Sunday, January 19, 2020

Forward progress

Every dream or goal can be attained, so long as you just keep moving forward. Every step is a step in the right direction.

This weekend I knew I had to make a choice of those steps.  Instead of one, I made two!  Two 5K races, both which benefit local charities, and both which are on road/trails in my area.

Why a 5K?  My doctor even asked me that question.  I feel it's due to the accountability of paying an entry fee.   I don't like to waste money.  I can also work up to it over time and I know that some folks that enter are the same boat as myself.  I may never be first, and even if I came in last I know I will finish.  That is the goal - completion.  With my short legs I have to push to complete a 5K in under an hour.  It sucks to get passed by someone in their 70's with long legs! 

But my dreams / goals cannot be obtained with just exercise.  In order to help reach my goal, exercise is only one part. I've been diagnosed with Familial hypertriglyceridemia.  Basically it's high triglycerides (fat in the blood) without having high total cholesterol and passed down thru genetics.  Supposedly it affects about 1% of the population (yay me).  While most of the time people can control it with diet and exercise, there comes a time that extra help is needed.  For the last 10 years I've tried statins, omega 3's, niacin, and a combination along with diet and exercise.  I've tried limiting food groups, removing food groups.  My numbers are still high, so we're trying a new drug and 3 month diet limiting foods with saturated fats and cholesterol and increasing exercise.  We've already made some minor changes, swapping out things like plant butter instead of dairy butter or oatmeal in place of breadcrumbs for meatballs!

I am 1 month in of my 3 month goal.  During the winter months I struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.  It is very common for those of us in the Northern parts of the USA.  It's gotten worse for me the last few years but this year I have a plan.   Treadmill walking 3 times a week, day of yoga, day of weight training, a rest day, and a reading day.  Couple this with dietary changes, and playing with the dog more, and the satisfaction of completing not just one, but two 5K's and keeping a gratitude journal.

Next up, the dietary swaps I've made - and what recipes are getting thrown out. 
Cheers!







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