Thursday 17 November 2011

Will Santa Deliver?


Change is inevitable: the rhythmic change of the seasons; cognitive change as we gain life-experience and mature; physical change; change forced upon us from external sources, and change due to our own bad habits – change, over which we tend to delude ourselves.

As I’ve matured I’ve found the following equation to always holds true.
Lack of exercise + lack of sleep + poor food choices = muddled-headed 
                                                                                                              syndrome
 It is said,  “a problem recognised is a problem solved”. If only it were that simple. Currently I’m suffering from muddled-headed syndrome and appear to lack the wherewithal to remedy my malaise. Quite frightening for a person who you used to thrive on order and self-discipline!
My appetite has blossomed, along with my waist -line and bust size, since I reached the state of hormonal mayhem. Obviously, an issue to be discuss with my gynaecologist - which I did.  His professional diagnosis?  “It’s not your hormones that are the problem, it’s the fact that you can’t stop putting food into your mouth!” What a blow– no quick fix by a miracle of modern medicine. Ball’s back in my court.

Time for reflection.

My exercise routine……. I used to walk a few kilometres daily to and from work: a habit I developed after a wonderful sojourn in Switzerland where walking is de rigueur. A bad fracture, torn ligaments and a couple of DVTs interrupted that routine. Now I’m now finding it extremely difficult to rejuvenate this practice.

Food……. According to Fit and Firm for Women (L & D Hoy), I have a few issues with food.
  1. I eat when I am sad.
  2. I feel happier after eating.
  3. I regularly feel full.
  4. I am overweight.
  5. I nibble in front of the television. (Thank goodness T.V. watching is a rare event!)
  6. I eat when I’m not hungry.
  7. I eat as a diversion.
  8. I over-indulge.
  9. I choose the wrong foods when I’m under pressure.
What a list. …..I could have my own reality T.V. show!
One of my favourite Christmas foods, which always tastes nicer when we
pick them from the canes at Lily Pilly Farm.
So to sleep……. There are no crying babies to attend to….no other demands on my time other than that of work and home duties. So what has disrupted my sleep cycle? Technology. I’m seemingly forever on the computer – for work, leisure and for my blogging “fix”.
The blue spectrum of light stimulates specific receptors in our eyes, which in turn prime wakefulness.  So the solution for getting a good night’s sleep is simple -  press the Shut Down icon on the computer…….However, for me there is a growing chasm between knowing and doing. The older I get, the harder my bad habits are to break. A very unfortunate situation.

Another downside to being at the computer incessantly - prolonged sitting trims a few years of one’s life and leads to “writer’s bottom” …….flat !

All in all, I’m feeling very displeased with myself……. and I do like to be in control.
So number 1 on my Christmas list to Santa this year?  A packet – no, make that big stocking full of self-discipline. Will Santa deliver?

I had to stop and record this Christmas display in the middle of the Australian
sun. Each to their own!


7 comments:

Ann said...

Three years ago I lost thirty pounds. I finally reached a day when I decided that was it. I changed my eating habits and the best part was feeling really good after the first few days. I am about to reach my 1,400th visit to Curves since 2004. Only a half hour, 3-4 times a week. I can tell when I don't go!

I have every confidence that you will dig deep and discover your self discipline. You sound like you are nearly there. After the first week, reward yourself! And then get your hair done. After the first ten pounds, let us know so we can cheer you on.

And keep writing...

French Basketeer.com said...

Haha Elizabeth, may Santa please bring ALL of us some self-discipline! And how about some great food & a trip to France too?

Heather Robinson said...

This is an amazing post and I so relate with what you are feeling right now, having gained over twenty pounds in the past year. But I do want to just put one thing out there--it might be your regular doc that you need to see. My Mom had important thyroid issues during pre-menopause and the real thing. As soon as she got on the right medication, boom, her weight went back to what is normal for her. Now, I have no such excuse, but it is a thought!

Have you ever tried yoga? I hate the gym and have knee issues so running is out. I love it. I learned it from my Mom, then in a class and now do online classes on either Yoga Today or My Yoga Online.

Sending a hug your way. We'll figure it out!

LaPouyette said...

Oh Dear,

I used to suffer from terrible migrane, so I really emphasize with you. Knowing what it means and does to us.

My suggestion: Just forget self discipline and loosing weight and all...rubbish....for the moment and
"Lass Deine Seele baumeln" for a while. Which means 'let your soul hang-out' ! Do what you feel like, even eating cake or chocolate or...and do not have a bad feeling about because that's the worsed.

Most of the problems and pains in our body are psychosomatic, our soul is always looking for a place to hide!

Will write to you soon,
meanwhile best wishes for a good weekend without any head pains etc...
Santa Claus will do a proper delivery!

Take care, stay cool,
greetings,
karin

P.S. thanks a lot for your mail and, as I mentioned, will write to you soon.

LaPouyette said...

P.S.
Just read your post and my comment again. Now it seems that I've lot 'muddled' up somehow. Tried to look up what means 'muddled head syndrome' and could not get a straight answer.

But first, please, when I mentioned 'rubbish' I do not want to be rude. I just translated from German, when I would say "der taegliche Muell" which means the daily difficulties and endless small things we have to deal with. My English is terrible!

However, I think that I know by now what you mean with all you mention in your post.

I'm far away from being a self-disciplined person, and the more I try the more difficult it seems to be......

So, I decided to learn to accept myself as I am, easier said than done!!!! And, believe me, I get the crisis every so often!
Then I put some good music on, have a glass of whiskey or two.... thinking about the good things in life....don't want to be 20 anymore (although I looked much better in those years - ha-ha) and being happy for a few hours.

And - the absolute best medicine is to have a laughter :) :) :) !!!
It really takes the internal stress away.....

I agree with Yoga (not doing it but planning since year to learn it), any kind of meditation is helpful, silence, nature, and talking to animals always lift me up.
So, do not torture yourself at the moment by trying to be disciplined, loosing weight etc.
And I know that the 'French-house-situation' is definitely not very helpful for you, but there is always some light at the end of the tunnel!
My mother who also was in Nepal and Tibet, used to say: "Immer wenn Du denkst es geht nicht mehr, kommt von irgendwo ein Lichtlein her!"

In diesem Sinne,
have a relaxed Sunday and a very good start in the new week.
Warm greetings,
karin

sharon santoni at my french country home said...

I think everyone has phases like this Elizabeth, but facing up to it is half the battle. If you were looking for suggestions, I would say find a buddy who makes you laugh and who wants to get some gently exercise like you, be it yoga or aqua gym.
Have to smile at your computer addiction - a few years back that was the blight of the teenage generation, but I think that bloggers left them behind a long time ago!
Thank you for stopping by so regularly, I always enjoy your comments, wishing you a good week
Sharon
xox

Meine Dinge Franka said...

So what can I say!

Karin found the right words!
I totally agree with her!

Thank for your *German* comment1
:-)

♥ Franka