Mood
Last weekend was a bit tough in the depression zone and it carried over into Monday and Tuesday. It made it difficult to get as much done. I was able to get a little bit of writing done during those days, but I was easily distracted. Fortunately, the rest of the week was much better and allowed me to get more done.
On Friday I met with my pdoc. When he asked how my eating has been I told him that it was bad. I informed him that much of that had to do with celebrating, but much of it had to do with depression. He nodded his head and weighed me before I left. I have no idea why he asks, or goes through the bother of getting me on the scale. He doesn’t seem to do anything with the information and ignores me when I tell him I need a med adjustment. I go to a county clinic and my suspicion is that asking the question about eating, and logging my weight, are just requirements that he has to input into the computer.
Weight and Fitness
Weight on Sep 10: 260.2 lbs.
Weight on Sep 24: 261.6 lbs.
Gain + 1.4 lbs.
I gained 1.4 pounds over the past two weeks and I’m ecstatic! Yes, I’m serious. I am thrilled. I was absolutely certain that I had gained 3 – 5 lbs. Maurice and I both have our birthdays in September and I don’t think I’ve ever eaten so much in one month. Being taken out for multiple dinners, cakes, pies, and much, much more. I felt bloated for weeks and still kept eating.
Part of my saving grace was likely exercise. I didn’t get as much in as I’d like, but I didn’t do too shabby either. While I prefer to exercise during the morning, I’ve been waiting for Maurice to get off work and we’ve been walking during the evenings.
Not only does it help to have someone to walk with, it also helps to have someone online to support you. The support I get from Dyane has been invaluable. Her excellent blog is Birth of a New Brain. We both have been struggling lately and it’s nice to have someone cheering you on during the ups and the downs. We stay connected via the Lose It! Website. If you’d like to join us, sign up for FREE at www.loseit.com. and search for the “Wondrous Writers group”. Next week I have every expectation that I’ll be giving a better report.
Writing
A good week. Going to the library to work turned out to be a great idea. Sure, my mind wanders, but I don’t have all the distractions I have at home. I’ve learned I enjoy the library for writing fresh and new material and I prefer Starbucks for editing. I don’t know why Starbucks works best for editing, but there’s something about the hustle and bustle that puts me in a good place.
My goal is still to complete the first draft of the manuscript by March (6 months) but I’m not engraving that in stone. Quality is more important than just getting it done.
Synopsis
Weight gain wasn’t great, but was better than my expectations. I dealt with depression about half of the week. A good week for writing. It’s a tough call, but I’ll give the week a generous C+
My pdoc’s nurse also weighs me and takes my blood pressure. Just for the records, I guess. Or to raise my blood pressure by weighing me and make me paranoid.
That paranoia ensures you’ll return. 🙂
I think you did really good Bradley, you didn’t gain much at all. You are an inspiration to me to lose some weight. Happy for you to be feeling better now, the walking is so helpful for mental and physical reasons.
Walking is an excellent exercise. I don’t run or job because I don’t believe it’s good for you feet, ankles or knees. The negative is that you have to walk a lot further to get the same results. Yesterday I walked 8 miles, but it was along the beach so you’ll not hear complaint from me.
I can’t tell you how happy your support (and shout-outs) make me.
Happy Belated birthdays to both of you, you cheeky devil!!!!
Did you announce your actual b-day on your blog? I can’t for the life of me remember.
I’m also ecstatic you didn’t gain more than you did. That’s a miracle!
I’m glad the depression got better, and I’m totally amazed you were able to write anything when it was at its worst last week.
Don’t you find it ironic (and almost funny) that I’ve been bingeing while reading Hilda’s book about bingeing? I finished it last night. The author was likable, and she had suffered in her life — I wanted her to conquer the bingeing issue and be happy with her body and health. I wanted to read about a happy-ish ending!
I respected her intentions to help people like me, and while I don’t regret purchasing the book, I wasn’t fired up at the end. She had a lot of money at her disposal (she worked hard for it, that’s for sure) but her tax bracket distanced me. She was able to spend $ on multipple trips to impressive weight control programs/centers where she stayed a month at a time. That was acceptable, but then when she wrote about how she and her husband bought an enormous property (300 acres + houses + lake)and went on and on about renovating etc. I was turned off. There are other books about the topic that I want to read, and I have a feeling they will speak to me more. I’ll let you know what I find out!
Re: Your goal for your manuscript draft & and March – yes, give yourself plenty of time to do it. I had to extend my timeframe for my first draft an entire year! You’re a smart, um, ***carrot*** to recognize the need to do a good job vs. just getting it done! I’m excited for you!!!!!!!
Maurice had his birthday, but mine is this Wednesday the 28th. I’ll be 29 for the 24th time.
Yeah, that book sure doesn’t sound like it was written by your average Joe or Jane. I hope the next one gives you more inspiration. Thank you for convincing me to join the Lose It! group. Your support has been immeasurable.
You are just an eternal optimist. Even when you are low in mood you manage to turn it around. I can’t imagine that is easy to do. Your sense of humour agrees with me a lot. You have great courage. Have a great week.
How can I not have a great week with a wonderful comment like this. Thank you
I find it interesting that you’ve discovered editing at Starbucks is more productive for you. It’s great to have that kind of self-awareness.
I hope you enjoy your birthday! 😀
Thank you!