with this crisis as part of their reality. They are the first who have had to practice drills, and make their way through metal detectors. They are constantly reminded that the threat of violence is very real. I honestly cannot imagine trying to survive in such a high stress situation. Let alone trying to learn in it.
These kids are in their formative years. The time spent sitting in classrooms and fooling around in the hallways will absolutely shape the adults they will become. How can they hope to grow into trusting, whole hearted adults when they spend the years between 5 and 18 facing clear and present danger every single day? Your children are growing up in a warzone. Unfortunately, there will be no refugee status for them.
On March 15th, New Zealand had a mass shooting incident of its own. Within one week, their Prime Minister had taken steps to ban automatic weapons. America, and in particular Florida, seems to be taking the exact opposite approach. Putting guns in the hands of those who may never ordinarily have owned them.
Teachers, educators, those responsible for nurturing your young child’s mind and imagination. Those responsible for empowering your son or daughter to reach their potential, will now be able to literally end their life. I have dealt with angry, bad tempered teachers in my time, but I never had to worry about them shooting me.
It is not a question of if an innocent child gets caught in the crossfire, or if a stressed-out teacher mistakes a child reaching for a cell phone for an attack. It is a question of when. Under the new legislation, teachers would be required to undertake 144 hours of training before carrying guns, but that doesn’t reassure me.
The internet is littered with “Florida Man” memes. We all like to joke about the crazy, surreal things that go on there. Somehow, I don’t think that particular Florida Man headline would evoke the same response.
There is a saying that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now. Some would argue that American gun laws should have been tightened up on April 21st 1999. I would count myself among them. However, it’s not too late. The time to to speak up and take whatever action we can, is now.
This outrageously wanton loss of life is becoming part of our culture, we cannot allow ourselves to be numb to it. We need to stand up and fight for every child’s right to come home from school. We owe them that much at least. Be well xxx