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Over the last 18 months I've made discoveries and changes in order to live a fuller, healthier, happier life. My primary focus has been medical and food:
Medical | I changed doctors and now go to my doctor on a regular basis. I control my asthma (that I've had since I was 14). I deal with my psoriasis (again, that I've had since my early teens). I go for regular tests (blood and urine) and am making an effort to get a handle on my thyroid disease - which is not yet under control. I go to my naturopath to complement the services of my doctor.
Food | I eat very well. What does that mean? I eat a balanced diet that includes protein at every meal and minimal refined sugar. I eat no processed foods, I can pronounce ingredients and consume a ton of vegetables. I drink at least 2 litres of water each day and do not drink my calories. I do not diet. I do not embrace deprivation. I have learned much about balance and portion control.
I figured with those two things handled there would be a natural loss of weight. I wasn't expecting a ton, but I was assured by all of the experts that I would, with thyroid medication, reduced sugar consumption and consistent diet, lose at least 10% of my weight and most likely 20%.
I have not lost one ounce.
Indeed, when I quit drinking wine for 6-weeks the benefit was a gain of 7 pounds and tighter pants! The exact same thing happened when I cut out all cheese, over a year ago - I gained! I still don't eat cheese, but I do drink the occasional glass of wine, though less than before.
Sigh.
Is it possible that I have lost as much weight as I can without my thyroid in order? I can't possibly eat any better than I do. Maybe it's the B12 malabsorbtion. Or not. Could it be that I just have to move more?
I wrote out the reasons I don't move:
1. I hate sweating. Really, I do.
2. My asthma leaves me winded. Perhaps I should take my meds more regularly?
3. I don't have time. True, but only seasonally - summer.
4. Frozen shoulder keeps me from doing what I like. Better learn to like something else.
5. It's not fun. There are so many other things I'd rather do, even laundry!
Pretty good reasons, but not good enough to not just suck it up and do something about it. To that end, I did a few things:
1. I joined the YMCA and put together a program with a personal trainer: 40 minutes of walking the track and 40 minutes of swimming lengths four times a week. That was in January. I've not been back.
2. I bought a bike, really cute, with gears. That was in July and I've not taken it more than a couple of blocks away.
Damn. What was it going to take?
3. I got a FitBit while on holiday at the beach. That was in early August and I've used it every single day since I took it out of the package.
Turns out, I am good with immediate accountability. I can't cheat by thinking I've done more than I've done or convince myself it was "good enough". This thing lets me know exactly what I've been up to - and not.
Next week all of my kids start back to school, all four attending the same one! That means, for me, time and opportunity to do what is good for me. To do what I have to do.
Today is my 48th birthday. Tick tock. It's time to put my plan in action:
1. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I will be at the YMCA at 6:00AM to walk for 40 minutes and swim for 40 minutes. I will be home in time to take the kids to school - only on bad weather days. They have to be on campus for 7:45AM. On Saturdays and Sundays I will be at the YMCA with Cole, Chloé and Caden for 9AM to swim and I will walk the track while they play around.
2. Daily, I have programmed my iPhone alarm to ring at every 50 minutes on the hour:
08:50 Get up and put in a load of laundry
09:50 Get up and clean the first floor and kitchen
10:50 Get up and walk around the block or to Fortino's (grocery store) and back
11:50 Get up and fold laundry and make lunch
13:50 Get up and walk/bike one of four routes for an hour
14:50 Start prepping dinner
3. Nightly, will go to bed for 11PM starting an electronic- and technology-free wind-down routine at 10PM.
Like everything else I've chosen to do over the last 18 months - it's good for me. There is no downside to moving more, and who knows, there may even be an upside. I'll just keep my expectations in check since everything else I've done, based in logic, has had illogical results, I don't want to be disappointed!