Note: As part of my Day Program, I contribure to the program’s newsletter. In June 2021, that Newsletter transitoned to a monthly basis as much of the elements of the program are back to a in-person status.
Understanding My Body
I have had issues with my weight for decades due to the necessity of psychotropic medications. Knowing that I need to be mindful of my health needs, I haven’t always taken it as seriously until the past few weeks when I gained an excessive amount of weight in a very short time and then I knew I needed to get serious about losing weight.
I have a weight management goal at the Clubhouse until next year.. I am learning to cook healthy things and learning better techniques in the kitchen that I was reluctant to learn for several decades because I did not make it a priority. I am now realizing that by eliminating the constant stream of things that I have been consuming for decades like the endless “bladder-busting” sodas that are have been more affordable than other things in restaurants and grocery stores, I am easily beginning to see that by making small changes that I am having better outcomes in not only my physical health but my emotional health as well Those that have cared for me have always preached this to me but I didn’t want to hear no parts of this because I personally felt that it was a way of controlling me, but by reducing the amount of soda that I bring into the house and only drinking it at certain intervals, I am see the fruits of my labor pay off in not only lower physical health numbers, but also in the effects of being easily able to manage my feelings and thoughts, something I had to discover for myself.
Being at Clubhouse for two days now has helped as well. I have been staying in the Food Service Unit more and if I am in the operations unit , am likely performing more physical activity like mopping, janitorial work or other housekeeping duties. I am a regular on the Wellness Walks and enjoy using my personal FitBit (when it cooperates) to aid in tracking it and other tools like my daily weigh ins and food intake. While one may not be able to afford a fitness tracker, there are many smartphone apps and websites online along with mapping tools that can track your activity. For me having a wellness
goal at Clubhouse, it provides proof of what i am doing other than what staff are relying on my word alone.
I still go to my weekly weight-loss support groups on Monday night but I also keep track of stats daily on my own such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and body temperature as they are imperative for improving my physical health as well.
Getting back into the Wellness Walks again has given me the stamina to want to go to the last Fayette Walks of the year at Mt. St. Macrina. I did this last year and enjoyed it very much. I plan on getting back into the 5K circuit in 2023.
Lastly, I have realized that I have to want to lose weight, no one else can do it for me. Having a goal to manage my weight at the Clubhouse, along with other supports I know will hopefully help me go in a direction forward. I realize by being accountable as it is essential for the day program that I have to be an example for my peers and those staff so that they can show to others who may have wellness intentions that they can do it, just as I will achieve someday too,
As for the current moment, I have lost over 20 pounds and plan to lose 20 more by Columbus Day so I can fit into a T-Shirt for the annual Fall road trip my mother and I go on. It is a doable goal and is a small one in the journey of setting many goals until the ultimate goal is reached of my desirable weight.
Dustin's Dynasty 