Thursday, August 02, 2012

10 Days Sugar Free?


Yesterday was my first day without processed sugar. I'm sure some passed my lips in the form of other foods, but I tried to consciously not take in any sugar. It was o.k. I had to think before I ate, which is a good thing. Of course that didn't stop me from consuming salty things. That'll be another time, baby steps.

I decided I'll try to stop processed sugar to see if it really has any effect on me. I've given myself 10 days and if I do feel better, I can add more days. I eat emotionally and mostly in the form of candy and chocolate. I'm lucky that I don't drink soda, although the McDonald's Sweet Tea is my best friend and enemy!

I am planning to do my lab tests soon and hopefully that'll help my doctor see if I need my thyroid medication dosage raised or reduced. I'm thinking raised. I have to find out about this massive fatigue issue I have. Again, baby steps.

I'm bummed because my puppy jumped on me last night and now I'm having a hard time turning my head to the right and lifting my right arm. It's painful and annoying. I've taken some ibuprofen and hopefully that'll kick in soon. I'm also starting to take calcium because I read it helps with RLS which I've been having a lot of lately. Also, since I found that I'm lactose intolerant and drinking Almond Milk, I'm not getting as much dairy calcium as I'm used to.

O.K. off I go to work, day 2 of my journey. I'm hoping the stress level will be minimal today!

Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Turning Over a New Leaf?


Wow, it's been over a year since I've last posted on this blog. Since then there has been lots of ups and downs and sideways, but I keep pressing on.

What does the title mean you ask? It is a term that is widely used about changing something for a better perspective. I am hoping to do a lot of changing, hoping, being the operative word.

I figured the first day of the month will be a jumping off point. I am great with grand visions of how I would like things to be, but not so great with the follow through, unless someone is kicking me in the butt. And even then it's with grief that I continue on. One of the main characteristics of a lifetime member of the procrastinator's club.

I decided to embark on this journey for a few reasons. One, I feel sad every day. I have a job, which I'm thankful for, but it is toxic and stressful. I see my beautiful daughter, about to turn 18, a senior in High School and I ache that she will be leaving me soon. My husband and I are on different time schedules and it's hard to have quality time together when we are hardly awake at the same time.

I've let myself go and I hate looking in the mirror. I've just given up and it shows. My Aunt went on a 100 day Vegan diet and it was inspirational. I don't know that I could go completely vegan, but maybe not eating fast food every other day is a start. When I look at family photos, I immediately focus on how hideous I look. I want to look at a photo of me and say, "I don't look half bad!".

I'm not quite sure what the process will be, but I will consciously make an effort to take care of myself better. Yes dear, that mean's finally going to the doctor to take my tests. Eating better and maybe moving a little bit more. Summer is a yucky time to start moving because it gets so hot, you don't even want to move, but early a.m. or eve is cooler.

I will tackle the chaos that is the cave, a tiny bit at a time so as not to become overwhelmed and give up. My usual MO. Instead of whining about being broke, I will list things on www.yardsellr.com so hopefully people will buy my stuff and I will have more green.

Speaking of lack of green, I will try to cut out my shopping therapy habit and my emotional eating habit and replace these with more productive things. What you ask? Not sure, but it will be less invasive on my  pocketbook.

O.K. now that I have put this out to the universe, I have accountability. If anything I can look back at this post and go, ummm yeah, when is this all starting? Or give myself high praise for actually doing some of the things I hoped to be doing.

Wish me luck and send me a few swift kicks for good measure. Today is going to be a good day right?