So, we are going to be taking a little detour here at Healthy, Happy and Sweaty …

First of all, thanks for reading! I can’t believe it has been so long since I last posted anything, my life has been crazy since I last posted, which is what I wanna talk to you about today a little bit.

While I am still focused on maintaining my weight loss, meal prepping and inspiring and encouraging others to do the same, and plan on still posting recipes and tips and my thoughts on those topics and my journey, I am going to post a series of posts about some not so fun topics too.

See, since I last posted here, my entire life has changed…no joke – the only things that have remained the same are my immediate family – hubby, kids and parents – and going to Sweatmood. Nothing else in my life is the same. I started a fantastic new job in November 2016. My family and I lost everything in the Tubbs Fire that devastated both our hometown of Calistoga and the city we called home at the time, Santa Rosa in October 2017.

Losing everything has been the biggest change, and it has had the biggest impact on my life – and not in a good way. I find my self battling depression and PTSD and dealing with the personal repercussions of what depression and PTSD do to your life.

I have learned a lot, and am still learning and healing and trying to live, love and rebuild all while working, trying to keep the physical health I have fought so hard for and not completely lose it. There are days I am barely hanging on, but I put one foot in front of the other and somehow keep going…

Why am I sharing this now, eighteen months after the fire? Well, writing for me has always been therapeutic, so that’s a big part of it. But there’s more to it – if I am going through this, I am sure others are too and if maybe one person feels a little less alone then maybe I can help them. I have also learned a lot, and maybe what I have learned can help others as well. And if I can help one person, then telling my story is worth it.

And part of being Healthy, Happy and Sweaty has to include mental health as well, right? And so often we all ignore our mental well-being.

So there you have it, buckle up and hold on tight, cuz here we go….