So, How's It Been Going?

Good morning!

Looks like I'm just waking up from a very long nap. Not sure who's doing the waiting these days - God, me, my readers? Let's just say that life takes its turn with priorities and other things seem to slip from focus. I find that focus is probably my biggest challenge. At times I feel fragmented, trying to do it all - home, work, family, hobbies - none of it getting my full attention - and none of it prioritizing my health. Guess without my health, none of it really gets done.

"They" say a person has to hit bottom before they can come back again. The soreness in my joints, especially my feet and legs had begun to take a toll on me. So, one morning I woke up and had a little talk with myself. I was at the end of my rope. Here are some of the things I was feeling:

• joint pain in my knees, especially the left knee
• fatigue, often falling asleep at inappropriate times of the day
• inability to walk without the right heel of my foot writhing in pain
• irritability with family and friends
• borderline depression
• caregiver burn-out
• anger
• no motivation or physical momentum
• puffy face, wrists and ankles

Enough about me and my maladies. Everyone around had been trying to tell me for years that something has to be done or you are going to have a heart attack or stroke. I couldn't see what was really staring back at me in the mirror. Didn't really want to face the reality.

But on December 1, 2012, I faced reality. Couldn't take it any more - didn't want to keep doing things the same way I'd been doing things before. It's true, I kept getting the same results! I'm so stubborn and can't really blame my Irish and German ancestors. This was something I could no longer blame others for. It was time to man-up and take responsibility and action for myself. And, so I did.

On that early Saturday morning I took ownership. I found a plan. I took the reigns. I began to focus on the important. I searched for God's counsel.

Eight weeks later, I'm feeling successful. Some might say that's silly considering you've only been "sticking" to the program for 8 weeks. Here's how I'm measuring success:

• No longer fighting sugar and carb addiction - I've discovered that eating "healthy" isn't so bad
• Bodily inflammation has dropped considerably, even to the point of no noticeable swelling
• My skin is healthier with less blemishes
• Fatigue is not as severe and I no longer experience day-time drop offs
• I'm less anger and more realistic at where my anger should be directed
• I feel more in control of my life and my choices - no one to blame for my over-eating and over-weight except me
• My knees don't hurt as often and the heel of my right foot barely hurts
• My face is not as puffy and others are beginning to notice the change
• And, did I mention, I've lost 22.6 lbs.?

My counselor asked me to write down the good feelings I'm experiencing. Motivators to hang on to when life derails me (and my counselor reminded me that it would). I really don't want to go back to the old ways and at times I can hardly comprehend how different I feel with twenty-something pounds lost.

This summer, my hubby and I plan to travel to Alaska - in less than 150 days, I'm weighting to see just how much more health I will experience. Just thinking about that can be extremely motivating!

I haven't forgotten the most important part of this journey. My spirit knows that I have not walked this way alone. Sure, my hubby, family, friends, co-workers and counselor have walked along side of me. But, without the One who created me and knows my innermost being, I am nothing. He truly does know the plans He's laid before me - I for one am ready to watch them unveil, step by step, one day at a time!