![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 8:25:05
My T says that it's time for me to get organized (well, actually he's been saying this for about 2 months now). And I'm ready- kinda.
Here's my plan:
I need to get more exercise, eat better food, and spend less money. I need to work smarter. I need to do things I used to enjoy.
SO: the first step of my new schedule is to get up at 7am everymorning and go for a jog around the park. It's 1.6 miles. It takes about 25 minutes walking, and about 15-20 minutes jogging.
the next step is to get dressed, eat healthy bkfast (which has never been a problem for me. bkfast being the healthiest meal I eat all day long)
get to the office. I'd like to manage to ride my bike on sunny days without anxiety that I'm going to get hit by a car, or without the disturbing thoughts that I WANT to get hit by a car.
At the office. write out a to do list and a schedule for the breaks I'll be taking. I like breaks. caffeine breaks. babble breaks. chit-chat with buddies breaks.
Lunch I will try to eat a serving of veggies
Afternoon I will try to eat a non junk food snack
Evening I will try to read something scholarly and maybe lift weights to add a little muscle. I lost a lot of muscle when depression made me stop eating. I gained the weight back (not a bad thing. I'm a healthy weight; I'm tall and have a medium build) now I'm too flabby. I don't like flabby. I feel like one of those women in the paintings from 2 centuries ago. alabaster curves of solid lard. you know the ones...
Also in the evening, I need to do a chore. either dishes or laundry or vacuuming or bills. something like that.
And the most important thing is that I will try to go to bed at a healthy time 10:00 every night. i think I can do it.
What do you guys think?
sincerely yours,
-llp.s. I can't ride my bike today because I have to bring in a big potluck dish for a party.
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 9, 2006, at 8:41:36
In reply to I need a routine, posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 8:25:05
> My T says that it's time for me to get organized (well, actually he's been saying this for about 2 months now). And I'm ready- kinda.
>
> Here's my plan:
>
> I need to get more exercise, eat better food, and spend less money. I need to work smarter. I need to do things I used to enjoy.
>
> SO: the first step of my new schedule is to get up at 7am everymorning and go for a jog around the park. It's 1.6 miles. It takes about 25 minutes walking, and about 15-20 minutes jogging.I haven't had my coffee in me long enough yet, long enough to think past your first simple change.
Suddenly, you're going to start: a) getting up at the same time early morning time; b) jog, not walk, a distance you have neither been jogging nor walking; and, c) do it to a stopwatch. May I add d), not setting yourself up for challenges that cannot possibly be attained in one step from where you are now?
What do you get from failing? Even one of those is a task. A target to shape towards, not one to pick from a tree.
I need more coffee.
Grumble.
Lar
Posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 9:23:49
In reply to Re: I need a routine » llrrrpp, posted by Larry Hoover on June 9, 2006, at 8:41:36
> > My T says that it's time for me to get organized (well, actually he's been saying this for about 2 months now). And I'm ready- kinda.
> >
> > Here's my plan:
> >
> > I need to get more exercise, eat better food, and spend less money. I need to work smarter. I need to do things I used to enjoy.
> >
> > SO: the first step of my new schedule is to get up at 7am everymorning and go for a jog around the park. It's 1.6 miles. It takes about 25 minutes walking, and about 15-20 minutes jogging.
>
> I haven't had my coffee in me long enough yet, long enough to think past your first simple change.
>HAHAHAHAHH!!!!! i think this post was definitely affected by my 3rd day straight of having an espresso beverage before 8 am!!! I had a LAtte this morning. With Italian Espresso. I made it myself. This is part of what I mean by saving money. My favorite cafe charges me almost 4 dollars for such a lovely beverage. I get pretty close approximation for about 60 cents. And then my heart gets thumping, and my neurons start firing. Lo and behold!!! LLRRRPP is motivated!!!
> Suddenly, you're going to start: a) getting up at the same time early morning time; b) jog, not walk, a distance you have neither been jogging nor walking; and, c) do it to a stopwatch. May I add d), not setting yourself up for challenges that cannot possibly be attained in one step from where you are now?
No stopwatch. I was jogging or walking this trail every day for about 4 weeks in february/march. Before I got really bad. I know I can't do it all at once, but I CAN work up to it. T says I should exercise if I feel up to it. The truth is that I never feel up to it, until I'm actually running around, chasing Canadian geese in the wee hours. I have a lot of motivation when I first get up. then it fades. quickly as the day goes on. Do the hardest thing in the day first off. then it's all downhill.
>
> What do you get from failing? Even one of those is a task. A target to shape towards, not one to pick from a tree.
>What I get from failing is similar to what i get from not trying at all. I get to reinforce my idea that I am weak, unathletic, and unmotivated. With the small exception that I know that at least I've gotten in a couple of workouts.
> I need more coffee.
>
YES, Lar, you need more coffee. bottom's up
> Grumble.Anti-Grumble
> Lar
-ll
Posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 9:31:58
In reply to Re: I need a routine » Larry Hoover, posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 9:23:49
Okay.
somewhat more seriously.I will try to implement one change only.
that is to get up at 7 am every morning and do some kind of exercise
maybe it will be walking or jogging.
maybe it will be a yoga dvd workout, or a pilates dvd workout.
and I will try not to set myself up for failure. Just because I'm caffeinated doesn't mean I'm a different person.
One day at a time. but today is starting off well. That's all.
ZZZAAA{P!P!P}}
(Lar, that was a beam of motivating energy, that I just sent your direction. I have a little excess right now)
best wishes,
-ll
Posted by Nina78 on June 9, 2006, at 9:38:07
In reply to Re: I need a routine » llrrrpp, posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 9:31:58
I find excersize more fun if I can do it with someone. Do you have a friend or neighbour that might be willing to join your morning jog? You don't have yo go every day, but maybe once or twice a week. It also means you have a commitment with someone else to do it, and that will minimise you trying to come up with excuses not to do it "today" because you're not feeling up to it.
