Once again, good day. Plus I've returned to the work out routine with a vengeance. I really feel a lot better after a workout. However, I caution all BPs (or sufferers of any other effective disorder) against jogging. If you are battling anything unpleasant in your head, jogging gives you a lot of time to think, and sometimes that's not good. Every time I've tried jogging I've come back from a jog more screwed up than when I left. We bought an elliptical and its set up in the basement so I can workout and watch TV. Its perfect, I watch the news, sports or the History channel and go at it for half an hour. I follow that up with some push ups and sit ups.
I've also done a lot of reading on dietary issues with BP and come to some conclusions. Here's what you are supposed to avoid: partially hydrogenated oils, trans fatty acids, sugar and caffeine (oh, and the worst one to give up: alcohol). Here's what you are supposed to stock up on: omega 3 fatty acids, B-12, C, and tons of fruits and vegetables. At first blush it sounds horrible, but it’s not that bad, it actually kind of cool feeling as if doing battle with BP on a regular basis.
Apparently, omega 3's are essential for aiding brain function and modern western diets have pretty much phased it out. There's speculation that this might have something to do with the explosion of various mental health issues in the western world in the last few decades. Personally I think that's crap. There isn't one nice neat little dietary supplement that will all of a sudden make your brain chemistry A-OK, its just not that simple. I think the reason for the explosion of mental illness diagnoses is two fold. First, docs know more about it and are better diagnosing it. Second, we as a culture simply have more time to worry about things like this; we have time to reflect on what's going on in our own brains.
This doesn't mean I think my illness is a sign of internal weakness, because I simply got bored and "discovered" I'm sick, that's not it at all (in fact I tried to tell myself that was all there was to my illness for 17 years and it nearly cost me my life on several occasions). What I mean to say is that people like me who are "high functioning" would never have had the time to notice our illnesses; we just would have been running from place to place trying to keep up with everyday life. I probably would have been an alcoholic and possibly killed myself quietly one night. People would have thought I was odd, but not mentally ill.
OK, now back to the diet thing. To get omega 3's you have to do this: eat fish, eat things with flax seed in them, take fish oil supplements, and look for anything else with Omega 3's in them. You don't have to do all of these, but those are things to focus on. The next thing to try is to eat as many fruits and vegetables as you can. Oh, and one other strategy, find a good non-alcoholic beer if you love beer as much as I do. I think Kaliber is the best out there (from Guinness), but sample them and see. Most bartenders will pour them into a mug for you and then you don't have anyone asking you why you aren't drinking with them.
The toughest thing about changing your diet however, is social gatherings. Every party or other gathering features alcohol, great food that's really bad for you, or both. Here's what I did to avoid cheating too badly at a pre-Halloween party we went to this afternoon. First, before going to the party I loaded up on carrots and celery (preemptive healthy eating so I'm not as hungry when I go). Second, once at the party promise yourself you won't cheat the first time through the line. Then go through the buffet and load up ridiculously on things that are ok to eat (basically stuff yourself again and drink lots of water). Then, after you've done all this, allow yourself to eat a little of whatever you want, you won't have the room to eat much, and no one can go forever without cheating on the diet.
Anyway, I think this is my first preachy know-it-all post. I'm feeling quite confident having had a few really good days. I don't have all the answers. In fact, I don't have any of them. This is just what I'm trying in order to deal with all the crap in my head, if it works for you go for it, if not, tell me what works for you and I might try that too.
Oh, one other pleasant side effect from all this stuff. I'm 32 and I'm within 6 lbs. of the weight I was when I graduated from high school. I've dropped 5 inches off my waist and I'm somewhat pleased with how I look. Most importantly, my wife can't keep her hands off me since I lost the weight (not really, but she reads this BLOG and that last part will make her laugh).
can't keep my hands off of you, huh?
Posted by: admirerererer | October 24, 2004 at 10:01 PM
Interested in the diet for this disorder. send info , please.
To the wife:
Way to go !! Stand by your man !!!
Excellent job!
Posted by: tina | October 24, 2004 at 10:24 PM