[busker]

I feel like this is a cop-out, but last year I was very active here and managed to lose about 23 lbs. I felt like I was doing great, and my new biking hobby was helping... but then my dog got sick. He started limping more and more, and instead of going home to ride my bike, or going to the gym to work out, I wanted to go home to be with him. I knew he was closing in on 11 years old, and didn't know how much time I'd have with him. Years ago when I lost weight, I'd go hiking with him, romping around the back yard, or just walk down to the lake and back with him. I wish I could bring him on my biking trips, too, but he just wasn't in any shape to do it. (He was never overweight, but he was limping). We chalked it up to arthritis, the vet chalked it up to arthritis... I just knew my buddy was getting old, and I felt like working out took me away from him for too long, because what hours I had away from work were precious.

So we went to classes and became a "therapy dog" team, and visited schools with autistic and neglected/abused kids... whatever we could do together while he was still around that wouldn't be too physically demanding. Meanwhile, not working out was starting to catch up with me. Then a few days before Thanksgiving, he stopped using his back leg altogether. I brought him in to get an x-ray, and found a bone tumor had shattered his leg. He had bone cancer, and there was nothing they could do, because it was too high up and close to his spine, so I had to put him to sleep. I'm still crying thinking about it now.

We did get a puppy soon after that, but I've still been struggling with depression and no time, and winter weather and buying a new house. So it's a combination of stress and life-change with depression over losing my buddy. In any case, I've put back all the weight I lost last year and probably then-some. I plan on signing up the new puppy for agility classes this month, with the hopes that it will give us both the excuse to run around. She's as hyper and active as they come , and has shown all signs of loving agility-type stuff - she should be able to help motivate me to run around a bit. I only have 4 more weeks until I'm finished with my Master's Degree, which should free up some time, and I'm not fully moved into our house, which has a very nice neighborhood for walking and woods for hiking. I guess I just need some cheering on to get back into it?

I'm tired of feeling tired... I'm tired of feeling like crap... I'm tired of eating junk-food... and I'm tired of not having any time to take care of myself.

[sockmonkey70]

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dog. If you are like me, they rise above dog status and become family. Don't think anyone would say youwere copping out because of the loss of a family member..Often times our dogs are there for us when absolutley no on else in the world will stop to give us the time of day. They are indeed loyal creatures deserving of mourning at their passing.

That said, you have a new baby to take care of, and you should honor your past dog's memory by making the new pup just as much of a member of the family. Your boy is waiting happily and patiently for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

SO get out there and get active with this new pup. SHe'll have LOTS of energy to expend, and a good brisk 20 minute walk a day would be good for the both of you, and it shouldn't be too hard to free up atleast 20 minutes a day now should it?

Don't give up just because you lost a small battle with the scale. You lost the weight once, so you know you have the ability and determination to do it again. Depression can do weird things to us, like causing us to eat when we aren't hungry LOL. You just have to remember there is always joy in life, though sometimes our minds are clouded by sadness we harbor. Clear that mind and focus on the positive things you have in your life!

[djs06]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. Losing a pet is so, so, so hard... they really do become like family members. I'm sorry you've been struggling and things haven't been so great lately.. we're here for you!