Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but thank gawd 2022 is over!!! With everything that happened, it rivaled 2016 and that’s the year my dad dies, so that’s saying something.
(losing my dad was still worse)
Whether you follow me here or on Instagram, I have been pretty open about my problems the last year. However, with every “problem” is a lesson.
Whether it was the IIH, gall bladder attack, high blood pressure, multiple hospital visits, the biggest reminder is this:
I will have to exercise and eat healthy for the rest of my life.
This is something I had said quite a while ago – literally 20ish years ago – probably the first time I lost a bunch of weight… but here’s the problem. I was still in an “all or nothing” mentality and I don’t want to be like that anymore so I need to find a happy medium.
For exercise, it’s the resitance training 3 times a week (to ward off osteoporosis) then something else I want/love to do. I would love for it to be dance of some sort, but amazingly enough, it’s hard to find something that isn’t a million miles from home! We’ve temporarily stopped crossfit due to injuring my back a few weeks ago and my knees aren’t doing well. And my asthma. Just need some overall improvements!
For diet, I need to find the balance of healthful foods but still indulging on occassion. I need to eat in a way that my needs are being met and I don’t feel the need to binge or sneak food.
So as we head into 2023, I’m still figuring things out. We’re almost a week in and I still don’t have a good plan – but it’s coming.
First thing was I got a day planner by Clever Fox – admittedly, I bought it from Amazon but I’ll probably buy direct from the company next time. It is amazing – it has a vision board, goals for 1, 5, 10, and 20 years. The planner is only 3 months, but each month has goals to set out, what you can do to make it a great month, then it has a monthly review to see how it went and what you can do differently the next month. Weeks are also broken out this way – each week has goals and priorities, to do lists, if you’re trying to establish a new skill or habit, etc, then at the end of the week, there’s a weekly review.
it’s an amazing day planner that really gets you to think!
So, for January…
I’m facilitating a 30 day declutter challenge – head over to my Instagram page to get the details! And I’m doing a “no buy” (other than necessities) challenge for January… though, admittedly, failed as I bought the planner on 1 Jan I believe. And in February I’m going to do a no (processed) sugar and no alcohol challenge. March I will do a no gluten and no dairy challenge.
I think at this point I need some little “unimportant” challenges that I can succeed at – with everything that happened last year and feelings of medical gaslighting, my confidence has taken a beating. I need the wins.
As for my health, I have an appointment this Monday with the surgeon for my gall bladder. Still dealing with the IIH and high blood pressure but I’m working on losing weight as that’s been the infuriating response from everyone: just lose weight. as if it’s just that fucking easy! But I’m working with my doctor, on a new medication, and working with a dietician.
Everything will come. I just need to be patient.
And patience is hard in January with everyones “new year, new you” diet plans and weight loss schemes…. all things I DON’T need!
So for now, I’m plotting and outlining my goals and over the next few weeks or even months, build momentum to getting my health – and my life – back on track!