1. < Healthy Living

Staying Motivated for the Long Haul

Posted by LindaF @fessmom, Jun 29, 2017

My biggest obstacle to maintaining a healthy weight is a seemingly invisible "switch" that goes on and off in my brain. When it's "on" I am in the zone and can avoid the most decadent temptations and will exercise faithfully. But, about a year to 15 months into my healthy lifestyle, the switch turns to "off" and I lose focus and revert to my bad habits of poor food choices (both in what I eat and how much I eat) and I become more sedentary. I am at that point now and I feel a slow panic building as the number on the scale inches upward. I know what I should do, but I am at a loss as to how to get my mojo back. Suggestions, anyone!?

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gloriajean | @gloriajean | Aug 24, 2019

Hello - I can really relate to your post. I am terrified - and as a 72 yr. old embarrassed to say that I am so scared of MRI's that I tend to avoid them - at my peril! BUT I acidently came across the tapping of my fingers during a CATscan to take my mind off my dislike of the noise. It worked - the CAT scan is a little bit easier to do now with my solution but I now believe that doing anythi ng physical during a scary test works!!! Tks for letting us know your experience.

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 24, 2019
In reply to @gloriajean "Hello - I can really relate to your post. I am terrified - and as a..." + (show)
@gloriajean

Hello - I can really relate to your post. I am terrified - and as a 72 yr. old embarrassed to say that I am so scared of MRI's that I tend to avoid them - at my peril! BUT I acidently came across the tapping of my fingers during a CATscan to take my mind off my dislike of the noise. It worked - the CAT scan is a little bit easier to do now with my solution but I now believe that doing anythi ng physical during a scary test works!!! Tks for letting us know your experience.

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@gloriajean On 7/26 I had a PET CT scan. I am not a fan of enclosed places, either. The first part took about 30 minutes of laying perfectly still, except for my eyeballs and breathing. They even used a device to keep my arms in place [to me it felt like a straight jacket!]. I meditated, did Tai Chi in my mind, did some Zentangle in my mind. Hope to not have to repeat it any time soon again.
Ginger

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1 reply
gloriajean | @gloriajean | Aug 24, 2019
In reply to @gingerw "@gloriajean On 7/26 I had a PET CT scan. I am not a fan of enclosed..." + (show)
@gingerw

@gloriajean On 7/26 I had a PET CT scan. I am not a fan of enclosed places, either. The first part took about 30 minutes of laying perfectly still, except for my eyeballs and breathing. They even used a device to keep my arms in place [to me it felt like a straight jacket!]. I meditated, did Tai Chi in my mind, did some Zentangle in my mind. Hope to not have to repeat it any time soon again.
Ginger

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Good for you for all your "little tricks"! I totally undetstand but I ca't seem to get.myomd to quoet down for meditation to work. Guess the fear overtakes rational thinking!!!

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JK | @contentandwell | Aug 25, 2019
In reply to @gloriajean "Hello - I can really relate to your post. I am terrified - and as a..." + (show)
@gloriajean

Hello - I can really relate to your post. I am terrified - and as a 72 yr. old embarrassed to say that I am so scared of MRI's that I tend to avoid them - at my peril! BUT I acidently came across the tapping of my fingers during a CATscan to take my mind off my dislike of the noise. It worked - the CAT scan is a little bit easier to do now with my solution but I now believe that doing anythi ng physical during a scary test works!!! Tks for letting us know your experience.

Jump to this post

@gloriajean @gingerw. I have to have an MRI yearly, it used to be more frequently, and the only thing that bothers me is that I have to put my arms up by me head. By the time the MRI is over my arms are killing me! I just close my eyes so I don’t notice being so confined.
JK

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Aug 25, 2019
In reply to @contentandwell "@gloriajean @gingerw. I have to have an MRI yearly, it used to be more frequently, and..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@gloriajean @gingerw. I have to have an MRI yearly, it used to be more frequently, and the only thing that bothers me is that I have to put my arms up by me head. By the time the MRI is over my arms are killing me! I just close my eyes so I don’t notice being so confined.
JK

