Struggling with Obsessive Fitness Habits - Need Advice
Hi everyone,
I'm hoping to get some advice about maintaining a healthier relationship with fitness and wellness.
I'm Isabel, 28 years old, and I've been really focused on health and fitness for the past 5+ years. I started with yoga and running, but got really into strength training and HIIT workouts over time.
Lately I've realized my habits have become quite obsessive. I meticulously track all my meals and macros, feel guilty if I miss a workout, and push myself to extremes during exercise. Last month I injured my shoulder from overtraining, but kept working out anyway. I've also been dealing with fatigue and brain fog from the intense regimen.
I'm trying to scale back to 3-4 workouts a week and be less rigid with my diet. But mentally, I'm still fixated on fitness goals and my ideal body. On rest days I just obsess over my next workout or meal plan.
I want to find more balance and enjoyment in life beyond just fitness. If anyone has dealt with similar struggles, I'd really appreciate advice on diversifying interests and having a healthier mindset. I'm exhausted from being so strict and neurotic about my routine.
Thanks in advance for any insights!
How to maintain a friendship with different social needs?
I'm Isabel (32F) and I've been friends with a former coworker (35M) for about 2 years now. We used to be very close, talking daily and hanging out often. But over time, his communication and availability have decreased significantly. He says he's just busy with work and naturally introverted, but I've noticed he still makes time for other friends. When I brought this up, he said my expectations as a friend were higher than his. Now I find myself initiating most of our interactions. I understand he's gone through some life changes recently with moving and a new job. But I'm not used to friendships where one person does all the reaching out. It makes me feel desperate sometimes. I'm torn between continuing to make the effort to maintain our friendship and lowering my expectations, or distancing myself. Has anyone dealt with a similar friendship dynamic? How do you balance different social needs in a friendship? I'd appreciate any advice on how to approach this situation in a healthy way.
Hi everyone, I've been dealing with pretty bad seasonal allergies lately and was wondering if anyone has tried natural supplements like quercetin or fisetin to help manage symptoms? I'm trying to avoid relying too heavily on antihistamines and was curious if these have made a noticeable difference for others during allergy season. Would love to hear about your experiences!
Seeking simple, nutrient-dense meals for weight loss
Hi everyone! I'm looking for recommendations on easy, nutritious meal ideas that can help with weight loss while ensuring I get plenty of essential nutrients. As someone who's trying to improve my health and fitness, I'd love to hear your suggestions for balanced, satisfying meals that are simple to prepare. What are your go-to healthy recipes or meal combos that pack a nutritional punch without being overly complicated? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone, Isabel here. I'm really struggling with my sleep lately and wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, especially related to COVID.
I'm 35 years old and have always been a good sleeper. I'd wake up maybe once a night briefly, but overall slept deeply and felt refreshed in the morning. I exercise regularly and try to maintain good sleep hygiene.
But starting last spring, my sleep suddenly changed. Now it feels more like I'm in a light meditative state all night rather than truly sleeping. I'm aware of noises and movements around me. If someone woke me, I could easily answer questions. I don't feel like I'm getting restorative deep sleep anymore.
I've seen several doctors and even had a sleep study done, but they can't find anything obviously wrong. My bloodwork is normal. I've tried all the usual advice - no screens before bed, consistent bedtime, avoiding alcohol, etc. Nothing seems to help.
The strange thing is, I fall asleep easily. It's staying asleep deeply that's the problem. I wake up feeling unrefreshed, and it's impacting my energy and focus during the day.
Has anyone else experienced a sudden change in sleep quality like this, especially around the time COVID hit? I'd love to hear if you've found anything that helps. Feel free to comment or message me. Thanks in advance for any insights!
