Stress and Trying to Stay on Track

Hmmmm....Those two things in the same heading seem impossible.  I am an all or nothing kind of person which often times causes difficulty in my daily life.  While at work, I am able to successfully multi task, in my personal life I struggle.  I have diabetes, bipolar, kids with ADHD, a house to keep up, and now some medical problems for my dad. 

Dad has always been the healthy one in the family.  However, shockingly, he has been ill for a couple of months with a supposed case of pneumonia.  Recently, we have discovered that it's not pneumonia but rather heart problems.  He is suffering from an artery that is half blocked and a valve this is stuck open.  We, as a family, are facing open heart surgery and the long recovery that accompanies it. 

However, in previous posts, I have talked about self care and the importance of doing so.  Yet, once again, I have tossed some of that out the window.  I find myself having to make intentional thoughts behind doing what should be routine.  Be it testing or taking my medication.  Or, the most important is my journey to a healthier me.  This has really taken a back step.  While by some magic, I have maintained, that is not my goal.  I am looking down my nose at 20 lbs and want to get there! 

At home, we have sought some counseling for my precious daughter.  She is struggling at school this year and we wanted to make sure we are covering all our bases.  We found what seems to be an excellent counselor.  She is young and fun and best of all she had a STUFFED TURTLE in her office.  Mackenzie loves turtles.  lol

So, today, I reach out to my support group.  I have emailed my weight loss buddies with complete transparency.  I know it's time to jump back in the saddle whether the horse is bucking or not. 

So, here I am, in all my glory.  Jump starting my life once again.  I know all will be fine, just have to remember the oxygen mask story my counselor has taught me.  You cannot help others on the plane until you have your own oxygen mask on.  Thanks for listening.

Take care and God Bless!

2 MONTHS??? Really

Wow....I knew it had been awhile since I had posted but didn't realize it had been quite that long.  Let's see....what's been going on.  More of the same. I am still on my journey to a healthier me.  My current weight is 191.4.  Slowly but surely I am approaching 20 lbs of weight loss.  When I began this journey, it didn't seem possible.  But wow.....20 lbs is a huge accomplishment!  The funny thing with weight loss is it's like when you watch your kid grow.  You don't always notice the changes yourself until someone points it out.  Well, I am proud to say I am up to 8 people that have commented on my transformation outside of the house.  That makes me feel good.  In fact, one was just yesterday.  I needed that boost.  I have been going through the motions for about two weeks and was feeling beat down.  But to know that I am still making a difference is fabulous.  I reached out to one of partners in crimes, my sister, whom I look up to.  Not that you want anyone else to suffer, but it was somewhat nice to hear she struggles too.  As a human being, we are prone to thinking that we are alone and the only one that "fails"  As I grow in this journey, I realize these failures are just temporary bumps.  Bumps that can sometimes be prevented but never the less just a bump.  Here at work, I have another accountability partner when it comes to diet.  I have known her for a long time and always thought man she must have it easy being so skinny.  Guess what?  She doesn't.  She craves too!  She has a tough time at home too!  Again, just another example of the journeys we are all on.  Setting goals.  Well, I am a goal setter and work well on a reward system.  I know, kind of childish, but it works for me.  The important thing to know is that goals must be flexible and fluid.  It's interesting to visit with others in different legs of their journeys and see where they are at with goals.  Some of us are focusing on fitness.  Some of us are focusing on diet.  Some of us are focusing on sugar/carb intake.  Some of us are in strength training mode.  There is one key word through all of that.  Focus, Focus, Focus.  For me, I like to multi-task focus.  I think I can do all of it at the same time.  Then, what happens is I say I can't do it all, I'm not going to do anything.  I guess I'm trying to say, don't beat yourself up for slacking in an area.  Jump back in the saddle, we got this!

Until next time....take care and God Bless!