The Kitchen Table - come sit with us! new request added to post 1! - Page 117

Hi Red!  A doctor's appointment is a start. 

That's how my exercise started, too.  My doctor said, DON'T DO ANYTHING.  I'm such a stubborn PITA that it made me want to do something.  So, I bugged my doctor until he said, fine.  start walking.  Plus, it was scaring me to feel anything that made me seem old.  I'm 50, and have always been very active.  But, I slacked off.  (Don't we all?)

Hi Vicki!  Hi Boo! 

Boo, I wish I could say that I had the will-power to quit fast food, but that came from my youngest son.  When he was in high school, he saw the documentary, "Super Size Me" and came home with a huge aversion to fast food.  He ate no fast food for two years.  Consequently, neither did I. Both of us are still mostly off of fast food and it's been nine years.  I can honestly say I don't miss it. Plus, being a vegetarian now makes it pointless to even consider it.  I'm trying to increase the water I drink, too. I'm hoping it will puff out my wrinkles!

I don't think I was on BYC regularly when your Dad had his scary ordeal. Does your dad live close, so that it's easy to deliver his meds?  How is he doing living alone? Do you have help?  I'm starting to see the need to incorporate caring for my mother in my future plans, and it will mean having her live with me.  It's a little daunting.

Vicki, is being sugar- and grain-free what they are now calling The Paleo or Cave-Man Diet?  My dad is doing that, and it's working well for him.  He also feels great, and has lost lots of weight in a nice, steady way.  How does it differ from being gluten-free?  Excellent that you and DH are both choosing to get fit.  It makes it so much easier when your mate is supporting what you're doing.  My DSO played football in his younger years, but has slipped into bad ways.  But, he's watched my weightloss and improved energy, and is now starting to ride his bike.  There is hope.

So, I'm guessing it's the "5am" part that keeps you from joining him, not the "Crossfit?"    Have you given up coffee, too?? I've tried that a couple of times, but the best I can do is to make my coffee with half decaf beans.  Pretty sure coffee and I will never part company.

Boo, give that pony a hug, and jump back on! 

I'll be back later to add another question for the day.  Right now, it's time for chores, and turning the chickens loose, and then, 20 miles on the bike. 

It was great seeing everybody! (Vicki, that thistle is definitely not the kind that grows here. Canadian thistles, I tell ya!)

How fun to see all these old friends again!  John! It's like a little chicken family reunion.

Vitamins are also a good start.  I didn't used to take them, but started taking B12 when I became a vegetarian.  I probably need more than I take, but we have to start somewhere.  One thing I never considered was adding a kelp supplement.  My chiropractor recommended it.  I have a history of a thyroid condition, but my general docs had stopped keeping an eye on it.  Then, I started using kosher salt and sea salt, and stopped using plain ol' iodized salt.  That's why the chiro recommended kelp.  I think it has helped a lot.  My energy level has really gone up.  Southern cooking is delicious, but it'll kill you.  You might have to offer to cook once in awhile, to introduce some healthy dinners.  Did you need a new hobby?

Vicki, I'm a little lame-brained. You did say Paleo, right there in the first sentence.  Somehow I missed it and went right to the sugar- and grain-free part.  I forgot about the pulses and dairy.  My dad won't give those up.  He likes beans, and he likes yogurt and cheese.  Personally, my protein revolves around beans/rice and cheese. I would get malnourished. How are you managing a change in body shape without a difference on the scale?  I don't own a scale, so wouldn't know if that was happening to me.  I assume I have lost weight because my clothes are so baggy.  Until the doc weighed me I didn't know how much I lost.

I understand how you feel about the bike, but for me it was about learning to ride a motorcycle at 40+. I only rode it for a year, but always felt like I should have learned to ride young, so it would be more intuitive.  By any chance did you ride a motorcycle or scooter when you were younger?

Today's bike ride started off rocky.  I had two flat tires before I even left the driveway.  The ride itself was great.  I did 20 miles in record time (for me.)  When I got home, I was all set to jump in the shower, but the power was off.  There were plenty of things to do, but I felt really frustrated without lights and clocks.  Now, it's time to catch up with the day. 

I'm not ready to post a new question yet.  I want to keep this one going for a bit yet.  I'll check back.

Note #37 - How do you create solace for yourself? Is there a particular place in your world where you can decompress?

Right off the bat, I'm going to confess that I can't answer this question with only one place. It depends on how I'm feeling.  For me, it's about finding the yin for the yang, or vice versa.  If I'm emotionally stressed, I play my piano.  If I'm physically exhausted, I want to sit in front of the fire. If I'm really excited, I want to spend time in the yard.