Chato Stewart Weight-Loss vs Mental Health

Please NOTE: This blog is participation in a MENTAL HEALTH MONTH event sharing mental health heroes in connection to Mental Health Humors Cartoon-a-thon. Please help us bring mental illness awareness and eduction all month long by sharing this post with your social network, friend and family.

Thank You.

Christina “Christi” Huff 2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

Christi, aka The Bipolar Hot Mess, has been blogging in the mental health field since April 2011. She got her start while searching for support with her bipolar disorder because she was feeling quite alone and misunderstood with her illness and what she was going through. This opportunity came by becoming a blogger for the website Ask A Bipolar. Shortly after she started blogging there,… READ MORE

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

I would like to thank Enzymedica’s Tom Bohager for his support. Enzymedica is Florida-based founded in 1998 to offer consumers targeted digestive enzymes products. Considered America’s #1 selling enzyme brand sold by health food store retailers. They also offer a FREE Digestive Enzyme interactive education program that is very helpful in learning the benefits enzymes have on our over all health.

Thanks to my wife Joan Winifred for her careening help and compassion for the past 21 years.

Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

Please NOTE: This blog is participation in a MENTAL HEALTH MONTH event sharing mental health heroes in connection to Mental Health Humors Cartoon-a-thon. Please help us bring mental illness awareness and eduction all month long by sharing this post with your social network, friend and family.

Thank You.

David Speicher 2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

I worked as a Human Resources Director for over 20 years. I partnered with executives to change culture and minds moving from a harsh bureaucratic system to one with a culture of free will to approach your profession, your job and employee involvement. I also over saw our benefits programs which often had at least minimum coverage for mental health. I also managed our Employee Assistance Programs (ESP)

As a consumer and not being diagnosed until I was 42, I took the … READ MORE

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

I would like to thank Enzymedica’s Tom Bohager for his support. Enzymedica is Florida-based founded in 1998 to offer consumers targeted digestive enzymes products. Considered America’s #1 selling enzyme brand sold by health food store retailers. They also offer a FREE Digestive Enzyme interactive education program that is very helpful in learning the benefits enzymes have on our over all health.

Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

Please NOTE: This blog is participation in a MENTAL HEALTH MONTH event sharing mental health heroes in connection to Mental Health Humors Cartoon-a-thon. Please help us bring mental illness awareness and eduction all month long by sharing this post with your social network, friend and family.

Thank You.

Kathi Stringer2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

I was self-employed and a key supplier for Hughes Aircraft. Quality was important. After being hospitalized my focused changed to educating people about performance improvement, quality and corrective action to improve the delivery of mental health services… READ MORE

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

I would like to thank Enzymedica’s Tom Bohager for his support. Enzymedica is Florida-based founded in 1998 to offer consumers targeted digestive enzymes products. Considered America’s #1 selling enzyme brand sold by health food store retailers. They also offer a FREE Digestive Enzyme interactive education program that is very helpful in learning the benefits enzymes have on our over all health.

Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

Please NOTE: This blog is participation in a MENTAL HEALTH MONTH event sharing mental health heroes in connection to Mental Health Humors Cartoon-a-thon. Please help us bring mental illness awareness and eduction all month long by sharing this post with your social network, friend and family.

Thank You.

Psych Central’s own Linda and Charlie Bloom are 2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

Linda and Charlie Bloom are seminar leaders, authors, psychotherapists and consultants and are considered experts in the field of human relations. They have been working with individuals, couples, and groups throughout the country and internationally since 1975 and have been featured speakers at many professional and public conferences. They have made over 200 radio and TV appearances… READ MORE

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

I would like to thank Enzymedica’s Tom Bohager for his support. Enzymedica is Florida-based founded in 1998 to offer consumers targeted digestive enzymes products. Considered America’s #1 selling enzyme brand sold by health food store retailers. They also offer a FREE Digestive Enzyme interactive education program that is very helpful in learning the benefits enzymes have on our over all health.

Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

Please NOTE: This blog is participation in a MENTAL HEALTH MONTH event sharing mental health heroes in connection to Mental Health Humors Cartoon-a-thon. Please help us bring mental illness awareness and eduction all month long by sharing this post with your social network, friend and family.

Thank You.

