Petal001
New member
Cate I have a wedding in 3 months so hoping to be a little lighter , I haven’t weighed myself in a while but will do now as I start my new plan.
Cate's Diary
- Thread starter Cate
- Start date
Hi Cate. Very disappointing that your son is so ignorant when it comes to the sprays. He doesn't seem willing to change so I'm not sure what the solution is. I'm glad that the day went okay despite that.
Greece in 4 months? Whoop whoop! That will put a smile on your face I'm sure.
I am also looking forward to a new plan for the new year.
Greece in 4 months? Whoop whoop! That will put a smile on your face I'm sure.
I am also looking forward to a new plan for the new year.
Cate
Long term member
Hi, Petal & Emily & anyone else reading my diary.
I feel much better now Christmas is done & dusted.
I'm busting to take down my decorations & will start doing so in increments.
I feel at peace today. We have pottered around checking on the chooks, making rhubarb chutney, making my new plan, reading, eating healthily & I am over my heavy heart.
My new plan is my old plan revisited.
New plan (part thereof)-
Log everything in MFP (1647 cals daily goal to lose 1/4 of a kg a week)
Squats- 20 daily minimum and/ or 5 mins bike.
Weigh weekly.
Exercise.......
Find a meditation, yoga, Tai Chi or belly dancing class.
Go for a walk every day.
Be less "busy" & enjoy my life more.
Worry less about other people.
Be more in the moment.
That's a good start.
I feel much better now Christmas is done & dusted.
I'm busting to take down my decorations & will start doing so in increments.
I feel at peace today. We have pottered around checking on the chooks, making rhubarb chutney, making my new plan, reading, eating healthily & I am over my heavy heart.
My new plan is my old plan revisited.
New plan (part thereof)-
Log everything in MFP (1647 cals daily goal to lose 1/4 of a kg a week)
Squats- 20 daily minimum and/ or 5 mins bike.
Weigh weekly.
Exercise.......
Find a meditation, yoga, Tai Chi or belly dancing class.
Go for a walk every day.
Be less "busy" & enjoy my life more.
Worry less about other people.
Be more in the moment.
That's a good start.
Cate
Long term member
Thank you, Marsia, Petal & LaMa 
I don't think I need to change what I do so much as just focus on being healthy & well, both physically & mentally. If I focus on the mental side then wanting to be physically healthy comes along for the ride. It really is something I have to be aware of almost all of the time. Start having negative thoughts or feeling anxious? Acknowledge the thoughts, try to work out why I am having them & then try to learn from them.
I started logging my food yesterday & just came under. That's a good start. I'm going to get notifications on my Fitbit again too to move every hour & will synchronise them every day. It's a way of staying focused, without being obsessive.
I have a GP's appointment next Friday & must start writing down what I need to talk to her about. I then have an ap't with a counsellor on the 17th of January. Rather than go in unprepared I really need to take notes with me. I don't want to go over my whole life. What I want are strategies to help me cope with stress & to not take on everyone else's problems.
I read this interesting article the other day & thought I would share it in here. I am going to try to be less "busy" & just be. The Disease of Being Busy
I almost forgot! I did some sewing yesterday. I got my machine out, changed a needle & just sewed. I repaired a couple of things & made a scarfy thing to attach to my handbag, to clean eyeglasses with. My SIL had one that someone had given her & I found some suitable material (a scarf that Mum had half made) & I cut in half & sewed it up properly & made 2 of them. It's paisley & mostly blue. I must tell my SIL. I couldn't bear to have her give me lessons. Another lesson learned. Stay away from people who make you feel inadequate.
OK- time to move. The chooks are settling in nicely. They managed to get onto our decking on Boxing day & we were both mystified & horrified until we found a gate left open by the kids. We thought we would have to give them away, but so far so good. We have had only 5 eggs from 5 chooks in 8 days, but we like them being here, so long as they don't find their way around to our front door. I feel it's only a matter of time though. There are so many places they can get under our fences. They were designed to keep sheep out mostly. G & I are like old mother hens with them!
Edit: I'm CateAussie on My Fitness Pal if anyone wants to add me. Let me know who you are though. I'm good at keeping my worlds separate
I don't think I need to change what I do so much as just focus on being healthy & well, both physically & mentally. If I focus on the mental side then wanting to be physically healthy comes along for the ride. It really is something I have to be aware of almost all of the time. Start having negative thoughts or feeling anxious? Acknowledge the thoughts, try to work out why I am having them & then try to learn from them.
