Fun activity: explore happiness log in Jan

[Aka_Donna]

A couple of items came together for this idea. First some time ago for New Years I made a decision to try dressing regularly in the evening, just to see if I could do it and the reactions. It worked wonderfully and now dress several evenings a week. Secondly, in Aug my Doctor ran some tests and my heart is not doing well. So I added a mile walk to my routine and to help me I created a simple spreadsheet to track results. It's easy with watch, columns are:
-- date
-- distance (from watch)
-- time walking
-- pace, i.e, (watch)
-- average heart rate (watch)

A couple weeks ago after remarking that I noticed 1) body hurt less if walked at least every 2 days, 2) average HR slowly dropped during walks, and 3) pace barely changed, anyway "why not also log whoopie days?". It might be interesting. Naturally I said no, but then added a column for whether dressed that day or not. Less than a month doing that but already discovered blue mood if go 3 days without dressing, and downright cranky if longer. Having all three items: long walk, whoopie and dressing is like hitting a casino jackpot of 3 winners.

I want to add two columns in Jan, just to see what else can discover out what makes me happy. Don't want to add more than a few items. Thinking of
-- count of completed extra tasks
-- wore wig
-- added makeup

Any ideas of what could be/should be added?

Suggest others try this simple method to increase happiness in new year.

[Emily in the south]

This is interesting & good for you on the exercise! I do about 3 miles a day, weather permitting, sometimes more. A couple of times a week, I do it fully feminized at more distant locations from my house. I also have a smart watch & keep a log of date distance time, I set a brisk pace. For me, the motivation is working on my girlish figure, I weigh a little under 170 and would like to get down a little lower.

Emily

[kimdl93]

Might the list include stepping out into public on those good days?

[GaleWarning]

I've just been diagnosed with the onset of arthritis in my hips and thighs.
The remedy is exercise!
I'm inclined to give your suggestion a go, Donna.
Including a record of when I have managed to CD.
Thanks.

As to what else you (and I) might record - what about weight and BP?

[Bobbi46]

BMI is also a good way of monitoring healthe finding out your body mass index will indicate of you are overweight at all

[Aka_Donna]

Disagree with BMI. It's too suspect of a measure. It's like the 10,000 steps a day metric started to sell pedometers.

Weight hasn't changed in 2 years and BP is constant via many pills. I'm hoping to get a sonagram as encouragement to increase distance.

[Bobbi46]

I guess you could you be right because one thought i have is what does bone and skeletal size fit in with the whole equation.
At the end of the day it all comzs to down to feeling right and looking good when we dress and feeling pretty too

[char GG]

Mod note:

If this thread continues to be just about exercise/health, it will be closed. You may repost in the Lounge. Please make sure that there is some CD content to future posts.

[Bobbi46]

I totally agree with you Char and did wonder the sam as you that is why i have tried to bring it back on an even keel

[docrobbysherry]

Strangely, I don't need to keep a log of the things that make me happy.:)

Only the tasks that r chores and I must do!:doh:

[Bobbi46]

What makes me happy is being able to live 24/7 as Bobbi, being accepted by family and friends

[Aka_Donna]

The point of the log is a self discovery. Sometimes what we think would make us happy doesn't work.

No reason you couldn't keep a record of reactions, and not just go by gut feelings. Something like:
-- do I feel better the next day after a glam evening, or a blend evening?
-- does the joy of bold outfits last as long as tame outfits
-- what is the ideal dressing frequency for me? when is it too much, when too little? The idea here is if can ID the timing, then can keep a level high, rather than the typical hi/lo rollercoaster life.

[Debbie Denier]

Agree with Sherry about the log. Its not for me but each to their own.

[Vikky]

Excercise is good for anyone, CD or not.
I had a triple by-pass 25 years ago and am still here!!!
I walk our dog everyday, often underdressing, and play golf twice a week.
Also had a diabetes scare a few years back, blood suger level was a too high. Diet change and lost 10 kilos in a year and mostly kept it off.
And dresses fit better now!!!!
Vikky.

[Krisi]

I do not keep a log of my dressing. The thought never occurred to me.

As for keeping a log of exercising, many "watches" can do this now and send the results to your smart phone. This is automatic and would be far easier than keeping a spreadsheet.

[Aka_Donna]

Yes the watch can do that, but the summaries are not really what I am looking for. They are either too busy or wrong data points. Easier to just jump on pc and take a moment for a quick jot of daily activity. The missing is key month by month comparison. Right now the most interesting metric, really, not guess, but really how many days a month do I crossdress. I don't have a month of tracking yet, but the results are different than my guessimate.

[Stephanie47]

I do maintain a medical log on my computer. I do not have a smart watch or smart phone. I make annotations in my log of adverse feelings or events on any particular day. I think logging feelings pre and post "glam" events is not for me. I know there have triggers in the past, usually stress, that have sent me to my wardrobe to spend the day as Stephanie which then entails doing domestic chores and leisurely in-home activities. I wonder if maintaining a log of subjective feelings would end up having too much control over what you end up doing. And, what happens the next day? Does the mind end up prompting the thought since I am not in fem attire I must feel lousy? If you're able to live your life 24/7 all the time, how do you end up gauging happiness or sadness that is out of the ordinary?

[Fiona_44]

I do keep track of how many days I've gone out in public dressed en femme. I only started go out this past spring so I'm curious to see what the tally will be at the end of 12 months.