I haven't posted for almost a year! I'm so glad that what I wrote last year remains because it gives me a boost. And that is just what I need. I wouldn't have thought I would get a boost from myself, but I have.
I'm turning this blog into notes chronicling my AGAIN newly sustained promises to myself to change my lifestyle. In fact, I finished an 8-week course in St Cloud by David Kroska, MD, about eating whole foods and exercising. I've been feeling pretty weak since September of 2010, when I went to the hospital for treatment of atrial fibrillation. After a few days of observation, hooked up to an IV and a heart monitor, I was discharged, still in A-fib. While in A-fib, I couldn't take more than a few steps without becoming overwhelmingly breathless. I remember taking a short walk around the hospital station meant stopping at least 4 times to breathe. When Bob and I went to Aamodt's apple farm, a fall tradition for us, I could barely walk into their store. By the time I went to the cardiologist a couple of weeks later, I was out of A-fib, but still very weak and running out of breath easily. Yet it was still good to know I was back in normal rhythm.
I'm turning 65 today. Never when we were having children could I imagine myself turning this retirement age! But here I am. Dr Kroska says we can get away with eating poorly for the first 50 years or so, but always, the standard American diet (SAD) will catch up with you after that. Well, I was able to carry around my extra weight easily enough until last September. Now my back aches and I just don't have much endurance. I have to now pause to catch my breath even after getting into the Trailblazer. Such a simple act--getting into the car! And I'm wondering once again if I have finally hit the bottom, so to speak, figuring that if I have, I should push up from that bottom and bounce into a better life.
David Kroska's course taught the whys and hows of a "whole food" diet for the most part. There was some lecture also on exercising. He taught with power point, books, and plenty of handouts. He also included a couple of guests who had turned from the SAD to the whole foods to testify of their changed lives. Weeks 2 through 8 he brought samples of whole foods that either he or his wife cooked at home or brought from an organic store/restaurant. Everything we ate in class was delicious. And while Dr Kroska was a bit haughty or maybe even kind of self-righteous about making these changes, there is no denying that eating beans, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables is what we humans were meant to eat. He did not try to make us all vegans, but explained how little meat is really necessary or useful in the human diet.
I am very thankful to Andrea, my daughter-in-law, for telling me about him and forwarding the information on joining his class. She was at a church meeting where Dr Kroska spoke and was very impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm. Andrea had already studied a lot about nutrition and has been feeding her family with whole foods for quite a while. She lost 80 pounds quite a few years ago and has kept it off. She is also quite physically active. All the kids and Ryan too are keeping an ideal weight and eating reasonably.
I don't begrudge anyone their success in managing their diet and exercise to take off--or keep off-- excess weight. I was very struck today at the church picnic that I am the only woman in our ward who is truly morbidly obese. I was aware today of how very angry I am with myself over my weight and lack of fitness. The fact is that since I was sick last September, my weight has even increased so that now I am the heaviest I have ever been. And I know it is mostly from lack of exercise. I am now eating better, but I still have a ways to go. I am happy that I know more now, after the course, and that I do succeed in making much better choices in food.
It is now my prayer that I will continue to get stronger control in my choices of food and activity. I can see it will also help to get my house in better order. But that is a subject to think about more another day. I plan to use this blog to document the changes for the better as I make them. I'm not inviting anyone to read this, but I'll leave it open for now.
Good night.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Important Things
My sister Lucille died unexpectedly May 27. It was exactly 2 years to the day after her husband Keith died. Since she lived in Utah and the funeral was a week later, it was a great opportunity for me to go on a car trip with Justin. Bob was not able to travel by any method since he had total knee replacement surgery May 11; both he and I were disappointed and sad. But the drive gave me some time to catch up on Justin's life and to buffer the transition from home to the funeral and time with Lucille's family.
I've been listing--in my mind--important realizations this experience has brought to my attention. These are things that are always important, only now I'm more aware. And I pray for the good sense and guidance of the Spirit to help me remember as time goes by.
1. If you can in any way manage to see your distant family members more often than you have, do it.
2. Hugs mean the world to us, even if we don't admit it. Hug those you love.
3. Say, "Love ya!" at the end of every conversation or visit. It only takes a second, and we can never say or hear it too much.
