Getting up off the couch

Getitoffmenow

I've just had surgery. I won't say for what. Let's just say it involved lady parts and leave it at that. I've been recovering for a week on the couch. Normally I am a very busy person and it is difficult for me to sit still. I was diagnosed with ADHD-C, among other things, so this really isn't a surprise.

Every day I feel my body growing weaker, but I can't do anything about it because...Well, I can't really walk y et. Walking is my preferred exercise. I've joined LinkedIn and am exploring e-publishing.

I'm 48 years old, from the Pacific Northwest. I'm a historian, writer, editor, photographer, web designer, and dressage rider. I have a very handsome chestnut stallion that I ride three times a week, and a Siamese cat who loves me best. I've been married 25 years and we have a 19-year old daughter.

My weight. I went to a diet doctor once. He used all kinds of equipment to analyze everything. He said that at 5'8", with my very heavy bones and muscle structure, I should not weigh less than 176. So that is my goal. Presently I weigh 215.6, so that is almost 40 pounds. He said I am unusual in that my body fat is distributed equally over my frame, so I do not look as fat as I really am. I guess that is why I can gain 20 pounds and only go up one size.

In 2000 I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and later with an added ADHD-C. I always take my medications and always do what my doctor tells me to do. I am considered to be very high functioning and aim to keep it that way. The thing is, every single one of my medications has "weight gain" as a side effect. I recently reduced my lithium and regained some flavor comprehension-- Lithium makes carbohydrates seem heavenly and fruits and vegetables become less interesting. Having said that, every time I have put physics to work (that is, burn more than you eat), I have lost weight. I know it is possible. Medications are no excuse in my case.

However, the last five years I have not attempted to lose any weight. It seemed silly to start when I did not feel ready to commit. I did not want to damage my health even more with yo-yo dieting. I posted elsewhere about my abnormally bad immune system. The doctor said dieting is off-limits, but I am thinking if I keep it to half a pound to a pound a week it might be okay.

I've joined MFP to start tracking what I eat and watch myself begin to use my treadmill again with the help of the companionship of people doing the same thing.

Thank you very much )

Reptileszz

I like your attitude. I think you will do very well with this program. Do you have the app on a phone or itouch? It is very handy to log everything as you are doing it. I find that I eat less because I have to "own up to it" with the app or the website.

Good luck!
Carole