Challenge: Health

 It was inevitable under the circumstances.  For the past year, I have drowned all of the stress and anxiety over the pandemic under waves of sweets, junk food, and take-out.  

Feeling worried about the health of yourself and all your family members?  Have some donuts!

Lonely after months and months of self-isolation?  Ice cream!

Another day of helping the grand-kid with remote learning?  Order Chik-fil-a delivery for lunch!

Worried about the effect the pandemic is having on your online small business?  Tacos, pizza, candy, cookies!  

Sure... the 'rona didn't get me.  But the bad eating habits certainly have.  Not only did I regain every pound I lost in 2019 (and then some) - but after seeing the lab results from my yearly physical last week, I realized that it has also taken a toll on my cholesterol and blood sugar.  I'm not going to share numbers.  Let's just say - it wasn't good.  Overall, I'm not very healthy right now. 

If that isn't motivation for making some major lifestyle changes - I don't know what it!  It's a good thing that my One Word for the year is "Challenge"!

I have to get my weight down.  I have to get my cholesterol under control.  And I have to get a handle on the sugar before it becomes an actual problem. 

So - here's how I plan to meet that challenge:

I am recommitting myself to the WW program.  It helped me lost quite a bit of weight before, and I know if I buckle down and accept the challenge to really follow the plan, it will again.  I will be focusing on lots of good cholesterol-lowering foods that really nourish and fuel my body. 

I will start incorporating some movement back into my life - whether it's taking the dogs for more walks, doing some at-home workouts, or finally trying out that fancy exercise bike the Man of the House got for Christmas. 

This is one challenge I can't afford to give up on.  I have big dreams for the future and I plan to be around to see them come true!

So, this is me.  Stepping forward and being honest and transparent.  Asking all of you to help to keep me accountable. In return I promise to post regular updates on my progress and be honest when I'm struggling.  

The Reality of Getting Healthy

I was recently asked in the comments here on the blog about how that whole healthier living thing has been going, noting I haven't mentioned it recently.

There's a reason for that.  I hadn't mentioned it because you can't talk bit how something is going when, quite truthfully, it hasn't been going much of anywhere.

You see, as far as the whole healthy living thing- I was failing pretty miserably at it. I was still eating a lot of junk.  Not exercising.  And my weight had actually gone up a few pounds rather than heading in that downward direction I had intended.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=104866&picture=vintage-doctors-scale

And I was embarrassed to pull that reality out into the open where not only could everyone else see it; but I would be forced to look at for what it really was.

However, I am pleased to report that things are beginning to turn around.

Over the past three weeks, thanks to plenty of encouragement and gentle prodding from the Man of the House, I have totally revamped how I eat.  No wheat/gluten, no dairy, and no processed sugars.  Less meat. More fruits and veggies.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=108930&picture=fruits-on-a-plate&large=1

I haven't been exercising as much as I should.  But after a weekend walking the historic streets of Charleston and going to the park for a walk yesterday evening with the Man of the House - I believe there are improvements being made in that area also.

I'm feeling good.  The eczema on my elbows and ankle has pretty much disappeared!  I have had minimal to no pain from my fibroids this month!  I have already lost 8 to 9 pounds (depending on what time of day I step on the scale).  And I am actually looking forward to going back to the doctor for the follow up on my cholesterol!

So,  that's the reality of where things currently stand with my health.

What are some of your best tips for healthier living?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

A Couple of Weeks Gone By

I am now about 3 weeks into this whole "being healthier and getting the cholesterol" thing.  And the honest to goodness truth is - it's harder than I thought it would be.  I think I have a  problem when it comes to sweets and junk.  Not kidding here. 

I'm trying.  Really, I am.  And over all I would say I am doing better.  Not great yet, but better.  There have been a few things which made it very challenging for me.  For example, the grand baby's birthday cupcakes.  Who turns down a chocolate cupcake?  Apparently, not me. 

My water drinking has been down this week.  If I don't stay on top of that, it is very easy to let it slip and then get to the end of the day to realize I haven't even had half of what I should. 

photo - publicdomainpictures.net

There have also been some small victories.  On Superbowl Sunday I limited myself to a veggie and hummus wrap, a few baked chips, and the veggie tray for snackies.  And I did refrain from ordering the mocha frappucino and chocolate croissant I really wanted at Starbucks the other day and ordered just a nonfat latte. 

Small steps lead to big changes.  That's what I keep trying to convince myself. 

Today:  February 6
Start Weight: 167.8 lbs
Weight Today: 163.6
 This week I exercised: none
Steps walked:  19707 (forgot to put on FitBit Sunday, which is sad because we went to Sam's and the grocery store.  Missed all those steps!)


My goals for Week 4:
*  Drink enough water
*  Wear FitBit daily
*  Increase daily step totals to at least 5000 per day
*  Exercise at least 3 days

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

The Journey Has Begun

This week was... well it was a start.

