emily97

Open Celiac Disease

I was diagnose with a Gluten Intolerance at age 22. When I explain to people what it is they seem understanding, yet I do sometimes encounter those who feel like I am making it up. I wish I were making it up. Then food would be a lot cheaper. So I try to eat bread, again. A few hours later I'm already regretting it. And this lasts until the next day, at least.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

I avoid anything with Gluten. I memorized the list of major Gluten contributing ingredients, and I avoid buying or eating those foods. I'm not crazy about it. Meaning, I don't avoid foods with that yellow food coloring or anything, especially if that ingredient is last on the list. Then, it usually doesn't bother me.

Gluten Free Diet Working / Worked

See my description for avoiding certain foods...it applies to this, also.

Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I was diagnosed with chronic major depression when I was still in high school, but I'm not so sure this was the correct diagnosis, anymore. Since I've been off my depression medication, I've actually been quite content with life and myself. The times when I do feel depressed is more out of frustration because of my inability to focus or any of the other symptoms associated with ADD.

Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Considering

I've been wanting a therapist to work on this approach with me for sometime, now. Unfortunately, I've never been able to find someone who actually does. I'm sure if I could afford a good therapist this might be much easier. Unfortunately, this lack of funds is also what is contributing to my depression, so if I could afford it, then I might not need it any longer.

Effexor Working / Worked

When I first started taking effexor xr, it seemed to work fine as long as I didn't suddenly discontinued usage like the time I forgot to take it for a few days and became suicidal. After a while, however, the tiny bit of nausea I felt while on it escalated. The nausea became unbearable so I discontinued use at the recommendation of my doctor.

Lexapro Not Working

Hated this. It made me so drowsy all the time.

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Practicing Yoga is a form of meditation for me. It really does contribute to a feeling of well-being and self-assurance when I practice it on a regular basis. However, as you might already be able to tell, practicing something regularly and consistently is the hardest thing for me to do. I really need someone to remind me to do it or to push me towards it.

Paxil Not Working

Did nothing for me, but I really couldn't consistently take it long enough to tell.

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

When I'm able to recognize my negative thoughts for what they are, then positive thinking is useful; however, there are times, without medication, when I am completely unable to see my own negative thinking patterns.

Prozac Working / Worked

Did nothing for me, but I didn't take it consistently long enough to tell.

Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful

I can never afford to see one councilor consistently enough to derive any benefit from the visits.

Support from Friends & Family Somewhat Helpful

I really don't want to be co-dependent on medication or other people. I don't like turning to others in weakness, especially when they cannot turn to me in their times of weakness. It sort of makes me feel worse about myself. I can't help thinking how everything is going so great for them, but not me. And I can't help wondering what kinds of judgments they are making about me behind their words of support and encouragement. I'd rather seek out support from strangers.

Wellbutrin Working / Worked

This seemed to work ok. I took Welbutril XL for a while with no horrible side-effects or anything. It just didn't help me with anxiety, concentration, and hyper-focus issues.

Zoloft Somewhat Helpful

Seemed ok for a while, but while on it I really felt like I was almost living in another dimension. It made me pretty numb or almost lacking any sort of feeling at all.

Open Diets & Weight Maintenance

I try to eat healthy because I don't feel that diets can actually work for the long-term. Unfortunately, with all the food additives, preservative, and extra large portions of food, this has become increasingly difficult. This means, I am breaking-down. I'm attempting to diet. And if I fall off the band-wagon, it's ok as long as I get right back on...

Treatments

Counting Calories Working / Worked

Part of the portion control and eating healthy also involved counting calories. The first few days, I felt so hungry all the time. It was very difficult to stick to my diet, but then I felt this mental clarity, and it became easier - more like a habit. After falling ill to the stomach bug, however, my body needed to refuel and i listened. Now I'm back to square one.

Eating Healthier Foods Working / Worked

So far this approach has worked for most of my life, but I'm approaching 30, and my body make-up is changing. Even though I always try to eat-healthy, it's not enough to keep-off the fat on my hips, but, and thighs. I need to start counting calories on top of the eating healthy approach.

Eat Less Too Soon to Tell

I started combining me eating healthy approach by preparing all of my meals in advance in order to have better control over my portions and the types of food going into my body. After the first three days, I saw fat melt off of my stomach, but after a week an d a half, I couldn't see any other changes but a slight reduction in ass size...and I mean very slight. Then, I became ill, and hardly ate anything at all for two-three days. Once better, I just ate what I could to gain my strength back.

