Comments on: Vlog #2: Overeating, Exercising, and a Wii Bit of Racing

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:57:35 +0000

Thanks, Erin K.! :) I’d like to think I’ve improved, I mean it is my intent and goal, but it’s great to hear it from someone else. :) As I said repeatedly in the first vlog, I’m a work-in-progress, and hope to continue improving (on many fronts).

I’m doing alright – just nursing a very sore left tibia, but I’m dealing with it. Thanks again for your kind words. :)

By: Erin K

Erin K — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:11:17 +0000

Great video! Not that the last one was bad in any way, but you have improved…I say that as if I make videos…and you do have more than one fan.

Anyway, hope you are doing well and thank you for posting the video.

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:20:20 +0000

You're welcome, Marlene. :) People deal with stress in different ways. The important thing is to identify any unhealthy behaviors caused by and possibly (as in my case) even adding to the stress level, and then make changes where needed. Glad your wife is doing better these days. I'm doing better, too, even though my changes are very recent. I will be successful because I choose to be. Making healthy changes and sticking to them isn't easy at times, but I refuse to let it get the best of me.

By: Marlene

Marlene — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:10:57 +0000

Thanks for the great insight! My wife (a professional chef-instructor) never over-ate, but certainly over-exercised. Could have been stress – the October ‘08 financial crisis postponed all our plans for retirement. Then she developed a chronic backache and eased off. Now everything’s a little better. Hope you have the same success! Best… Marlene B.

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:32:13 +0000

Thanks, Petra! :) I’ve broken that cycle, but still need to work through some other things. Don’t we all though, right?

Thank you SO much for the awesome compliment on my voice!!! :D I can’t say it feels effortless, and I’m not sure it’s really passable (or doesn’t seem it to me), but I’ve been keeping up with the vocal exercises almost daily and working at it. I just asked my wife yesterday during dinner if I still sound like an “old lady” when I talk. She smiled and didn’t answer. lol Oh well. Maybe at least I shaved off a few years. :)

By: Petra Bellejambes

Petra Bellejambes — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:07:40 +0000

Terrific Vlog Gabrielle. I know you will manage the issues well, but I wanted to say this non-related thing to you.

Damn, but your voice is working well. Keep practicing. It is effortless now, and quite passable.

Mad jealous here. But happy for you.

By: Gabrielle

Gabrielle — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:06:54 +0000

Hi Erin. I wouldn’t call overeating exactly “managing” stress – more like a really idiotic reaction to it, or lack of managing stress. What a terrible viscous cycle I was stuck in though – overeating, which requires more exercise to maintain good a good shape, which adds to the stress, which leads to more overeating. Good thing is the cycle is broken. :)

Video games are a GREAT way to escape life’s garbage for a while! :D I truly miss having the time to get lost for a while in a nice, long adventure or action game. I’m a firm believer in the therapeutic effects of a good gaming experience.

Thanks for sending the time trial ghosts. :) I’ve enjoyed some serious ghost racing against random people. Your ghosts will let me know what to expect when Wii finally meet up – and I’m sure we will soon. :)

By: Erin P

Erin P — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:57:59 +0000

Hey hon I hope you figure out why you manage stress that way. Once you do I’m sure you can manage you issues better. I know I have my stress addictions that I need to manage. :~

Personally one of my stress relievers has been video games. To relieve stress when I quit smoking I played video games (Mario Kart 64, Super Mario 64, and Blast Corp.) instead of smoking. Of course that really just exchanged stress management techniques. One does need to get to the cause of particular stresses to actually reduce the stress effect but healthier means of dealing with the present stress can go a long way. You just have to figure out what substitutions work for you.

I wish our schedules matched better. I would love to race you. FYI I sent you a couple of Time Trail Ghost on the Wii.