I was talking to Adam, my personal trainer, about my struggles with depression and the newly discovered fact that I seem to be able to influence that with my diet. ( When I am not taking my vitamin supplements and my green smoothies with a banana, I feel a major difference in my depression and anxiety levels. ) Adam suggested I add more Vit. D to my diet. (“D” for Depression?–how fitting) Coincidentally, today I received something in my inbox about the importance of vit. D, adding that we should supplement with Vit.D3 specifically, as opposed to D2. Interesting. Checked my vitamins and they contain D3. I also came across a book on depression that has a lot of info on using nutrition to fight depression. Just feeling too depressed to read it.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14, 2010 at 6:39 pm (Green Smoothies, health, Physical & Mental Energy, Physical Exercise)
Tags: bodybugg, cardio, depression, engagement ring, green smoothie, Kinetix
My partner, Joey, gave me my gift a little early this year – a diamond solitaire engagement ring! It is beautiful and he chose the perfect white gold setting – very simple, the way I like it.
I haven’t had time to make my green smoothies and figure out how to balance them with enough protein for the Kinetix fitness program I am currently participating in so I picked up my anti-depression prescription today to keep me functioning. I need to try to figure this out so maybe I’ll ask for some help from my Kinetix coach.
In other news, the Bodybugg is keeping me on track with burning calories. At the end of my day yesterday I headed over to the gym to do some major cardio work in order to meet my minimum goal of burning 1900 calories each day.
Right now my watch tells me that I’ve only burned 1233 cal. for today but I am having pain from what feels like a pulled muscle in my back on the upper right side – right under the clavical. Every turn of my head is giving me pain right now. I’m going to apply some heat there and try to mix up some green smoothie to make me feel better.
Green Smoothies and Depression
February 2, 2010 at 10:39 am (Feel Good For Less, Green Smoothies, health, Physical & Mental Energy)
Tags: antidepressants, depression, green smoothies
Well, since I have been so focused on working out and trying to follow a specific meal plan as part of the fitness plan from my trainer, I have let go of the green smoothies for a while and am noticing how that is affecting me. My mood is getting darker and my life feels more chaotic. While I was drinking green smoothies everyday, I went off my antidepressants. I didn’t need them anymore. Rather than start taking them again, I will be more vigilant about making my green smoothie everyday, starting today. Just finished off a smoothie made of baby arugula, banana and pear. The pear was a bit too young and small so my smoothie wasn’t as sweet as I’d like but quite refreshing nonetheless.
Bananas
December 12, 2009 at 10:43 pm (Nutrition, Physical & Mental Energy, Uncategorized)
Tags: bananas, depression
Did you know that bananas can help you to fight depression?
Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of amino acid that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is critical to the development and treatment of depression and chronic anxiety. Many people suffering from depression report feeling much better after eating a banana.
Bananas are extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
