I thought I’d do a little mid-month check in on how I am doing with my recovery goals so far in May.
Many of you know I keep a spreadsheet with the goals I am hoping to accomplish. It helps me see really quickly where I need to ramp things up a bit. If I do great on something for a couple of months, I’ll throw it off the sheet. I figure it’s a habit by then.
So here we go:
Exercise: Ack! I have exercised 2 days this month. I got a bit desperate and hired a personal trainer for one session a week. So I figure I’ll exercise at least 4-5 times this month. I am shooting for twelve eventually…not this month. I am planning on doing my yoga tape on Friday, so who knows? But this is not a shining star area.
Going out of the house: I have left the house nine days so far this month. That’s a bit less than I’d like. BUT it is a heck of a lot better than I was doing. I have a bunch of people coming into town from now till the end of May, so I should be out more. Plus we have a high school graduation, brunch, and a wedding. I have to be careful not to do too much, though. I’m still not nearly back to my energy level.
Water: I’m drinking an average of two big waters a day. This needs to be four to help my diet situation. I also think more water helps get my meds going. And if I drink water, I skip the soda.
Cook: I have fixed dinner every night we needed dinner. Doing very well here.
Contact with best friend: If you’re new to the blog, this is an issue because she lives out of town and we had a serious split over some bad manic behavior. So I am trying to keep a good relationship going. We’ve texted almost every day and have talked on the phone a couple of times. We also are planning to meet in Vegas in July with our families. My husband said he’d pay to fly her over to see me….since neither she nor I am working, but she seems a little hesitant. Might be too much togetherness. But overall I think it’s good. Better.
Devotionals: Have read every day but one. Good job here.
Staying on my food plan: I am doing Jenny Craig with a little twist. I eat their food during the day, but have dinner that I cooked. Staying on my food plan doesn’t mean perfection, but it means no scarfing down crackers or candy or whatever in the middle of the day. I’ve had ONE day of staying on my food plan. I really need to improve there. HOWEVER, the good news is that I have lost 2 pounds. That hits my goal of 1 pound a week. Woohoo!
Showering is getting better. I have showered every third day. It might not be a lot but it’s working for me. Since I don’t leave the house every day and blah, blah…I don’t need a shower as often. One thing I HAVE learned here. If I need to go somewhere in the morning…before noon…I should take the shower the night before. If I get up and have to shower and dry my hair before I go out, I am likely to cancel. I had this problem last Sunday for church.
Cancelling: I cancelled something 4 days out of 14. Not really in the great arena, but not terrible. Better. And my friends are working with me on that.
So far this month I have gone to church once, been out with friends three times, been to bipolar group twice, been to women’s group three times, and checked my friend list once.
I have NOT gone anywhere special with my husband, but we have a lot of events coming up with his family that I previously would have skipped. So I am counting those as activities with him.
I’ve seen my psychiatrist this month, but not my psychologist. I got a massage. I officially weighed in once. I got my teeth cleaned and a bone density scan.
The Abilify is definitely helping me get out. It causes me to be hungry in the afternoon. It cause me to wake up at 3am every night. (But I go back to sleep). It causes me to feel jumpy and nervous in the afternoon, so I have to take a Klonopin. I think all of the side effects are worth it though. Being on the couch was no life.
I have a big thing about people writing little notes on greeting cards we give each other. The kids and my husband get a letter from me every event where I say some nice things and tell them I care. Greeting cards are nice, but they can be sterile.
So I got some notes this Mother’s Day. And I thought I’d share.
From Rachel…age 27
Mom-
I love you so much and appreciate everything you’re done for me over the years even more than you can imagine. I know I can be pretty hard to deal with sometimes, but you have never given up on me; I always know you care and love me no matter what.
You are an extremely strong person and you are incredibly resilient. It doesn’t matter what happens, you keep on going no matter how many roadblocks are in front of you. I don’t think I could’ve had a better role model growing up; everything I’ve achieved and everything I’ve become is due to you. If I become just half the person you are when I get older, I know I’ll have done something right!
P.S. Thanks for all the career advice-and listening to me vent about school.
From David…age 24
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom 🙂
As I grow older, I learn more and more just how much you have done and sacrificed to have children. I appreciate it and think about it nearly every day and am extremely blessed to have such a beautiful person as my mother. I’m going to be someone you can be proud of one day, and I hope to be half the person you are.
I love you, David
From Danny…age 21
Mom, I love you. It amazes me that you still find ways to show that you are a great parent, even after 20 years. The compassion you show to me still doesn’t make sense, because it’s hard for me to imagine what I’ve done to deserve such a good mother. I appreciate every day you’re home and I especially appreciate the dedication you’ve showed in making dinner every night for the rest of the family. I know it’s stressful and a lot of work, but I’m amazed you still are able to do it. Thank you mom.
SO…it’s on to part two of May.
lily
