Hello Izzie!

So pleased you're off to a good start. It's good to keep up a steady
momentum ~ today more than yesterday but less than tomorrow ~ is the
right attitude.

There will be some ups and lows with momentum, so don't rush things or
be too concerned with temporary set-backs. The idea is to be walking
in the right direction, so even a small step is a step in the right
direction.

As for exercise, remember this is NOT for the sake of losing weight or
looking good (although that is a BONUS!). The whole point of the 20-30
minutes of sweating everyday is to kick-start your body systems into
self-regulation. The toxins in your body will come out in your sweat
and cleanse your body. Similarly the water therapy flush will get rid
of toxins accumulated overnight in your liver and kidneys. Once the
toxins are eliminated, these organs will work more efficiently as they
don't have to deal will all that "backlog" of toxins, as it were.

Remember, the water therapy is a once a morning "flush." Drinking lots
of water throughout the day DOES NOT have the same effect. In fact,
they may dilute the meds in your body and they may work less
effectively. The whole idea is to let the meds do its work and then
once a morning flush out their toxic metabolites so that you reduce
the side-effects of the meds.

The hormonal changes during menses do affect mood ~ positively for
some and not so positively in others.

DO NOT send me your mood charts. They are personal to you and are for
you to keep track of your progress. Without the charts, you don't know
where you are at, or where you're heading. They're part of your
personal "roadmap" to success. They are for your eyes only. Well,
maybe you may want to share with your psychotherapist as an adjunct to
the CBT you're getting.

Now let's add another layer to your arsenal of "therapies." Try
something like prayer (faith is a powerful healing tool), guided
imagery or visualisation. Borrow some books from the library and read
up about these subjects. Try to find out which may work for you and
give one a shot.

Keep up with the progress. I'm so glad you're already seeing excellent
results. Imagine where you'd be now had you not taken these small
"lifestyle changes" and that should already motivate you further down
the road to success.

Bravo!

----- Original Message -----
From: Ysemay Grant Ferguson <ygf_diary@...>
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 00:22:04 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Re: [BAD_MD] Next Step
To: bad_md@...






Hi!!!!,



I have been following your guidelines very closely. I

have been shocked by the quantity of E numbers in

everything!. Anyway, I have been doing very well. I

have improved since the changes but I don't know if

this is because at the same time I have had my period

and this can some times make problems go. I will wait

and see what happens over the next few weeks.



I already keep a mood chart but am trying to transfer

because the new one has the nutrition info on.



So it's early days as you know... but I am starting to

increase the water and will keep off additives.



I should excersise more, the trouble is that although

I do a dance class, I do have these anxiety issues

which stop me wanting to go out on many occassions so

I try to walk but I can't always. I don't look over

weight or unhealthy but I know that it would boost my

positivity to excersise more and to sweat as you

said... So that is a big area to build on... but I'm

working very hard. It feels like hard work just to

keep up with 'normal' people but hopefully I can keep

this momentum going.



I will send the mood diary when I have transfered it.



Many thanks!

Ysemay