Need to be kept accountable to help meet goals

[scorch]

Hi everyone.

So as some of you know I suffer from depression and anxiety.  I'm trying to live my life to the fullest, but as anyone who has a mental illness knows, it can sometimes be very difficult to get your butt into gear and do what needs doing,

I am often overcome by feelings of worthlessness and that I am a failure.  I know that these feelings are lying to me, I AM precious and beautiful and worth so much!  I HAVE accomplished many things and will continue to do... but you know, the feelings can still drag you down sometimes.

Anywho... I've been talking to my husband (who is remarkably understanding and patient with my erratic behavior/mood swings) and we've decided to set some goals for us to aim for, so that we can reach our MEGA GOAL which is to undergo IVF treatment and hopefully start a family.

I have PCOS which is a genetic disorder that means it is incredibly difficult to have children.  It also has about a zillion other side effects including high risk of depression, higher risk of diabetes plus plenty of physical effects all which make me feel like a hideous freak who is hardly a woman at all. We've been trying to have kids for 5 years now, but all treatments have come to naught.  We will have to undergo IVF, but it is a long process that costs heaps of money... and we just don't have the funds.  This kind of set us both back and over the last year or so we've been sitting stagnant on the kid's issue and it's been negatively affecting our marriage.

So the other night we decided enough was enough.  We have to get serious about having kids, which means working towards our MEGA GOAL. 

We're going to attack this on two fronts.  First, my husband is trying to pick up some extra work as a security guard as well as his normal day job.  Any money he makes from that is going straight into a special 'baby making' bank account.  He's also been putting aside a little each week for the last couple of years, but now we're hoping to boost that.  I am also putting a little from my wage into the account too.  It's already a struggle for us financially, but we'll make it work because this is something we really want.

The second part of our goal is for me to lose a whole lot of weight so that I'll be in prime fitness when we can finally undergo treatment.  I have to lose about 40kg.  I know that sounds like a lot, but I'm really heavy even though I look like I weigh a lot less  (thank goodness!)

This is where you guys come in.  Because of my depression, I struggle to start things.  It's hard to get out of bed in the morning, so it's really hard to summon the energy to hop on the treadmill and do a workout. 

I've got a home setup of a cheapo treadmill and a rowing/cycling machine, so I've got easy access to equipment and no excuses.  

So it it's not too much trouble, will someone touch base with me once or twice a week to keep me accountable and make sure I'm actually exercising and eating healthily?   Does anyone else need to lose weight and want me to help keep you accountable and on track?  Is there a whole bunch of us that want to get healthier and we could all keep each other accountable?

I hope that some people will think this is a good idea.  When we share the load we can go further than we ever could on our own.

[scorch]

Neil, your story about walking through the hills and pretending to be a bushranger made me smile.  What a beautiful memory to hold on to 🙂 

As for exercise machines, I'll be back on them tomorrow.  I'll start with the cycle and treadmill and see where we go from there.  I'm going to go slowly, maybe only do 15 minutes on each just to make sure I don't over do it. 

I'm looking forward to getting back into it.

[Neil_1]

Hey Scorch

Brilliant brilliant.  Yes yes, definitely only ease yourself right back in. 

Those sessions tomorrow I want you to feel like, “gee this is easy and I don’t think doing this is doing anything for me at all”.

That’s all – just get in there and just nice and slow, just for the muscles to get acquainted with those kinds of movements again. 

Nothing strenuous and hard levels of difficulty or resistance.

Neil

[scorch]

Hi Neil

So I slept my alarm this morning and didn't get a chance to exercise *grumpy face* But I'm going to make a special trip home this afternoon and get some exercise done then.

I am a little excited because even though I haven't been able to exercise for almost 2 weeks now, just maintaining healthy eating seems to be helping me lose weight.  I weighed myself this morning.  (I don't know why I picked Wednesday as my weigh in day...) and I've lose a kilo since this time last week.  That makes 3 kilos so far, not losing weight as fast as I hoped but I'm still losing it.  Yay!  It's given me great incentive to keep going.

The healthy eating has been fantastic.  The only take away that we've bought since the greasy burger incident has been an Indian curry.  Is curry a decent dish?  Or does it contain hidden nasties that I should know about?

I'll let you know how this arvo's exercise turns out.

-Scorch

[Neil_1]

Scorch,

That's an amazing result - super well done!  🙂  3 kg's so far and you've hardly really started.  Brilliant stuff.

Don't want to be a downer here, but just to let you know the the first couple are generally the easiest ... and as you go along it does become harder.  But hey, good things were never meant to come easy.  Also with that though, it's much better to know that at the start so you can mentally prepare as well - otherwise if you think they all come off so easily like they did at the start but after a while, things plateau a bit, that can be a major setback.

But it won't be now because you know about it ... plus we're gonna have lots of different fun cardio things to assist you along the way.

