I looked back at my last post and realized I haven’t “said” anything since late April. Hmmm. I have several drafts I have started but none of them seemed complete or right. This morning I deleted all of them!
I have been in a period of transition. I like change, which is good, because it is inevitable. My Mama told me years ago, that periodically I like to reinvent myself. She was right.
I have always been a goal setter. I was raised with “to whom much is given, much is expected” and much of that expectation I put on myself. I feel the need to accomplish something every day, even if it is just a small thing.
The last three years, the pandemic, my parents deteriorating situation and my Mother’s death all put me in a tailspin. During that time my A1C and cholesterol numbers soared and I gained weight and felt like a slug! I was officially diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and high cholesterol. I had to start on meds for the diabetes immediately and tried to reduce cholesterol with diet. Unfortunately, my cholesterol stayed high and I had to start a low dose statin. I have always tried to avoid taking prescription meds, preferring more natural solutions but it didn’t seem to be working. Time for some changes.
At the end of April, I joined a gym and started working with a trainer. My goal was to get healthier overall and feel good about myself. I was very motivated and started working out three or four times a week. I also was using my Fitbit and increased my goal steps to 7,000 a day. I had Patrick take pictures of me in shorts and sports bra. Wow was that depressing! I looked so old and flabby…and crooked!
The old I couldn’t do anything about, but the flabby and crooked I felt were changeable.
My first evaluation with the trainer was very disappointing. While my weight and BMI were good, my muscle tone, strength, balance, body fat and endurance were awful. That along with the pictures have been a great motivator.
Here I am, almost eight months later. My pain levels are greatly reduced. The exercise and weightlifting seem to have made a difference in achy joints and general pain. After almost thirty years, the migraines are almost nonexistent, thanks to a great neurologist. It has taken two years and very expensive medication, but worth it. I have gone from six to ten migraine days a month to less than one!
I have reduced my body fat and visceral fat and gained some muscle in the process. Patrick teases me because I can flex and show off my improving arms! I have lost back fat and some of my gut, but still a way to go. I am definitely stronger! On a good day, I can squat sixty pounds and leg press a hundred!
I have six more trainer sessions and then I am going to try it on my own for a while. I am perfecting my form on Squats, Dead Lifts and Ham String curls, which all address my weaker parts. I have found going to the gym without my phone, is a great way to detach and de-stress. It is a good me time; I only focus on the task at hand which is to complete twenty minutes of cardio and three sets of eight exercises!
I did a similar workout program about thirteen years ago and accomplished my goals much more quickly. Most of my life I have walked and been physically active, but at over seventy, the downhill slide didn’t take long, and it is taking a lot longer and a lot more work to get back in physical shape.
I have been gardening for the last year, learning what grows in Phoenix and experimenting. I have always enjoyed “yard” work and even sweeping leaves is something I enjoy! This is good because we have four large Chinese Elm trees which drop a lot of leaves, this is unusual in Phoenix. Most people here don’t like deciduous trees and the warm climate and short winter keep things green. I have had success with herbs and some vegetables, and my winter garden is coming along slowly, but I am now harvesting grapefruit and a lot of jalapeno peppers.
Today the sun is shining, I am a little sore from yesterday’s workout, but that means progress is being made. I am having to cover some of the more tender plants as temps are dropping below forty degrees. I don’t like the short winter days, but only a few more and then we start going the other way.
I will be visiting my dad in Alabama for his 102nd birthday the end of December. He inspires me every day. When I call, he is usually laughing, tells me about the weather and his exercise class. He still likes fast food and lots of cookies. He will say, I am OK, don’t worry about me, they (his Assisted Living Facility) take good care of me. My son and his family are frequent visitors to Daddy. I am continually grateful for their patient and loving care for him.
I have been given so much during my life, I am glad to have that reason to expect a lot from myself.
Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Peace and Love,
Linda
Musings of This Old Girl 