I LOVE traveling, but getting settled back into a “normal” routine after a big trip can be tough! Read about our adventure in Scotland and Ireland under the Travel tab soon.
The Mess: It took me a solid week to get everything completely unpacked and all the random loose ends put where they belong. No doubt I was delayed a bit by my social calendar. I was excited to reconnect with my friends and get back into my workout routine. I just couldn’t get a handle on all the laundry and thorough unpacking on top of all the day to day tidying up. By the end of the first week, I was a grump! I think I’m finally there though…the other side of the mountain. The house is completely back to normal and I’m staying on top of day to day tasks. Whew!
The Health: I didn’t make the best food choices on this trip! I didn’t make the worst choices…but I could have been better. Instead, I embraced the full Scotland and Ireland experience. I consumed Guinness on a daily basis (it truly does taste better over there)! Every dish comes with “chips” (french fries)…even the fresh lobster! I probably consumed more french fries in two weeks than I have in the last five years combined; I am NOT exaggerating. And when desert was included with the meal…I enjoyed it thoroughly. Needless to say, the first “back to reality” weigh in was NOT good.
So, I’m back to that place where my goal is not just health, but also some pretty significant weight loss. I need to drop a minimum of 10 pounds, and I need to get serious about it right now. Luckily, I know I have a plan that I can rely on to truly work, so I ordered a box of Optavia fuelings and I’m happy to say that I’m getting myself back on track.
The Fitness: I got right back into the routine of walking around town, fitness walking indoors, line dancing at the community center (my twice a week social hour), yoga, and some strength training. I truly love to exercise so it wasn’t too hard getting back into that routine, but there is a slight problem; foot pain.
The Foot: 15 years ago I had bunion surgery on my right foot. The pain had reached the point that I needed something done. I found a doctor in Kansas City, he performed surgery on both the big toe and pinky toe bones of my right foot, and told me what to do to prevent further issues. I have followed his instructions. I had orthodic inserts made and wear them in my shoes, and I only purchase shoes with support and a wide toe box. My time has run out, however. The bunion on my left foot is now so painful that I find it difficult doing any exercise at all. I started medicating with Ibuprofin while overseas (I hate taking any kind of medicine…I think it destroys the gut microbiota and therefore our health). I tried taking it easy for a few days. I limited my activity to yoga and the stationary bike. It’s not helping. I can’t even bike without pain. I want to cry and scream and pout. I know the recovery that is involved with this kind of surgery. I don’t feel like I have much of a choice though. I am much too young to have my mobility and activity impacted! So…here we go again.
I have another overseas trip planned in about 3 months, so I will wait and have surgery immediately after the trip. That gives me 6 months to heal between overseas trips.
I’m scared. I’m worried about gaining a ton of weight, and I know being immobile will not be good for my mental health! I need those endorphins that physical activity provides. I also hate to put my husband through weeks of waiting on me hand and foot as I battle recovery, boredom, obsession over every calorie I put in my body, and possibly depression. Ugh! You know the pain is bad if I’m willing to have surgery again, knowing full well what I’m getting into.
What I’m Eating: I am absolutely in love with what I’m calling a Hummus Toast Sandwich. I start with a piece of homemade Sourdough bread, spread a little Ghee on it, and toast it on the stovetop. I top the toasted bread with organic hummus, tempeh chips (for protein and texture), tomato slices and cucumber slices, then top it with a leaf or two of Romaine from my indoor hydroponic garden. Delicious!!
I had a little scare at the airport while traveling to Scotland. I passed out cold, without warning. I woke up to several people (some I knew and some I didn’t) leaning over me shouting my name. Very scary! It had to be related to my blood sugar. That’s the only explanation I can come up with so…I am adjusting my plant based goals and habits.
I still want to work toward eating more and more plant based, but my primary focus is WHOLE FOODS. In other words, if my only choices are meat, or processed refined carbs…I will choose meat. I AM, however, eating meat in very small quantities and continuing to focus on eating more veggies, beans, WHOLE grains, and lentils. I’ve cut back on fruit a bit (not entirely) until I get my weight back on track.
Optavia fuelings are again the foundation of my daily diet. I don’t leave the house without an Optavia protein bar in my purse. I love the security of knowing that if I start to feel hungry (and worried about passing out), I can eat that 100 calorie protein bar and stabilize my blood sugar.
I hope you are having a fabulous week! Focus on the positive, set your goals, focus on your “why” and go be the badass you are!