Dese Rae L. Stage 2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

Dese’Rae L. Stage (link: deseraestage.com) is a Brooklyn-based photographer working on a series of the portraits and stories of suicide attempt survivors called Live Through This (link: livethroughthis.org). Live Through This strips suicide of its anonymity, encourages survivors to own their experiences publicly and proudly, and asks the rest of us, “why not talk about it?” It is the first known project of its kind, exploring a world that has remained a taboo for far too long.

Dese’Rae never knew she wanted to be a photographer. In fact, she completed her Bachelor of Science in… READ MORE

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

I would like to thank Enzymedica’s Tom Bohager for his support. Enzymedica is Florida-based founded in 1998 to offer consumers targeted digestive enzymes products. Considered America’s #1 selling enzyme brand sold by health food store retailers. They also offer a FREE Digestive Enzyme interactive education program that is very helpful in learning the benefits enzymes have on our over all health.

Friend me on Facebook @chato B Stewart.

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Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

Kelly Babcock 2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

I wasn’t always that concerned with the welfare of people with mental health issues. I wasn’t actually aware that people with mental health issues needed anyone to be concerned for their welfare.

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

I would like to thank National Furniture Supply for their support. NFS is a seller of fine Hammary Products.

Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

LP 14*

Sweat Pea 11 * Sweat Pea 11

Precious 10 *Precious 10

Belly 7*Belly 7

Kristi Goldsberry: 2013 Mental Health Hero Cartoon-A-Thon

Drawing by Chato Stewart

When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1991, I had no idea recovery was possible! My psychiatrist and other mental health professionals I encountered during the first seven years after my diagnosis referred to my mental illness as though it was a terminal illness. I was encouraged to take my medication, read Kay Redfield Jamison’s books, and…. READ MORE

LP 14 – Sweet Pea 11 - Precious 10 and Belly 7

——Sponsors——

FreeCounselingHelp.com is America’s only directory connecting people with affordable counseling. There are thousands of non-profit agencies within America that are available to help those with limited means. FreeCounselingHelp.com allows people to quickly search by ZIP code and find the best fit for their mental health needs.

Mentalympians is a mental health community development initiative to raise awareness of mental health recovery, inspire hope, reduce self-stigma, foster recovery and also connect individuals who are interested in campaigning for mental health reform.

Bonus My kids’ Drawings:

LP 14* LP 14

Sweet Pea 11 * Sweet Pea 11

Precious 10 *Precious 10

Belly 7*Belly 7

On January 1st of this year I weighed 380 lbs. I’ve been trying  to lose weight and my goal this year is 100.lbs. I’ve made good progress and felt successful till May first (the Day 122) I weighed in at 346 .lbs ( that’s a 34.lbs lost). Although in May, about day 150 started my slipup on the “new eating lifestyle”. 

It is my belief the slip was mostly triggered due to “Mental Health issues” kicking my BUTT!. This descended me in a profound depression so I went into the “coping with depression mode” and dove into my coping toolbox.  Regretfully, that encompassed emotional eating and self-inflicted isolation. Pointless as that sound it did help a little bit.  As the days and week progressed I got lost and so did my nutritional new life-style diet. I consoled my emotions with junk-food. Correspondingly it immobilized 99% of any type of exercise or movement. I still did a few Dumbbell curls.  If I got out-side the house, It’s only to go shopping or running a quick errand.  I did walking a little but nothing that could equal to a “workout” in a zillion years.

This past 2 weeks I added some positive changes:

·       That included drinking more water

·       Mentally trying to keep track of what I eat.

·       Buying less-fat foods

·       Getting more green’s

Thought I failed to mentally keep track… I never considered picking at food as a meal; so needless to say, I did more picking of food in my refrigerator and I picked it clean of any eatable foods.

Okay, enough with the depraved thinking. Yes, we all “fall many times” and we know that no weight-loss program was going to easy! Particularly, when you’re living with a serious mental illness such as Bipolar Disorder and Depression, it slow down weight-loss and can be counterintuitive. The medications also slow your weight loss progress.  I find my-self second-guessing your-self!

Arrive at today, Day 214, or better known as, Wednesday, August 1st. I printed up daily food-sheets to record what I eat, (Yes, there’s an App for that), my goal is to tract my food intake along with my moods

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