My son and I live in the same house. Being two working adults, we lead busy lives and mostly bump into each other on our way out the door. Twice this week, we had a rare opportunity to spend a little time together. He looked at me and said, “You know mom, Dr. Jack has changed you so much! You are so active now. You just go go go and it’s so nice to see you enjoying your life. It’s great seeing you enjoy the things you used to love to do and couldn’t. It’s like you are a new person.” Yeah….that really is a great gift Dr. Jack gave me…… You would have had to live here to truly appreciate that. I used to have a great life. And then I got thyroid disease…..from there, back surgery…. Then my Hashimoto’s really kicked into gear and that was that….
Well, all that has changed!! That was then…. This is now!
Summer 2015: Thank God it is summer! I nearly didn’t make it to the end of the school year. Finally I hope I can get caught up. At least I hope I can… I have left so much go because I was too tired to deal with it and now I feel too exhausted to even start. And yet, I have to have enough energy for my second job. I am sooooooo tired…..
Summer 2016: Hooray it’s summer! It was a tiring end of the school year, as always, but I am ready, Bring on the summer! Now I get a chance to recharge my batteries! I can get all these things done and still have time for me! What should I do first? Dr. Jack asked me if I am going to relax. Relax??? Rest! Heck no!! There’s time for that when I get old! Got way too much energy for that now! Want to do stuff!!!!!
Then: I really need to exercise. I know I get so sore from not moving but I am so sore I can hardly move to just get the laundry and dishes done. And when I try, I hurt for days. The least little thing brings a week of recoup needed. I want to, I just can’t. It’s like a chain reaction. Gosh will this ever get better??? Everyone just says keep doing it, but it’s painful. They don’t see.
Now: Wow, Pilates first thing in the morning is so much more fun! I can alternate that with some high intensity training to rev myself up in the morning! Hey, look! I have a few hours free to try a new class at the Y! Oooooooooo…. Water aerobics? What’s PiYo? Sounds like I would like it. Strength and stretch? That sounds fun! Sore? A little but not bad enough not to go again tomorrow. It’s a nice night, maybe a walk!
Then: Laundry? It needs a day, getting groceries needs a day, mow the lawn needs a day. Clean the house? Needs a day. I can’t do them on days I have to work, I just can’t do it all. I am so tried. I am trying so hard, but I am exhausted. I need to take a break every twenty minutes.
Now: Okay! groceries, laundry, lawn in the morning…. That leaves a free afternoon until work! Hmmm…, what can I get done? I have a ton of energy left for something! Hey! If I get the cleaning done I free up tons of time tomorrow! Great still have time before work!
Then: I would love to work on art projects and sewing, but I can’t even focus long enough to get started. I used to do those all summer…. Paint, draw…go places….sew….. I tried getting things out, I am just mentally not focused. I can’t concentrate, brain fog is just too much…..Maybe next year….
Now: Holy cow! Pulled out things I haven’t touched in years…tried some new things, lots of projects all going at the same time! I have projects in every spot! How fun is this? I can keep my focus for hours now! I forgot how much I enjoyed this. Painting and listening to music. And look!!! A few hours and something is showing progress and I am soooooo relaxed!!!
Then: I should try a different diet on Monday, nothing is happening with this one. I followed it exactly and what?? I gained five pounds?? Again??? How??? How is that possible??? Ughhhhhhh…. What haven’t I tried yet? No one even believes I am trying!! Is any of this worth it??
Now: Wow, I am finally out of the diet mindset. Now I just eat what I know is best for me and avoid what isn’t. It’s mindless now. Everything is easy now and I am still losing weight. I don’t need to keep searching. My eating is more natural. I don’t feel guilty, I don’t crave weird stuff. I have all the answers I need and when I don’t, Dr. Jack is just a second away.
Then: Total books read: one…. It took me all summer to read one book! And I can’t even remember the plot. Ughhhhhhhhh….I used to love this in summer. I was the most frequent library flyer all summer long. Used to sit on the porch and read. Now I don’t even want to.
Now: I love to read, have to get some suggestions….. But…. I am way too busy doing physical stuff right now. This is so much fun! Would much rather swim. But look at the clock! I still have time and enough focus to read a few chapters!! Time to break out the reading list!! Who has suggestions???
Then: caffeine…. If I keep pumping myself with caffeine I can keep going…
Now: water…. Water…..WATER!! Loveeeeeeeee water!!! No, not full of veggies and fruit. Just water!! Lots of ice and waterrrrrrrrrr…..
Then: Sleep?? For as exhausted as I am I can’t sleep.
Now: I put in a huge full day. I am pooped! I think I will….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzx
Then: No one believed me, no one wanted to help because they all believed I was lying about what I was doing.
Now: I could care less who believes what. I found the one man who had seen it all and totally believed it. And he had all the answers! I am walking, living, breathing, living a better life at 59 than I ever did at 30!!!!!! All thanks to Dr. Jack Saia.
Sighhhhhhhhh…… I love this spot in life!! Doctor Jack has done so much for me that is so great! But this?? No way to describe this gift….
Now! I gotta scoot! Just got home from Pilates, but I am thinking a trip to the YMCA for a nice walk and maybe try out some new things is a great place to spend a rare Friday night off!