jamesq: (Default)
jamesq ([personal profile] jamesq) wrote2010-08-13 12:02 pm

I Want a Divorce

My relationship with my belly is dysfunctional. I've stuffed its face with wedding cake and I call it the-old-ball-and-chain. That's certainly evidence that I want out.

Sadly, a divorce is not possible. Instead I have to murder this person, one tediously difficult pound at a time. The thin person within and the fat person without need to switch places.

In practical terms, none of my clothing fits anymore. I fell awful and bloated all the time. My back aches and exercising has become much more difficult. I've crossed the threshold from "fat but reasonably healthy" to "grossly obese and unhealthy because of it". And I want to run a half-marathon in less then two months? Gah.

It really sucks when you're in an abusive relationship with yourself.

Enough!

I've started journalling again. I'm also trying positive affirmations, but I feel supremely awkward when I speak them aloud - to the point where I can barely get the words out. It's like looking in a mirror and saying "I have blue eyes". It feels wrong. Crazy people talk to themselves, especially if they say things that are demonstrably not true.

Intellectually, I recognize why it feels so wrong - I've had a lifetime of making negative statements about myself, so it goes against the grain of all those bad neural pathways. The point of the exercise is to build new neural pathways to help with the hoped-for lifestyle changes. It's not that they're true statements - it's that I want them to become true. So saying "I'm a fit person who eats healthy" might be untrue now, but I certainly hope it won't be in the future. Saying it out loud emphasizes the level of commitment.

Of course, all the positive affirmative statements in the world won't make a bit of difference if I don't do something concrete, like actually eating better and exercising.

But lordy it's hard. Doubly so with no support and vague, ephemeral reward for success.

So be a little forgiving of the constant whining - they come from the Sisyphean striving.

[identity profile] missymorgan1.livejournal.com 2010-08-13 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I hear you. I have hit the 'need new wardrobe' stage myself, and since I can't afford that, the pounds will have to go. But it ain't that easy.

[identity profile] ishansonofbrand.livejournal.com 2010-08-13 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I have one doublet that I can do up right now. When I do do it up, it looks like I lost 20lbs. I am 30lbs heavier than I care to be and 50lbs heavier than I should be at most. According to the BMI calculators I am obese. I am 6 foot even and 230lbs. I don't look it, not by a long shot. I do look over weight though.

I am also comfortable, for the most part, with my body. I am also making new garb but I swear it is just to replace my pseudo period stuff. Get together more period stuff with my natural peascod.

You're more physical than I am. You're in better shape. You also have a gut on you and you're almost 40. There really comes a point when you have to measure your health and fitness not on your weight but on what your body allows you to do. The middle spread is a fact of life, worse for programmers like us.

Buck up young pup. It can only get better from here.

[identity profile] rato-do-perigo.livejournal.com 2010-08-14 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
Hey I think you're doing okay. You're running again. Points. You have a goal. Points. You know what the problems is. Points.

You have support. If you need to get ahold of me just email me. I'm here for you. So are a lot of your friends.

Don't let your age get in the way. It's just a number. You're running. You're doing more than me. My cardio is shits right now.

[personal profile] rectangularcat 2010-08-14 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
as well as positive statements exercises how about just having a period of time to avoid making any negative ones? this reminds me of mindfulness meditation which if you haven't done, is worth investigating. gets me out of ruminating a lot. us depressed people tend to have automatic thought processes that go a mile a minute which doesn't help us in the least.

keep at it, it's hard to change something ingrained for so long.

[identity profile] othelianna.livejournal.com 2010-08-16 09:51 am (UTC)(link)
Sometimes talking to yourself is the only way to get yourself to shut up.

I got that little crazy artist voice in my head that says things like: "You're not good enough! This sucks! Do it over! Tear it up! Nobody will like this! Everything you make is terrible!" and stuff like that, and the only way to get it to shut up sometimes is to yell at myself.

I'M NOT CRAZY I SWEAR.