Another succesfull work week at 24.5 hrs, hope my wellness continues.

I scheduled and successfully completed a 26 hr work week.  I've found working afternoons

best as I'm not leaving in the middle of a job and am there to help clean up at the end of

the day.  I've scheduled another 5 hr a day work week for next week and I plan on 

keeping this schedule up!

To Anyone following my blog posts:
While I'm still following a high protein/fat diet, My supplement intake has dramatically decreased.
I'm able to work a consistent half day 3-4 days a week, but, I have been drinking as of late, only
3 or 4 beers I tell myself, but, I don't feel comfortable continuing with my posts with this new
consumption.  I will keep posting my work progress, and personal progress, and though I definitely
recommend the supplements I followed for a couple months to get me started, I will no longer be
following that program.  Sorry for any dissapointments, but I am doing well and working more
than I was.

The big retail store didn't work out.  Apparently working night shifts doesn't agree with me.
My mental health has gone down after just 1 week, luckily my former boss for the construction
gig I was doing didn't hesitate to hire me back on.  The people there have been patient and
understanding with me when I'm unable to work due to my illness.  I realize now I'm not going
to find that anywhere else, and though things aren't moving as fast as I'd like, I'm resigned to be
patient with myself.  Plus I'm learning many trades, from demolition to carpentry to dry walling,
you name it and I'm learning.

I've been hired at the large retail store!  The past few days I've been changing my sleep patterns
for the night shift.  I plan on working the construction gig on my days off (when they're during
the week.)  The great thing about this large retail store is I can work as little as 20hrs and as many
as 40-48 hrs.  The pay is better than the construction and it won't be as back breaking.  I'm
extremely grateful to my boss for giving me the chance to work again, and learn about the
trades.  My diet is the same as the last post, and hopeful will have continued good news over
the next week.

It's now been 5 weeks working!  I've been able to go in everyday this week for 4-6 hours at a time.
My body can't handle anymore of the hard labour.  My diet has been suffering as of late.  I've
introduced more carbohydrates to my diet while still taking all the supplements I listed earlier
only not as often.  I keep getting warned by family and friends not to overdue it ... but I feel
I have to try and push myself to do more to test my new limits.  Had an interview with
a large depot store and I'm waiting to hear back.  If I am hired I plan to stay with my construction
work ... and will lay out my plan if hired.

It's been 3 weeks now and I'm still working, still following my diet with the exception of my post-work meal (I indulge).  I've averaged 16 hours a week so far, my goal is to keep a more consistent schedule of 16-20 hours a week.  I'll be starting first thing in the morning (9:00am), this way my employers know when I will be there, and I'll work as long as I can (my goal is 4-5 hours).  This way I can work every day of the week and still keep medical appointments for the afternoon, when they occur.  I've been feeling frustrated lately, I have the motivation to work more, and improve my life, but I know I need to be patient with the process less I force a relapse due to too much stress.  My symptoms remain the same, only, I've found that the past few weeks I've been able to do whatever is I'm doing through them.

I put in 21 hours work over 4 days last week and all is well.  Though I was brought in for general labour I am learning a lot about the carpentry trade which is a huge bonus.  I worked Monday, Tuesday of this week and after a day off today, (my body needs the rest), I will be working Thursday, Friday.  I've almost finished writing all the parts for a new song, and hope my fellow bandmates will approve.  I have been following my diet, but on the days I work I have been having a sub, pizza, or burger meal afterwards.  I'm not sure if I need the gym anymore with how physical my job is, it's like a 5 hour workout.  I was thinking of training on my days off but my body needs the rest.  Things are going very well, I hope this continues.

I've made it through two 5 hour days, going to be doing 2 more Thursday and Friday.  So far things couldn't be going better, I'm working part-time and playing a lot of music, hope to jam soon with my brother and 2 friends. The only down side is how much work I'm going to have to put in to get my voice back!

I've been offered some labour work, it's occasional, he'll call me when he needs me and is ok with me only putting in half days a few days a week at most.  Every building I'd be working at is within a 10 minute bike or bus.  I've prepared a plan of what I need to bring with me and am really hoping this works out for me.

