Snowphobia - help!

Oh, susie! I think I undestand; the snow still gets me down, once I've thought how pretty it is! I am scared of driving in it, after a couple of Nast experiences when I was commuting. But there is also the sense of being locked in at home, isn't there - the fact that you can't go anywhere?

And I wonder if that mirrors how you are feeling about yourself - that you can't break out of how you feel, even though you're desperately been trying to? So you're feeling locked in all round.

It's like a dark tunnel with no light visible? You are not a spoilt bitch, you are depressed, and it would be good to talk it through with someone. Meanwhile (((hugs)))

susie at least you've lost some.59 is a great age to be, you have the advantage of wisdom and the resilience of youth still. Treat yourself to a nice home facial or something like that.( good lord, I sound like an agony aunt)[

Dear Susiecb, it sounds as though you are really low at the moment.
I wonder what started your snow phobia? Something from childhood maybe? Sometimes if we can work out the cause of our distress it helps to ease the problem.
I think you may also be a bit worried about being "nearly 60". Hey, it's only a number! The numbers don't really matter, it is how you are within yourself. Something to do with psychology I think.
On the dieting front, you have been being strict since September and are a bit disappointed with your progress, but you HAVE lost weight.

Stop being so hard on yourself, relax and do something nice today. think about something you might like to do for your birthday, rather than something you might like to have.

Just be kind to yourself.

Hope this helps a little

susiecb, I don't know what to say to make you feel better. Maybe all you can do is just stay in and keep cosy. You are not being neurotic and you're not a spoilt bitch - it's just how it is for you when it's snowy weather. Can you promise yourself a treat for when the snow fades away? Something really, really good? Being 59 on Sunday is OK! It's a fine age to be! I've also been dieting strictly since September. I've managed to lose almost a stone-and-a-half, but yesterday I went for lunch with my friend. I've put on 2 pounds...but that will go in a few days - !
You just be kind to yourself. Find something to look forward to - you're worth it!

Oh no susiecb don't think that, we all feel like that sometime however good our life is.Do something today that makes you really happy, plan a treat for when the snow goes that you can look forward to. This weather is miserable, I am lucky as I'm i London and it is just cold and grey today. As for 59, that's a great age, you are still in your fifties, hope you are going to do something lovely for your birthday. xxx(((hugs))

We are all affected by weather susieb. Some people hate wind. For some it is rain that makes them glum.
Most of us are cheered up by the sight of a bit of sunshine.
But you do sound like you have built up some really negative associations with snow at some time in the past, such as having snowballs thrown at you in the playground. Sometimes an initial unpleasant experience can just get reinforced - every time you see snow it reminds you of feeling bad at the sight of snow in the past, you feel bad and the association gets stronger. As syberia says - it may help to think back over your snowy past and track it down.
It is nearly half way through February. Spring is on its way, I promise

It's going to get better Susiecb spring is on the way, I've snowdrops and Hellobores out in the garden, the daffs are on there way. Pots in the greenhouse have little green shoots on them. Hang on in there

Draw the curtains, Susiecb; shut out the weather; phone a friend for a gossip; put on a favourite (preferably cheerful) dvd; make plans for the summer; spoil yourself with non-food treats. Spring is round the corner - this cold weather is just a blip - promise!

susiecb Take comfort from the fact that it takes time to put on weight, so it figures that it will take time to lose it. A gradual steady loss is far more likely to result in long-term stability than sudden drastic loss. Tell yourself that you're doing fine because you obviously are.

As for being 59 – pish. It is a lot better than the alternative, after all.

As for the snow, I can't offer any advice better than others already have except to say, ignore it and concentrate on gransnet.

Thank you all I do feel a bit better now up and warmly dressed. I think the past is a factor - my mother was a holy terror when it snowed and refused to put on extra heating or buy me any proper footwear so I was always soaked and cold. Lovely husband is taking me out to lunch - poor bloke fancy being married to me?

Thank you all.

So sorry Susiecb ... you've been given some good advice here.

What about spending some time on-line researching for a lovely sunny holiday over Easter??

Long term ...you need to do something about your depression ...many of us will have been there. Me ...I'm now a great advocate of Bach Flower Remedies. They have a good web-site and several different types of flower based remedies for different types of depression. They are non-adictive and natural.

Best wishes

It's also "just that time of year", susie, when we're longing for more light and warmth. Bound to affect your mood. On the plus side, both will come soon.

I'm snow-phobic if I need to do anything other than walk in it because of a car crash two years ago this month. Last winter I didn't drive for several weeks because we were iced up for so long, even though I know our new replacement vehicle can cope with whatever Scotland throws at it. It did make life a bit difficult at times but I just had to accept that I couldn't drive when I was shaking so much!