I started logging my food yesterday & just came under. That's a good start. I'm going to get notifications on my Fitbit again too to move every hour & will synchronise them every day. It's a way of staying focused, without being obsessive.
I have a GP's appointment next Friday & must start writing down what I need to talk to her about. I then have an ap't with a counsellor on the 17th of January. Rather than go in unprepared I really need to take notes with me. I don't want to go over my whole life. What I want are strategies to help me cope with stress & to not take on everyone else's problems.
I read this interesting article the other day & thought I would share it in here. I am going to try to be less "busy" & just be. The Disease of Being Busy
I almost forgot! I did some sewing yesterday. I got my machine out, changed a needle & just sewed. I repaired a couple of things & made a scarfy thing to attach to my handbag, to clean eyeglasses with. My SIL had one that someone had given her & I found some suitable material (a scarf that Mum had half made) & I cut in half & sewed it up properly & made 2 of them. It's paisley & mostly blue. I must tell my SIL. I couldn't bear to have her give me lessons. Another lesson learned. Stay away from people who make you feel inadequate.
OK- time to move. The chooks are settling in nicely. They managed to get onto our decking on Boxing day & we were both mystified & horrified until we found a gate left open by the kids. We thought we would have to give them away, but so far so good. We have had only 5 eggs from 5 chooks in 8 days, but we like them being here, so long as they don't find their way around to our front door. I feel it's only a matter of time though. There are so many places they can get under our fences. They were designed to keep sheep out mostly. G & I are like old mother hens with them!
Edit: I'm CateAussie on My Fitness Pal if anyone wants to add me. Let me know who you are though. I'm good at keeping my worlds separate
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I really agree that the physical will come if you sort out your feelings. And really glad you are keeping the chickens. It's great did a sewing project, too!
Do you know how many sessions your insurance will pay for with a counselor? If it is a limited number, maybe explain to the counselor that you would like exercises or homework to do at home that she can help with so that you make the most of the therapy while you still have it. I don't know about Australia, but in the US, if you are lucky enough to have insurance pay for therapy, you are usually limited to about 6 sessions max, even if you are suicidal. We have awful health care though, and a lot isn't covered. Good luck at the doctors - hope all goes great!!
Do you know how many sessions your insurance will pay for with a counselor? If it is a limited number, maybe explain to the counselor that you would like exercises or homework to do at home that she can help with so that you make the most of the therapy while you still have it. I don't know about Australia, but in the US, if you are lucky enough to have insurance pay for therapy, you are usually limited to about 6 sessions max, even if you are suicidal. We have awful health care though, and a lot isn't covered. Good luck at the doctors - hope all goes great!!
Petal001
New member
Cate enjoyed reading your update. Sounds like a terrific plan. I’m with you on the mental health side of things . I know that’s my downfall certainly the last few years .
The chickens will lay more now when they are happy and settled. My gran used to have chickens . Loved seeing them when I was a child. They roamed everywhere but it was a real old country house on a farm
The chickens will lay more now when they are happy and settled. My gran used to have chickens . Loved seeing them when I was a child. They roamed everywhere but it was a real old country house on a farm
I really liked that article Cate. I have found myself sitting at home the last week just chatting with my parents and you know what? - it's been great.
Nothing has been 'done' but it's as therapeutic as any booked in session.
I think you probably have that time with G already. Just talking is so lovely. I have other people in my life that I could just chat to for hours. It's a great thing. I also like your plans for next year.
From reading your posts, I understand that you have some things you can worry about. Your children - real worries but they are grown men. The golf club - not that important and something I feel you need to let go of. But I think overall, you are doing great.
Nothing has been 'done' but it's as therapeutic as any booked in session.
I think you probably have that time with G already. Just talking is so lovely. I have other people in my life that I could just chat to for hours. It's a great thing. I also like your plans for next year.
From reading your posts, I understand that you have some things you can worry about. Your children - real worries but they are grown men. The golf club - not that important and something I feel you need to let go of. But I think overall, you are doing great.
