Bloom, 4ry Check In
February 05, 2018
If you are new to me and my blog, four years ago I found out I was pre-diabetic. I immediately went on a super low-carb/paleo/keto diet and started exercising. I lost 54 pounds and have kept it off (well mostly). I have also made my pre-diabetes go away without medication. This is my yearly check in to share how my path is going.
Year 4. Well I will confess this last year has been challenging. Pretty much after my 3yr anniversary my peri-menopause really kicked up it heals. In a short time I gained 10 pounds, even though I was exercising and eating as I always do. I have to say it's really hard to have you body just go up in weight while still eating right and exercising. I felt depressed, I had a pity party and then a talk with myself. I have been able to loose 8 of the 10 pounds and am gaining a lot of muscles ;-)
Also I traveled this last summer (which I rarely do), it was a great challenge for me because I was with a group of people and could not just eat wherever I wanted. You see if I eat too many carbs now (like let's say more than 10 taco chips) I get really sick. Living in the bathroom :-O So this was my first time trying to juggle my body's needs and being with others who do not eat the same as me. I was frustrated I could not just set my diet aside and just have a fun trip.
As you can see this past year has not been as easy for me. But you know what, I just kept on doing what I do. So what if I gain 10 pounds? Do I stop doing what I do? NO! I have worked too hard to give up now. I have made some changes in my diet to support my body. I use to work out once a week for 1 ½ hours. Now I work out 3 times a week for 50 minutes. Half strengths training/half walking (as fast as I can). I am seeing the results. I also think it took time for my hormones to get in balance again. Therefore my body is now working more efficiently.
So what have I learned this past year?
First, our bodies change and that can affect how you lose or gain weight.
Second, gaining weight is not a failure. It is just a pause, you readjust and keep going.
Lastly, numbers do not count. All I can do is the best I can. I cannot let the scale dictate my thoughts or actions. Weight will go up and down throughout your life but you do not give up. This life-style change is about being healthy, not skinny. So even though I have had moments this past year where I felt like a failure, I have kept pushing through. Let's see where next year, my 5 year mark, puts me. Thank you for letting me share.