Patience with Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression is a real thing, and it really stinks. Basically, your emotions do not match your reality. You feel sad when there is nothing to be sad about, or angry when there is nothing to be angry about. After 12 years of snowballing PPD symptoms, I finally gave in and saw my doctor. I started taking an antidepressant. One of my major goals is replacing my antidepressant with working out. I know it's possible because endorphins can fight depression. I have felt a lot better since I started taking medication for PPD, but I don't want to be on medication!!  I look forward to the time when I am past the risk window for PPD, and I can wean off the medication, but I am not there yet, and that is really discouraging to me.

So, I need to give myself a pep talk. I'm just going to pretend I'm talking to someone else because it's so much easier to encourage other people, right? Yes, I realize this may make me sound like a crazy person, but hey! I'm already on an antidepressant. So, why not just go with it?  (Pssst... I am TERRIBLE at jokes. That was an attempt at making a joke.)

_______________________________________________________

Just 3 months ago, you couldn't even balance an empty barbell. You really strained to push that sled without any weight on it, and could hardly push it at all when he put a little weight on it. Your side planks were 6-10 seconds long. You could not do a plank on the stability ball. You gave your all when you put in 25 minutes on the stair stepper, and the elliptical was enough to kill you. Box jumps seemed like a pipe dream.

Today, you were squatting weight on the barbell (I'm not sure how much total) for about 30 minutes. You pushed that sled with no problem even when he added weight. Your side planks are now a full minute long. You CAN do a full minute plank on the stability ball. You put in 50 minutes on the stair stepper or elliptical, and you challenge yourself with speed and calorie burn. And, yesterday, you did 5 box jumps.  

3 months. Look what happened in 3 months. Give yourself a break. If this is PPD, you'll get off that medication, but you just need some more time. Keep at it, and imagine what you'll be able to do in another 3 months...