The Dressage Ring

The recent discussion on warnings and triggers has gotten me to thinking a bit, and instead of contributing in a major way to the discussion at large, I thought it might be time to post my personal warnings policy.

( Introduction )
( Warning Labels )
( Kink Labels )
( Ratings Line )
( Final Notes )

-bs

That's pounds, and it's a weight I haven't seen in years.  I'm happy, because 250 lbs has been my boogiemonster limit in my attempts to lose weight, almost always seemed impossible to crack.  And I'm frustrated, because every jerk who says 'oh, it's just calories in less than calories out, easy!' has NO F$CKING IDEA.  I was hovering just above 250lbs for 4 *months* since I've started concentrating on weight loss efforts in May.  It's never *just* calories in < calories out.

Someone on reddit asked the other day for weight-loss strategies that *worked*, and all the answer he got were CICO, it's easy!  I wanted to tell him/her that the first thing he *really* needs to do is get his/her head on straight.  Item number 1 in a weight loss program is figuring out why and when you put on the weight.  Trying to lose the 30lbs you gained because you had 3 kids and can't figure out when to go to the gym in between everyone's sports and band activities is way different than trying to lose the 100+ pounds you put on in an effort to hide from predators because you were physically, psychologically, or sexually abused.  It's not always going to be one or the other, it could be a number of things, but if you're larger because you have things that trigger emotional eating, or because the weight is your solution to some other, deeper trauma, you need to understand *that* before you'll ever get near success, let alone sustained success. Your own brain is a past master at getting you to do things you don't intend, and you have to understand and disentangle that before you'll be happy losing weight.

Item number 2 on anyone's weight loss journey should be visiting the endocrinologist, one who specializes in diabetes/ thyroid/ autoimmune disorders/ etc.  I'm not saying a lot of people have thyroid disorders or what-have-you, but there are a number of salts and hormones in your body that influence weight loss and weight gain, and fighting against you're own body is a losing proposition.

The endo can probably also explain to you things like how blood types affect optimal diet, and how different metabolisms are tuned to utilizing different molecules (fat molecules vs carb molecules) best for your energy source.

Item number 3 on my list is logging, but log *what* you eat, not how much.  Don't worry about counting calories at first.  First thing is to start or make sure you're eating a healthy diet. 

And the whole way, be gentle with yourself.  Changing habits is hard.  Getting in shape is hard, especially when you're worried about your knees, or when everything hurts.  If you fall off the wagon, don't berate yourself.  Just remember tomorrow is another opportunity to stick to your plan.

-boogie, thinky

I think i can get 5 things into here...

  1) I've been watching Game of Thrones lately, and I do have to say it's beautifully done, and( GoT babble )


2) so... i've been working on a commission embroidery piece for a friend.  Pictures here: http://boogieshoes.livejournal.com/pics/catalog/7088 I *loved* working on this piece.  I couldn't put it down.  80 hours and a lot of new-to-me stitches later, i had a finished piece that i really liked the effect of.  I especially liked the bird wings - i did those with buttonhole bars.  most people seem to like the sheep, which is something like 400 french knots.  I also like mr. scott's hair, which is a blended needle, done in bullion knots.  *really* effective.  and you can see *vast* improvement in my split stitch from left (mr scott) to right (noble lord guy).  lot of fun, looking to do more of this in the future.

3)i've also been watching outlander.  i'm sort of miffed that they sold 'season 1 volume 1' and now i need volume 2 to finish the season... because, of course, Jaime and Claire are in a sticky situation at the last ep in volume 1.  This is a series i recommend watching.  Another cable channel series, another series based on books.  the cast and crew are *fantastic*, research for costuming is bloody amazing.  there's a lot of political stuff going on in there, and it helps to have at least a small foundation of history between England and Scotland, but it's not necessary.  beautiful, beautiful scenery of Scotland.

and that's my drama lately.

-boogie

( In which I comment on my reasons for writing fanfic. )

 

-BoogieShoes, the peeved off

meta: 1) - n.  an essay characterized by discussion of little-known factoids that most people in the world don't care about.

2) - v. the process of searching for hours for that one little detail that will make or break your essay, which is too long and kind of incoherent anyway.  and enjoying the search.


-bs, snickering at self