Today is New Year’s Eve here in Thailand – time to account for my efforts to lose the lard.
For me, this finally started about two years ago. I had developed lots of health issues, plus my husband was diagnosed with Type II diabetes (he never has admitted this – only says he ‘has a sugar problem‘.) Anyway, it was time for us to try to get serious about changing our ways.
We adopted a low carb diet plan. I got lots of help from Suzanne Ryan, who wrote “Simply Keto” a diet plan with recipes. She also has a blog called, “Keto Karma.”
Last February we got another wake up call – my husband and I both getting Type A Flu, his with pneumonia and mine with bronchitis and low blood oxygen. I went to the ER, died twice Feb. 11th, and was given a second chance at life with a temporary, then permanent pacemaker.
We were too sick to care for each other, so I wrote our son, who lives in
Thailand. He dropped everything, flew 24 hours to get to our home, nursed us back to health and convinced us to sell everything and move to Thailand to be close to him.
We moved to Thailand the last day of March, moving into an air bnb in the same building as our son. Two weeks later my husband had a stroke and is now in a nursing home. I have a condo now in the same building as our son.
I have been using my second chance at life to live it to the fullest, incorporating joy wherever possible. A visit to a doctor here showed blood pressure in the danger zone. I was told to lose weight, exercise, and was put on high blood pressure medication.
REPORT:
To date I have lost 86.6 pounds and 83 inches. I’m in the healthy range on the BMI charts for the first time I can remember. The healthy range for a 5’4″ female is 108-132. I started at 205. I’m at 118.3 this morning. My goal is 115-110, TBD.
I am eating breakfast and dinner, with a coffee or chocolate drink as a snack some afternoons, watching my portions. I’m not as strict on the low carb, being in Thailand where carbs are king, plus “Western food” being more expensive by far.
I am walking a mile on the treadmill at the gym every morning. I used to hang onto the bars for dear life, but now am able to walk without holding on at all. (My brain and body need to be retrained on balance since my experience at the hospital, and my inner ears are still causing problems when I’m walking and turn my head to either side.) I am improving, though, so I’m grateful.
I’m doing old lady yoga stretches one day – along with special exercises suggested by my son, Brian, and the doctor – and I’m trying to do a plank for as long as possible; alternating with arm exercises with water bottles the next day; plus Internet balance exercises daily and dancing like a nut to some great music. (I wear headphones so I don’t bother the neighbors.)
So that’s the report. I’m hopeful that in 2026 I’ll reach my final weight loss goal and can switch to maintenance, plus add to, or modify the exercise program I’m following now to gain stamina, strength, and flexibility.
Onward and downward!
creativeartworksblog 