Physical Exercise Working / Worked

I used to work out three hours a day, five to six days a week. Now, I'm lucky if I work out/run or do some strenuous physical activity two days a week for an hour. I'd like support in increasing the amount of time I spend on physical activity.

Open Female Sexual Issues

I'm not sure if this is the support group for me or not, but i like having sex a little bit too much. And I am not as discriminate as I should be in choosing my sexual partners.

Open Financial Challenges

How do I make this work when I just don't have enough money coming in...?

Treatments

Budgeting Considering

Cut Up Credit Cards Not Working

This doesn't work long term. Eventually, I just order new ones to be sent to my house. Did it work for you?

Earn Money Somewhat Helpful

I think that this would be more helpful if I had a job that would pay my minimum bills, then I could get a second to pay for discretionary spending.

Open Fitness Goals
Type: Be the best you can be

I would like to have a better reason for getting into shape than simply just obtaining that swimsuit body. I need a challenge. The swimsuit body is not motivation enough.

Treatments

Aerobics Working / Worked

I love aerobics. The time just flies when you are jumping around with a room full of other sweaty people. It is a great cardio work-out. Fun, Too! Too bad I had to cancel my gym membership.

Dancing Working / Worked

Excellent for cardio, strength, and flexibility. I'd love to take a ballroom dance class and a latin dance class but these things cost money...

Elliptical Trainer Not Working

I've done this in the past, and I felt that it was way too easy and boring. i think that people who spend too much time on this stupid machine are fooling themselves into thinking they are actually working out.

Hiking Somewhat Helpful

Love it, but there are not too many challenging places to hike in Illinois on a consistent enough basis for this to be useful/helpful to me right now.

Kickboxing Considering

I would love to take a real kick-boxing class, where the class is more about training to fight than just getting a work-out. This could be fun and challenging.

Martial Arts Not Working

Tried in the past. I don't have the patience for this. I can't stand the katas. I need more action such as sparring with others or actually training to fight. I just can't visialize striking someone by practicing a kata.

Pilates Working / Worked

Yes, to an extent it works. Unfortunately, I don't think any diet or any amount of exercise will get rid of my huge thighs. They will just become stronger and maybe even bigger. Exercise and diet cannot change genetics. When you find me something that can do that, they you will find a very happy girl.

Rollerblading Considering

Fun. By itself, I don't think this would be enough to get me into shape, but it is easier on the knees than running.

Running Working / Worked

Great for cardio. Great for your heart-rate, but running alone is not enough to shed the excess body-fat. At least, it is not enough for me to shed this excess body-fat. I need to combine it with strength training or weight training.

Strength Training Working / Worked

Definitely works if done on a consistent basis. I need to get into a more consistent routine. Right now, it is too sporadic and all I get are the negative side-effects of soreness...

Swimming Working / Worked

Excellent cardio work-out that also increases strength. I wish that I had an olympic-size pool to do laps in without having to pay a huge gym membership fee....ahhhh... i miss my gym membership. Can you tell?

Weight Training Working / Worked

Same comments as for strength training.

Yoga Working / Worked

How did yoga not make this list? It is excellent for strength training and flexibility. Not to mention that there are obvious mental benefits to practicing yoga. And Ive even seen a change in the length of my legmuscles which makes my legs appear longer and narrower. This is as close toa genetic change as I am going to get!

Open Healthy Relationships

don't we all want to meet that special someone and have a long, healthy relationship with him or her? i know that I do...I want it so badly I'm even willing to over-look the sex of the person. I'd also love to develop some close supportive friendships with people.

Treatments

Patience Not Working

I'm not patient enough to wait for the right person. I just get involved with anyone who shows an interest in me whether or not this is the right one....I need help remaining single so that I am ready and available when Mr. Right comes along...

Writing Too Soon to Tell

I have a blog all about dating called finding prince charming. I'm still working on my first post. I have a couple of rough drafts, but nothing seems ready to put under the scrutiny of public view.

Open Healthy Sex

I'm very self- destructive when it comes to sex. I enjoy it. I want it, but I'm not as safe about it as I would like to be...Help!

Open Mortgages & Foreclosures

The economy has hit the service industry hard. Even though I've always been able to find some way to pay my bills the past few years, I am now, completely out of options. I have absolutely no idea how I am going to come up with the money for this month's mortgage payment. Any ideas? Should I contact my lender? Will the lender even care?