Good luck!
NinaPS: I found chewing gum with guarana, also a good energy boost, works almost as good as coffee!!
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2006, at 22:26:31
In reply to Re: I need a routine » llrrrpp, posted by Nina78 on June 9, 2006, at 9:38:07
I'd do the bike riding to work first. I love to ride. And baby steps or you set yourself up for failure. Love Phillipa
Posted by llrrrpp on June 10, 2006, at 10:32:18
In reply to Re: I need a routine, posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2006, at 22:26:31
I'm getting a fairly consistent message here.
The message is that I should try to make small changes first, and work up to large changes.
Why do y'all have to be so *sensible*??
Can't I just live with my fantasy for one day that I can wake up, feel like a million bucks and change my life? I didn't say anything like I was going to write a dissertation chapter everyday until I was done at the end of the week? I didn't say that I was going to lose a pound a day and enter a body-building competition for July 4th. I didn't say that I wanted to completely change my life.
Hmm. part of me is kind of hurt. These consistent messages from kind people like Nina and Larry, and Phillipa kind of make me feel like I'm destined for failure. Why can't I do this stuff? I mean, I've already written down a plan. If I don't at least attempt it, haven't I failed already? I would rather try and fail than fail by not trying. Well, whatever.
I guess I'm just pissed at myself for letting my healthy habits crumble while my mental health was on a slide. I really do feel like I'm on the upswing. Two steps forward, 1.9 steps back. Yes, the progress is slow. I was hoping maybe I could speed it up, and get a little support while doing so.
too much to ask I guess
too much to expect from myself, I guess
Posted by Nina78 on June 11, 2006, at 10:54:39
In reply to Re: I need a routine baby steps vs. radical change, posted by llrrrpp on June 10, 2006, at 10:32:18
I'm sorry llrrrpp!
Idid't mean to encourage you! Just be carelfull that you don't try to do too much. I've tried things like these myself, and it never worked out. I am now learning to recognise my moods, and take smaller staps. Just because you are feeling better for 1 or even 2 days (or a week for that matter) dpesn't mean you're better or cured, and can cary the world on your shoulders!Be careful, andbe honest to yourself! I know that that is difficult. There are lots of things I don't like admiting too. L like admitting I'm hypomanic now whiltst I like to think I'm normal/stable, whilst only having 5 hours sleep and feeling I could run a marathon without training. It's even easier to write it to you than to admit it to myself...
If you think you can do it, TRY! But when it doesn't work be ready to admit you wre in a rather optimistic mood when you wrote it down.
Good Luck!!!
((((llrrrpp))))
Nina
Posted by llrrrpp on June 12, 2006, at 21:57:12
In reply to I need a routine, posted by llrrrpp on June 9, 2006, at 8:25:05
> My T says that it's time for me to get organized (well, actually he's been saying this for about 2 months now). And I'm ready- kinda.
***UPDATE****
DAY 1
>
> I need to get more exercise, eat better food, and spend less money. I need to work smarter. I need to do things I used to enjoy.
>
> SO: the first step of my new schedule is to get up at 7am everymorning and go for a jog around the park. It's 1.6 miles. It takes about 25 minutes walking, and about 15-20 minutes jogging.DONE
> the next step is to get dressed, eat healthy bkfast (which has never been a problem for me. bkfast being the healthiest meal I eat all day long)
DONE> get to the office. I'd like to manage to ride my bike on sunny days without anxiety that I'm going to get hit by a car, or without the disturbing thoughts that I WANT to get hit by a car.
DONE (lovely biking weather today)> At the office. write out a to do list and a schedule for the breaks I'll be taking. I like breaks. caffeine breaks. babble breaks. chit-chat with buddies breaks.
UNDONE> Lunch I will try to eat a serving of veggies
DONE (had salad)> Afternoon I will try to eat a non junk food snack
DONE (had apple and nuts)> Evening I will try to read something scholarly and maybe lift weights to add a little muscle. I lost a lot of muscle when depression made me stop eating. I gained the weight back (not a bad thing. I'm a healthy weight; I'm tall and have a medium build) now I'm too flabby. I don't like flabby. I feel like one of those women in the paintings from 2 centuries ago. alabaster curves of solid lard. you know the ones...
UNDONE (ate sorbet, watched half a movie (it got kinda heavy, then played on babble for an hour)
> Also in the evening, I need to do a chore. either dishes or laundry or vacuuming or bills. something like that.
UNDONE, but at least I cooked my own dinner
> And the most important thing is that I will try to go to bed at a healthy time 10:00 every night. i think I can do it.
DONE (as long as I'm in bed in six minutes) Can I extend this one til 10:15, please? Puh-lease?
Posted by Larry Hoover on June 13, 2006, at 9:58:12
In reply to Re: I need a routine baby steps vs. radical change, posted by llrrrpp on June 10, 2006, at 10:32:18
> I'm getting a fairly consistent message here.
>
> The message is that I should try to make small changes first, and work up to large changes.No, you still haven't got the message. Large changes are the sum of small changes.
> Why can't I do this stuff?
But you can. Duh!
> I mean, I've already written down a plan. If I don't at least attempt it, haven't I failed already?
No, silly. What you have is a bad plan.
Any man (<-- gender neutral term) can move a mountain. One stone at a time.
> I was hoping maybe I could speed it up, and get a little support while doing so.
I will not support your speeded up plan. You are trying to lift stones that are much too heavy, for a rookie stone carrier.
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.