Curries are "fine" depending on how they're made.  Some can have butter, some with cream, so obviously they're not "as good" as say, the ones predominately based on a tomato base.  But having said that Scorch, we are not on a Boot Camp regime here.  It's a life process you're on here and in life, we MUST get to experience the good things along the way and if you enjoy a curry, then you damn well have one when you feel like it.  That's like a reward.

And never EVER beat yourself up about what you eat.  Even if sometimes you may "go off the rails" or something and tuck into something you shouldn't - don't stress it, because you'll be in a routine soon and you'll be able to get back on track straight-away and continue back on your path.

But all is going really awesome Scorch.  Thanx for keeping me posted.

Neil

[scorch]

Thanks Neil

I've had a pretty busy weekend and it was nice to come online this morning and find your supportive advice 🙂 

I've gotten back into the cycling and walking with no negative effects on my back, so this week I'm going to try the rowing again. I didn't get any exercise done over the weekend, spent the whole time away at a first aid course.  So while I didn't get any exercise for my body, I sure got some exercise for my mind.  lol.

It'll be interesting to see if I've lost any weight this week, since I haven't really had a chance to get back into a routine.

[Neil_1]

Dear Scorch (and anyone who is reading this)

You had a busy weekend (doing stuff) and that is great and you know, exercising isn't all about going to a gym or going out for power walks, etc etc.  It can be as simple as 'being busy'.

If you went and did a course - well let's face it, you would have been up and active during that day;  granted there'd be times when you were sitting for a while, but at other times you'd have been involved in bandaging or doing the respiration/compression activity. 

People (and Scorch) anything that you do that involves movement of your body is helping towards you with weight loss and fitness.  Walking to and from your car;   walking to the kitchen, walking to the toilet, etc etc, you get my drift?

Standing up if you're going to be on a lengthy phone call - anything you can think of ... it's all beneficial.

One of my favourite things to do is calf raises.  They've gotta be the hardest muscle group for me to build and so every opportunity I get, I'm always trying to do something to boost them.  Either stretching them or quite often when I'm just standing, i'll go up on my toes, feel a good squeeze in the calf and then lower;  then repeat over and over again.  It might look weird, but hey, I figure I look weird anyway, so why not do something a bit eccentric!

Stay in touch Scorch.

Neil

ps:  two sleeps till your next weigh day, yes?

[scorch]

Thanks Neil, you've given me some ideas for exercising during everyday tasks.  The older I get the less I care what other people think of me, so I'm not fussed if I look a bit weird doing exercises in public.  lol.

Yes, weigh in is on Wednesday morning.  I don't have high hopes.  So long as I haven't put weight on I'll be happy.  I have a bet going with my husband and my mother as to who can lose the most weight by the start of April... I want to win lol! 

[Neil_1]

I want you to win too Scorch ... 🙂  🙂

You've got it summed up beautifully.  The older you get the less you care what other people think of me ... and with that, what goes hand in hand with that is the battle to lose weight as well. 

When people say they want to lose weight - you've gotta ask 'em why - and if you find out that they're doing it because their 'other half' has suggested it, then that ain't good.

When someone wants to lose weight (or actually, when someone wants to do ANYTHING), it has to be because that actual person WANTS too.  And not to do it for anybody else.  Full stop.

Now, how are you going with the treadmill and bike?   Only do the rower if you feel absolutely certain that your back is fine.  Otherwise, the treadie and the bike will be sufficient at this time.

When you're ready I'll give you a little exercise to try on the treadie which just starts to up things a little and makes it a little  bit more interesting (um, challenging)!  🙂

Cheers

Neil

[scorch]

Neil I decided to do an extra session yesterday evening to kind of make up for the time I've lost while injured and away.  I didn't bother with the treadmill because hubby wanted an early night and it's loud and in the bedroom, so I did about an hour on the bike and about 15 minutes on the rower.  My back feels pretty good, so I'm excited about that.

I can definitely say that I want to lose weight for ME.  I want to look at myself and feel good about me.  I want to get healthy and be able to fit the kind of clothes I like to wear. but mostly I want to lose weight so that 1) I can get pregnant easier and 2) When I do have a baby I can be a healthy, active mum and good example to my child.

I think it's going to take some time, but I'm not going to give up 🙂  Thanks so much for all your support.  I don't think I could have gotten this far without you.  I can't wait to see some results 🙂

[Neil_1]

Oh Scorch ... please forgive me ... me and my evil mind ... I'll have to let you into my little 'joke'.

 "I didn't bother with the treadmill because hubby wanted an early night "

And yes, you can understand why people always say that my mind is in the gutter.  Perhaps this should be an Adults Only thread!!

Scorch, YES it will take time, but I may have mentioned this before, that worthwhile things do take time - and doing it slowly (taking weight off Scorch!) is far better than the quick fix, fast weight loss things that you see advertised on the tv so often.

Quick question before i embarrass myself even more ... is that a 'selfie' of your shoes standing amongst beautiful autumn leaves??

As for support - I've told you that I ain't going no-where and as long as you come here and post and give rundowns, updates;  I'll be right here for you, with as much motivation, advice and suggestions as I can possibly give.

Kind regards

Neil