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

I'm not gonna lie.  Last weekend as a sort of last hurrah to my bad habits, I indulged in some chocolate fudge brownies with cream cheese frosting.  And I had the man fix me a big juicy blue cheese burger with fries.  After that though It. Was. On.

I did well with healthier eating.  Making myself eat breakfast - usually oatmeal with some Chia seeds added to it along with a handful of chopped walnuts and sprinkle of cinnamon.  Although I also discovered these Cheerios Ancient Grains which are quite yummy with a little almond milk.  (thank you Amanda for the heads up on those!)

I'm struggling with lunch a little.  I don't like to put a lot of fuss or time into making myself a lunch.  Because of that this week it has been a salad or a Hummus and veggie sandwich on whole wheat flat breads.  I think next week I might try making a quinoa and veggie salad that can last me a few days.

I am drinking a lot more water.  Haven't had a soda since last weekend. I also found the power to walk right past Starbucks, not once - but Twice this week!

Exercise.  Um..  well.  I really want to give an excuse about how the whole week was thrown off by the holiday and a teacher work day or whatever.  But when you get right down to it - I just didn't make time for it.

I did wear my FitBit (since about noon on Monday when I finally figured out where I had left it) and am much more aware of how much I am not moving.  It's something I know I need to work on.

Today:  January 23
Start Weight: 167.8 lbs
Weight Today: 164.0 lbs
This week I exercised: none
Steps walked:  13785

My goal updates for Week 1:
*  Drink enough water ✔
*  Wear FitBit daily ✔
*  Exercise at least 3 to 5 days

My goals for Week 2:
*  Drink enough water
*  Wear FitBit daily
*  Increase daily step totals
*  Exercise at least 3 days

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Three Things: I Want To Do This Year

I didn't make any actual resolutions for this year, choosing instead to focus on one word to better myself and my life throughout the year.  That doesn't mean I don't have some goals I want to accomplish this year!  Here are just three of the things I want to do this year:

1)  HAVE MORE FUN WITH THE MAN OF THE HOUSE:  
This was actually his idea.  We want to start doing some of those "someday we should..." things.  Laugh together.  Play together.  Make time to do more things we enjoy together.

2)  GET MY CHOLESTEROL UNDER CONTROL:
I discussed this in quite some detail in my Wake Up Call post last week.  No need to bore you by rehashing the details. I will be posting a weekly update tomorrow.

3)  AT LEAST DOUBLE MY ETSY SALES FOR  LAST YEAR:
Last year wasn't a bad year for Queen B's Busy Work,  but it wasn't exactly what I would call stellar either.  I plan to make efforts to at least double last year's numbers.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Wake Up Call

One afternoon you're sitting on the couch, minding your own business, happily eating cheetos right out of the bag (no judgment) when the phone rings.  You casually lick florescent  orange powder off your fingers and take the call.

That call.  The one from your doctor with your lab results.  Telling you that your cholesterol is too high and she wants to discuss a management plan with you as soon as possible.

You go in the next day.  Your cholesterol isn't just "kind of" high.  It's high - period.  It's all just a big mess.  Bad cholesterol is too high.  Good cholesterol is too low.  Triglycerides are through the roof.  This isn't good.

Not. Good.  At all.

You know you've put on a little quite a bit of weight in the past couple of years.  You haven't been exercising for the last several months.  Your eating habits have been on a down hill slide recently.

But you didn't expect this.  This is a big red flag being waved right in front of you.  Alarm bells are ringing. This is your wake up call.

photo: publicdomainpictures.net

It's time to get serious about your health.

I say "you" - what I mean is "me".

I've been kidding myself.  Making excuses.  Turning a blind eye.

"It's not that much weight"

"A lot of people eat worse than I do"

"I'll start exercising again soon"

"I deserve a treat because _____"

But I'll be honest - this shook me up.  Put a scare into me.  Got my attention.

It's time to stop the excuses and get real.  Take charge of my health and make some permanent changes.

Healthier eating.  Reading labels, making better choices, tracking calories.

Regular exercise. Wearing the FitBit and tracking my steps.  It's no longer a matter of "I don't really want to".  Now it's a matter of "I have to".

This will be my journey toward health.  I'm inviting all of you along with me to keep myself accountable.  And maybe for a little moral support from time to time.  I plan to post weekly updates to start.  And we'll see where this goes from there.

So, here it is - I am embarrassed  to even share this with you - the not so pretty honest truth.

Today:  January 16
Weight: 167.8 lbs (you have no idea how much I did not want to type that)
This week I exercised: none
Steps walked: ?

My goals for Week 1:
*  Drink enough water
*  Wear FitBit daily
*  Exercise at least 3 to 5 days

Have you ever had a wake up call which caused you to make some  health or lifestyle changes?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups