Lazy Bones

That’s what you can call me from now on, since I’ve gotten completely lazy and complacent over the past several weeks. I even ate fast food (gasp). I am pretty much sucking it up, diet wise. And by that, I mean sucking up all the food in my path (or so it seems). I’m not really sure what has triggered this recent bout of laziness, but I know for sure that it is NOT working out in my favor. I have not gained any weight back, but I’ve not lost one single pound.

I don’t plan my meals anymore at all. It’s just Jameson and I since my dad has been out of town, so I’m not cooking as much. Jamo eats like a bird, and only has about four things that he really likes to eat. Yes, it’s an excuse, but meal planning is very tricky when it’s only two of us. It’s so much easier to go for the easy meal – one that I can just grab at the store. 

My Tupperware collection is getting dusty. I am using plastic baggies almost exclusively, because I’m only bringing my breakfast to work; a bagel or dry cereal. I run home for lunch, get something at the grocery store, or eat something out of the dreaded vending machine. My employer is fairly concerned with health and wellness, so there are usually a couple good choices in the machine, but the temptation for Danish is right there in front of me.

And here’s the rub – I’ve committed to lose 40 L-B’s by…December! That’s the date of my next wellness appointment at my work, and I’ve made a promise to the lovely Katie. Gulp. As the administrator of our wellness exams, Katie is so kind and helpful, and I just couldn’t help myself. WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

Dieting, or changing one’s lifestyle, is often a hit-or-miss journey. As long as I keep trying to succeed, I believe occasional failure is just a stumbling block on this road to wellness. My biggest obstacle is MYSELF. I would like to ask you, my lovely readers, for your help. How can I be more accountable on this journey? I end up spending so much time alone, and I have no one to answer to! I seem to only be writing about failures lately, and I’d really love to put some positive numbers in the win column again. 

Let's Get (a) Physical

A couple of weeks ago I went to my doctor to get my first physical in three years (insert chastising comments here). It was... fun. No, really! My doc is one of the good ones - he jokes, he swears, he explains everything thoroughly, and he truly cares about me and my family. I was a little worried about what my blood tests would reveal, but as it turned out, I'm actually pretty... healthy. I know, right?

All the tests turned out within range. My family has a history of diabetes, but my blood sugar was great. My blood pressure was within normal range, as was my cholesterol. There were little to no red flags, in my opinion, and I think that Dr. Bobby (real name is Robert LeFevre out of Bronson) was pleased. He was also pleased with my weight loss strides, and was encouraging me to keep up the good work. Clearly my excess weight does affect my long-term health, but he was happy I was moving in the right direction. 

A suspicion about my thyroid was confirmed - and I was officially diagnosed with hypothyroidism. When Jameson was a baby I suffered a hyperthyroid attack, and it's pretty common to swing the other way once your thyroid realizes it's innate power. Not to worry, I've been prescribed medication to regulate my numbers, and will have a re-check in a few weeks. My mom had this same malady, and handled it without incident, so I'm not concerned. 

I also have an iron deficiency, and it's been suggested that I start an iron supplement. It will help my restless leg syndrome if I keep my levels up, which will in turn help me get a better night's sleep. 

All in all, I really was pleased with my appointment. Now on to the gynecologist. I have to find a new doctor in my area, but that visit I will not share.  

The moral of this story, my dearest friends, is to get your annual physical. YOU ARE WORTH IT. I was lucky that I didn't run up against more pressing health issues, having avoided this check-up for so long, and I want all of you to be lucky, too! 

Now, if I can only get Olivia Newton John out of my head, my day will be complete. 

Spring can really hang you up...

I had a really rough spring, as some of you know. May is, by far, the hardest month for me to handle, and it really kicked my ass this year. I ate too much food, sat around way too much, and drank too much as well. As a result I’ve gained back some of the weight I worked so hard to lose. I’ve been singing a song in my head for weeks now, and thought you might enjoy it. I like the Bette Midler version. It’s about love, but it means so much more to me.

Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

Once I was a sentimental thing;

threw my heart away each spring.

Now a spring romance

hasn’t got a chance.

Promised my first dance to winter.

All I’ve got to show’s a splinter

for my little fling.

Spring this year has got me feeling

like a horse who never left the post.

I lie in my room

staring up at the ceiling.

Spring can really hang you up the most.

Morning’s kiss wakes trees and flowers,

and to them I’d like to drink a toast.

But I walk in the park

just to kill the lonely hours.

Spring can really hang you up the most.

All afternoon the birds twitter-twitt.

I know the tune, this is love, this is it.

Heard it before

and don’t I know the score.

And I’ve decided that spring is a bore.

Love seems sure around the new year.

Now it’s April, love is just a ghost.

Spring arrived on time,

only what became of you, dear?

Spring can really hang you up the most.

Spring can really hang you up the most.

Love came my way, I thought it would last.

We had our day, now it’s all in the past.

Spring came along, a season of song,

full of sweet promise

but something went wrong.

Doctors once prescribed a tonic.

Sulfur and molasses was the dose.

Didn’t help one bit,

my condition must be chronic.

Spring can really hang you up the most.

All alone, the party is over.

Old Man Winter was a gracious host.

But when you keep praying

for snow to hide the clover,

spring can really hang you up the most.

So I know what I have to do to lose weight. I know what I have to do to get healthy and fit. I think the next step is getting my brain on track. My emotions continue to sabotage my success and I can’t fight a losing battle forever. Maybe it’s time to reach out to someone for help. It couldn’t hurt to get a healthy mind as well, right? 

Let’s chat soon about my recent physical and all that entailed. It was all good, but for now I’ll leave you with this song. Sing it for me, will you?