I measured my weight and bodyfat today, so far I've lost 4 pounds and gone down in bodyfat 2%.  Anyone on medications for mental illness knows that it's difficult to maintain a consistent healthy weight, It would seem my training schedule and diet agree with me on this issue.  Had an amazing time jamming with my brother and friends last night, hopefully this continues.

2 and a half days in and I`ve already cheated on my diet.  Had half a medium pizza today, I decided to enjoy it though, I`ve read that if I decide to stray from my diet I should enjoy it, otherwise the guilt erases the satisfaction and I`m more likely to stray again.  I`ve decided I should schedule a cheat meal once a week, this way I can look forward to it, and enjoy it, without feeling bad about it.  I know it would be best to stick to the plan no matter what ... but I don`t have that kind of dedication right now, plus, I like to enjoy a bad meal once in a while.

My body's adjusting to the high fats, proteins, and lack of carbs.  Felt tired all morning even after some coffee's, but, after going for a workout I feel fine.  So far no difference in my symptoms, but, it's only been 2 days now, patience, patience.

So far so good today.  I'm keeping to my schedule after a busy morning running around to get groceries, and some supplements.  I added MCT oil at the advice of a nutitionist at a local health food store, even though the coconut oil contains this, added amounts are needed for a greater effect.  I must say that I've noticed the mct oil about 15 minutes after taking eat, there is a focused effect (the best way I can put it).  Apparently everything else should be given a 3 month period of constant and routine use to notice the full benefits.  I've also noticed a placebo effect from knowing I'm doing everything I can to become more "brain healthy".  Before this week I was only excercising 4 times a week, I plan on exercising everyday, 4 days of weights, and 3 days of just cardio (in the form of walking for etleast 50minutes).  I will post anytime a relevant change takes place from hear on in, I believe that's what could benefit anyone reading this the most, in place of scheduled posts.  Thanks for your time.

I reconsidered and I thought I should explain my food and supplement choices, as well as the medications I take, what they are for and their side effects before I begin tomorrow.  I am working on it and will post by the end of the day.

Ok so here is the plan for week 1, starting on wednesday march 28th 2012.  Times are chosen carefully to get the maximum effect of the medication / supplement / activity.  Everything here I have researched and believe them to be possibly beneficial for people with schizophrenia.

7:00am - wake, 3 cups of coffe
8:00am - Meal Replacement Powder / Progressive VegeGreens / EFA / Medications.
10:00am - 4 whole eggs / Metamucil / Flax Seed / Coconut Oil / Vitr C, Niacin, B Complex 100, Multi
11:00pm - Medicaiton
12:00pm - Pre-Workout energy dring, 25-50g of carbs
12:30pm - Exercise
2:00pm - Post Workout Whey protein / Progressive Phytoberry / Vit C, Niacin, B Complex 100, Multi, EFA
4:00pm - 8oz Ground Chicken / Metamucil / Flax / Coconut Oil
6:00pm - Medication
7:00pm - 8oz Ground Chicken / Metamucil / Flax / Coconut Oil/ / Vit C, Niacin, B Complex 100, Multi
10:00pm - Casein powder / EFA / Medications
11:00pm - SLEEP

Any questions about what medications I take, or why certain supplements, please feel free to email me, for the sake of brevity I haven't included detailed explanations as it would take too long.

Wednesday I start a Targeted Ketogenic Diet, with vitamin and food supplementation to see how it will improve my schizophrenia.  I will be updating daily with information on what I ate, what supplements I took, how I feel and think, and any improvements in the quality of my life.  I was diagnosed 11 years ago and have been at a plateau for the past couple years, I take medication this is all in complement to that medication.  I am independant, living in a 1 bedroom apartment, on social assistance, I can walk (reluctantly sometimes) to daily activities, I workout regularly (4 times a week), but still suffer from voices and hallucinations, the night is unbearable for me, and I have to keep moving during the day to distract myself from my symptoms.  Now that you know a little of me and my current situation, I wait until wednesday the 28th of march 2012 to begin years of research on what can help me cope.