Three chapters down, lots more to go.
A couple of things I've figured out.
1). Celebrate the little bits of progress. If this means a new direction, a brainstorm, a chapter completed, a succinct and insightful paragraph, celebrate.
2). Celebrate does not mean an Izzy's ice cream after every productive writing session. Just because you are stressed or want to celebrate the small stuff, you do not have a free pass to pig out. When calories in are significantly more than calories out, you gain weight. Lots of it. Gotta get this under control.
3). Gaining weight does not lessen stress levels. See item #2.
4). When people say writing a dissertation is like giving birth, I used to think it referred to the long process of anticipation, followed by a really painful period to get to the end. I now think it means that you're left with baby weight afterwards. But you don't have the adorable baby to show for it. You have hundreds of pages of words no one will ever read, and a couple letters you can add to your name when you feel smug.
Tomorrow begins a new plan. One that doesn't include so much chocolate and ice cream.
You can join me on weight watchers in July!:) Maybe you can reward yourself with a trip to the Farmer's Market.
ReplyDeleteWe had a great weekend at the cabin. Off to read more Book Thief.