I am trying to see if there would be support for a new discussion thread for caregivers that are trying to diet. A place that they could immediately go to for emotional support when the will gets weak. So many of us seem to ruin our health as soon as mom/pop moves in. We forgo our own MD appts., forget to take our meds, never hear any words of encouragement,give up on our own appearance, simply cease to exist as an individual. I don't want to replace the "whine" thread, it is very important and I use it myself.Also it seems many of use due to our caregiving situation are prisoners in the house and can't go to weight watcher meetings, support groups, live in rural areas etc. This could be a place as close as your computer. I look at this site even late at night, I would love to be of help to someone that is trying to stay out of the refrigerator at 3 AM. Just thought I would throw this out there to see if there is any interest.
I havent replaced it with food...
Someone said something about hormones up there- I'll ask for a test since I am over the 50 hill
So here's a beacon I can't ignore: At the same time I started my journey down the elder-care rabbit hole, my employer started requiring a yearly biometric screening for our health insurance.
Nov 2013: weight was decent; all other markers excellent.
Nov 2014: weight higher; BP pre-hypertensive; all other markers good.
Nov 2015: weight even higher; BP Stage 1 hypertensive; glucose too high; all other markers good.
THE CHANGE STARTS NOW. I joined a homemade "biggest loser" group at work last week. Forced myself out for a delightful walk this weekend. Eating better and determined to exercise more. This is not rocket science; I've done it before. But the landscape is different now. Mom's b.s. doesn't suck up all my free time, but it does make me protective of the diminished free time I'm left with. I've talked myself out of countless workouts cuz I just didn't wanna run out the door one more time. TOO BAD. Time to get over myself. I need to be more disciplined with the free time I do have; and stop pointlessly mourning the free time I don't have.
My gene pool and my fondness for sitting on my can and eating whatever I want are a baaaad combination. I fixed myself before, and I can do it again. I'm older now and life is more complicated, but I need to make this work. This is the only life I get. I need to respect my body and treat it better. I distinctly remember having more energy and sleeping better when I exercised regularly – so I will turn to that for motivation (and stop moping around because my last half-marathon has indeed become my LAST half-marathon).
I will do what works for where I am right now, and do more as my endurance builds. To the rest of you – keep up the good work! We all have legitimate obstacles, for sure. Gotta stay on it. :-)
(But I did walk to the store, that counts, right? lol)
I remember my 3-year mark with caregiving. My father died a few months earlier and Christmas was coming up. Now I am on my 6-year mark and the holidays are here again. Sometimes people say I sound a bit depressed. Well, doh. :-)
I hope we can pick each other up this holiday season. What we are doing is important. And what we do for ourselves is even more important, don't you think? I hope we all have the best holiday season ever.