Cate
Long term member
Hi, Marsia. We both really like the chooks & hope they behave. We want to keep them, but know we couldn't cope with them pooping all over our front doorstep.
The sewing session was good, in that I now have the confidence back to fix things, but also the knowledge that sewing would never be a passion, or even slightly therapeutic. It's good to know that I can actually use my sewing machine when I need to & I will get it out more often to maintain that feeling.`
Re: the sessions with a Psych. My GP renewed my mental health plan & I can have 10 sessions in a calendar year free. This is part of our Aust. healthcare system. You can't see a psychiatrist as part of it but psychologists you can. I like the idea of getting homework between sessions. If I like her I will book a session a month & see how I go.
Hi, LaMa. I had better start on my lists. I'm not sure where to start with the counsellor. I think of things sometimes & think "I must write that down" & then I forget. *sigh* I was doing really well until I read a message R put on FB last night. It hit me for six. We have been communicating a lot via messages & I know that he is doing OK at the moment, but his message reflected how close he was to committing suicide earlier this year. I had to do some serious self-talking last night & was awake to at least 2 am. I am grateful that he knows how much he is valued by his friends & family & will appreciate every moment that we have with him. I can't live his life for him & I can't change him having bipolar, nor can I make him take medication for it. He is very honest & has the need to be super open with everyone about his feelings & his illness & a lot of people seem to appreciate that. I die the death of 1000 cuts when I read about it, but that's something I have to learn to deflect. I can't not read it & can't lose contact with him.
Hi, Petal. I think my plan will concentrate on my mental health. Without that, it's hard to focus on anything much.
The chickens are very happy up here. We have 50 acres on which they could roam, but they have headed straight for our home & love scratching around our garden. They love being under the American Dogwoods. I can see them outside now. I don't think they'll be venturing far. One even lets you pat it
Hi, Em. I loved that article. Our son shared it & I really liked it. Communicating with your family is really good for you all & is very therapeutic. We gloss over too much & sharing your feelings is not as scary as we imagine.
I do have a lot to worry about, but it doesn't help anyone or change anything, so I must stop. I stopped myself last night but was unsettled for hours. That is why I need to learn meditation I think. I did go outside on the decking & looked at the stars at about 1.30 am. I said 'hello" to R & said I loved him & imagined him looking at the stars at the same time down on his bush block by the beach. There was electrical activity in the clear sky & I assume it was the Southern Lights, rather than lightning. It felt quite magical.
G & I are going to go & get some wood today. We have both had enough of sitting around doing little.
I forgot to say we took all 3 GK's out to lunch yesterday at our new favourite cafe(we had the "littlies" for the day) & picked up our older GS & D, our older son joined us in his lunch break. It was lovely to shout them all lunch together. It was special.
The sewing session was good, in that I now have the confidence back to fix things, but also the knowledge that sewing would never be a passion, or even slightly therapeutic. It's good to know that I can actually use my sewing machine when I need to & I will get it out more often to maintain that feeling.`
Re: the sessions with a Psych. My GP renewed my mental health plan & I can have 10 sessions in a calendar year free. This is part of our Aust. healthcare system. You can't see a psychiatrist as part of it but psychologists you can. I like the idea of getting homework between sessions. If I like her I will book a session a month & see how I go.
Hi, LaMa. I had better start on my lists. I'm not sure where to start with the counsellor. I think of things sometimes & think "I must write that down" & then I forget. *sigh* I was doing really well until I read a message R put on FB last night. It hit me for six. We have been communicating a lot via messages & I know that he is doing OK at the moment, but his message reflected how close he was to committing suicide earlier this year. I had to do some serious self-talking last night & was awake to at least 2 am. I am grateful that he knows how much he is valued by his friends & family & will appreciate every moment that we have with him. I can't live his life for him & I can't change him having bipolar, nor can I make him take medication for it. He is very honest & has the need to be super open with everyone about his feelings & his illness & a lot of people seem to appreciate that. I die the death of 1000 cuts when I read about it, but that's something I have to learn to deflect. I can't not read it & can't lose contact with him.
Hi, Petal. I think my plan will concentrate on my mental health. Without that, it's hard to focus on anything much.
