I had a dream last night. I dreampt that I was really really fat. Much more overweight than I am. When I woke up it took me a while to realize that it was just a dream and not real. I guess I had this dream because of my struggle with the diet. I have not been able to adhear to it except for last Monday. So far so good today but today isn't over and I have had to talk to myself all day about why I am doing this.
The urge to eat popcorn or chips while watching TV is strong. I stayed busy most of the day so it was pretty good. But once I sit down, I want to eat. I have 2 Netflix to watch and for me part of the fun of watching them is eating while I do. I'm avoiding movies because of this. I just need to make it through about 3 days and then the cravings will go away. So many reasons to do this. Not only the way I look but the way I feel. the acid reflux. The fatigue. The allergy symptoms from processed foods. All sorts of other things, I'm sure.
I had energy this weekend more than I have in a long time. I think we may finally be getting the medication right. My thoughts seem to be more motivated and positive. I don't feel as defeated. I can only hope it continues like this. I always have a fear in the back of my mind that the depression will come back, so I hesitate to get too excited when I am doing well.
Sydney was sick for a week. It was hard deciding whether to take her to the doctor or not because it's usually viral. Finally on Friday I took her. It was viral. She is much better now.
I guess that's it. Sort of boring I think. But it serves it's pupose for me.
A journey of learning how to love myself. How to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Bikram yoga is my main focus and will teach me many lessons on my journey.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
How Long?!
Okay so it's been awhile. Over two years to be quite blunt. I guess I have been busy adjusting to my new job. Not so new anymore but I love it just as much as I did when I started, more even.
Sydney is now 13. Very different than my last posting. She is an amazing 8th grader doing well in school. She recently scored 100% on the writing portion of the WASL, which is Washington's Assesment of Student Learning. I don't think it's an easy test and I am very proud of her. She want's to be an author and I do believe she will be.
What's been going on with me? I don't know how to catch up for 2 years so I won't try. I will hit high points and then try to be a better blogger. If I fail at blogging this time I just will have to realize I wasn't made to blog.
On July 3, 2008 I began a diet called Medifast. I have done every diet ever invented. I was so afraid to start this one because who wants to fail? But I was also desperate. I was 267lbs and 5'9". My BMI was 41 making me 'morbidly obese'. I was ashamed of my eating habits and my appearance. Fast forward to July 3, 2009, one year of dieting. I had lost 65lbs, down to 202 and dropped my BMI to 29. I was no longer 'morbidly obese' or 'obese' but just 'overweight.' I had tears. What an accomplishment. Only 35 more to go.
Then something happened..................
Depression. What an awful, awful thing to experience. Also a very misunderstood illness. Toward the end of July I started having trouble with my depression that had been under control for years. I couldn't get out of bed in the morning, almost not making it to work. Small tasks seemed so overwheming. By the end of the day I was so exhausted all I could do was come home and put my feet up. There went the diet. We had to eat microwave or drive-thru.
Now I know what a lot of people think...they say it to my face. "All you need to do is get up and go for a walk, you'll feel better." Those are the people that don't understand depression. You see, I wasn't "sad". I had nothing to be sad about. I was barley functioning though. I am not a lazy person and I was not using it as an excuse to not do anything. Depression is internal torture. Inside my brain I want to go for that walk, I want to clean my house, I want to get up without hitting the snooze button 6 times and being late everyday. I CAN'T. My body was craving quick energy, carbohydrates. I was cheating on the diet and then being so mad at myself making the depression worse. I finally stopped trying to do the diet all together until I could get the depression under control....that's where I am at right now.
[ Editing to add: Being that I have the diagnosis of Bipolar2 I would also like to add that I have never been hospitalized for anything related. I have never been arrested or went crazy doing irrisponsible things. I have raised a child by myself from the time she was 4. I went to college and worked at the same time. I have always provided a home and food. Obviously it hasn't been easy but I just want to say that the media can make those of us with a diagnosis look really extreme and that isn't always the case.]
I have gained about 20lbs. I hate it, but I feel I had no choice. I know there are those that won't ever understand, that's okay. I understand myself. I have been to several appointments with my doctor, made several changes in medication, and I am feeling sort of better but not 100%. I have a way to go but I am going to try to get back on track with Medifast.
Tomorrow is the day. I am afraid of failing. I am excited to feel better. I think that eating right helps with the energy level and how I feel about myself.
If you read this far....you are probably my mother. :)
Sydney is now 13. Very different than my last posting. She is an amazing 8th grader doing well in school. She recently scored 100% on the writing portion of the WASL, which is Washington's Assesment of Student Learning. I don't think it's an easy test and I am very proud of her. She want's to be an author and I do believe she will be.
What's been going on with me? I don't know how to catch up for 2 years so I won't try. I will hit high points and then try to be a better blogger. If I fail at blogging this time I just will have to realize I wasn't made to blog.
On July 3, 2008 I began a diet called Medifast. I have done every diet ever invented. I was so afraid to start this one because who wants to fail? But I was also desperate. I was 267lbs and 5'9". My BMI was 41 making me 'morbidly obese'. I was ashamed of my eating habits and my appearance. Fast forward to July 3, 2009, one year of dieting. I had lost 65lbs, down to 202 and dropped my BMI to 29. I was no longer 'morbidly obese' or 'obese' but just 'overweight.' I had tears. What an accomplishment. Only 35 more to go.
Then something happened..................
Depression. What an awful, awful thing to experience. Also a very misunderstood illness. Toward the end of July I started having trouble with my depression that had been under control for years. I couldn't get out of bed in the morning, almost not making it to work. Small tasks seemed so overwheming. By the end of the day I was so exhausted all I could do was come home and put my feet up. There went the diet. We had to eat microwave or drive-thru.
Now I know what a lot of people think...they say it to my face. "All you need to do is get up and go for a walk, you'll feel better." Those are the people that don't understand depression. You see, I wasn't "sad". I had nothing to be sad about. I was barley functioning though. I am not a lazy person and I was not using it as an excuse to not do anything. Depression is internal torture. Inside my brain I want to go for that walk, I want to clean my house, I want to get up without hitting the snooze button 6 times and being late everyday. I CAN'T. My body was craving quick energy, carbohydrates. I was cheating on the diet and then being so mad at myself making the depression worse. I finally stopped trying to do the diet all together until I could get the depression under control....that's where I am at right now.
[ Editing to add: Being that I have the diagnosis of Bipolar2 I would also like to add that I have never been hospitalized for anything related. I have never been arrested or went crazy doing irrisponsible things. I have raised a child by myself from the time she was 4. I went to college and worked at the same time. I have always provided a home and food. Obviously it hasn't been easy but I just want to say that the media can make those of us with a diagnosis look really extreme and that isn't always the case.]
I have gained about 20lbs. I hate it, but I feel I had no choice. I know there are those that won't ever understand, that's okay. I understand myself. I have been to several appointments with my doctor, made several changes in medication, and I am feeling sort of better but not 100%. I have a way to go but I am going to try to get back on track with Medifast.
Tomorrow is the day. I am afraid of failing. I am excited to feel better. I think that eating right helps with the energy level and how I feel about myself.
If you read this far....you are probably my mother. :)
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