4. When you are feeling blue, get up, get dressed, and find a way to serve someone.
5. When you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, end your pity party by insisting on writing down at least 2 positives.
6. Read more, especially the scriptures.
7. Watch TV less, or not at all on days you are feeling strong.
8. Listen to music that makes you happy, or calm, or wild. Sing along. Make up words if there are none or if you don't know the words.
9. If you are LDS, go to the temple more often.
10. Contact at least one family member not living with you once a day. (Optional for those with children living in their home.)
11. Be generous with back rubs and scratches
12. Never be too busy to talk with family or friends.
13. Ask what you are to learn from a particular day or a particular incident, and listen for the answer.
14. Take pictures.
15. Journal.
16. Send "Thinking About You" cards or e cards.
17. Sing in the shower.
18. Sing while driving your car.
19. Pray while driving your car. (Those are some of the best prayers!)
20. Be patient.
21. Be aware. Really look at the world and those around you.
22. Listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and FOLLOW them. How often have we heard and not done? I'm guilty!
23. Do genealogy and go with family to do temple work for your ancestors.
24. Decorate your home nicely because it is your daily temple.
25. Make your home a refuge of peace for all who enter.
26. If anyone needs an "adopted" grandma, mother, sister, aunt, or whatever, be that.
27. Drop whatever you are doing when a friend calls and listen--or talk, if that what is needed.
I could go on. But enough for now. Just remember "IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER." It's at the top of my blog and on a plaque I bought 2 years ago and still haven't put up on the wall! Decorating our house is something I will be working on the rest of the week, and the plaque will be one of the first things I'll take care of.
I've been listing--in my mind--important realizations this experience has brought to my attention. These are things that are always important, only now I'm more aware. And I pray for the good sense and guidance of the Spirit to help me remember as time goes by.
1. If you can in any way manage to see your distant family members more often than you have, do it.
2. Hugs mean the world to us, even if we don't admit it. Hug those you love.
3. Say, "Love ya!" at the end of every conversation or visit. It only takes a second, and we can never say or hear it too much.
4. When you are feeling blue, get up, get dressed, and find a way to serve someone.
5. When you find yourself thinking negative thoughts, end your pity party by insisting on writing down at least 2 positives.
6. Read more, especially the scriptures.
7. Watch TV less, or not at all on days you are feeling strong.
8. Listen to music that makes you happy, or calm, or wild. Sing along. Make up words if there are none or if you don't know the words.
9. If you are LDS, go to the temple more often.
10. Contact at least one family member not living with you once a day. (Optional for those with children living in their home.)
11. Be generous with back rubs and scratches
12. Never be too busy to talk with family or friends.
13. Ask what you are to learn from a particular day or a particular incident, and listen for the answer.
14. Take pictures.
15. Journal.
16. Send "Thinking About You" cards or e cards.
17. Sing in the shower.
18. Sing while driving your car.
19. Pray while driving your car. (Those are some of the best prayers!)
20. Be patient.
21. Be aware. Really look at the world and those around you.
22. Listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and FOLLOW them. How often have we heard and not done? I'm guilty!
23. Do genealogy and go with family to do temple work for your ancestors.
24. Decorate your home nicely because it is your daily temple.
25. Make your home a refuge of peace for all who enter.
26. If anyone needs an "adopted" grandma, mother, sister, aunt, or whatever, be that.
27. Drop whatever you are doing when a friend calls and listen--or talk, if that what is needed.
I could go on. But enough for now. Just remember "IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER." It's at the top of my blog and on a plaque I bought 2 years ago and still haven't put up on the wall! Decorating our house is something I will be working on the rest of the week, and the plaque will be one of the first things I'll take care of.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Cats Inspired by Cat Boxes
I love owning cats. Easy maintenance and so warm and cuddly. Funny too, when they're awake, which is rare. If I were an animal, I would be a cat.
However, litter boxes are the pits. Our two boxes are in the basement by the washer. We have a scooper right there, and a covered can to put the scoopings in. But I hadn't been down in a couple of days. And Bob did no scooping! I don't know how he can spend nearly every evening down there in his recliner and NOT take care of the cat boxes! It is a family joke that his nose died in 1986, but come one!!! It's a joke!
