My Battle of the Bulge: Episode 1

5 years ago, I beat the Battle of the Bulge and lost 45 lbs! No small feat I can assure you.  I was healthy and energetic.  I felt strong with endurance, and because of this I was Happy. Alleluia!

Unfortunately, within 4 years I’ve gained it all back (insert sad face here).  It crept upon me slowly like an enchanted vine, deceptively undetected, until I recently purchased an article of clothing 4 sizes larger than I wore while at my Happy Weight. What the?

Not-so-deep-down I know precisely what happened.  I’m acutely aware of it on a purposefully-placed subconscious level reminiscent of an SEP. Avoiding mirrors has become a pastime, but if I may be frank with you, more so than my outward appearance, I’m much more dismayed by how unhealthy I feel.

I’m tired, but play Russian Roulette with Insomnia, a most dreaded opponent. I fatigue easily. I’m lethargic and tend to lose focus among other things. And worse still…

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE LOOMED

I’m now on blood pressure medication to keep it at a respectable level. It’s a diuretic (water pill), so the bathroom is my constant companion, which is fine. I’m OK with that, but the water reduction depletes my magnesium and potassium levels.

Why is this important, you might ask. Because our muscles need both of those for proper functionality. Guess what I have been suffering with for 2 years? Muscle cramps, stiffness, and fatigue. So I now add both magnesium and potassium to my daily intake.

A very healthy dose of Vitamin D is added to the cocktail, and the once proud non-pill-popper is poppin’ pills.

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I apologize if I sound whiny. That’s not me at all, but I’m having a bad day today and need to vent a bit. I feel the aging process…processing and I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little scary.

But, enough of that. Time to cut myself some slack!

LET’S STATE THE FACTS

First things first: I didn’t exactly give up on myself. Life threw me several sick, unexpected curve balls all at once. I handled them all beautifully, LCE that I usually am, including one involving my family of four moving in with my in-laws for 6 months.

Suffice it say, my family endured a series of upheavals that shook the foundation of our household. Our daily routine suffering the consequences, thrown up into the air like those tiny yellow pieces in the PERFECTION game.

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I was taking care of important business: holding on to my work-from-home position, my children, my marriage, making sure the relationship with my in-laws wasn’t strained, etc.

Sadly, my gym membership and healthy eating regime were Casualties of War.

Today, it’s all water under the bridge. I acknowledge that I did the best that I could in the moment and I’m not going to beat myself up about anything. That only accomplishes in depressing me, and I sure as hell don’t need that! Who does?

LET’S FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE

Happiness is a Choice, after all: I’m armed with knowledge, and lots of it because I’ve done this before. I already know how my body works and what my body needs to get healthy again.

Furthermore, I can control what I do today, how I approach today, and how I feel today. Plus, when you’re at the bottom, there’s nowhere else to go but up! Glass Half Full!

For me, exercise was a concrete factor then and will be so now. I actually love to work out (don’t hate me, please) so this is not a problem per se; but getting myself going will require some mettle on my part.

Thankfully, remembering the not-so-elusive “fitness high” is an excellent motivator. Strength and vitality coursed through me. I was all fluid movement.  I felt alive and it was great! Believe me, no drug on earth is better than a natural fitness high. It’s not a myth!

The flip-side of the Fitness Coin is eating properly. 

HEALTHY EATING IS A MUST

It improves the landscape of your well-being.  Food can be life-giving nourishment, fueling our bodies to operate at optimum; or it can be the opposite, depleting our bodies of vitamins, minerals, and overall use. It’s cliche, I know, but the body is a Temple, and it should be treated with care.

My body reacts fantastically to a sort-of Keto-ish diet. I say that because until recently, I didn’t know what Keto was. What I do know is my body loves (meaning it reacts well and quickly to) fish, lean meats, rarely anything fried, small portions of starches, if at all, nuts, loads of veggies, and lots of water and tea.

Looking back I ate almost exclusively Keto until dinner time. But, I’ll take a moment now to let it be known that I have no intention of following a particularly named diet to the letter, nor do I endorse any.

I don’t work well with that much authority and MUST-NOT-DOs. I can’t eat this and I can’t eat that just doesn’t work for me. However, if you feel any particular diet trend will work for you, then by all means do it! Seize YOUR Day!

It took me a little over a year to lose the weight before and guess what I’m not going to do this time around? Use that year as some sort of barometer for my progress this year.

I’M A DIFFERENT PERSON TODAY

For one thing, I’m older! Let’s just leave it at that. I’m going to take my time with it this go around. I want to enjoy the process. I have no intention of speeding up the poundage lost. It’ll happen in its time: Live in the Moment!

My first plan of attack is to assess my starting point:  my “I’m-Feeling-Vulnerable-Scale” is tilting heavily toward DefCon 1, but here goes nothing!

Current Stats:

• Weight: 193.50 lbs.
• Bust: 40.5 in.
• Waist: 36.5 in.
• Hips: 48 in. (I’m referring to this as Bootylicious)
• Arms: 15.5 in.
• Thighs: 29 in.
• Calves: 15.5 in.

Now that that’s over with, my second plan of attack is to focus less on pounds lost and more on overall wellness. I will incorporate a new fitness routine and reincorporate my healthy food intake. My fridge is already stocked with all my favorite green smoothie ingredients. I’ll make sure to share some recipes with you.

I haven’t made up my mind what my new routine is going to be yet, but I’m all signed up for the gym again and I whittled down which yoga studio I want to attend.

I do intend to start slow and build on my progress. I’ll be sure to let you know what the routine is in the next post and if you have any helpful tips, I’d sure appreciate them!

An added benefit is my 16 year old daughter is joining with me this year, providing more bonding moments, which I’m always grateful for. Wish me luck!

Be Well!

Cynthia
385Life
Live · Love · Learn

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