Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Ibuprofen Withdrawl

I have taken the anti-inflammation drug Ibuprofen since I was a teen who learned they were magic on the abysmal menstrual cramps I used to get every month like clockwork. So began my love affair with the NSAID of my dreams. See, the thing about being a person who has grown too fat for her own skeleton to support is that there is a ton of pain associated with severe obesity. I got migraines; I'd take ibuprofen. It was always in my purse for the back pain, foot pain, knee pain, or any other kind of pain I would have. I would take 600 mills and always with food. But I did this close to daily for 30 years, give or take. Wow. So is it any wonder that I woke up in the middle of the night a few weeks ago with what felt like a heart attack: chest pain, nausea, upper back pain that would not go away. It started at 3 am. When it had not stopped by 5 am, I had my sister take me to the ED. Luckily, it was not my heart. Sadly, it was a hole in my belly and another in my esophagus. Just like that, I had to break up with my beloved of 30 yrs, Ibuprofen. I have tried all the anti-inflammation foods and spices. I take Ginger and Turmeric and eat avocados and pineapple and a whole host of other things, including an Omega-3 supplement. I have glucosamin and condroitin and MSM for my joints. I have eliminated sugar and gluten and grains, any other inflammation causing foods. Still my knees swell and ache, sill my back wakes me up every day in the middle of the night and robs me of sleep. The only thing that will help is taking off the weight. I know this, and I am doing it. In the mean time, all this pain is super depressing. I hobble like an old lady and waddle like a penguin. It is super embarrassing. So here's to feeling better in every way in the new year. Keeping the faith that as I shrink, so will the pain.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Chugging Along

I forgot to post yesterday. Oh well, it's not about perfection it's just about building good habits again. yesterday was good and I went to the park and walked farther than usual with my doggy. I ate very well but I keep getting gluten on accident so I don't have the relief from pain yet. I am going to be super vigilant reading labels and just avoid anything packaged. The truth is I only use meat analogs when the kids are here, and they're going back to school today. For food, I had an avocado with fresh salsa for breakfast and some organic grapes. I just put a whole load of delicious root vegetables in the crockpot- organic red potatoes, organic sweet potatoes, organic sweet onion, organic carrots, and organic celery. I just tossed it with a little olive oil and Mrs. Dash. Plus salt-and-pepper because I'm a rebel. Take that Mrs. Dash! I'm reading the Daniel Plan on my Kindle and having it read aloud to me. It is weird to hear the robot lady. I like it though because I can knit while I listen. So far, I am very impressed with The Daniel Plan. I had sworn I was never going to buy another healthy lifestyle book. What could they possibly say that would be different from all the other ones I have read? And it's true that the nutrition stuff is the same. But I really like the spiritual aspects and the scriptural support for taking care of your body. I need to get together a small group to do it properly. I at least have my sister and brother-in-law on board and that is the most important since they live with me. I am also going to start going back to church. My sister found a good one and I want to check it out. They are very service focused which I like. I was going to go today but there is too much to do with the kids going back to school and me getting ready to go back to work tomorrow. It has been a lovely vacation and I'm sad to see it end.

Friday, January 2, 2015

Temptation Already

I feel a lot more prepared after my sojourn to the temple of health known as Trader Joe's. I got all kinds of lovely vegetables and fruits. I made a really hearty vegetable stew. It passed muster with the kids so it must've been okay.I forgot how much I enjoy an avocado with salsa on it. It is probably my very favorite simple meal. i've forgotten how many pit falls there are at every turn when you've decided to eat healthfully. I am trying really hard not to think about the strawberry ice cream in the freezer and I don't even like strawberry best. I am also trying not to think about that Hersheys kisses that didn't get used in Christmas cookies. The thing is, I don't even think that I could be convinced to actually to indulge in these treats, but the very fact of their existence is torture. The Grateful Dead said it best the first days are the hardest days. But I am committed to writing and so this is what you get. I got Laura's car fixed today. Thank God for Stanley my amazing mechanic who only charged me 80 bucks. I am super tired and pretty cranky, which is classic withdrawl for me. I went to do my walk and a mean nun wouldn't let me in the park which is connected to a Catholic school. Hope McPuppypants and I just walked around outside the school but it hurt my feelings. Okay now I am depressing and annoying myself so I will sign off and try to have a better attitude tomorrow.

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year!

On this first day of 2015, I am feeling renewed optimism and hope. I believe in New Year's Resolutions. I know that most people don't keep them, and I am no exception. But if we never take the time to reflect and make goals, how can we ever expect to achieve them? In that spirit, here are mine: 1. HEALTHY LIFESTYLE: I decided to look into The Daniel Plan from Rick Warren at The Saddleback Church. I've always liked his take on personal change inspired by faith and backed up by scripture and positive thinking. I am going to look for a church here in Portlandia that is offering it. As for the diet plan, I am certain of a few things: no meat, no dairy, no sugar or grains for me. Whole foods, organic, no gmo's. So basically, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds for sure. But I also want to enjoy some baked sweet potatoes, a little bit of beans, hummus with raw veggies, and other cooked foods. I will never abandon my juices, smoothies, and salads. I don't want to hurt animals, and I don't want to pay anyone else to hurt them for me. For exercise, I am going to step up my walking, and I got some nordic walking poles to try. Walking is the one thing I will do no matter the weather, no fancy equipment needed, and I can easily adjust it for when I feel ill, etc. I have been walking for exercise for years, never missing a day, and I credit it for maintaining my health even as I have lost and gained weight. I am going to keep a day count of how many days I have on track: 1 day! Better than no days. 2. SAVE MONEY: I need to buy a car this year, so this is a necessity, not a pipe dream. I intend to be super strict: I am not buying anything but food and gas! I mean this. No more eating out. (That can only help me with my health goals anyway.) I have already warned the kids that I am going into uber frugal mode. Basically, I buy a lot of crap that I don't need, and then I have bills. It clutters up my house and my closets. It is a poor use of environmental resources. If I truly need something, I will try to get it free or second hand. I will set a firm limit on gifts. My goal is to save $5000 by June. To make a game out of this, I am keeping a day count of how many days I have: 1 day. A good place to start! 3. WRITE: I am going to blog every day, or close to it. This is the year I write a book and a screenplay. I have the plots and characters in my head; now I just need to get them on paper. Days on track: 1 day 4. CLEAR OUT AND SELL MY PARENT'S CONDO: I can't believe I have not done this yet. Procrastination ends now. I am making this my job every weekend until this is done. I also have tons of paperwork I have not done that I desperately need to. Today I am going to make an assessment of all of what that entails and get started and make a plan. I am giving myself a deadline of my mom's birthday to get this done: January 29. 5. FLOSS: I dont't, and I need to. Note to self: Buy some dental floss! Just a quick moment of reflection on 2014: Last year, I achieved many of my dreams. I visited Europe and saw London, Paris, and Rome. That has been on my life list since I was a child. I bought my first house, all mine. I never even dreamed I would be able to do that. I keep my house clean and decluttered. I never thought I would conquer that. I pay my bills on time. These are all things that give me hope. Yes, I am a food addict. Yes, I am a compulsive shopper. I get overwhelmed and just procrastinate and hope it will all go away. But I can overcome these things. I can do hard things! With God all things are possible. Here's to doing the possible in 2015.