I grew up in a very structured environment. My mother planned everything. Lists were made - calendars filled out - events crossed out as they happened. Dinner was at 4pm, and you were required to be there. You did not question.
As an adult I decided to be flexible. I avoided lists at all costs. I did not keep calendars. I did not schedule life. And what did this get me?
I am 56 years old now. When I look back on my life I see that I just let life happen. I was not an active participant - I was just there. I cannot say I accomplished anything. I know I could have done so much more with my life.... if only I had planned and set goals. Each time a goal would have been met, I could have put a gold star on my calendar and felt I DID IT! What happiness could have come from that celebration.
In this world of allowing life just to happen, I have become lazy and unhealthy. In the course of a day I get little to nothing done. It is quite sad just listening to what I am saying. I have all the time in the world and I waste it away... day after day after day.
This all is in the past!
Long term.... what do I see - what do I want?
I want to leave Wisconsin. I cannot stand these cold winters. It literally hurts me. I see me in a more moderate temperatured state - one that has four seasons but that has much longer springs and falls with much less winter.
I want more land. I had always loved city living. Living on the east side of Milwaukee was a dream come true at the time. I loved growing my kids up in such an ecclectic atmosphere. But now? Now I want peace and tranquility. I want land for my dogs to flourish. My Samoyeds are my life. I enjoy being surrounded by their undying devotion. I want to be able to have more than the three I have now. I want to be able to keep the picks of my litters. I want to create a great breeding program.
One of the biggest things I need to do to accomplish these goals is to get my house ready to sell. I need to unclutter it. It is so difficult for me to throw things away. I think that has happened because I had to be so frugal in my life. Everything has a purpose, and someday I may need it again, and how wasteful for me to throw it away now only to maybe have to buy one again.... my mantra that flows through my brain. I have to release myself from those old memories and just look at things now as I do I use it or not? Do I fit in it or not? AND how good of me to donate these things I no longer use or wear to people who could use them!
Another thing is to find a way to add money to our budget. I would love to find a job I could do right at home. I really enjoy grooming my dogs and to start I could do this right in my own home. With a little investment, I could set up something quite nice in the basement.
As for my body... It is deteriorating fast. My poor diet and lack of exercise has taken a huge toll on me. I know that with planning out our meals and scheduling myself to exercise I can turn this downward spiral to an upward one. I know that I will gain energy and strength that will serve me well in getting things done.
So, where to go from here??? I am going to study the diabetic exchange diet and hypoglycemic index to see what foods to promote and which ones to lose. I already have learned to get rid of concentrated juices (just sugar water), soy, overly processed foods, genetically altered foods including corn, and limit whole grains.
I also learned to get the a1c's down one must exercise 150 minutes a week - aerobic and anaerobic. This would mean 50 minutes three times a week, or 38 minutes four times a week, or 30 minutes five times a week, or 25 minutes 6 times a week. I am going to start with the 25 mintues 6 times a week to build my endurance.
Every day I will do more research. Looking for diet plans, recipes, etc. as well as exercises to do at home and at the Y. I plan to have everything in place by Sunday, December 2. On that day I will be ready to go into this new life full force - food bought, meals planned, gym bag packed, and exercise scheduled.
Join me and watch us grow into happier and healthier beings!