Walking with Kahtoola spikes on my boots was no problem at all. You can run on ice with these things: www.kahtoola.com/microspikes.php

Hope you have a lovely lunch out today and more fun on your birthday. xx

Ah, poor younger susieb, she must have been very miserable. Have a lovely lunch.

Lots of good advice and best wishes here susiacb Hope you have a lovely lunch and if you need a good laugh, suggest you read through the panto thread!
Keep warm and the snow will soon be gone.

susiecb Your lovely husband obviously does fancy being married to you.

I shouldn't complain about snow as I chose to live in a ski resort in the Alps. I am missing my daily walks but it is all very beautiful. Yesterday I drove the 2 kms. down to the village supermarket - it is a very steep road with lots of hair pin bens with unfenced drops, so not for the faint hearted. I have a little Fiat Panda 4 x 4 and I have just had four new Winter tyres fitted. I drove very slowly, so I felt safe, and of course a couple of people whizzed past me.
I was staying with a friend in Switzerland last week and I had a go at cross-country skiing but there was an East wind and I was soon too cold to hold the poles, so I gave up. The next day the wind had dropped and my friend had bought snow-shoes, and I enjoyed walking on the snow-covered fields.
I am just feeling a bit lazy at the moment, and I have stocked up with about €200 of food so I don't need to go out. Kind friends have sent me seven jig-saws and the caretaker of my block gave me a very large piece of card so I can do them sitting on my settee. I find them very relaxing and can listen to TV at the same time.
I expect the thick snow and icy roads to last until the end of March, so tomorrow I will just have to get well wrapped up, defrost the car, and drive up to the ski slopes to watch the toddlers zooming down, whilst I drink hot chocolate in the restaurant. I am well below my target weight now so I don't mind if I put a few pounds on whilst I am unable to take long, steep, walks.

My Swiss friend and I have booked for a 10 days snorkeling holiday in Sharm el Sheik in June - the air temperature will be about 36C and the sea will be a pleasant 26C. I have been looking at the photos of the hotel on the website - very warming!

I retired at 59 and began my big adventure of emigrating to France, and apart from my worry about my daughter the last 12 years have been wonderful. 60 is the new 40, so they say! (Platitude alert!)

I think the best advice has already been given - stay home, keep warm,pamper yourself, and think of exotic holidays!

I try not to walk much in the snow now. But you're so YOUNG susie. Enjoy your birthday too, and have some cake. One day won't make you fat. And ask for something nice. Shall I link to a jewellry site? I know a good one. (bought a birthstone bracelet from it for DD's 40th - lovely it is)

Greatnan You are an example to us all. I think you are very brave driving on the sort of road you describe in snow conditions.

Thank you, flowerfriend - you get used to the conditions - I lived in the Pyrenees when I first came to France. The most important thing to remember is to drive so that you don't have to brake quickly or swerve but that applies wherever you live.

Susie An early Happy Birthday for Sunday as I wont be around next week. 59 is a fantastic age to be so celebrate it. Make some special plans for next years birthday, something to look forward to!!!

You have done really well since September with your weight, and no you are not a neurotic bitch

We all have down days and with the snow on top of things you just need to do something that will cheer you up.

Go out and have a lovely lunch with your DH. Plan to go on to somewhere after your lunch make a day of it go to the cinema or a gallery. Or think of something you have never done before be daring and have a go, you will have a lovely time.

Happy Birthday

There is something so unsettling about looking forward to a special event and then seeing it under threat because of things over which we have no control - viz the weather. I wonder if that is playing a part in making you feel down susiecb?
The move to the East Midlands awes a shrewd one as I reckon we have less snow than most other parts of the country - as DD found out when we bought her first sledge - the first opportunity she had to use it she was away at Brownie camp!
As for turning 59 - as the others say, it's only a number while you may not want to celebrate it, it sounds as if you really need a treat to perk yourself up.
How about a pamper day at a nice spa - are you anywhere near Champneys at Springs?
Hope you have a lovely lunch, and don't feel depressed because you may not have lost as much weight as you deserve - you are YOU not a figure or a dress size or a number- but a special person that your loved ones will want to spoil xx

Wise words here indeed and I can just see the alpine drive!!!! Guess what lunch was not good. We went to the Belvoir Brewery on recommendation - it was freezing in there. Despite asking twice for some heating nothing happened so we ate one course and hurried up home. The food was OK. Have come home and turned the heating up full blast I expect to see DH in shorts and a t shirt quite soon so thats a bonus!

susie there is a plus in every situation

So - two bright sides - DH's legs which I am sure are stunning and you didn't eat too much at lunch - win win!!