Physical Check-In

No gym today because I had a job interview but I think it went well so that’s good. I treated myself to a chicken sandwich from Wendy’s which was calorie heavy but I didn’t have any fries. So it wasn’t too bad. Banana and coffee for breakfast. Chicken tacos for dinner! So all in all pretty good. Will weigh in on Saturday.

I lost .6 lbs last week. I have 3 more lbs to go to get to my goal weight. I am thinking I might need to reduce my calories again a bit to get there, but I'm going to let things play out another week or two at my current levels before making any adjustments.

I wish my metabolism was like it was before I started taking antipsychotics. Small changes made a huge difference then. Now I have to work really hard to see even the tiniest results. I suppose I shouldn't complain though. Exercise and meal planning have become excellent self care and coping skills. I actually haven't had to use any other coping skills for a long time now that I think about it. I'm just living again without having to think it through all the time. I have rough moments and flashbacks regularly, but they pass quickly.

I have had really positive feedback lately from family and friends. They have shared that they think I look very healthy and fit. That is wonderful to hear. I felt for a long time people looked at me and just saw that I was sick after my episode. The meds made me groggy and sluggish and took the sparkle out of my eyes. I had to really work to feel things and participate in each moment. That is gone now and I feel like I look and feel like my old self finally except slightly more fit now. I am grateful. Thanks so very much to everyone here who has encouraged me along the way. It genuinely means a lot to have your support while I worked to get this aspect of my life back on track. I am hoping the physical changes I have made do their part to support my mental health. So far, so good.

Hugs and well wishes to all who follow this thread.

I've struggled these last 3 to 4 days with eating, because of stress. I have had motivation issues as part of it all. I know that I do need to eventually get on the scale to see the damage. I know that avoiding the scale too long prevents me from getting back on track.

I go through phases like this often and sometimes for no apparent reason at all. You'll find your way back on track. You were very recently feeling great and knocking it out of the park. You aren't far away from being back there at all.

I've lost 33 lbs since my last GP visit in May. cut out junk food (I may occasionally have some dark chocolate), carbs and there is no eating any later than 7 pm. If my tummy growls afterwards I may have a granola bar or a banana to hold me over till morning. sometimes my hunger wakes me up too early. after dinner I usually have some yogurt with blueberries. I am happy with my weight loss since I've yet to start exercising. I do have a stationary bike I will start using once my knee gets better. plus there is a beach nearby on the lake I can walk to as well. my BP has been under control and losing weight, I believe, is helping. my Wife seems to think I am always skipping meals and I occasionally do which is the downside. I don't always though. I may have a light snack to substitute. I'm not much of an eater during the summer months.

Hey Jedi, so happy to have you in this thread. 33 lbs since May is a ton of weight. That's really remarkable. I think it is great you were able to do all of that with only changing your eating. I must admit I agree with your wife about not skipping meals though. That can wreak havoc on your metabolism in the long run. Cutting out the night eating is so smart. I just read a blog about intermittent fasting and it got me thinking. We usually eat dinner around 7 and it might be healthier to try to get dinner on the table sooner. That would be a healthy change I could make for my whole family.

Do you have a specific weight loss goal? I've been working to lose 8 lbs for a month now and I'm down 4.8 so far. Its a slow road, but a good one. I hurt my knee previously as well. I did a lot of punches and free weights with my arms while it healed. Knee injuries can be so painful. I hope yours heals soon!

Happy to be here in this thread! I do not have a specific weight goal in mind but I think getting down to 200 for a big guy like me should be preferable. so far, I've had success with just my eating and the exercise will help tremendously even if it's just going for a walk. maybe I'll become a mall zombie and walk with all the nice folks there lol. I do intend to stop skipping meals. don't want appetite issues down the line. I've also looked into intermittent fasting. I may actually try that out. my Wife and I usually eat between 5 and 6 and a light snack afterwards.

The knee is due for a cortisone shot and after that, I'll be good to go. Hope your knee holds up as well and congrats on the weight loss! Thanks for the kind words, fern46, I appreciate it and I'll be sure to continue checking in on this thread.

I managed to go to the gym Monday and today even though I REALLY didn’t want to. I’m so tired today. I kept falling asleep at work. For like the whole morning. It was awful. I’m ready to call it a night now and it’s only 7:15. I only stayed up till like 11 last night. I don’t know.

I stayed under calories Monday and Tuesday but not yesterday, though it was better than it would have been. I wanted a milkshake but opted for a brownie and the brownie was stale so I only ate a couple of bites. Today I am on track to stay under calories.

I had to cancel my GI appt because of a job interview and I keep forgetting to call back. I’m going to try to remember tomorrow because I’m in pain today.

I’m not weighing myself until Saturday. I don’t expect to lose much. I never do. My meds ruined my metabolism. It takes me forever just to lose one pound, which is why I get discouraged and start overeating again. I’m hoping that won’t happen again this time. I really want to lose this weight.

2 ALL!

Well today my husband and I decided to have dinner out we only do it once a month. Literally once a month, no fast food or anything in between. I cook every day.

So yes glorious Mexican food it was. I had 2 tacos and a bean burrito! I was in heaven didn’t think a thing about a calorie. Denial is okay occasionally in my book.

So I still hours and hours later still feel like a slug lol

Back to healthy healthy tomorrow.

My treadmill is giving me dirty looks from not being used, but my pain is just to high and not on a biological for my PsA pain , well its just far to painful to jump on, PsA untreated will only cause more irreversible joint damage.

