My Doc

I have a great G.P. He believes like I do about religion and politics, he's funny, and he's insightful and knowledgeable. He has been my doctor for a dozen years, and he has been through many illnesses and difficulties with my husband and me. He has always given me excellent advice, which I, unfortunately, have not always heeded. He always says I only have to exercise on the days I eat (ha,ha) and I should only eat food God has made. Guess what? Turns out all those years of medical school paid off, and he was RIGHT! Following his advice I have lost 8 pounds of post-holiday indulgence. Now I just have to learn to stick with it and make this my lifestyle and not a quick-fix scheme.

We're walking, we're walking...

2 miles on January 14; 2 miles on January 17; 2 miles today.☺

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve my hubby and I celebrated our anniversary. We had a lovely dinner of seafood, and then rang in the new year visiting with friends. We had a bittersweet sendoff of a friend who recently was ordained, achieved the rank of lieutenant, became an Army chaplain, and is now headed to Iraq for a year. We also had fun playing Dutch Blitz and Jenga at another friend's house, and then watched the ball drop in Times Square. Hard to believe it is 2010! Another year and another decade has passed.

Over the weekend I finished clearing out another closet, filled another box to give away, and filled the trash can half way again. I had a horrible sinus headache over the weekend, so I got a bit off schedule, but I also did some cooking, some regular chores and all my laundry. It feels so good to have made this much progress on clearing out the house! I have a long way to go clearing out the attic, the guest room and office, but it feels great to have begun the journey and to be able to let go of the "STUFF."

I seem to have a hard time focusing on more than one project at a time. When I went back to finish my Bachelor's degree several years ago, I also had goals of losing weight and giving away some stuff. It was hard enough to focus on class and making good grades, doing my regular chores and cooking, as well as working full time in a busy and stressful environment. (Plus being a wife and trying to socialize once in a while!) Several years have gone by, and I am thankful to be working on the house, but I need the capacity to focus on dieting and exercise as well as working on the house. There is never enough time as a woman. The challenge is in balancing all the facets of one's life, and knowing your priorities.

Here's to a balanced life and a Happy and Healthy 2010!

Less is More

Had a busy holiday weekend, as I'm sure everyone did. Besides the shopping, wrapping, cooking, cleaning, work, church, and time with family and friends, I got rid of more "stuff!" I spent the 26th and 27th cleaning out the linen closet and the master bedroom and our clothes closet. I have filled my trash bin from the city 3 times since I started this project. I now have 7 boxes of clothing and household goods to donate to charity. It feels FABULOUS!! I now just need to clear out the guest room & closet, the attic, and the office/"man room," which is the catch-all room. The attic and the man room will be the hardest jobs because they have the most stuff, but my success so far is very motivating! My spirit (and the house!) get lighter with every room completed. Now on to lighten the body!

Losing and Gaining

In addition to my weight issues and my husband's health and unemployment concerns, I have been dealing with some other problems. I have had a problem with holding on to too much "stuff." Over the last several years I suffered a series of losses and crises, and began to see possessions as associated with people and love and emotions. Of course, some things are precious and are intimately tied to memories, but some things need to be passed on to someone who needs it or can enjoy it. I have begun the process of clearing these items and my house out.

I have cleared out my kitchen, laundry area, dining room, living room, and bathroom so far. I have shredded about a ton of old papers, and have filled 3 boxes to give to charity. It feels so good! The sense of accomplishment feels great, and I even feel lighter, like I have lost weight! (I am sure the house feels that way!☺)

Making progress on this goal gives me motivation to get serious about my other goals. I want to get closer to God and be more open to people. I need to eat less and more healthily. I need to go for a walk every day. I want to eliminate my debt. I want to organize my house (after I've gotten rid of all this extra stuff.) 12 months from now, if I am still here by God's will, that is where I want to be.

Twisted Ankle

I work in an enviroment where I need to look presentable, so I often wear skirts or pants and heels. But I did not twist my ankle at work. Also, I have been working at walking 2-3 miles daily, 4 or more times a week. But I did not twist my ankle walking at a park or on the river. I twisted my ankle at home, barefoot, while doing laundry!! It was frustrating and a bit discouraging. I have heard from so many people about how they got sick or injured after starting a fitness program. I guess that is just life! There are always challenges to any goal, whether it is fitness and weight loss, getting an education, or remodeling your house. I'm not sure why these challenges come, but it sure can test one's committment! I am hoping it only spurs me on, because I was really enjoying the benefits of vigorous exercise. Sweat is good!

End of July!

It's hard to believe another month has come and gone. I have not lost any more weight because I have not been logging my food or counting my calories. But! I have been walking a lot more, a lot farther and a lot faster. In the last 3 weeks I have logged 29 miles, and about 58,000 steps. It has been hard, sweaty work, but it has felt great! Sometimes it's hard to get motivated, and keep walking, but it feels so good when I'm done. I feel so relaxed and more cheerful. It's a great sense of accomplishment, too! I asked my M.D. Alan Sherwood how often I should walk. He said I only have to walk on the days I eat! (Ha!) I am going for at least 20 miles a week. (3 every day except 2 on Sunday.) I have also been doing stretching. I need to add ab work and strength training. I think some yoga for balance and flexibility would be good, too.

I also asked Dr. Sherwood about nutrition and diet advice. His advice was this: if God made it, it's okay to eat. If He didn't, it's not. Sounds simple, but there is so much truth in it. I have got to follow that plan! Here's to good health!