Don't Ever Stop Trying

Here I am, Day 9 and am starting to get the feel for this.  I have 5 days left for Phase 1 of the SBD.  I've learned a couple things recently.  I'm starting with Saturday.  We had friends over for games that afternoon.  Great fun!  Joel and I decided that it would be just a game afternoon with no food or beverages (other then the ice-tea I made).  This is quite different then I normally do.  I love planning on special appies and fun cocktails along with what ever we are doing with friends.  It turned out really well not having that and made the planning much simpler. Friends were over about 4 hours and by the time they went home.  I came in to put dinner together.  I was so hungry and so very tired that I had nothing left in me to go through the effort.  I got Joel to take us to Applebee's as that was the closest and the most likely to have the food we are use to eating now. It was so busy, that the only place available to eat was at the bar.  So we figured sitting at the bar we'd be expected to order a drink.  We thought about it and both order the house red wine.  Also chose the best meals we thought would be close to what we can eat.  We did relatively good.  We pushed aside the rice, potatoes and croutons.  The next morning however I was feeling like I really let myself down.  I didn't make the entire 14 days without being 100% on Phase 1.  I'm so glad I have a helpful partner in Joel as he just said let it go, we did the best we could do and it does not mean we're bad people.  Today I'm fine.  However, what I've learned from this?  Be prepared.  Next time, fix ahead what we'll have for a meal so that when guests leave, with a push of a button, dinner will be ready. 

Next, there have been very few exercises that I like or do not hurt when I do them.  I've continued over all these years to keep moving.  I've biked, swam, walked, kayaked, hiked, skied, water skied, tai chee, yoga and working out at the gym.  Some of these have been fun, other's have been pure work.  In my 50's, it became increasingly difficult to exercise do to the fibromyalgia. Sometimes it hurt, other times I was just too tired.  However I do not want to loose what little strength I have and know I must keep it moving.  In a previous posts, I mentioned that one of my goals is to be able to walk up one flight of stairs with out panting. That's why this is the year.  I keep trying things until I find what works.  In my quest, I've found that if I can spend about 10 - 15 minutes in a Jacuzzi to warm up my joints and body, I then can go into the pool and keep moving my body for over an hour.  It's gently exercise and I plan to keep doing this until I've lost more weight to take pressure off my knees and start climbing stairs.  Moving in the pool is so enjoyable and I have a friend that met me at that pool today that I hope will continue while we are here in Yuma. 

Something I read in the paper this morning I was encouraged by . Don't ever stop trying!

"A flock of ducks were flying south for the winter. They flew over a farmyard where chickens were being raised. One of the ducks dropped out of the familiar "V pattern" to share the lunch being enjoyed by the chickens. He really liked the meal. Significantly pleasant to him was the provision being brought to him by the farmer. The situation was so inviting that the duck... decided to spend the winter with the well-fed groundlings. Flying and finding food did not seem at all attractive to his lifestyle!
It was not too long until spring came. The well-fed duck saw the V-shaped formation of ducks flying north toward home for the summer. It was time for him to join his family the return. He stretched his wings for flight. Lift-off did not occur! Unused ability and continual satisfaction of appetite became evident. Flabby muscles and excessive dining had a restrictive effect. He was grounded! He had forgotten his basic origin and high potential. Never quit trying and flying."

This story was told by a respected teacher of religion in the early 1900's. You can see how it also could apply to those of us working towards the best health we can be. 2 thoughts here, if you don't use it you loose it and if you live the easier lifestyle, it's only easy for awhile.