Did you know that depression occurs most frequently in women aged 25-44 and that 1 in 8 women can expect to develop clinical depression during their lifetime? Women experience depression at a rate roughly twice that of men but are expected to keep it all together as mothers, wives, in their careers, or as stay-at-home moms. We live in a culture were we, as women, are now expected to be perfect moms and we are suppose to do it on our own rather than in the tribe mentality that worked in the past. We are lonely, we are sad, and depression is at an all time high.
Macaroni Kid took a survey and found that out of 2,300 moms:
73% are lonely
89% want to lose weight
90% want to improve their level of fitness.
Let me tell you a little about my story. I was diagnosed with high functioning depression and severe anxiety. This means that I can keep it together during the day. I can wake up with my alarm and give my job a 110%. I can pick my kids up from school, help with homework, and dinner, and get them to bed. Then I crawl into a little ball and can't function until I start all over again the next day. It isn't being too tired. I get enough sleep. It is that I spend all my positive energy on everyone else and I forget about me. By the time is comes to dealing with me I just can't. Sometimes my husband has to pick of the slack because work was too draining and as soon as he gets home I need to go into a dark and quiet room. I spend my time over-analyzing, crying, being angry, and telling myself what a failure I am because I can't handle everything on my own. I am just one face of the many forms of depression out there. I see a therapist and I practice techniques but you want to know what helps me the most? Walking with friends.
Often I don't get to walk with actual people. I know, sounds strange, right? I have virtual accountability group that helps keep me motivated and moving because I know they depend on me. I try for 30 minutes of movement 3-5 days a week to help release those feel good endorphins. I am getting more social interaction through my virtual group and once it stays nice out (thank you, spring and summer) I will get more face to face time with friends to walk the park with the kids (or even leave the kids at home because some time for just me is even better) With work, kids, and the weather we often meet through face time or just talking on the phone. We message each other and check in to see how we are doing. We motivate each other and support each other... not just in walking but in life.
This chance to walk and be a part of something that helps me be my best self is thanks to 99walks. I belong to a group of 2 other moms where we each walk 33 miles a month to crush our goal of 99 miles per month. At the end of the month we get a some bling to help us stay motivated and remind us that we have a tribe. I wear my bracelets every day and sometime repeat them as mantras.
"Play the Long Game" "Get Better Every Day"
Through 99walks I met some amazing moms who struggle with some of the same things I do. We motivate each other to improve ourselves but we also are there to listen to each other. Being a part of this tribe has both strengthened me and motivated me in so many ways. They can relate to a lot of the same issues I have having a preschooler or a second grader who sometimes thinks she is a teenager. We make each other laugh. We make each other smile. We are simply there for each other.
What I love most about my 99walks tribe is that the walking doesn't feel so tough when you are just talking. I go further because I am not focused on the walking itself. I am enjoying the company of other moms. This is what makes 99walks so special and different from other walking programs. Whether I am on my elliptical or hiking I feel that sense of community.
Interested in 99walks? Check out their website and social media. Join for a month or join for all three. Use the code LETSWALK to save 10%. If you join for the three months you get a bonus bling! April and Spring sessions are enrolling now.
 |  |  |
Follow 99Walks on Instagram @99walks
99walks.fitDepression statistics from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
