Do it for your future!

Some days this whole thing just doesn't seem to matter.  There are just bigger problems in the world.  I mean really, does it truly matter??

In some ways it doesn't ... it's just petty and maybe vain.  If I were honest with myself I'd realize that I already am of a healthy weight.  At this point it's probably more about my looks than anything else.

Over and over and over you read that weight, diet & fitness levels are keys to good health.  I've got that going on, so am I just being petty now?  Possibly.  But, I can't help but see that I'm still relatively young and this body hopefully has a long way to go.  There are health issues that I'm bound to face as I age.  I am seeing it now in family and friends and it's terrifying.  I have to do NOW what I can to help prevent these issues as much as I can.

A few years ago my Mom was diagnosed Diabetes.  That sure scared the crap out of me I tell ya!  I mean yeah, it's a pretty common thing, especially as you get older.  And it was scary to realize that I could already see the pattern continuing with me.  I could see myself doing all the things that could potentially lead towards me getting it too.  My eating habits were barely healthy, my exercise was on the very slim side and I was putting on weight - especially around my middle.

First thing I did was get checked myself, and I was OK.  But I had my doctor run a bunch of tests and he did find that my triglyceride level was a wee bit high.  He said it was no big deal and just to make a few changes, but to me it was huge.  To me it screamed "you're fine ... for now, but what about the future!".  It took a while to get in gear, but the thought that I was damaging my body stayed forefront in my mind the entire time and eventually got me to the place where I realized that I had to get healthy.  I could NEVER give up! 

I don't want to be in my 60s and suddenly have to re-vamp my entire eating & exercise habits.  Sure there may be some things that I will have to change, but I want those basic habits to be in place by the time I get there.  As we age things such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer .... they are all a high, high possiblity.  We can not prevent everything, but we can try to be as preventative as possible.

So anyone reading this that is either not yet on the healthier living train, or who is, but purely from the angle of looking good ... please, PLEASE keep your current and future health in mind.  Those who love you want you to be around for as long as you can. 

I'm far from the poster child of perfectly clean eating ... but I strive to do the best I can.  Before the only guideline I had when it came to what I ate was "will this help me lose weight?".  Now, I try to make my decisions based more upon "What does this do to my body?".  I've cut out artificial sweeteners and have very, very little alcohol for starters.  There are other changes I'm working on making too.  Less sodium, less processed foods, less fatty meats....

I used to view exercise in the same way.  Now my thoughts run along ... making my muscles stronger, my heart & lungs fitter, my bones denser.

On another note ... I'm feeling pretty proud of a tough workout I did yesterday.  Most Sundays I run with a group of ladies.  The one lady I'm most equivalent to for running is off with an injury right now and I've been feeling a bit bummed about running by myself.  I tossed around the idea of not joining in anymore, but I still love the group feel.  Anyhow, my husband agreed to join me this week AND we also rode our bikes to/from the trail.  We did a 13Km ride to the trail, ran about 13Km, then rode home 13Km (with alot of uphill).  I was pretty darn exhausted yesterday, but also pretty darn proud.  It felt really good actually!

I was a bit upset this morning to see the scale up 3 lbs from yesterday.  I know it's not really possible, but it's stilla bit disheartening.  But you know what?  It doesn't matter.  I am healthy!  I am fit!  I am strong!

The "Other" Benefits of Weight Loss

I was at my hairdressers last night and she has started following the weight watchers plan. She's not attending meetings, but borrowed the books from a friend. Since the beginning of January she's lost 17 lbs! WOW, I couldn't believe it - incredible. Anyhow, she told me that she joined not really to lose weight but because she'd been feeling kinda crappy and wanted to improve her eating. So it got me thinking about all the things that have improved for me since I have changed my lifestyle. Obviously there's the number going down on the scale, and of course the smaller clothes/size. As well, with increased physical activity you're going to feel more energy and have improved cardiovascular and strength - but I'm talking about the other things:

1) Improved skin

I notice that my skin is so much clearer now. I don't suffer near as bad from little breakouts like I used to. I used to get this big row of bumps all along my jawline - ick. I was also starting to get little spider type veins on my cheeks. Also I notice that I don't "need" face cream like I once did. My skin just isn't as dry anymore - anywhere on my body. Also, better hair & nails overall.

2) Stomach disorders

The little truth no one wants to talk about until you bring it up. I used to frequently suffer from a variety of stomach issues - diarrhea, constipation, general aches, gas, etc. I never really put two and two together, but now I realize that I rarely ever suffer from these anymore - unless of course I eat something crappy. That is another thing I notice, my body just doesn't like junk anymore and will react quickly and violently when I fill up on greasy, junk foods. When I first started running (or any high intensity workout) I'd get horrible stomach cramps and often end up in the bathroom. So much that I didn't want to run outdoors for fear of it coming on. I think it was my body detoxing itself, getting rid of all the bad stuff in my system. I don't suffer from this anymore either.

3) Lighter, regular, easier periods

Another rarely talked about subject. My periods had been getting heavier and heavier - to the point where I had to set my alarm to go off about every 2-3 hours and night to avoid accidents. And the first 2-3 days I had to be as immobile as possible and stay close to facilities. They also got longer, cramps got worse, my "moods" got bad - it was awful. They also began coming erratically - usually late, every 6-8 weeks - but sometimes every 3 weeks. I talked to my doctor about it once and he said that it really wasn't that unusual for a woman my age to have changes like that. However, this is another thing that has improved for me. I'm now pretty much back to what has been a"normal" period for most of my life.

4) Minor aches & pains

I've noticed a big difference here. Makes sense, right, you lose weight and you're no longer putting unnecessary strain on your joints & muscles. My right shoulder (that I typically sleep on) used to be in pain all the time. At night it would ache so bad that I was beginning to take Ibuprofen on a regular basis just to get a decent night sleep. Not to mention back pain, general fatigue, knees .... Now that's all gone.

5) A full night's sleep

For years I had no idea what that was. I had difficulty falling asleep, then when I did I'd often wake up in the middle of the night for hours on end. Then fall back asleep to be woken by my alarm dead tired. I was constantly tired. I still have the odd night of laying there wide awake, but I think it's more due to thinking about "things" instead of just being awake. I do find, for me, that exercising in the evening really puts me in a deep slumber. Knocks me out cold and keeps me that way. The other day I had an exceptionally big meal and went to be quite stuffed - I slept horribly! I could feel my stomach groaning at my all night. What an awful feeling!!

6) Higher tolerance & patience

I find the little stuff doesn't bother me as much as it used to. Not sure if this is related to a healthier lifestyle, but I'm thinking it could be. I'm just more content & relaxed, not so edgy, not so negative - not so likely to "snap". Could be just a personal change in me, but I do think it could be due to the healthier changes I've made. You'd certainly think that living life without fatigue, regular aches & pains, awful, annoying periods, lack of sleep, etc. would make for a happier, more content life - right???

HOW ABOUT YOU?

So .... anyone out there reading this, can you relate? Any other big improvements you've seen in relation to the changes you've made???