The follower or two I might have for this blog will have realized by now that I am just a tad “behind” on my Pinterest Challenges and blergs. The bulk of you will not doubt be thinking, oh, yeah, I sort of remember her doing something like that. And in this bizarre time of quarantine I sort of skipped ahead to this week to write about what no doubt many of us are thinking of: our health and wellbeing. I am not trying to be trite in the slightest, I think now more than at the beginning of the year when I started this challenge, my own health, and that of my family’s, is at the forefront of my thoughts.
My health issues have been ongoing for some time and while I am grateful I do not have disease to the level that many people do, I am still considered unhealthy. My weight, an issue for decades, has always been a challenge. But beyond my weight I just felt awful, sort of all the time. Between lethargy, stress, headaches, pains, skin issues like eczema and never feeling rested I just feel like existed. I wasn’t living. I always felt uncomfortable in my body (if that makes sense at all). I didn’t like the way I looked in the mirror, in clothes, and there were times when I was thinking – who is this lady I’m stuck inside of?
Compound that with my family’s history of heart disease and cholesterol, my mother’s diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer’s in her early 60’s and my younger brother’s near heart attack and stint just 2 years ago, I could see the writing on the wall. Something needed to change in my life. I struggled all last year on Noom, because I already understand the psychology of why I overeat and don’t exercise but the bottom line is I didn’t have a permanent plan to change my life for the long term. I wanted a quick fix.
I even alluded to all this in this very Pinterest Blog Challenge at the start of the year and had set aside several weeks (and more) to Pins that involved fitness, diets and lemon water “miracle flat belly” drinks. All just a continued desire to change without the actual plan.
About a month ago I reach out to my dear friend Jessica who had been looking particularly happy in recent months. She had lost weight but more than that she was happy, energetic and engaged with her life. I wanted to feel that way too. She told me about a program she had started where the focus was on gaining optimal health in every aspect of your life. That weight loss was a part of that, but the big picture was to take small steps in areas like sleep, hydration, stress, food intake, movement and meditation (or self-reflection if you prefer the term). These small steps, over time, would become daily habits that would take me to where I would have wellbeing in all the areas of my life. While I was hesitant, I was also desperate and I loved that it was more of a strategic plan than a weight loss program.
I started the program 3 weeks ago and just completed week three. While I have lost 12 pounds so far that is nothing compared to the energy, clarity and focus I have found again. Even amid this pandemic and self-quarantine I have to say that I feel better these last 3 weeks than I have felt in years. I am sleeping better, and my skin has cleared up so much that I do not use my rash cream at all anymore. I wake up rested, not tired or groggy. Despite the world’s chaos, I just feel, well, happier.
So, all this to say that I will not be posting ANY more Pinterest diet or quick fix lemon water challenges. I have finally found what works for me and I cannot wait to continue the path to optimum health for myself and stay there for the rest of my life. And while we watch in grief the stories of people with underlying health issues being most susceptible to this virus I am grateful that I am trying now to make my life as healthy as I can. I wish everyone out there good health, safety from this virus, and a long life filled with wellness!
Crazy side note #1: For those that have known me a long time, get this, I LOVE broccoli and eat a huge salad every day now. I CRAVE foods like Salmon, shrimp, sprouts, vegetables, lean pork loin and grilled chicken breast. I haven’t had fast food, alcohol, chips, or pizza in 3 weeks, and I don’t miss it all. I have no idea where the “old” Michelle is right now, but this Michelle is not hungry and not constantly thinking about her next meal. Good riddance!
Crazy side note #2: I know this may sound like a sales pitch – it isn’t. But, I am happy to share what I am doing if you want to PM me through text or Facebook though. I will probably even create a page for health on this blog at some point in the future for those who want to follow or join me!
