The Gold Bunny

I love the gold bunny with the red ribbon and bell.  You know the one I'm talking about.  They start appearing in February and as Easter approaches, I buy a small one for me and my husband and a big one for my Dad.

I spoil my Dad at Easter (and all the rest of the time!) because he loves chocolate and he has always been the one who takes care of everyone else.  His family didn't have much money growing up but my Papa always made sure each of his children had an Easter treat.   My Dad loves to tell the story of how he would break out the bottoms of his younger sibling's Easter bunnies and hens, with the hope they wouldn't notice, in order to get more chocolate.  He laughs about it now (and his sisters spoil him too)...so he gets a big bunny.  

When I buy Easter chocolate, I give it to my husband for safe keeping.  It's a game we play.  I know where he hides it so if I really want to eat it pre-Easter, I can find it but for the most part, it's out of sight... (not out of mind) which helps...

Less Chips, More Fruits and Veg

A lifetime of bad eating has left my husband with kidney disease.  Not all of it is his fault as genetics predisposing him to high-blood pressure did not help, but neither did his usual lunch of chips and Pepsi.  

We have always had a hands-off approach with each other when it came to indulgences.  I'm independent and I get my back up when I see people criticising their partner's eating choices.  Unless you're Mary Poppins and practically perfect in every way, I say live and let live.  I shop healthy and there is always a good variety of fruits/veg, lean protein etc, available for meals.  The problem is when we are on our own.  He likes his chips, I like chocolate.

Now he's had a wake up call.  If he doesn't halt the progression with lifestyle changes, he will be a candidate for dialysis.  

The problem with kidney disease diets is there is a lot of leeway between what you can and can't have.  I don't know about you but I do better when I have a specific plan to follow.  What we have gleaned is that he should cut salt, potassium and phosphates.  Eat lean protein but not too much.  More fruits and vegetables.  Cut back on bran and whole wheat products--which I thought was weird. Drink adequate beverages (water!), cut back on alcohol, nuts, cheese, fruit juices and dark sodas.  

So after so many years of the hands-off approach, I have to be more proactive.  I know he's an adult and capable of his own choices but I kinda want him to stick around.  Who knows? It will probably help me too.  

Paddy Appleseed

This is my husband eating a slice of apple.  The reason there is a picture of it on my blog is that this has never happened before in the 24 years that I have known this man.  Oh, he has eaten apples in my presence before... when I cut them up and present them to him in easily biteable bits!  What is odd is that he decided to eat one on his own!  I know this picture makes him look goofy but I was so surprised by the apple, I asked him to strike a pose for posterity.  

He normally doesn't eat fruit and doesn't eat many vegetables.  His snack of choice is usually chips of some kind and a soda.  Ah the paradox!  He is effortlessly a normal weight and me - who eats lots of fruits and veg (ok chocolate too) - overweight.  Go figure.  

This brings me to my course assignment  in which I had to construct a genogram of three generations of my family starting with my grandparents in order to track potential health problems and trends.  The exercise helped me identify health issues which are hereditary as well as those which I may be able to avoid or at least mitigate with better health choices.  

Now back to the apple... I think I know the reason my husband chose the apple.  He had an iffy medical test this week and will probably be told by the professionals that he needs to improve his diet.  I can only control what he eats for dinner and shop so that there are healthy alternatives for breakfast and lunch.  I can't cram them down his throat.  Apples are a good start and I'm glad he ate one.

Motivation in Unexpected Form

I just watched a video featuring a young boy who calls himself "Kid President."  Here is a link to it.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l-gQLqv9f4o

I have to say it is one of the best motivational videos I have seen in a long time.  It really made me want to get up and get going so kudos to you Kid President!

Not much else going on.  My course seems to eat up my free time which is ok.  It's a good distraction and beats being bored.

(The gnomes represent some of the bits of whimsy I keep around the house.  I like little things that make me smile and that are in unexpected places) 

Yikes!

I'm taking an on-line course on Health and Wellness at a local college and it is really taking a bite out of my daily routine.  I graduated university in 1980 and had forgotten how much time it takes to read course material and do homework.  I'm not sure I like it.  I can't imagine being at school full time if one course is taking up about 20 hours of weekly daylight!  My textbook cost $141.  I would expect a Gutenberg Bible for that amount of dough but no. It's about the size of a coffee-table book but paperback which means its unwieldy and can only be read sitting at a table or desk.

I'm pretty sure I'm the oldest person in the class going by the introductions and comments.  It is interesting and I'm learning and confirming knowledge about health.  If I continue with this study, I will get a certificate in Nutrition Management.     

I've been doing ok diet-wise.  I need to get out more and walk but it's about -20 here for the last few days.  I'm hibernating.

Contemplation

Oh my, I have not been very good in the healthy food department.  I have not had any candy though since January 1st and have resisted it's siren call.  Yesterday I was out for a walk with my husband and I said, "I feel like some chocolate." He said. "No you don't." And we just kept walking.  That was good.  I didn't feel inclined to argue.  I was ok without it.  Note that my husband is not a domineering sort and has never said anything about my weight.  I told him some time ago not to get me any candy, even if I ask. 

I've had a lot of time on my hands lately.  When I'm not reading, crafting or watching TV, I contemplate and think about my life and what I want to do with it.  I know I have an opportunity to try something else.  But sometimes I don't think I have the courage... which is why I'm still looking for a full time job in my area of expertise.  

I'm a procrastinator at the champion level.  I have some writing projects that I could be working on, fabric all cut out for projects, crochet dolls half made and books at various stages of being read.   I've also just registered for a college course on nutrition and health.  Despite being over-weight, I know a lot about nutrition.  It's the application that eludes me.  Maybe the educational approach will help!

Not so bad...

Ok, I weighed myself, not as bad as I thought it would be.  But still not great.  I gained back 20 pounds last year.  I thought it would be a lot more.  It certainly feels like a lot more.  I need to get rid of that 20 to get back to where I was and then continue to get healthy from there.  

What got me here?  Depression, which lead to inertia.  A circle that needs to be broken.

I'm eating better this week.  I haven't had any candy or baked goods.  I already feel less splodgy.  So that's good and I feel optimistic.

I'm applying for another job today.  It's always causes me anxiety as my fear of rejection is so keen.  And let's face it, my fear this past 9 months has been justified.  I'm lucky though that my financial situation is not desperate.  I could retire if I wanted, but I'm not ready yet.  I liked being out in the world.  I liked being downtown.  Three of my old school chums are now retired and believe me, it's tempting.  The difference is that they chose their retirement time whereas I had mine thrust upon me.  

I'm a good fit for this job.  I have the experience and the knowledge and I'm willing to take a pay cut!  Keep your fingers crossed for me.