So, I had lost 19 lbs. as of last October. For the past few months, since my mom has been in the nursing home, I haven’t exercised or eaten the way I should. At first, I didn’t gain any weight. But as I started losing muscle mass from stopping my weight workouts, I felt my clothes get a little tighter (when you have more muscle mass, you burn more calories). I had already gone down a size, and I really didn’t want to have to hang my head in shame and go back to the other size. But I was spending so much time at the nursing home that I was just grabbing whatever food I could and not finding time to exercise. And I could really feel my health declining. Things didn’t feel right with my body anymore. When I fell and injured my right knee and pulled my left hip muscle, I went to the gym and froze my membership. I didn’t stop it completely, but I was considering that. Then I started remembering how much better I felt when I was working out.
My hip injury is barely a twinge now, so I went back to the gym yesterday. I decided to focus on cardio right now and maybe take weights back up later. I have a treadmill at home, but it’s too far to go during lunch, and the gym is just about 10 minutes away from work. So for the last two days, I’ve gone to the gym and walked on the treadmill. I might tackle the elliptical when I have more stamina. And then run on the treadmill.
Also, I’ve been looking at a Mediterranean diet lately. Yesterday, I had stuffed grape leaves, olives, and mozzarella balls. Today for lunch I had half a pita stuffed with hummus, feta cheese, and olives and a stuffed grape leaf on the side. It amazes me how few calories these meals have, and most of it is very good for you. I hate diets that completely eliminate certain foods. Eating at least a partial Mediterranean diet is fairly easy for me because I like the food. I need to add some fish to the mix. Does that mean I won’t eat any pizza or burgers ever? Not this girl! I’m not giving up anything. But I can change the frequency I eat these things that aren’t as good for me.
All these foods I ate for lunch were bought from the grocery store, which means I’m saving money compared to eating out. So that’s another plus! 🙂
Anyway, that’s what’s going on with me health wise. What are YOU doing to take charge of your health? Do tell.
That lunch sounds really good. And I can completely relate to what happens when you become a caretaker for an elderly parent. The exact same thing happened to me when my mother ended up in a nursing home. I was grabbing meals on the go and skipping workouts. I wish I had a gym I could visit during the work day!
Your whole life changes when you have to take care of someone else, doesn’t it?
I’m lucky that the gym is so close. If it wasn’t for the traffic, I could get there even more quickly, but…. LOL
Okay, weird thing, I pulled a muscle in my left hip too. I’ve actually been going to physical therapy because I did a few other things too and am trying to get back to where I need to be to really exercise. But I’m officially cleared for yoga as long as it doesn’t involve a lot of twisting, so, yay! And now that the weather is warm I can enjoy long walks in the woods again, for which I’m very grateful.
As far as diet, I’m trying to cut way back on sugar–not eliminate it, because I like a little treat now and then, but avoid it except for something small here and there. Mostly I just want to feel healthy and know that I’m taking care of myself.
It sounds like you’re taking charge of your health. Congrats!
It hurts like crazy, doesn’t it? My other leg has this weird thing that flares up from time to time where there are sudden sharp pains that make it buckle out from under me just because it hurts so much. I had both of those things going at a time. I’m just falling apart. LOL
I’ve had to cut down on sugar for a long time because I was diagnosed with diabetes in 2012. I do allow myself a little something from time to time, though. I plan on another Mediterranean lunch today. Then maybe take a break from it so I won’t get tired of the same thing over and over.
How on earth can you make the elliptical work for you? I get worn out after one minute. What’s your time on it? Got any tips to build up endurance?
Oh, it’s going to be a long time before I can get on the elliptical. In the past, I’ve never gotten past a couple of minutes, I think. LOL