The chickens are very happy up here. We have 50 acres on which they could roam, but they have headed straight for our home & love scratching around our garden. They love being under the American Dogwoods. I can see them outside now. I don't think they'll be venturing far. One even lets you pat it
Hi, Em. I loved that article. Our son shared it & I really liked it. Communicating with your family is really good for you all & is very therapeutic. We gloss over too much & sharing your feelings is not as scary as we imagine.
I do have a lot to worry about, but it doesn't help anyone or change anything, so I must stop. I stopped myself last night but was unsettled for hours. That is why I need to learn meditation I think. I did go outside on the decking & looked at the stars at about 1.30 am. I said 'hello" to R & said I loved him & imagined him looking at the stars at the same time down on his bush block by the beach. There was electrical activity in the clear sky & I assume it was the Southern Lights, rather than lightning. It felt quite magical.
G & I are going to go & get some wood today. We have both had enough of sitting around doing little.
I forgot to say we took all 3 GK's out to lunch yesterday at our new favourite cafe(we had the "littlies" for the day) & picked up our older GS & D, our older son joined us in his lunch break. It was lovely to shout them all lunch together. It was special.
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There's two things for your list already and I'm sure you'd see more if you'd back the last couple of pages of your diary.
I'd love see the northern/southern lights some day! Fireworks without the noise and rush.
Cate
Long term member
LaMa- The Southern Lights can be spectacular, but last night's was a little elusive. The Milky Way was wonderfully clear though. We get such a clear view of the sky up here, well away from light pollution.
Hi, Petal. I'm going to post this in the first minute of 2019, but I will get it ready now.
Happy & Healthy New Year my WLF friends! xoxo Cate
Hi, Petal. I'm going to post this in the first minute of 2019, but I will get it ready now.
Happy & Healthy New Year my WLF friends! xoxo Cate
Happy New Year, Cate!!!
I think I need to take my worrying energy and redirect it into things that are productive. For instance with my social anxiety, I think I need to do what it is that I feel called to do, and then I have interesting things to talk with people about, whereas trying to fit in and not be different makes me feel boring and not in touch with my joy. I don't know what productive or positive would look like with you and your relationship with your son, but I do know that getting out of my head really, really helps for working with fear in a productive way. I need to be creative and open to see what would help instead of just spinning my wheels and wasting my energy, and so sitting and thinking doesn't work at all for me. I just heard somewhere (I think listening to a favorite Buddhist teacher) that they did psychological studies, and making decisions from feeling rather than from thinking is more fulfilling and works a lot better. I hope you find a good way to get in touch with your heart and what it thinks. For me that's meditation, but I know there are many ways to do that.
Southern lights sound magical, and viewing the milky way. I forget about this because we have fog so much at night, but love when you can see the big stripe of swirling stars at night!
I think this year is going to be wonderful, especially sharing it with you all!!!
I think I need to take my worrying energy and redirect it into things that are productive. For instance with my social anxiety, I think I need to do what it is that I feel called to do, and then I have interesting things to talk with people about, whereas trying to fit in and not be different makes me feel boring and not in touch with my joy. I don't know what productive or positive would look like with you and your relationship with your son, but I do know that getting out of my head really, really helps for working with fear in a productive way. I need to be creative and open to see what would help instead of just spinning my wheels and wasting my energy, and so sitting and thinking doesn't work at all for me. I just heard somewhere (I think listening to a favorite Buddhist teacher) that they did psychological studies, and making decisions from feeling rather than from thinking is more fulfilling and works a lot better. I hope you find a good way to get in touch with your heart and what it thinks. For me that's meditation, but I know there are many ways to do that.
Southern lights sound magical, and viewing the milky way. I forget about this because we have fog so much at night, but love when you can see the big stripe of swirling stars at night!
I think this year is going to be wonderful, especially sharing it with you all!!!
Cate
Long term member
I feel the same way about this year. I will ask my older GS to take some photos of the view from up here at night. He has just bought himself a very expensive new camera lens & is really getting into photography.
I think I will explore meditation. Last night I went outside again, just before going to bed & just looked at the sky. I 'talked" to the stars, said goodnight to R& imagined him looking at the sky at the same time, said hi to the brightest star (my late sister) & really felt at peace with the world. I think I'm bringing back my inner hippy this year.
It's well & truly time to go let those chooks out. We're doing some gardening today.
And why not? If it fits, wear it proudly.