Monday again. This past weekend, Jack and I stayed with our good friends, Lainie and Tom.
We’ve known them since high school and together weathered every phase of life: dating, marriage, divorce, kids, grandkids, job loss, new homes, health scares, and lots & lots of fun and hard work.
Blood, sweat and tears. A lifetime of memories together.
I remember when we seemed invincible, but it’s not like that now. Time, genetics and bad choices creep up on a body.
And now here we are at the brink of retirement, wondering how to feel better.
Joint pain and arthritis. Old work injuries. Auto immune diseases. And for Lainie and me, lots of extra weight.
We spent the weekend with our usual: enjoying cocktails, smart talk and too much bad food. SO much fun. But eventually those chickens come home to roost.
For me, I knew those chickens would be roosting today. As I said in my last post, today I’m turning over a new leaf.
I’m beyond thankful for relatively good health, despite being about 50 pounds overweight. But extra weight is hard on an aging body, and if I don’t eat better, heart disease and diabetes are most definitely right around the corner.
Not to mention, lugging around 50 extra pounds is HARD. It makes exercise unbearable, which in turn leads to muscle atrophy, lack of balance and zero stamina.
Suddenly, I’m the old lady who’s fallen and can’t get up. I remember when I thought that was a joke.
I mean, forget the expensive wrinkle creams; if I want to stay youthful, I need to eat right and exercise. How long have I known this? We only get a free ride for so long.
Dear Lainie’s body started rebelling years ago. Today she’s virtually crippled from the pain of bulging back disks, fibromyalgia, overweight and pre-diabetes. She’s already undergone multiple surgeries for other health problems. Her dreams of a fun, active retirement are gone.
My heart aches for her. When will I take this seriously?
It’s so hard to start again. On yet another Monday. With yet another beginning. Another decision that “this time” I’ll turn around my unhealthy lifestyle. That I’ll stop grazing all day on sugar and bingeing on food that hates my body and causes fatty bad health.
But I’ll keep making that decision. Over and over again, until one day it sticks. Because one day, it will.
I can do it. I will do it.
Just for today, again.
xo, Jane
