Staff Blog: BaD 2017.12: can't get into gear.

BaD 2017.12: can't get into gear.

On 02/15/2017 at 09:02 PM by Julian Titus

Almost missed a BaD entry! This is my twelfth blog for this year’s BaD, which means I have surpassed my effort from 2016. I’m determined to see this through to the end.

I’ll keep this one rather short. I had a political post planned, but I don’t have the energy for it at the moment. Energy has been a point of concern for me, actually. I’m still trying to get my ass into gear with exercise and meal prep, but I can’t seem to get motivated. Today, I bought some food to do meal prep with the intention of cooking everything up this evening. This would give me four or five healthy meals to see me through the rest of the week, but did I cook? Nope! I ended up taking a two-hour nap, which has left me feeling lethargic and groggy, and means that I didn’t go for the walk I had planned on. I know it’s going to mess up with my sleep tonight as well, which could kick off a whole vicious cycle of sleeping badly and eating poorly.

I know that a lot of this is mental, and I don’t know why I can’t get my mind right. I need to get my health under control. I saw a Facebook post of mine from 2015 and I was 231 pounds and still feeling way too fat. I’m 260 now, and I feel awful. I know that I can get back to 231, and I know I can break that barrier and get closer to 200. I just don’t know why I can’t seem to get started.

In other news, my Hitman review should be out tomorrow, and you can expect reviews of Firewatch and Batman: A Telltale Adventure to come shortly. After that, I’m kicking around another editorial about Mass Effect in my brain, and a couple other ideas.

Catherine Hauser Staff Alumnus

02/15/2017 at 09:43 PM

Have you thought about getting an activity tracker, like a Fitbit, to help with motivation?

Julian Titus Senior Editor

02/15/2017 at 09:53 PM

I have one, but I haven't worn it since my last bout of depression. I did go for a walk yesterday, which felt good. Just couldn't get going today.

02/15/2017 at 09:58 PM

If you have a FitBit, they've added some challenges you can do with friends no matter where you are. Things like trying to get the most steps or the less competative just reaching your goal. You can also encourage your friends in the challenge. It helps sometimes to be part of something...or at least to know that there are others in the same boat with you.

Joaquim Mira Media Manager

02/15/2017 at 09:52 PM

Plan your walks to be done with another person or two. That way at least you have the obligation to meet up for the walk. Won't always work, but it might help.

02/15/2017 at 09:54 PM

I'd like to, but the only person I could do that with is my girlfriend, and she is barely staying on top of her graduate school work. I don't have any friends near me.

02/15/2017 at 10:04 PM

No recreational groups/clubs in your area?

02/16/2017 at 12:47 PM

It's extremely difficult for me to do anything social or meet new people. There's a reason why I don't have friends. I have thought about joining the Y and taking some classes, though.

02/16/2017 at 06:39 PM

Fair enough. I get social anxiety too. I've skipped Kendo classes for the exact same reason you skipped your walk. When I do go (at least once a week) I try to have as much fun as I can, and it helps that the people from this club are decent humans.

Super Step Contributing Writer

02/15/2017 at 11:51 PM

From personal experience, my advice would simply be not to beat yourself up when it doesn't happen.

I kept not working out because i wasn't waking up early to do it like i wanted to. I've just decided to embrace my night owl nature and work within it. Same w diet. Don't tell yourself you backslid on a bad day. Just go back to the plan and pretend that day never happened.

02/16/2017 at 12:48 PM

I'm doing better so far today. I really think getting meal prepping down to a routine is the key for me. I like cooking for other people, but I hate cooking for just me, and will often opt for going out instead.

02/16/2017 at 12:49 PM

I have that problem as well. If I go off campus for lunch, I lose my parking spot so I end up spending and eating too much at the student center. They should have a professor center where I can get healthy stuff.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/16/2017 at 04:19 AM

I'm around 260. I bought a new recumbent exercise bike for valentines. I need to get my weight under control too, and I know I can do it if I start exercising more. Good luck to both of us!

I've been thinking about getting a bike, but I don't have room for it in my apartment, unless I store it on the deck, which I am not jazzed to do.

KnightDriver

02/21/2017 at 02:38 AM

That struggle is so familiar to me. I finally got a membership at the Y near me. It's cheap. I get in there like once a week right now. Trying to get in there more often. I've done so in the past. It's hard to do things around a 40 hour work week. It makes you want to do nothing productive.

I've got two of my three meals done every week now. I just go to get that last one. I find it so boring to make food. I have no patience for it. But there have been times in the past where I liked it. So, I don't know.

Super Step's got it right. Don't beat yourself up. Just keep moving forward and try and do better next time.

PixlBit