Why a Fitness Update on a Bipolar Blog?
As I remind you every week, over 80 percent of people with serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, are overweight or obese. Much of this has to do with medicines that reduce the metabolism. This contributes to them dying at three times the rate of overall population. Therefore, I have begun this weekly fitness update for motivation. Motivation for those of you out there struggling with weight, and more specifically, motivating me.
Here is Last Week’s Fitness Update:
I couldn’t believe it when I weighed in on Saturday. This past week has been nothing but heavy meals and sweets. It’s also the first week in a very, very long time that I did not track all my meals. In fact, I didn’t keep track of any meals all week.
It was one of those weeks that I felt like I blew it the first few days, so to hell with the rest of the week. I was bloated, my clothes didn’t fit and I’ve felt miserable.
Because I had such an awful week, I decided on Thursday that I would go to my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday, but would not get weighed. I changed my mind when I arrived to the meeting. I don’t know why, but I decided to get on the scale certain I had gained at least five pounds. I was in shock when I got on the scale. Yes, I had gained, but it was less than one pound. After all I ate, after getting virtually no exercise, I defied every law of nature and barely gained anything at all. I lucked out last week, so this week I have to get back on course because it’s not likely I’ll get lucky again.
The Statistics
Original Maximum Weight: 303 lbs
Goal Weight: 160 lbs
This loss/gain this week: +0.8
Total loss so far: -45.8
Current weight: 257.6
For Those Familiar With Weight Watchers :
Total Daily PP Allowed: 47
Weekly PP: 49 Weekly PP Left Available: ?
Weekly Activity Earned: ?
well according to the metabolic weight loss and nutrition, it really is not anything about low calories, or high excercise (like aerobics or running). it is actually from several meals a day that are about the same size each, and from normal physical activity…like going to the mall and walking around for an hour or so, or to the park, or beach…at a normal pace. i am still dealing with swelling issues, so don’t know if i have actually lost yet, but maybe this was working for you this week?
I don’t know, kat, maybe. I’ve heard of people who’ve had great success on the program you’re on and I do tend to eat throughout the day rather than 3 big meals. I’ve been on Weight Watchers and lost 90 pounds. Unfortunately I stopped doing the things I learned and gained half the weight back. I did it once so I’m certain I can do it again.
Well, Bradley, congrats on barely gaining. But please don’t give up. I shouldn’t be the one to talk — I’ve been so down that I have tossed my eating plan to these last few days. Let’s both get our heads back in there and strive for our goals. You can do it. Look at how far you’ve come – it’s amazing!
I agree. It’s time to get back in there and do it right. I went to a party last night so I haven’t started off to well, but, I’ve got the whole week ahead of me.
What has helped me is the phrase ‘do the next right thing’. Blew lunch, count your points for dinner. No exercise today? For sure tomorrow. And if you mess up as we all do just do the next right thing!
You hit the nail on the head, Juneau. I can’t let one meal or even one day let me just toss in the towel.
I like that phrase, Juneau, “just do the next right thing.” That can apply not just to mishaps with my meal plan, but to how I handle my responses to bipolar, and my life in general.
Agreed
I admire your determination. I would have given up long ago.
It’s been tempting to quit, Rose, but I don’t want to be another bipolar statistic who dies younger than the general population. My only other option is gastric bypass surgery and I sure as hell don’t want that.