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@contentandwell Oh that has to hurt. Have you tried to ask them to put a towel under your shoulders Don't know if it would help but a suggestion

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Aug 25, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@contentandwell Oh that has to hurt. Have you tried to ask them to put a towel..." + (show)
@lioness

@contentandwell Oh that has to hurt. Have you tried to ask them to put a towel under your shoulders Don't know if it would help but a suggestion

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@lioness it doesn’t really hurt, my arms just get sort of numb from being in that position. It seems as I am just at my breaking point, and the MRI is over — phew!
JK

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Parus | @parus | Aug 25, 2019

Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it is the waiting. Trying to keep busy and attempting to be motivated about something. Thyroid has dropped to the bottom of the chart. I thought the TSH had plummeted again. Keep requesting The new dosage. I have been doubling the thyroid medication I have on hand. Throwing up my hands in that "I give up" and nigh on to appearing there in person and realize that is pointless as well. This slipshod/slapdash way of dealing with patients is absurd!! Feeling like I have made a quantum leap backwards and motivation is a challenge. Also in that "why bother?" frame of mind.
At least I have stopped by for a while. A start...

REPLY
3 replies
lioness | @lioness | Aug 25, 2019
In reply to @parus "Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it..." + (show)
@parus

Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it is the waiting. Trying to keep busy and attempting to be motivated about something. Thyroid has dropped to the bottom of the chart. I thought the TSH had plummeted again. Keep requesting The new dosage. I have been doubling the thyroid medication I have on hand. Throwing up my hands in that "I give up" and nigh on to appearing there in person and realize that is pointless as well. This slipshod/slapdash way of dealing with patients is absurd!! Feeling like I have made a quantum leap backwards and motivation is a challenge. Also in that "why bother?" frame of mind.
At least I have stopped by for a while. A start...

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@parus Glad to hear from you . I know it is frustrating about Dr,s Ive been waiting for 3 weeks now to find out if I refractured my back since I felt that popping in lower back. Frustrating for sure . But there is a light at the end of the tunnel for you and me keep your chin up and keep busy. Why don't you paint you are so good at it Do you do any Zentangle like ginger?

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Aug 26, 2019
In reply to @parus "Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it..." + (show)
@parus

Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it is the waiting. Trying to keep busy and attempting to be motivated about something. Thyroid has dropped to the bottom of the chart. I thought the TSH had plummeted again. Keep requesting The new dosage. I have been doubling the thyroid medication I have on hand. Throwing up my hands in that "I give up" and nigh on to appearing there in person and realize that is pointless as well. This slipshod/slapdash way of dealing with patients is absurd!! Feeling like I have made a quantum leap backwards and motivation is a challenge. Also in that "why bother?" frame of mind.
At least I have stopped by for a while. A start...

Jump to this post

@parus Pull a chair up, we have hot water on for tea! Do you have your traveling kit for art with you? What!? You don't?? Here, I'll share some paper and pens. Together we can inspire ourselves, and chat away the blues. How does that sound? How can we support you? We are so glad you stopped by.
Ginger

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 26, 2019
In reply to @parus "Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it..." + (show)
@parus

Had the last treatment of BCG and now another biopsy on 9/30. As many know it is the waiting. Trying to keep busy and attempting to be motivated about something. Thyroid has dropped to the bottom of the chart. I thought the TSH had plummeted again. Keep requesting The new dosage. I have been doubling the thyroid medication I have on hand. Throwing up my hands in that "I give up" and nigh on to appearing there in person and realize that is pointless as well. This slipshod/slapdash way of dealing with patients is absurd!! Feeling like I have made a quantum leap backwards and motivation is a challenge. Also in that "why bother?" frame of mind.
At least I have stopped by for a while. A start...

Jump to this post

Hi @parus, I am glad that you "stopped by for awhile." I have been thinking about you. When you say, "Thyroid has dropped to the bottom of the chart" I was wondering if this is what the blood tests show or if it reflects how you are feeling?

I'm sorry to hear that you are in the "why bother," frame of mind, but it is understandable. You've been through a lot here lately and it is easy to lose perspective and positivity. Hang in there, I'm cheering for you and I'm in your corner.

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