Saturday, May 17, 2014

List of Happy Things


Spring

It’s that burst of color that comes out of something that seemed dead for so long.
 
Spring is a reminder to enjoy all that is lovely and to embrace beauty when it is present, and to wait in hope for it when it is not. We must understand the cycle of life is so much like the changing seasons. We are constantly changing.
 
If you are in a season where there seems to be no beauty, trust that it is coming. Just like the new leaves on the old oak tree in the spring, new life always comes. It takes over all that has been dead and dormant.
 

Simplicity

I want to be the woman, who in this busy life, always finds it high priority to reveal the beauty of simplicity. We can want, have, need, and get, but that feeling lasts only for a moment. I have tasted and seen many wonderful things, but my heart is most satisfied simply sitting in the grass and soaking up the sun.  Let’s un-teach ourselves that more is better.  Joanna Gaines

Trying Again

As a low-carb success story for many years, I enjoyed wearing my skinny jeans and feeling confident in my own skin.  It pains me to say that for whatever reason, I have gained 25 pounds in two months and I can't seem to stop this upward trend.  My thighs are suddenly huge and I have belly fat that I've never ever had before.   I've tracked, researched, starved, ate, reviewed, etc. and I sit here today being nothing more than bewildered and scared.  Is it menopause?   I'm 45.  I still adhere to low-carb dieting and I lift weights.  This isn't about willpower or making bad choices!

I added this new category to my blog so perhaps as the days pass, I can update this area with answers and successes.  I am strong, determined and I will figure this out because feeling good about my body was a wonderful emotion.  I want to bring me back to life.

Initial steps taken:  blood draw complete and waiting on blood analysis on all things typical as well as T1, T3 and T4 thyroid counts.  Ketone monitor and blood testing devices ordered and waiting for arrival.  This is extreme for me, never did this before, but did I mention I'm scared?

Things to ponder: 
- In my constant research on all things nutrition, over the past few months I have eliminated dairy from my diet and added coconut oil as a replacement.  I think I'm allergic to dairy as without it my acne and bowel moments have improved.  Coconut oil is high calorie - and although I know calories aren't supposed to matter - I can't help but wonder if this isn't related to my weight gain.  

- I am to blame for not drinking enough water as compared to before - but that changes today! 

- Although red wine is completely acceptable to a low-carb lifestyle, I need to stop for awhile.  I may have hit the age threshold of it doing too much damage to my metabolism.