Ramblings: what is it about depression and chocolate?

I have a confession to make. I love chocolate. Sometimes I believe I will never be able to loose weight because I love chocolate more than I like the idea of loosing weight. I know I am healthy because I exercise, but whatever good I do to myself, I mess it up with my sick, lust for chocolate.
Mind you, I hate white chocolate. I believe that is just the fat you get from the chocolate with a hint of the taste. I look at it and I think it looks nasty and I can't eat it. I wish I could trick my mind to feel the same way about regular chocolate. But I am unable to resist the temptation. And don't get me started on dark chocolate... sinful.
The best time to enjoy chocolate is when I feel sad. What is it about chocolate and depression that your body automatically craves it when you are feeling sad? If someone can find the answer to this question, they will probably make millions, since I am not the only one with this connection.
Now I go to bed in order to avoid the chocolate in the refrigerator. Keep trying.

What is cortisol?

I have heard several "expert" opinions about Cortisol. Some think it is the answer to what is wrong with obese people. Others say that there is no reason to concern yourself with it. I want to know what Cortisol is and so I am not going to write a long message today. By the end of the week I will have an answer. If anyone wants to give their opinion, I would appreciate it.
Keep trying.

Exercise: everything counts

I walked five miles yesterday. It was not even hard. After two weeks of very little exercise, I went walking yesterday. I felt good. After that I did some leg exercises, arm exercises. I did not follow any strategy or routine. What I wanted to do was just exercise, to see how I felt. And the weird thing was that I did not wake up sore or tired. Actually, it was the first time in two weeks that I did not wake up with back pain. It was a glorious morning.
So what is the message I want you to get from this? Do whatever you can, whenever you can. Don't go to sleep without doing something. Even if all you do today is twenty sit-ups or twenty push-ups. It is more than what you did yesterday. Add a 1/2 mile walk tomorrow. Spend twenty minutes on the stationary bike. Do something and keep trying.

Take care of your mental health

One of the great effects of exercise is that it releases endorphins. They make you feel happy, even if for a short while. Sometimes, we can't exercise as often as we like, and for those of us who suffer from mild cases of depression, the effects can be devastating. Not only do you feel guilty because you can't exercise, but you feel sad and it does not go away. If you are not careful, those sad feelings remain, for a long time.
For people who need or believe in medication, this is not a sermon or a request for you not to follow your doctor's orders. This is just for people that can control their mild depression with some form of exercise, proper diet and plenty of rest.
Take care of yourself. I know that most of the time, the experts say that you should not stop exercising. But if you have a serious disease, or simply you feel exhausted, take a day or two off. Be kind to yourself first and foremost. And whatever you do, don't overdo it. Everything in excess is bad. Moderation is the key to enjoying your whole life. Keep trying.