Sometimes reality hits you in the face with a strong blow. My annual visit to the doctor did just that – slapped me a good one!
Certainly proud of my lifestyle choices, I answered the health questions with a bit of smugness: Yes, I brush my teeth twice a day; Yes, I floss; Yes, I participate in a variety of exercise throughout the week including Zumba, walking, and Essentrics.
Reality, though, slowly moved into my psyche when asked more clarifying questions: How many times per week do you exercise? I can’t lie, the average is two though I want to believe it is three-five. Moving on…. how many vegetables do you eat every day – “I try for three to five”….I rate my health good.
Then the kind doctor decided we should review my blood profile. Hmmm. My doctor that I had hand-picked because of his up-to-date views on healthy lifestyles, research etc, decided he had the right to slap me with his words: “You need to lose weight, you need to lower your cholesterol – you are at a 2% risk of a heart attack within the next six years”. Seriously, that is a 98% chance of NOT having one….I suddenly don’t like him so much. “Do you eat ice cream?” “Not often, I replied defensively. This is hereditary”. “You are also dehydrated – drink more water”. “I do.” Well, obviously not. “Eliminate anything white: potatoes, rice, bread, pasta….”. My denying self replies, “”but I like those things”.
Well shucks, unintentionally I revealed why I might be a bit overweight. Reality.
I left frustrated, angry, disappointed and a slew of other emotions; I realized that my belief system was faulty. What I believed to be true, wasn’t. For example: Ice Cream. I enjoy it only on occasion. Yet, after reflecting over the past few weeks, I did have a double cone when visiting Tillamook Cheese Factory, and an ice cream float for the 4th of July, and ice cream sandwich to celebrate birthdays, and a cone just because…. Maybe that is more than occasionally, since that was all in the last six weeks.
Ugh! I hated it. As the weekend progressed, Kristin had mental visits with Kristin. Pay attention. Be mindful. What is the truth about your eating habits, exercise habits?
Like many of the people I coach, my perception of reality wasn’t the truth. Shucks. Another opportunity to learn about empathy and how to better myself as a coach. Must I? Yes. And I will be grateful because of what I get to learn and eventually share with others.
The intriguing thing about this. I teach this stuff. I work this stuff. But, obviously have not applied it correctly. And that is the problem, I know, but hadn’t been doing. Or paying attention. Or ignoring…Whatever it was, change is about to happen.
And like the people I coach, sometimes they don’t face reality either.
So, I am starting a new lifestyle journey – for my health, for feeling more energetic, and to be honest, to please (show) the doc. I have six months….
So I am creating an accountability for myself – to you my readers, and as a journal activity. If I KNOW I have to write about it, maybe I will pay attention.
So far, this is what I have observed in one week:
- cooking and baking for groups provides pleasure in my life; but it also means I do a lot of tasting; the average ‘taste’ is about 60 calories times five tastes, equal to 300 calories.
- Bread is a snack. Toast with butter and jelly make for a great bedtime snack.
- I am busy. Busy doesn’t equal active.
- I reach for foods that are easy, not necessarily nutritious
- When bored or anxious, I want to eat – something crunchy, and it isn’t usually celery!
Here is my reality journal. I am doing this because it will make me much more accountable to myself and maybe my perception will be equal to reality. My accountability is to you, my readers. Let’s see how it works.
Please share your reality checks with me and others. This time, it is for the love of my health as well as my family,
Kristin
