~10 Months to the day…!~

…. I started my journey – which happens to be today, 10 months ago – 10 months of no processed bread, no processed milk and dairy products, no processed meats, no processed fast foods, no quick fixes, pills or potions all replaced with wholesome REAL foods, mostly prepared with enjoyment, love and pride and the cherry on the top, is that the couch potato has become known to love exercising and working out in a GYM!  How did I choose to celebrate it?  Started my morning with a piping hot cup of black coffee, followed a session of low-impact exercising due to a recent injury  This change has been a truly life-altering one, one that is indeed habit forming and addictive, one that I can only hope will continue as the closing chapter into my search for my health and wellness Utopia…

This is me  pre (size 44/46 XXXL) and post (size 34 S/M)-10 months into my lifestyle change

I stopped counting the weight loss  about 9 weeks ago…despite my bathroom scale(s) confronting me every morning with an alluring “please hop on” pick up line, I avert my eyes and head for the toothbrush instead!  The scale doesn’t reign supreme in my life anymore – walking into a clothing store and looking past the plus sizes and at normal 12 sizes smaller than that which I wore 10 months ago motivates me, the ability to walk up to 30kms a week inspires me and mostly, that I no longer depend on an injection and pills to regulate my blood pressure and blood sugars, paves the way for me to enjoy this lifestyle change…and remain committed to this way of life.

In committing to this change in my eating and fitness regime that has seen me reverse my 14 years of chronic illness, namely Insulin dependent Diabetes and Hypertension, which is indeed life-threatening, my decision to change was a conscious one.  One often fraught with anxiety, confusion, distraction, distress, frustration,  indecision, insecurity, panic, unhappiness, and so many other experiences and feelings that could have easily allowed my eating and exercise to come to a grinding halt and see my life spiralling out of control again through my inability to remain inspired and motivated by my progress to a new me….BUT I realised that going through these emotions have added to my commitment and resolve to bettering ME, my life and those that are a part of it and if I allow myself to wallow in apathy and self pity and let these emotions consume me, then I would be letting myself down and in the process letting my family down too.

A big part of my journey has been about inspiring change and motivating others too, which by default to this lifestyle change has indeed occurred and has proved to be a humbling and rewarding experience.  By the same token, I am continually inspired and motivated by the experiences and transformation of others who continue to instil in me their brave and courageous victories of transformation – transformations which are proof of their die-hard attitudes and commitment and dedication to making their lives better by enriching their bodies and minds with all things healthy, and soaking themselves up in a lifestyle change that has allowed them to lead normal lives by their own healthy standards, in a society that demands that all its’ peoples “conform” to standards of excellence…it’s through this that I have learned that I shouldn’t settle for mediocrity…that I should aspire to be the best that I can be…for me and for those whose lives I add meaning to.

Will I continue? Indeed yes!  It took me a good life-time to cause myself to be unhealthy and I believe that it will take me the rest of my life to correct the damage inflicted to me by me.  Any regrets?  Indeed…that I didn’t find myself through making the correct choices years ago…BUT I realise that with this new lease on my health status and my life, I can look forward to the next 10 months to a self-altered me, with commitment and dedication, planning and preparation,…making more momentous milestones in continuing my journey to ME.

My mantra and motto as I embrace me and my lifestyle change is CARPE DIEM …taking my life back by seizing and embracing each glorious day that I am privileged to experience,  and exploit its’ opportunities to the fullest, in finding my own Utopia…

ALUTA CONTINUA…