Category: Health

When can we get in on this PRIDE thing?

Published on by cmglife

Today, on the last day of PRIDE month, it dawned on me….how do I (and other mental illness sufferers) get a PRIDE thing of our own? I want to feel safe to come out too.

I spent an hour writing four paragraphs of how we can’t come out and then I deleted them. What I had written is not necessary because we know the truth of having to live with a mood disorder. The constant spread of misinformation in this society keeps us scared and hidden.

I think our word would have to be different entirely, because I do not feel proud. I don’t know how I could. It would be like feeling proud living with diabetes or heart disease. Both, by the way, have a huge impact on health, but no stigma.

Here is what I came up with:

RESILIENCE Month – boring

BRAVE Month – boring

GRIT Month – I like this one, but it’s got a “mechanic feel” that doesn’t feel right.

COMPASSION Month – Could refer to anything.

I needed help coming up with more words for our very own PRIDE month so, of course, I searched Google hoping that maybe AI could come up with something better.

This one sentence below says more than I could have said in a thousand paragraphs .

Standing Up-Date

Published on by cmglife

I know everyone has been wondering from a post a few weeks ago about my new stand up desk and how it has changed my life.

I suppose it has in a way. I now stand all day.

I’m still getting the occasional question asking how I’m getting along with it. As annoying as my “co-worker” is I know my answers repeated over and over again are getting to her (good).

“I really like it.”

“Don’t notice I’m standing.”

“Good for my back.”

“My neck doesn’t bother me anymore.”

While that is all true, it still hasn’t done what I got it for. After researching it thoroughly I found one can burn 70 – 90 calories per hour while standing.  It still hasn’t put a dent in my weight. Now I wouldn’t go back to sitting again, but how disappointing!

Bottom line, I’m no thinner, but I would certainly recommend a stand up desk anyway, it makes me look taller.

Standing Up

Published on by cmglife3 Comments

In an ongoing attempt to get rid of the “middle aged spread” I am getting a stand up desk at work. The office is a buzz with this new piece of futuristic equipment!  I’m not sure why it is such a renegade idea.  So many professions stand all day long.  Waitresses, pharmacists, factory workers, cashiers…the list could be as long as this page.

It hasn’t come yet, but I am getting ready for it’s arrival.  I have ordered a chef’s mat with shock absorbent qualities and arch supports for my shoes.  Not only will it help my health (weight) it will solve that annoying problem of getting up and down from my chair every two minutes to help a student or a parent at the counter.

The anticipation of it’s arrival is killing me!  I’ll let you know as soon as it arrives and begins to transform my life in every aspect!

Breaking Bad in Bed

Published on by cmglife1 Comment

Last Saturday I hurt my back by sitting on the floor against the couch.  I was showing John new photos I’d had printed from the computer.  I hadn’t done it in three years or so, I had over 200. Sitting there for only five minutes I felt my lower back begin to strain.

When I finally did get up I started to complain.  Long story short I spent the next day in bed with  ice/heat every 20 minutes and a therapeutic dosage of ibuprofen.

I had to get to work on Monday!  The hammer was coming down on that nagging co-worker I’m always going on about.  I did end up at work only to find out the hammer wasn’t coming until Wednesday!

Alison was great nursing me all day.  John gives it a good try too, but he has such a military bedside manner. Barking out questions:

“Need anything?”  “Here, take this.” “Hungry?” “What do you need?”

Happy ending; rest in bed and a Breaking Bad binge!