I did my treadmill time, thinking I get used to the smell the way one gets used to hospital smell after a few minutes. But no. Something inside made me NOT scoop out the boxes. I'm going to have to negotiate something with Bob while we are out for dinner later. I do not mind taking care of the boxes, so maybe I just need to make a schedule so I won't forget to go down for days at a time. It is when they are so unbearably polluted that I get nauseous and gag. WE should not let them get to that point.
My dream is to have a system that bags up the stuff right after kitty uses the facility. But I hear they are expensive, and looking forward to retirement, we need to cut back, not spend more!
But then I turn my head to the right and look over at Annie, curled up asleep on the printer. I'd better get down and clean the boxes before I get ready to go out for dinner with Bob. He'll be home soon. I'm sure we can find better things to talk about than my trivial irritations. After all, I'm retired. He still works full time and even overtime most days; he also goes in on his days off. I guess he doesn't need to clean litter boxes.
However, cleaning the wood burning stove and keeping the area around it tidy is another story!
However, litter boxes are the pits. Our two boxes are in the basement by the washer. We have a scooper right there, and a covered can to put the scoopings in. But I hadn't been down in a couple of days. And Bob did no scooping! I don't know how he can spend nearly every evening down there in his recliner and NOT take care of the cat boxes! It is a family joke that his nose died in 1986, but come one!!! It's a joke!
I did my treadmill time, thinking I get used to the smell the way one gets used to hospital smell after a few minutes. But no. Something inside made me NOT scoop out the boxes. I'm going to have to negotiate something with Bob while we are out for dinner later. I do not mind taking care of the boxes, so maybe I just need to make a schedule so I won't forget to go down for days at a time. It is when they are so unbearably polluted that I get nauseous and gag. WE should not let them get to that point.
My dream is to have a system that bags up the stuff right after kitty uses the facility. But I hear they are expensive, and looking forward to retirement, we need to cut back, not spend more!
But then I turn my head to the right and look over at Annie, curled up asleep on the printer. I'd better get down and clean the boxes before I get ready to go out for dinner with Bob. He'll be home soon. I'm sure we can find better things to talk about than my trivial irritations. After all, I'm retired. He still works full time and even overtime most days; he also goes in on his days off. I guess he doesn't need to clean litter boxes.
However, cleaning the wood burning stove and keeping the area around it tidy is another story!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Looking Forward
I like to say, "There is always something to look forward to." Here are some of my favorite things yet to come:
