When I set upon my word for the year, I knew that becoming WHOLE was not going to be easy. In fact, I knew it would take me almost the entire year to get there, and that is okay. Every conscious decision I make is one step closer to where I want to be. So, just how am I doing on this journey and with the conscious decisions I make?
If I were to give myself a grade for my progress in February, I would give myself a C. I neither went above and beyond in any efforts, but I did not slack off either. I am not unhappy with my progress, but I am ready to start pushing myself a little more often.
On the mental front, I am happy to report that I am feeling 100 percent better. I am over the transition of anti-depressants, much to my family’s joy. I feel lighter, am sleeping better at night with less insomnia attacks, and I find myself enjoying the little things. Even better, I want to spend time with friends instead of hiding at home. This is a huge improvement, and I am so glad I talked to my doctor about my concerns.
In addition, I am almost one month into my statin regime and have been able to avoid the crazy dreams and severe muscle/joint pain that made me quit taking cholesterol-lowering medication last year. I have a check-up with my doctor later this month to see just how effective both medicines are. I had my blood drawn last week to test my cholesterol levels. It will be interesting to see just how low my cholesterol is now. There are some concerns about blood pressure and liver damage with the statins, so I need to start upping my exercise game.
Exercise was my poorest area of improvement in February, for which I have no good reason. I could cite the weather or my schedule but those are poor excuses. I will always be busy until the kids are out of the house, and I have a treadmill at home and a gym membership if I want to use other equipment. I just did not work out as much as I should have. Part of this is on purpose. I really want to lose some weight before I start up any type of gradual running program because I have a tendency to get nasty shin splints. My thinking is that a lighter body will make it easier to jog and lessen the chances of shin pain. Still, I could do something, and I was not as active as I should be.
However, all is not lost because in February, I really started logging my food each day on My Fitness Pal. This little app is how Jim lost fifty pounds and how another friend lost about as much. Doing this has been a great way for me to think about what I am eating. I find myself opting for healthier options when eating out or choosing kids’ meals instead of full portions. I plan out my meals for the day in the morning and find it is surprisingly easy to stick to that plan. I know that this is an important part of becoming healthy, and I find myself feeling rather smug when I choose an apple over a bag of chips.
February was a great bridge month for me as I was able to become more mentally whole and took the next step towards physical health. I did not take as large a step as I could have, but that gives me something to strive to achieve in March. I am in this for the long haul, so baby steps are still steps in the right direction.
How did you do last month?
I’m glad you’re over the hump with the antidepressants! That first part where you’re adjusting and trying to figure out if they’re working is just a nightmare. Here’s to a mightily improved March!
It was a nightmare – for me, for the kids, for my friends. I screwed up a lot of things during that transition period. It can only get better from here.
Glad to hear the new anti-depressants are doing their thing. The rest will be so much easier if you’re feeling mentally healthier.
I am mentally healthier, but I need to combat my own bad habits for this next stage. So far, I have not had any success.
It sounds like you’ve been making good progress, taking the right steps. I’d say my February was about a C too, heh, but you’re right, we CAN get better!
We CAN and we SHALL.
I’m so glad you’re past the transition period with the meds and are seeing good results.
Does your gym have rowing machines? It’s a great all over workout with minimal joint impact. It was the only thing I ever really enjoyed using at the gym and I love having my own at home.
My gym actually does not, which is surprising because they have practically every other machine known to man. I do tend to love the recumbent bike. I feel like I get a great workout without the strain on my knees and shins, even though it does make me feel a bit lazy too.
Good for you! I need to put MFP back on my phone. I do great logging things until about lunchtime and then I’m terrible. I really need to recommit to that!
Honestly, I do the same thing. I can’t tell you how many dinners I fail to log because I just never open the app on my phone. I also don’t drink water. Those two are going to be my biggest downfalls.
Good for you in all areas. You’re aware of things and I think that’s half the battle. As to exercise, well, aren’t we all the most creative excuse makers? I certainly am. I’ve done fairly well with my walking regimen, but I need to do better with the strength training. I have to have a blood test on Friday to update on my levels again and then see the endocrinologist next week. Not sure how well it will go, but we shall see. If I have to begin meds, then I will. If I don’t, it will be incentive to continue and increase my efforts. My weight loss had sort of stopped – gained a little over the holidays – and have now shed most of the gain. I feel like spring will get me charged up again. Good luck, Michelle with your ‘whole’ quest. 🙂
Thanks, Kay! I am trying. March has not be as successful a month as I had hoped it would be, but I still have time to turn it around.
Progress is progress, no matter how big or small. I think you did outstanding this month. I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better mentally. That helps with all of the other pieces falling into place.
I completely understand wanting to back off the major exercise/running and focus on calories and weight loss first. As wonderful as exercise is – I know from experience that it can hinder the weight loss process. And if you don’t see the scale going down, it’s really frustrating and unmotivating. I think it’s awesome that you’re tracking on MFP every day – those healthy habits will prove effective in the end! I, too, love that smug feeling of turning down something bad for me and opting for something healthier. Only because I was NEVER like that before now, and it’s a good feeling! You’re doing awesome!!
I just need to start moving, and I am ashamed to say that I just haven’t done so yet. In fact, even though I am tracking on MFP, I think I have gained weight in recent weeks. Either that or I am so dehydrated that I am retaining water like a cactus. This week, I want to focus on drinking my weight in water. Flush out my system and start fresh.
So glad to see you are making progress!
It’s so easy to make excuses for not exercising. I do it all the time. One trick I have is to make a list in my head of all the reasons I don’t want to do it and then tell myself, “Oh well, you’re going to do it anyway!” I don’t know why that works for me.
My Fitness Pal is so good for seeing how and what you are eating. It can be a real eye opener.
Thanks, Christina! It is going to be something I will always struggle to make a priority. It should get a little easier to squeeze it in now thanks to Daylight Savings Time. That doesn’t mean I have worked out at all since I posted this…