Moving Right Along... and a Duh Moment...

First, the duh moment...

So you may remember me complaining about my new scale. Turns out the extra weight was likely due to user error, not the scale itself. I've been storing the darn thing in the cupboard after weighing in, so each morning*, I take the scale out, place it on the kitchen floor, hop on, and then record that as my weight. This morning, I couldn't remember quite what cam after the decimal point, so I got back on...

And weighed like 4 pounds less.

So I did it again. Same result. I thought, "it must be the batteries", so I changed them out, and then read the instructions ever so nicely printed on the bottom of the scale. That first weight is a calibration thingy any time the scale has been moved, and should be disregarded. Once the scale is calibrated, and has shut off, the user can get their weight.

Believe me, 4.5 pounds less made me pretty chipper!

Okay, now the moving right along part...

I have mentioned before that my dad is in poor health. It turns out I had no idea how poor, until I finally started actually going in to all his doctors' appointments with him. I knew about the high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and stroke history. I knew he has gout, and I understood there was an issue with his kidneys (after all, why else would he be seeing a nephrologist?). What I didn't know was the full picture:

Congestive heart failure (diastolic variety) with a completely blocked artery in his right ventricle
Stage 3 chronic kidney disease
Chronic gout
Osteoporosis
Continued high cholesterol and blood pressure
Macular degeneration and cataracts

His doctor won't give me a timeline. He hemmed and hawed, and said that with the blocked artery, it could happen suddenly. Or he could live another few years. But, at this point, it's about quality of life. I know what that means... let him enjoy the little he has left.

My dad and I are not close. We never have been. But that phone call freaked me out hardcore.

So I called my wellness coach friend, and told her "tell me what to do, and I will do it!" 

By the way, this is her before and after:

Long story short, I've been on her plan for going on five days now.

I feel FANTASTIC!

I have more energy, am more focused, and my belly is noticeably flatter. I am working out, both cardio and strength... yesterday was an 8 mile bike ride with the family, followed by an upper body workout on the Bowflex. K is also offering a 12 week get -ready-for-summer challenge starting in March. I think I'm in!

I am hoping too that this healthy lifestyle I am working so hard on will affect the rest of the family. My kids did the full workout yesterday too. I'm making sure our meals are healthy, with good protein, plenty of fiber (mainly veggies and fruit), and healthy fats. I am making sure we all drink lots of water.

I AM DOING THIS!

Body, Mind, AND Soul...

 I've realized lately I need to look at things in a more holistic manner.

I also need to just keep going forward, despite the ups (too many) and the downs (not enough).

image courtesy of movemequotes.com

Even if it means crawling (maybe not literally).

I re-read my Why post, so I could remember that this is not a headlong dive into wanting to wear skinny jeans, or something like that. It is a JOURNEY. And that journey needs to include mental health, which is definitely an area of weakness these days.

I mean, can we say stress?

image courtesy of wtbangels.com

Obviously, I need to find some ways to balance my life a little, to maybe find some time for meditation (which I used to do in the mornings, and really enjoyed), AND approach health more holistically.

I have been exercising more, and enjoying it more, in the last week. I set aside the "I'm going to do this for x minutes to burn x calories" approach, and tried having fun. I learned to play flag football, went for a hike with my family, and then cruised through a family bike ride. I'd like to try yoga again, or maybe tai chi. I don't enjoy running, so am trying to decide if I actually want to keep half-heartedly pursuing it. I do like strength training, and should definitely be doing more of that.

Food-wise, I do really like vegetables, so I am eating more of those. I try to serve two veggies with dinner (not counting the ones incorporated in the "main dish"). I'm reading Mindless Eating, and waiting on a copy of The Slow Down Diet. I do enjoy food, a lot, so I am not interested in deprivation, more in learning to savor my food, to bulk it up wisely (produce!), and to not eat mindlessly.

As for my mind, I plan to set aside 10 minutes each morning to meditate. Maybe take a hot bath once a week, with a good book, and a mug of herbal tea. To relax myself with meditation techniques at bedtime. To enjoy my morning mile walks for the scenery and fresh air.

And I need to remember, this journey will take constant adjustment. There is no one, fixed course.

image courtesy of ldssmile.com

Going Up?

Well, at least my weight has been the last several days. I think I'm in a funk, and when I'm in a funk, it's food to the rescue! And so naturally, I put on a few pounds, between the potato chips, macaroons, and even just too much "good" food.

Obviously, I need to find healthier ways to deal with feeling a little blue.

Life can be difficult. At the moment, I am trying to balance two jobs, school, homeschooling, housework/cooking, taking care of an aging and unhealthy father (though I do have help there, from my sister), and the fact that my husband is unemployed, and grumpy about it. Sometimes this load feels doable, other times it feels very heavy.

Anyhow, back to food, overeating, weight loss, etc. 

I need to find balance.

While I remain very entranced by the ideas behind intuitive eating, I am having a hard time with the practical application. For example, if I decide, after listening to my body, that I really want tomato soup for lunch, do I need to rush to the store to buy tomato soup? I know... that's a ridiculous example, but there it is. And I know potato chips aren't good for me, but I really like them, and with IE, I can have them, as there are no "bad" foods.

So I've decided to recharge myself with some reading (one of my favorite, favorite things to do!), and have lined up the following:

Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think
The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weightloss
No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness

Yes, weight loss is something I am aiming for. But I want more! As you can see, I am trying to find a place where I am happy with my body, where I am nourishing it, and enjoying food and exercise. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS.

And yeah, it's going to take me a while. A snail's pace!