I think a lot of people were waiting to see the end of 2020 and now here we are in 2021 and really it doesn’t look that different yet. Covid infections still on the rise, restrictions still in place, masks and handwashing and working from home all still very much a feature of day to day life.
I’ve spent some time over the past few days reflecting on things. In particular about my health. I had a call from the doctor with my latest blood test results just before new year and she gave me a bit of a grave prognosis. I need to clean up my act in terms of my diet and exercise or I will have bigger and less treatable health problems developing by the end of this year. So the warning is – change your ways now while you still can.
So I spent some time journalling this over the past few days, trying to puzzle it out. Why is it, when I know exactly what I need to eat and how much I need to exercise, that I just don’t do it? Is it some sulky teenage part of me that hates being told what to do? Is it some kind of immortality complex that I couldn’t possibly have any health problems because I’m too young? (Ahem – self – I need to correct you on that one sweetie.) Is it just that I don’t want to because it’s too hard and takes too much effort?
All of this I’ve been pondering, and I’ve given myself a good talking to, and I’m starting. I’ve started with small goals – eat two portions of fruit every day or do one minute of plank for each fruit I don’t eat; eat three vegetable portions every day or do five minutes of sun salutations for each vegetable portion I am short; eat four fish-based meals each week (two lunch, two dinner) or no cheese for the following week. (No cheese!) I’ll start with these small goals to change my diet and see how I go.
For exercise, I still haven’t quite worked that one out yet. I need to get myself back into an exercise schedule. Certainly these days off over Christmas / New Year have been good in terms of rest and relaxation but not so good in terms of exercise. Or having a schedule. Although I did get six books read and I watched the whole series of Little Fires Everywhere (it was so good!!). It was good to spend some time zoned out and in another world. I now feel better about going back to work, almost looking forward to it. Talk to me on Friday and I’m sure I’ll have changed my mind but for now, yes, I’m feeling positive, I’m looking forward to it.
I’ve set my Goodreads reading challenge for the year at 33 books, a little more than last year’s (amended) target. Originally last year I aimed for 36, but by December it was looking very skinny, so I changed my target down to 30, which I ended up beating with 35 – close to my original target – due to the holiday reading binge. Without my commute I find it hard to get regular reading time. And if I need to spend more time moving this year (fitness! health!) then that’s less reading time.
Which reminds me… I’ve promised to do yoga this afternoon so I need to go and get signed onto the class for that. See, movement! I’m doing something. Even if it’s yin yoga, the kind where you don’t really move much.
Anyway, good luck and best wishes to all my readers who are going back to work tomorrow! New year, new hope, new leaf.
Tales from Tobhamhor 
HNY! I fully support your new healthy goals. You mentioned the challenge of exercise, so I can’t help but wonder, do you live in a walkable neighborhood? Because walking is easy but great exercise. Yoga with Adriene on YT is doing another 30 days of yoga challenge that is always popular. Also PopSugar Fitness has a TON of exercise vids on YT, some as little as 5 mins long.
I have to admit your diet plan sounds complicated but you know yourself best. Fruits and veggies are the most filling. I guess because they have the most fiber. Have you heard of Fiber Fueled? It might be a book you want to check out.
Anyway, sorry if I’m being annoying. Congrats on your book goal! I can’t believe how much everyone reads. I felt pretty good at 31 until I saw that some folks read 100 books a year??? Then again if the average is to be believed then 31 is better than 12. š
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Thanks and Happy new year to you too! And thanks for all your suggestions!
Yes, I do walking, but not enough, and from what the doctor said, walking alone won’t be enough to put a dent in my cholesterol and blood sugar problems. š¦ And that’s why I might be staying away from PopSugar – the name sounds a little scary to me right now š I read your post about going vegan – I’m not organised enough to do that but I certainly do want to bump up my fruit and veg intake while cutting down on the crap (like all those cakes and biscuits and chocolates we bought for Christmas…) I have got a subscription to my local yoga studio (I went for the cheap option – the library of recorded classes, not live classes) so I probably have enough yoga… just have to organise time to do it. I think the unstructured time of Christmas/New Year hasn’t helped. I’m hoping that now I’m back in a M-F routine I’ll find a better way to bring in some exercise. But this week has been all about changing my eating habits and getting organised around food.
My sister read something like 60 books last year – but she is retired so she has lots more time free. Really, is 12 the average? I think we can both feel pretty good about ourselves in comparison with that number!
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š I’m happy to hear about your yoga sign up and that you’ll be back in a routine. That all will definitely help.
Carrot juice is supposed to be good for lowering cholesterol and blood sugars. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/carrot-juice-benefits#The-bottom-line
Smoothies, actually, are also another good way to get your 5-a-day. I’m working on a blog post about what I eat, so it’s fresh in my mind.
Take good care, and yes, you’re right, we should feel good about how much we’ve read! xo
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