I’m in Florida right now because my Mom had a stroke last Friday and has been in the hospital ever since. Luckily it was a ‘mini-stroke’ , but after doing a bunch of testing to find the cause, my mom had a bunch of other health issues come to light. My mom is very overweight and very inactive, and she’s almost 65 years old. She’s been overweight since I remember. Actually, I hate saying it because it almost feels disrespectful, but she’s technically morbidly obese. Turns out she has a lot of blood clots that have already travelled through her heart and are now in her lungs – I guess one of them got to her brain and there are many more that could have if she didn’t go to the hospital. She’s going to be okay, but unless she changes her lifestyle and starts moving, she could end up right back in the same place – or worse.
This week has been horrifically stressful, but I’m proud to say I haven’t used food for comfort. I’ve let myself cry when needed and I’ve been exercising when I can – usually late at night before bed right next to the bed on my yoga mat for a few minutes… and I’ve been talking to friends and family online and on the phone. I feel like this was a huge test for me, to see if I was really committed to living healthy, and I’m passing with flying colors. I wish I had a scale with me [my mom has one, but the battery is dead]. In the last month and a half or so, I’ve lost 13 lbs rather effortlessly. Being here in Florida now is great because all my summer clothes that were tight on me last summer either fit me perfectly now, or are a little loose. I look better in my bathing suit, too.
I have a long way to go. I have another 72-77 lbs to go [not sure where I'll end up for an ideal weight - it's been too long and I'm way more active now that I ever was when I was 'thin'... so who knoww?], but I really don’t anything but success at this point. I’ll have ups and downs, but there’s no turning back. I feel too good to go back to eating crappy. And before I had to suddenly fly down here, I really enjoyed lifting heavier weights and doing fewer reps. That has made a huge difference, along with more intense cardio interval workouts in between strength training sessions. I really want to hit my target before we decide to start a family – so I don’t have all the hangups and bad habits to deal with on top of being a new mom and being exhausted. I figure if I can survive what I’m dealing with now, I’m good no matter what life throws at me. =)
So, I’m planning on staying here for a little while to get my mom home and settled and also to give her some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way to make eating healthy EASY – like steaming fish, shrimp, scallops, etc. in the microwave with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, etc. – or whatever flavors I’m in the mood for… making big pots of whole grains like brown short grain rice [instead of barley, which I can't eat... gluten issues], millet, quinoa or black venus rice and using it in so many ways – as breakfast with some almond milk and agave, cranberries and walnuts… as a salad with beans, parsley or any green herb, garlic and spices… in soups to add texture and flavor… or as a side dish to whatever I’m making. I also love making a bean salad to use as is, to mix with rice, or add to soups, or have as part of a salad… snacking on really great fruits, or veggies with hommus – which can be made with so many flavor combinations and with so many different kinds of beans- the possibilities are endless! And almond milk – adding it to protein shakes, or having it in coffee or tea instead of milk. I love the texture and flavor – it does wonders and makes having some hot tea after dinner instead of ‘free-munching’ in front of the TV actually satisfying. And then making batches of soup with chicken stock, seaweed and whatever else I’m in the mood for – vegetarian as a snack or appetizer… or I’ll add lean protein, chunky veggies or lentils if I want to make it a meal. I love all the food I’m eating and don’t feel like my diet is lacking – thanks to the whole grains. I don’t eat wheat anymore unless I’m out and feel like some good bread with my meal, but I don’t buy it and keep it in the house anymore. I also don’t buy dairy anymore, except for good parmasan because a little goes a long way for adding flavor. But if I feel like having a starbucks’ latté now and then, I go for it. =) It’s all about balance… and I’m finally finding it!
Anyway, hopefully my mom can learn from my experience and get her own health back on track. I’m going to try to help motivate her by telling her that for every 25lbs she loses, I’ll come down for a long weekend and help her with something – like decluttering her room, or buying some updated kitchen basics and clearing out her cupboards. She’s a pack rat and it’s kind of crazy. She needs to simplify her life and she’ll feel a lot more calm and happy. I also told her she needs to get a dog when she’s ready – when she can walk at least 20 minutes at a time without pain… that way she’ll have to get out and walk her dog a few times a day. She’ll get exercise, the dog will love her for it and she’ll meet new friends along the way – it’s win-win! =)
Time to do some crunches, pushups, squats and lunges… it’s 12:10am… then time for bed!
