Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – November 14, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – November 14, 2004 

Aha – One Of Those Moments

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – November 14, 2004 – In my on-going attempt to lose weight, I’ve focussed on cutting out all the things that I thought weren’t good for me. Of course that took all the fun out of eating. No bread, sugar, desserts, pasta, rice, heavenly cheeses, pizza, bananas, no fat, no carbohydrates.

In short, if I just ate dull, uninteresting food, I’d undoubtedly shed some pounds. But would life be much fun anymore without a piece of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream every now and again? What about pizza with friends and the odd Harvey’s burger and fries. Nothing but carrot sticks and rabbit food. That just doesn’t work for me. So what is the answer?

I decide that I needed to understand more about nutrition and food so I dropped in to the Book City on The Danforth and bought the revised and undated A-Z Foods That Harm – Foods That Heal. It’s a Reader’s Digest publication and over six million copies have been sold. Now that means there are a lot of idiots out there, myself included, or the book is a proven resource and I’ve just done myself a big favour. Up until menopause I never had an extra ounce of fat on my 5’6″ frame and now I am “Her Rotundedness”.

Not a pretty picture, and I must confess the cause of some vague blue feelings. Not depression by any measure – I know what that’s like – but certainly some low moments, constant fatigue, thoughts on how to use everyday items as a weapon – did I mention mood swings?. Women have a difficult time with body image at the best of times, without additional bad feelings about the menopausal tonnage that clings to their bodies. I really should refrain from speaking for all middle-aged women, but I bet I’m not the only one suffering with this problem.

There has to be an emotional component to this equation as well. Not to mention a reduced energy level, lack of quality sleep and a general apathy. I’ve been told that weight gain is common in middle age, but craving food and being hungry all the time can’t be normal. I have no intention of starving myself or refusing a glass of wine and dessert for the rest of my life; but I do have to get this extra weight off my body, because it’s starting to have counter-productive effects on my physical and emotional health –  my appearance aside. I’m just vain enough to care a bit about how I look. It’s bad enough that I’m stuck with elastic waist pants for the moment, but I REFUSE to buy fat jeans. Something has to give here and I don’t want it to be my health.

I went to the grocery store after I picked up the book and bought chicken salmon, natural peanut butter, whole grain crackers, lettuce, vegetables, fruit and green tea. I passed on muffins, cookies, bread, pasta, flavoured coffee drink, hot dogs, salami, rice and fruit juice. As I walked down the cookie aisle I wanted to tear open a bag of Hostess potato chips, sit down on the floor and eat the whole thing. I decided against that solution to my weight woes and proceeded with my mission – healthy eating.

I need a year to tackle this weight and appearance issue. I have proven to myself, with this soon to be finished, writing project that I can set a difficult goal and achieve it. I’ve had problems all year with my commitment to exercise and unfortunately that has set up a negative mind set and that’s where I’m stuck right now.

I don’t like my hair, my appearance or the fact that I’m aging. I can do something about two of the three – not bad odds. So reading comes first and understanding nutrition can be a close second. I know exercise is the third component, and last but definitely not least, is my attitude. So, its going to be the four pronged approach:

Reading – information.

Nutrition – awareness of food cravings and moods.

Exercise.

Attitude/Commitment.

I know this sounds easy – but it’s not going to be! So how have I managed to write everyday this year? I just decided to do it. No matter how busy, tired or discouraged I was, I sat down at my computers and wrote a story every day. Without question, some are better than others, but it was the depth of the decision that didn’t allow me to falter. It meant something to me. So – what of my health? This question shouldn’t even beg an answer.

If I lose my health, I will have lost all. What if I had cancer, a heart attack, a stroke or a disability? I am blessed beyond imagination with a strong body. I owe it to myself to face this battle and win the war. For the first time in my life I’m part of the obesity statistics. I’m twenty plus pounds over weight. There is no excuse for this.

Menopause, metabolism and aging aside – I can do something about this and it’s time for me to pay attention to God’s number one gift – my health. While you mull over a challenge of your own, I’m going to have a chat with Scrummie to see if he has any suggestions for me. His input is always interesting. P.S. – I think you should buy an Inukshuk!