Meat vs Clock

Food and I have a good relationship, that is, on a scale of good better best. Like most relationships we’ve had our ups (weight gains) and a few lows (weight loss and fitness spurts) and where there have been issues we’ve negotiated, tolerated, avoided and to a less extent actively treat , but what we have never done is Quit. So as the new year approached (from November) I’ve been thinking about how we will move into the next phase of the scale and establish a better relationship.

We’ve been here before as I am reminded in a blog entry March 10, 2011 – DAY ONE. But things are different now. I am forty years old, and I plan on living another forty (doing the things I can control) and how I age gracefully. 

Clock A few months ago I stumbled on intermittent fasting and gave it a passing thought; more recently with an increase in my work-life im-balance the evidence of which can be observed through weight gain, consistent fatique, pains without any genesis, and eczema breakouts – I bumped into yet again  the Keto ( Meat) diet. I called a friend, read all I could to remind myself why it is a good plan , I then joined a support group. 

I wasn’t at ease though- I had a moral and personal dilemma. I love food especially carbs (fruits, plantains, rice, bananas) actually the thought of a ripe banana makes me smile and I really think Fruits should be had in all its glory and meat less so– this is going to be a challenge.

Facing the challenge, I revisited my objectives. Lifestyle change for wellness, not for weight loss. I actually want to have a flat belly, clean/ clear skin, toned limbs and a tight ass residing in a healthy  weighted body! Let me check this Intermittent fasting thing again.

Intermittent fasting isn’t as scary to me as Keto; I’m predisposed to it. Growing up in a dogmatic protestant home, fasting two days per week was an on-going exercise. The draw-back was that I don’t remember any weight fluctuations among the participants – maybe I was too young or maybe the religious take have different side effects. But at least I know going in, its something I can more than do.

I put both to  my doctor – and she recommended I try the Intermittent fasting. So here’s to Day One!

Approach to Aging

I recall a conversation with my  girlfriend of 35 years. She had just turned 40 and I was looking at 40 in another few months. The white sprinkling in the hair roots, bloated belly and eerie pains and discomfort were popping up. I looked over at her, we were relaxing under a shaded tree (I was under the shade) looking out at the ocean and sipping chilled fermented potatoes (vodka) with a fruit juice chase while she puffed on a small more than medically recommended roll (scliff) of weed (for her fibromyalgia- but we will get into this later).

“I want to age gracefully.”

“Gracefully” she moves her head in my direction, to garner clarification on this concept. 

“Gracefully?”

“Yes, eating, exercising, positive thinking, kind of thing – naturally, embracing aging’

She almost chokes on her puff, ‘Why the hell, - you know what- you do that – Eating – Ok, but Natural bla bla bla,  I’ll be nipping, tucking, sucking and plucking my way through aging.’ She laughs, throws her head back and lets out a puff. 

I laughed aloud, our strategy for aging was as far as the east was from the west but our destination the same – Aging but looking and feeling fabulous!