A pathway…a hike…a journey…a road to travel.
All those and more are the reasons that I make and check on my resolutions each year. Those resolutions are goals and signposts of where I want to go and how I want to be. They represent who I think I want to be and all my many interests. None are carved into stone and so each is allowed to develop (or not) in my life as I go through the year. Sometimes I see some goal become a part of my life. Others visit my life from time to time but never quite move into it full time. And, others, like many interests and desires, fall by the wayside.
So, let’s see where my path has gone thus far and what has changed, if anything, in my goals.
The first resolution had to do with Health. I have reached the 3/4 century mark in age and am relatively healthy. I take vitamins and minerals, but, as of this moment, no prescribed medications. Everything I take is OTC (over the counter). This is a big deal for me as I was placed on prescribed medications from birth for seizures, which I outgrew. Later it was for other ills, the most chronic of which was elevated cholesterol. However, at this time, I am off all oral prescriptions. (I still have external creams for psoriasis.) And, I am so proud of the fact that I no longer need those meds for chronic conditions!
As I have aged, though, I have noticed a decrease in strength. It was not a big deal when my husband was alive, because he could always open that stubborn jar for me. Now that I am on my own, my strength has become a concern of mine. However, exercise with weights and equipment has not been successful, so I am looking for other ways to maintain my health and stay fit.
I had 3 sub-categories under health: exercise, nutrition, and cooking methods. How am I doing? Well, for exercise, I chose walking at least a mile or doing an activity for at least an hour. I was interested in learning to kayak, hiking and nature walks. For nutrition, I wanted to explore other cuisines (Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, and Indian) and make at least one new recipe a week. And, I wanted to learn other ways of cooking to expand my abilities and knowledge (fire, Omni oven, grill and slow cooker).
I have been hiking several times. I was increasing my hikes by a mile a month and made it to 4 miles…and then I got severe allergies and fell off of the outside activities. I have now started walking several times a week in my neighborhood. I try to do it daily, but I don’t always achieve that goal. And, it is only about 1/2 mile each time.
I was motivated in my hiking by mixing it up with a goal to visit Scotland. I want to walk the land in that country. I still plan to go next year, which is motivating me to get back outside again.
I haven’t tried the kayaking at all, but maybe this summer when it is warmer. Upper body strength is really necessary for that sport. The only time I tried it (about 3 years ago), I was exhausted and one of the last of the group to get back to the dock.
The nutrition and cooking also has fallen off my actions. I am trying to eat less fried and fast foods, although I still get lazy and choose those foods for a quick meal. And, I have tried other cuisines about once a month or so, but I have not incorporated them into home meals or regular ways of eating.
I started out well with the one new recipe a week goal and was really enjoying it, but I got behind, and now it is a long lost idea. The issue is that as a one person household, I do not consume most recipes fully…and leftovers get a bit tiring day after day. I need to learn how to preserve (i.e. freeze) food for later.
Nor have I done anything with different cooking methods on a regular or even semi-regular basis, although I did try making a dish over a fire in a cast iron skillet for a cooking contest at a camping rally. It wasn’t bad…but it could use some tweaking to make it better. I made up the recipe, and I am proud of my efforts in cooking a new way and entering a contest. Both were way out of my usual way of doing things!
How do I feel about my health? About the same. I still want to improve it, but I am (in body) a bit lazy. I enjoy the walking and exploring new places, so I plan to keep on doing that. My biggest challenge is getting myself out of the door. To combat that and to aid my hiking plan, I keep a pair of socks, my boots, my hiking poles, a day pack and a cap in my car at all times.
I also enjoy gardening, which requires some physical labor. The downside of using gardening for exercise is that it is not much activity on a daily basis. For example, right now my food garden is growing…not much to do but watch and assist as needed. My flower garden has just had a few established plants added…so the same for it, watch and assist, now that the planting is done.
The other part of my health is the lack of energy at times. I have times of high energy when I get a lot of things done; and then I have times when my energy is totally drained, and I fall asleep for a couple of hours. This is relatively new in the past few years, and I am thinking it is an aging thing as my MD has found nothing wrong. Still, it is frustrating at times. I am learning, however, to recognize when that energy drain is occurring and stop what I am doing to rest.
I have more energy in the mornings than later in the day and so can accomplish more physical type activity during that part of my day. However, that is also the time that my brain is the sharpest…and thus, the time that I do my reading, planning and general intellect type stuff. Somehow I need to find the necessary balance.
Overall, my health is stable with room for improvement in nutrition and cooking methods. As for exercise, I need to get back to hiking and maybe try kayaking or some other sport.
UPDATE: It has been a month since I wrote this. In the meantime, I got Covid followed by a week of upper respiratory virus (cold). My walking plan got interrupted and has not really be resumed. I have learned that I like Pad Thai and Korean food. I also tried a new restaurant with friends that is Asian in style. Loved the bowls. Due to being sick, my eating plan has become healthier, although some of it is due to frozen meals. And, some is due to the tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and blueberries that I harvested this month from my garden. Also…I am eating more fish rather than red meats. Overall…doing better with this goal.
Feathers of My Mind 