Oh, Doreen, thank you for your post. I can feel your
all around me.
I'm smiling inside today because I'm STILL IN MY BATHROBE!
I took today off because DD has off from school, and it felt absolutely DELICIOUS to not have to wake up with the alarm clock. OK, so I woke up at 6:45, but I didn't get out of bed until 7:15, and did I mention, I'M STILL IN MY BATHROBE?
We don't have any specific plans for the day, and that makes it even better. Today is our oyster and we can do whatever we want! DH and I talked about going into the city (Phila.) to a museum or the zoo or maybe going out to Longwood Gardens. . .DD doesn't know anything about our "maybe" plans, so if we change our minds and decide to just bum around, she won't be disappointed. We didn't get home from DD's concert last night until almost 10 p.m., so it feels especially good not to be locked into a schedule (and to BE IN MY BATHROBE!!!
)
So, I've been doing some thinking about this prediabetes thing ('cause that's what it officially is). . .and I actually feel quite at peace with it. I watched my dad struggle with diabetes for so many years and it took such an awful toll on his body. He died at 68 with renal failure. Here I am, at 43, and I almost have to smile--it's like I knew it was coming. I think losing the weight I did last year and exercising have helped me avoid it, but it's part of my future unless I take an active roll in caring for myself. I'm grateful for this little "wake up call" and a chance to be proactive in warding off this disease.
I can't really explain the wellness journey that I feel like I'm on right now. I've struggled these last couple of months with stress and anxiety and burnout. . .but I feel like I'm in a positive place and I'm learning new skills and new attitudes that are preparing me for the next phase of my life. While I was trying to have good health habits before, I really haven't been leading a well balanced life--one that took "me"--and my body's limits into consideration. I can't speak for everyone, but I know so many women who--like me--lose a bit of themselves because they're caring for home, family, and older parents, while trying to work and have a meaningful career and contribute to the community through church or other volunteer positions.
I feel like the prediabetes issue is just another thing that's MAKING me take time to nurture myself in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the day to day.
It's another thing that is telling me I MUST take the time to eat right, to exercise, and to prepare myself for wellness as I get older. I don't mean to sound pollyanna-ish, but I feel like it's all good.
In my life there are two women--my mother and my mother-in-law--who are huge examples of how to go forward into my middle and senior years. My mother-in-law has a multitude of health problems which are, quite frankly, a result of her inability to be proactive and to care for herself. The reasons why she chose not to exercise or eat right are not apparent and I don't want to judge her, but she's a person who will see the cup half empty and be certain she can never fill it up. My mother, on the other hand, is the opposite. As early as I can remember, she tried to eat right, was always physically active (not in a gym, but outside mowing the lawn, doing trimming, etc., etc.) and even now, at 81 gets up each morning, reads the paper and does her crossword puzzles (to keep her mind sharp) and then takes a morning and afternoon walk. She walks up and down 3 flights of stairs in her assisted living facility rather than take the elevator and she's up and down those stairs 3-6 times a day! When I look at these two women, I feel like I've been given clear examples of what and what not to do, and I'm grateful to see which way I want to live!
Like Doreen says, the idea is moderation. There isn't really anything I need to "fix"--it's more like I have stuff to "tweak."
I need to continue to evaluate my work situation, I need to eat a healthier diet (boy, am I glad, Doreen, that I had the two scoop sundae at Dumsers!
), and I need to continue to find fitness challenges that are fun and attainable. I need to seek out support from my family and from my friends--and this, of course, brings me to the WISH. What would I do without you guys--all of you who support me in leading a healthy life? You're amazing and I am so blessed to have you in my life.
OK, that's enough deep thinking. I've got to get down to the nitty-gritty.
1. Devotions--like Doreen says in her journal today.
2. Vitamins--
3. Water--1/8 down
4. Exercise--will walk a 2.33 loop today.
5. Food--yesterday I stunk at this. By the end of the day I'd eaten 2 soft pretzels, a slice of pizza at 9:30, and then cereal at 10:00. So much for controlling the carbs!
This morning I wanted to have an egg or two, but we didn't have any, so I had my lite multi-grain english muffin w/pb. Lunch will be heavier on the protein. Snacks will include my milk and my yogurt. Dinner is still up in the air.
6. Scale--didn't go there this a.m.
So, that's my Thursday plan. I'll try to exercise a little more and eat a little better. I'm feeling tired after my long day yesterday, but I'm ready to take on the day, step by step.
Erin
Have a great day - and know that I'm thinking about you and sending 
and creamer.
You sound so peaceful and relaxed this morning.... 
I pray that you have a wonderful day! 
Your post this morning reflects what an amazing and wonderful person you are Erin! 
I have learned so much from my WISH friends and I just want to say thank you for sharing with us. 
I'm sorry I missed the adventure but it just wasn't in the cards, bad timing for me. I'm thinking of my next one though and will start training again soon.
Your posts are giving off peaceful and contented 
