Taking things one day at a time

HI Shayne!

yes I agree with fourtyfour- it has certainly helped me to write down what I eat each day...

in the past I would have a handful there and a handful there of snacks or whatever - and i realized, after writting it all done, that those little handfuls add up to mega calories. Its no wonder I gained weight!

So definitely- try writting it all down, it gives you a good sense of how many calories you are consuming daily.
 
yoga

Don't worry about looking stupid in yoga. No one looks stupid in yoga. Everyone is very zen and feeling compassionate thoughts about everyone else. No one looks a fool to anyone else because everyone is almost always totally focussed on themselves. And your teacher if they are any good will not make you feel stupid. Everyone in the class is likely to be at very different levels of fitness, flexibiltity and experience. So do not worry.

Next point
There are all sorts of yoga. If you try it and don't like it, don't assume that all classes are the same. There is a great deal of variation. The first time i went to yoga it was very gentle and i was very disappointed. It put me off for years. The next time i went was because a flatmate had been raving about her class. It was Iyengar. I went along and like her became a fan. I didn't continue with it for long because of no good reason. But i adore this type of yoga. I used to be quite a rigid thinker (have become a little more flexible with time). The next class was more of a mishmash of styles. I was disapointed because it wasn't as good as my Iyengar class but in hindsight, it wasn't a bad class. Then next i went to ashtanga and again i was disappointed because it was nothing like either the Iyengar or the mishmash (which i would like if i had to do it now). This is the very strenuous one. Then i went searching for another Iyengar class on the internet and found one but its too far away for me to go often. Well it was almost as good as my first iyengar teacher's class. The thing is that teachers vary in their teachings so ask your teacher about their training and what sort it is and so on. If you don't like it, try another teacher and another type of yoga. If you do like it make a note.

Personally i would not enjoy a class if the teacher started banging on about spiritual matters. I am an atheist and i'm happy for my yoga to be merely exercise and psychologically calming. I don't want anything else. But we are all different in that regard and you should find what suits you. But whatever form of yoga you settle for or have a go at, they all will work on stretching, relaxing. Some will emphasise strength and others cardio and yet others relaxation. All will work all parts of your body.

I am the sort that likes really acrobatic types of exercise (even though i am no good at them and not particuarly flexible.) So i love doing things like headstands and back bends and anything contortionistic. I don't know, it just feels good. You learn awareness of all parts of your body so you can learn ways of reliveing tension that are invisible and easy such as becoming aware of and relaxign your tongue, your jaw, your shoulders. You learn how to do this for yourself. Its great. Really!

I"ve never done a retreat but they are also something that sounds good to try. Though to be honest, i don't know if they have much long term benefit. I have quizzed other people on this. Still you should learn a lot about yourself if you do one. And gain some new strengths and skills.
 
Skipped my workout for today. I'm feeling awful! Down with a bad flu :( :(

My diet isn't doing well either. Been craving for bad things and I decided to indulge on some wafers and instant soup to make myself feel better.
 
I hope you are feeling better soon. Don't be hard on yourself. We all have our off days and when you are sick, what can you do? Feed a cold starve a fever remember? chicken soup, hot cocoa. stuff to make you feel good. Rest. :grouphug:
 
Still eating like a pig lately. I dunno, it might still be the flu. Surprisingly, I've lost a pound just for being sick which made me really happy! My throat is sore and still feeling a bit feverish so I decided to skip my workout. *sighs* I need to get back on track!
 
Feeling flu-free now apart from the dry cough that really hurts my throat. But I've decided to still not work-out. I don't think pushing my self too hard now would do much good. Surprisingly, I've lost another 2lbs (that's 5lbs this week). Whether it's related to me having my period or the flu, I dunno..

I'm starting my 4th and final year as a Medical student tomorrow. Which means I'll be in the hospital full time. I have a bad feeling it would disrupt my weight loss and that I'd end up too exhausted to workout and too stressed out to actually pick out the 'right' foods. So please please please keep me motivated when i'm about to fall off the wagon ok? Coz I don't think I can afford to fail. I've worked too hard on this and screwing up might really really break me :(
 
Just do what your title says. Take things one day a time. I find sometimes when things get really stressful, sometimes it's worthwhile giving yourself an "off" day- it's better to be easy on yourself some of the time than to not be able to keep up at all and give up entirely. Evaluate your new work load, and see what is and isn't feasible within that. As people keep saying, it's a lifestyle choice, and so it's got to fit into your life.
 
It's good hearing (well reading) someone else say it. It makes things seem more possible. Thanks for replying! It's just that for the last 3 years (all spent in med school) I've gained 15lbs and I've been on this "changing my life" journey for only a couple of months and though it does feel like a part of my life now, I'm afraid that the change in my workload would really pull me off the wagon again!
 
