Holy Week is Over, Holy Fat Cow is Not. The First 30 Days (& Days 32-34)

If you've been reading along, you know a little bit about my self-improvement project and my quest to become a more fit, healthier "New Dawn," and my desire to hopefully become less of a fat cow in the process. You probably know that towards the end of the month, thanks to Holy (Party) Week, I started to fall off the "healthy me" wagon in small ways. And since I haven't written anything since Monday, you may have been wondering where I've been or what I've been doing the last few days. Or, maybe not. Maybe you just assumed I had given up. 

I haven't given up, and I've still been working hard, even though I haven't been writing about it. I needed a break from posting every single day, partly because it was starting to feel like a full-time job. But mostly, because I needed a few days to think about how I feel about my progress over the last 30 days. 

I've decided it doesn't matter whether someone is wondering where I've been or not. This journey, and blogging about it, is as much for me as it is for anyone else. But even if there aren't a lot of people following along, I know there must be at least one of you out there who wants to know my results, and if so, this post is just for YOU! 

So settle in and get comfy, because this one's gonna be longer and more in-depth than previous posts. I'm going to completely overshare today, summarize what has happened so far, and talk about my plans from this point forward.

Here's what's happened in the first 30 days: I started exercising regularly, at least 30 minutes or more 5-6 days a week. I've struggled with finding a type of exercise I like, and have been rotating between power walking with the dog, climbing my stairs at the house, enduring the hated P90X dvds, and even counted swimming and dancing once or twice. I'm still searching for an exercise I like, but I've forced myself to do something, anything, rather than continue sit on my ass and feel unhappy.

In addition, I gradually started drinking more water each day, and decreased the amount of coffee and plain iced tea I was drinking. I've now worked my way up to drinking at least two liters of water (or more) a day. I gave up sodas and other drinks long before I started this challenge, although I do still have an unsweetened iced tea occasionally. However, on my "Fundays" or the occasional happy hour at the Barefoot, I do still indulge in a couple Watermelon Bliss! Because after all, what is life without Bliss? It's no life at all in my book!

I started trying to be more mindful about what I'm eating and trying to control my portions. I am not following a particular eating plan, or eliminating any particular food group, or even "dieting" per se. I had already eliminated breads two years ago, solving my issues with frequent heartburn. And I have added a ton more fruits and veggies, salads, chicken breasts, beans, and even a little fish (yuk!), started preparing more healthy meals, and cooking at home more regularly. 

In addition, I've tried to remind myself to eat at more regular intervals, try to eat something in the mornings, and be mindful of not letting myself get so hungry that I overeat when I do finally remember to eat. And, I've stopped allowing myself a "junk snack" or other treats, especially in the evenings. For the last month, my snacks have mostly been nuts, raisins, fruit, or cheese, except for the one slip-up with the Grandma's cookie early on!  

And so the big question is, after 30 days, what are the results? 

I have noticed a big increase in my stamina, the distance I can walk, the number of times I can climb my stairs before I think I'm going to die, and how long I can do cardio workouts. The scary pounding in my head when I exert myself is gone, and I no longer worry about blowing out the patch-job in my brain--I'm pretty sure now it's gonna hold!  

And motivating myself to exercise every day is becoming more of a habit, even though I still haven't fallen in love with any one form of exercising. In addition, I've noticed that I am not as wiped out after exercising, although my body seems to be hungrier. Burning more calories seems to be making my body cry out for me to eat more. And that's a bit of a catch-22.

To my disappointment, as of Wednesday (my 34th day) I am only down a measly two pounds. I've been as low as four pounds down, but I have continued to lose and gain back the same three or four pounds. 

I've been monitoring my blood pressure, which continues to run in the high-end of being controlled, normal for me, despite continuing to take prescription medication twice a day. Ironically, my heart rate has continued to run quite far below normal range, which is historically "normal" for me, but not necessarily a good thing medically speaking. Of course, I have not changed or stopped the prescriptions I take for other issues, including thyroid meds, hormones, and allergy pills. 

I have to admit I am really conflicted. On the plus side, it is becoming easier to force myself to exercise and keep moving throughout the day. I'm sleeping harder, waking up earlier, and becoming functional faster each day. My stamina and endurance seem to be gradually improving, even though my blood pressure and heart rate are not. And I am eating better foods, less sugar, less junk, and few processed foods, than I have in a long time. 

On the "con" side, I still haven't found an exercise I truly enjoy, although I did find some walk-at-home and yoga routines on YouTube that seem promising. And my knees, ankles, and chest still give me a lot of protest if I attempt anything that is even moderately medium or high impact. And I'm disappointed that I'm seeing no change in the way my clothes fit. My "before" and "after" pictures look exactly the same (posted below for you to see if you want), and the scale has barely moved.  

So, where do I go from here? 

Well, I just keep going forward, my friend. Onward and upward. 

It's the only thing I know how to do. Not quit. It's the one thing I do best. 

So I will keep pushing and fighting and kicking and screaming until finally, someday, somehow, something--anything--changes. 

I will keep challenging myself, and pushing myself, and fighting for myself until I succeed. Until being healthy and fit is second nature. 

And keep writing about it here, maybe not every day, but frequently for sure. And I hope you'll stick around for the party I'm gonna have the day that I can rock this swimsuit like I used to!! See you soon!


 BEFORE (Left Side)                                   DAY 35 (Right Side)