1. Bob's retirement. He works very hard and gets very tired.
2. Moving to the house we own in Watertown, S Dakota. This will happen after Bob retires.
3. Going on a mission with Bob. This will have to wait until Bob retires.
4. Learning the new music for Minnesota Mormon Chorale.
5. Performing with the Chorale in the spring.
6. Working a shift in surgery next week. I so enjoy the people with whom I work.
7. Family reunion next July or August.
8. Seeing Nolan receive the priesthood next month.
9. Going to the temple and being endowed for some of my aunts.
10. Making quilts.
11. Sewing doll clothes.
12. Planting bushes in the spring or summer.
13. Surprising my family doctor when I show up pounds lighter at my yearly checkup next fall.
14. Postal holidays.
15. Spending time with true friends.
16. Primary activities.
17. Be reunited with my parents and meeting my sister Betty and my brother David.
18. Linger Longer!
19. Hiring another dumpster in the spring.
20. Growing even older with Bob.
1. Bob's retirement. He works very hard and gets very tired.
2. Moving to the house we own in Watertown, S Dakota. This will happen after Bob retires.
3. Going on a mission with Bob. This will have to wait until Bob retires.
4. Learning the new music for Minnesota Mormon Chorale.
5. Performing with the Chorale in the spring.
6. Working a shift in surgery next week. I so enjoy the people with whom I work.
7. Family reunion next July or August.
8. Seeing Nolan receive the priesthood next month.
9. Going to the temple and being endowed for some of my aunts.
10. Making quilts.
11. Sewing doll clothes.
12. Planting bushes in the spring or summer.
13. Surprising my family doctor when I show up pounds lighter at my yearly checkup next fall.
14. Postal holidays.
15. Spending time with true friends.
16. Primary activities.
17. Be reunited with my parents and meeting my sister Betty and my brother David.
18. Linger Longer!
19. Hiring another dumpster in the spring.
20. Growing even older with Bob.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Improvements
I'm getting into a new eating and exercising habit, and I've been talking a lot about it on this blog and on Facebook. It isn't my entire concern or my only focus, but it does affect most areas of my life. In fact, I'm only now realizing how I'm "getting better" because of this improved lifestyle:
1. Sleep is deeper and more refreshing.
2. I'm more awake and aware during the day.
3. I have more energy and consequently get more housework done.
4. Life is happier and routine daily things are fun and interesting.
5. I have a better sense of accomplishment.
6. I'm more engaged with those around me.
7. Breathing is deeper and more refreshing.
8. I'm not constantly thinking about what to eat next.
9. I'm optimistic and hopeful.
10. I look forward to tomorrow, next summer, next year, and the rest of life, including retirement with Bob.
The list could go on and on. I am thankful to have found the program that is working for me and the strength from the Lord to make this much-needed change.
After years of living with blue safety-grip strips on the shower floor of our now light yellow-gold master bedroom's bathroom, I finally removed the remaining strips and cleaned away the adhesive goo. Spray Gel Goo Gone worked nicely. After letting the Goo Gone work a short time, the adhesive softened so I could lift it away with a metal spatula. (AKA: "Pancake Flipper) After a scrubbing with Whink Ceramic Cook Top Cleaner, only shadows of where the strips had been remain. We had used a square safety mat on top of the safety strips, since some of the strips had come up and since it is the shower Marian also uses. But now we have a long safety mat running the length of the shower enclosure. It is much safer now, and much prettier as well.
I'd post pictures, but I forgot how to download them from my camera. Next time Phil or Dan or Ryan show me how, I'll be sure to take notes! I know I have the equipment, and I'm pretty sure which is the correct cable to plug into my laptop. Someday soon I'll surprise myself and start posting pictures directly from my camera. I have a lot of pictures that belong with past postings!
Friday, January 15, 2010
At Last!!!
I slept in this morning, and then kept drifting back to sleep as I tried to catch up on favorite TV shows by watching "On Demand" on Comcast. I thought I might call this my day off from exercise. After all, the DVD literature and Leslie and Shaun say to take one day off each week. However, I had always intended to make that day Sunday, the day of rest! I kept telling myself I would go down and get on the treadmill instead. After dinner, as Bob was making popcorn, I almost gave in and thought I might as well also have some popcorn. I could almost feel the kernels touching my tongue. But at last!! Something inside me snapped and I marched myself into the bedroom where I tied on shoes, and then went down to the treadmill in our basement family room.
At last!! Thank goodness! I didn't really enjoy the treadmill; it was like a medicine I knew I had to take. But I did really enjoy the feeling of openness and energy I had a few minutes after I finished. I could feel my lungs. I could feel my muscles.
Now here I sit, freshly showered and smelling wonderful. I thank God for helping me today, and for friends who encourage me every day. I'm going to fill my water bottle and see if I can finally stay awake for the latest NCIS show. Good night.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Cottage Cheese Is My Friend, and Bob's too
Now that I'm eating better, cottage cheese is one of my favorite foods, and I must have it on hand continually. It tastes great and is easy to dish up and eat with very little preparation. In fact, when it gets down to the bottom of the container, you don't even need a separate bowl! I especially enjoy it with garlic powder sprinkled gently or liberally (depending on my mood) on top and then mixed in for an all-over great taste.
Miraculously I got Bob to taste my 1% Old Home cottage cheese last week. And he likes it!! In the past he was not willing to even try dairy products with less than full-bore fat content. (I need to moderate that by saying we do buy 2% milk. I'm not a milk drinker, so it doesn't matter to me whether we have skim or 2%.) So when we were at Walmart a couple of days ago, he looked to see if they carried 1% cottage cheese. They do not. BUT they have fat-free Land O Lakes. And miracle of miracles, he put a big tub of it in our cart! He said that since it was a major brand and since the 1% tasted so good, it was most likely just as delicious as the 1% Old Home. Besides, we were tired and Bob didn't want to stop at Cub; he just wanted to go straight home and collapse in his recliner. I agreed I too was looking forward to my recliner. So hooray for another improved food item in our refrigerator!
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