I definitely agree with amy... take it one day at a time. Remember that you need to take care of YOU. I worked in a medical fitness facility and I can tell you that there are doctors out there who make it a priority to take care of their health. And it wasn't just the convenience of having a gym and fitness classes in the same building that they worked in. Many physicians from other facilities, even the hospital, would regularly attend fitness classes or do their own workouts or get involved in triathlons, etc. They regularly had to fight for the time away, or drag themselves out of the office, but they did it, knowing the health benefits and knowing that they were being good role models for their patients. Anyway, I realize that sounded like a bit of a lecture which it wasn't meant to be... I just wanted to you to know that it IS possible, even for a doctor, to find the time - you just may have to fight harder than the rest of us to get that time :)
 
It probably is later on in my career. But right now, as an intern, I'm at the bottom of the foodchain! Just came home from my first duty ever and I don't think I can feel my legs properly! Didn't think I'd make the walk back home! I worked Pedia ER (aka A&E) and I have not eaten much or drank much all day. Surprisingly, at dinner, I was clear headed enough to mind my portions STILL! So proud of me :)

Don't take my whining badly ok? I am enjoying my position now, but hey, IT'S HARD! :p
 
I think PLB's post (as mine) was meant to be encouragement, not criticism. Don't give up on what you've done- just work out how much of it you can realistically fit into your new schedule (and if you screw up from time to time, be gentle on yourself, tomorrow is another day, you can try again then)
 
How many hours and days per week are you going to be at it?

I think you will be hugely busy and frankly i can't see the point in going to the gym when you are already on your feet constantly - if that's indeed what you will be doing. Also in your new stressful situation your brain is going to be working over time you are going to be burning through calories like mad just to keep thinking straight.

So on your days off after you've had a good sleep, then think about going to the gym or something like that. If you find you are getting over stressed with work, then it really is a good time to take up yoga and meditation so that you can do it at home. One or two classes a week should be enough to give you what you need to bring to your job lifestyle. YOU can even do little bits at work to help you stay relaxed.

Try to plan your eating ahead of time so that you aren't caught short and take the nearest thing to eat. If you are going for long periods without food, i know you will want sugar and stuff that you would prefer not to eat. I know you will tend to overeat when you do get the time to eat.

Have a good breakfast before you leave home in the morning or whenever it is you leave home and have a good meal when you knock off. For in between times at work, maybe have some yoghurts on hand, some fruit, some bread, or take some sandwiches. Take two rounds instead of one so that you can quickly get a bit more energy into you without going off the rails. You may not have time to eat it anyway. I'd say you are going to need more calories than usual but don't take that to mean you can eat lots of rich food and large portions. I don't know. I just think that interns can't help but lose weight. Ask some of the other doctors around.

I'll be keep an eye out for you but you will probably be too busy to keep posting regularly won't you.

.... I dunno. I always start my posts with the intention to say just a few words but it always ends up being a chapter. :svengo::svengo:
 
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Thank you for all the kind comments! It's hard to explain how they make me WANT to keep on going! I appreciate all the replies and advice that you people give. Sometimes when I'm at home or in school and are being offered foods like chips/crackers/some other sort of junk the thought of having people here believe in me makes turning them down easier! So please do keep encouraging me! It will take some time for me to really get used to my new schedule but you guys are right, there are ways to avoid the binges!!
 
Just finished working out. Glad that I have energy to do it! Today wasn't too bad in school as I was assigned at the out patient department. Tomorrow, I don't have to start work up until 7pm so I have a lazy day ahead of me. Will probably hit the gym early then sleep for a few hours before my night shift :)

BTW, I'll be attending RPM Class tomorrow. Just thought I'd share a brief description as I'm very fond of this class and you might want to try it (providing you have Fitness First in your country) or something similar to it.

RPM™ is the indoor cycling workout where you ride to the rhythm of powerful music. Take on the terrain with your inspiring team coach who leads the pack through hills, flats, mountain peaks, time trials, and interval training. Discover your athlete within – sweat and burn to reach your endorphin high. Like all the LES MILLS™ programs, a new RPM™ class is released every three months with new music and choreography.
Click to expand...
 
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Its great you can say no to those crackers and things. Hopefully soon those sweet people will learn you don't eat that sort of crap and stop offering it to you. Maybe you can make a joke of it and say "no thanks i've got my own low cal version" and start munching a way on thin air, miming the part of holding a packet of chips and putting them in your mouth. Though i hope that wouldn't trigger you either.
 
amy1985 said:
I think PLB's post (as mine) was meant to be encouragement, not criticism. Don't give up on what you've done- just work out how much of it you can realistically fit into your new schedule (and if you screw up from time to time, be gentle on yourself, tomorrow is another day, you can try again then)
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Yes, I was definitely not meaning to criticize :)
 
Fourtyfour had some awesome suggestions... I especially agree with the yoga/meditation/relaxation suggestion. To help you cope with stress, doing something to de-stress on a regular basis is a fantastic idea!
 
I keep missing my classes at the gym! It's either I'm too tired to go or too busy! *SIGHS* Now, I feel like I'm spending a ridiculous amount of money for nothing. I still have until May but after that I'm thinking of cancelling my membership. I guess between school and work, there's no time to work out outside. I'll have to do it at home. But I promise I'll make time to attend at least one yoga class! I really want to give it a try!
 
I guess that's the problem with gyms, you can't pay per session and its only worth the money if you can go often: which is a good incentive if you have the time and are not as busy as you.

Sometimes, you just have to take a loss. Try not to worry about it. Your health must come first. And that means rest I would guess.

I've learnt how to do that later in life. Its much easier to put it down to experience and move on without getting depressed about it. I hope you didn't spend toooooooooo much though.
 
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