Rock bottom

About two weeks ago I felt that I hit rock bottom. My body is cluttered. I’ve gained some after being sick a lot last winter and then again this winter and from being on medication. I’m tired of being tired. I’m tired of being sick. I’m tired of looking at myself in the mirror or in photos and not liking what I see.

It’s time to take action!

So I am taking action. Two weeks ago (Sunday, December 28, 2014) I started a new exercise regime and I started trying to control my cravings for chocolate, my weakness. I began doing the Jillian Michaels 6 Week Six-Pack video with fervor. This is not intended to be a new year’s resolution of any sort. This is an attempt to dig myself out of a hole and maintain an active lifestyle (hm, do I sound convincing?). I am filled with frustration at myself so I’ve done this video 5 times each of the last two weeks plus the elliptical one day, plus a hike or intense walk. In the last 2 weeks I have had one day off from exercise each week. I don’t think I ever exercised 6 days a week before. Let’s see how long I can keep this up. My body does ache, but a good ache that feels like I’ve done something good for it. Here is the kicker…

I see NO progress. 😦 Well, that’s not entirely true – I do feel a bit stronger again. I see some progress in how well I can do the exercises. The problem is that I have not lost any weight. I need to shed the fat that is covering any muscles I may have. I just want to lose about 10-15 pounds. Is that so much to ask? I have been choosing my foods and portions more carefully too.

I know, I know, it doesn’t happen immediately. Muscle weighs more than fat. Don’t be discouraged; keep at it.

So I had my thyroid tested and sure enough it’s off and hypothyroidism does make weight loss more challenging. My doctor adjusted my medications but it’s just not fast enough for me. Yesterday and today I had a harder time getting going and working out. But, I did it. Yesterday was the Jillian workout again and today I went on a hike and ended up doing more than 4 miles and the whole way in was uphill. I didn’t know that about the hike until I was on it and kept waiting for it to level off. But it didn’t. And, I’m glad it didn’t. I had a good workout.

Here I am – my 3rd week into my new exercise regime and I’m still going strong.

Keep it up!

What’s in a name?

Almost a year ago – March 2, 2014 to be exact – I decided to start a blog. I’m not seeking fame. I had no plans of telling my friends about it. I just wanted to get my thoughts down. So, why didn’t I just keep a journal? Well, I figured that this would make me accountable. Even if no one read it my thoughts, or rather action plans, would be out there and I would make more progress on whatever I was trying to achieve.

There was one flaw in that plan… I had to start writing. But, alas, in my cluttered state of mind I just couldn’t get started. So, here I am almost a year later – on January 12, 2015 – attempting to make that start. Better late than never, right?!?!

What’s in a name?

When I reference clutter it’s more than physical objects cluttering my home – which they are, by the way, although no more than the average person – it includes clutter in my mind and clutter in my life, whatever that may be. There are so many things I want to do, so many things I think about, so many things I want to learn more about, so many things I want to get rid of that the term “thing” just applies broadly to actions, thoughts, physical objects and so much more. I just feel cluttered. I guess that includes emotional clutter too. Have you ever just felt like there was clutter around you – tangible and intangible?

This blog was supposed to help me move from my mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual clutter to clarity. This will have to be one powerful blog!

Whether you are reading this or no one is reading this it’s a spot for me to write what I’m thinking and hold myself accountable. And, that’s how I plan to gain clarity.