Isah Kushma Fought Depression With Outdoor Workouts

After ditching a terrible diet, here’s how Isah Kushma fought depression and boosted her self esteem with outdoor workouts.

Before: 212lb

After: 148lb

Accept the status quo

I was depressed all the time and took several anti-depression medications but would still experience anxiety attacks. This led to me drinking alcohol to numb pain and I became an emotional eater; my go to foods were honey buns and 16oz Pepsis. I developed low self worth.

A-ha moment

On St. Patrick’s Day, 2011, my friend posted a picture of me on Facebook. I truly saw myself for the first time. I had lost weight a year before, but had not realized that not only had I gained the weight back, but I was even heavier. I was in an XL shirt and barely fitting into a size 14 pair of pants, plus I had on a body trimmer underneath it all.

Setting a goal

My goal was to be under 165lb and the army standard for my height and age is 154lb. I wanted to get as close to it as possible, knowing that when they measured my body fat, I wouldn’t be over 34%.

I had completed P90X but didn’t do the recommended meal plan. I had eaten Weight Watchers meals but didn’t exercise. In both instances I had lost weight, but the weight always came back. I figured that it was time to put the two together: exercise and eating.

Staying focused

Using my military mindset, I made losing weight a no fail mission. I knew that if I failed, it was a matter of getting chaptered out of the military. I had just been getting lucky when it was time for my annual weigh-ins.

I told myself that Michelle Obama and I had the same 24 hours in a day. If she could stay fit with her busy schedule, surely I could find time to
workout, too. I created small habit changing challenges such as drinking 24oz of water every day, eating fresh veggies at least once a day and doing something physical active five days a week.

Overcoming a lot of obstacles

I had been recovering from hip surgery and rotator cuff surgery. My doctors had me on physical restrictions. I stopped focusing on what they said I can’t do and focused on what I can do. The list of the latter was longer than the former.

It is easy to stay on track now. I feel good. Inactivity makes me feel yucky. Eating foods high in carbohydrates and sugars make me feel sluggish. I choose feeling good over feeling yucky and sluggish. My energy is through the roof and I no longer take anti-depression medicines or feel the need to drown in alcohol.

Staying motivated

My suggestion to anyone is to find a sport or physical activity that brings you joy. It doesn’t matter what modality of fitness you choose because it’s not what you do, it is how often you do it.

Consistency is key but don’t focus on the finish, focus on the why. Emphasize improving your quality of life because it isn’t just a physical change, good health and fitness changes you from the inside out. Once I learned how delicious real food tasted, overly processed foods don’t interest me that much anymore.

My advice for people starting out?

Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from doing what you can.

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