More and more I keep attributing my various health issues to being overweight. My blood pressure was sky high before I was put on medication and diet to manage it. Problem is I have to take about five medications to keep it under control. I hate popping all those pills every day. Even if I could cut down on a few I’d be thrilled. Finally addressed my lack of sleep issue with a CPAP machine which has made a big difference. Has taken some time to get used to it but I’ve felt so much better since using it. My cholesterol was way out of balance but with medication that is currently under control.
I’ve gained at least 30 pounds since last summer. This past winter was brutal. Bitter cold temps combined with a constant barrage of great food, treats, and boredom from being stuck inside so much. All that conspired to throttle my appetite into the stratosphere. Let’s see….no exercise combined with major increase in food intake equals major weight gain. Pretty simple formula.
First thing I need to learn is portion control. I love to eat. I’m 36 years old and I can pack away a lot of food. Not as much as when I was younger but it’s still a lot. My girlfriend and I can both eat a lot, but I have shocked her on many occasions with my intake level. Over this past month I’ve made an effort to cut way down on extra snacks and to limit the amount of food I ingest. Apparently there is this unwritten rule I was destined to follow that says you must finish your whole plate when eating even if already full. Nothing wrong with taking some home to eat another day. No need to ingest many handfuls of candy every day when a fruit will do. It’s a slow process of thinking about what you are eating. It has gotten better. It is possible to stop eating right before getting full and be satisfied with that.
Next thing is actually getting more exercise. Considered the gym option but that would be another monthly payment. Gas prices keep going up and up. Do I want to pay for a gym and pay more for gas to make the trips involved? I don’t think so. I’ve started walking more often. Not quite where I want to be but it’s sure a lot more than less than a month ago. My girlfriend and I have done a lot of walking with her dog and it’s quite a workout. The warmer it gets the more we will do.
So far I have started two sensible things that anyone can do and will cost nothing. Not quite at the scale watching stage. More interested in how I feel and how my clothes fit. Both have been far more effective at motivating me in the past so I’m sticking with what has worked before. Progress will be reported in the future. In the mean time, I can eat modestly and enjoy walking.