I like tacos, a lot! I've been on a fajita kick lately. They're easy to make in a jiffy. I like all kinds of Tex-Mex food.

My husband and I used to go out to eat more than we do now. If we're just home (not on vacation), we usually go out a few times per month. I love to cook, and I am the cook, too, but sometimes you just need a break.

I second all things Tex Mex! I had tacos last night and for lunch today. I could eat them again for dinner, but I'm out of leftovers.

I lost one pound! Not a lot but it’s something. I ate well this whole week except Thursday. Today I had a big breakfast at ihop and then Wendy’s for dinner so not so good but oh well. Still not too many calories as I slept through lunch because I’m sick. No exercise either because of the aforementioned illness. I’m hoping to get back on Monday if I feel better.

1 pound is a good loss. You had a good week. I'm sorry you're sick and I hope you feel better soon!

some head and neck discomfort this morning. just some myofascial pain syndrome. took some advils for it. didn't feel like popping a muscle relaxer. left knee a bit wonky today too. well, there goes using the exercise bike today!

I'm sorry you are still hurting. Good call on the muscle relaxer! They make me feel awful and super spacy.

yeah, didn't wanna take the muscle relaxer since I have some driving to do today. the knee is actually starting to feel a bit better since I put my copperfit compression brace on. head and neck still a bit sore but it'll pass. my WIfe actually ended taking the MR lol. she is having bad back pain today. hope you're well today, fern46!

Thank you for the well wishes Jedi! I'm having a good day. I got a few chores done this morning and then we spent the rest of the day so far at the pool. I played, swam laps and ran laps so I got a decent workout in.

I'm still sticking to my eating plan. I've been craving junk this week, but have found healthier ways to indulge. I hope to be at least another pound closer to my goal on Wednesday when I weigh in again. Fingers crossed.

happy to hear you are having a good day. sounds like you had a blast at the pool. good for you, fern46! hanging out in the pool is a great way to get a solid workout in.

I caved a bit this weekend and had some canolli from an Italian restaurant we went to then some Italian Ice. just a weekend thing. I'll be back on track this week. I lost another 3 LBs. I hope you reach your goal by Wednesday! Fingers crossed!

I weigh about 150 and I want to get down to 125. I used to be 236 because of psych meds. People especially my therapist are giving me a difficult time about my weight loss. There’s a big eating disorder program at this outpatient program so they are “trained” to look for problems that are not even there in the first place. Sometimes my bipolar symptoms cause me to be like “screw it” I love KFC. It is my weak spot. Other times I lose weight by just sitting on the couch doing nothing all weekend. Things are up or down
For me. I got really sick trying keto so I went back to just low calories. But I’ve lost about 11 pounds since the middle of June.

That's a big loss in 6ish weeks. It is great you are able to move toward your goal so quickly. How many calories are you eating a day? I'm following a low calorie plan as well and target 1400 a day. I'm sorry your therapist is giving you a hard time. There shouldn't be any problem as long as you're not restricting too much. People also go through phases where they naturally gain and lose. That shouldn't be cause for concern either unless the loss is so quick that it could be caused by an underlying medical issue or a disorder.

I have decided to check in mornings to see if doing so helps to keep me more mindful during the day?

I have been under a lot of stress lately, and more over the past 2-3 days. Due to childhood trauma, I sometimes "dissociate" under certain circumstances. When someone dissociates, "body awareness" goes out the window! Thus, when under stress, and additionally dissociated, I struggle with being mindful about anything physical, including diet and exercise.

A big challenge for me is "mindful eating."
I am hoping my checking in here will help me to participate in both mindful eating, as well as mindful exercise.

Love to All~

I think checking in is worth a shot. It has helped me to be more accountable for my eating and my exercise. The support has also been helpful.

I also found that tracking my food helps me a lot. It keeps me from eating more than a suggested serving at a time and it helps me to meal plan. I was thinking that if you got into the habit of tracking you might do it even while you are dissociated. That way you could leave yourself a 'trail of breadcrumbs' to come back to and see what you ate. I'm not sure it would work, but wanted to toss it out.

I'm wishing you all the best with this. Good for you for focusing on this aspect of your health!

had a banana, granola bar and a greek yogurt this morning. knee pain is gone. slept good. just some neck and head discomfort but usually some advil or tylenol helps. for lunch I'm about to have a grilled turkey and cheese sandwich and tonight some grilled chicken breast and salad. drinking plenty of water today as well. overall feeling physically good. love to all. hope you are all well!

Jedi, awesome update. I'm so glad the knee is feeling better today. I am sure less pain helps with your mood overall as well. We must be on the same diet today. I had Greek yougurt, granola and fruit for breakfast and I'm about to eat chicken and salad for lunch. I'm not sure yet what's for dinner. I have to go grocery shopping, so it will probably be a hodge podge of whatever the pantry and fridge still have to offer.

I made an obstacle course in the backyard and ran time trials with my kids this morning. That was fun and good exercise. I had to force them to play outside today. It is so strange to me because I loved being outside as a kid. Anyway, they thought the competition was fun so it was a success.

I also just finished up a 30 min circuit training workout, so it has been a good day for exercise. I am getting slightly bored with rotating the same three workouts on my video, so I searched for something new today. I discovered the same trainer has a second video with 4 new workouts so I bought it. I'm excited to change things up. It arrives Wednesday, so I'll probably be sore on Thursday after trying it out.