Sunday Thoughts to Ponder...A Journey...

I recently reconnected with a high school buddy through Facebook.  In our conversations I said that I didn't post too many personal things on FB as I questioned whether anyone would really want to read what I had to say...was I smart enough, witty enough, informed enough...etc.  Her response was, "Helen, at our age we should be able to say whatever we want and not worry what others think."  That one little sentence has been replaying and replaying in my mind ever since...

As I wrote in an earlier blog, I have struggled with exactly what I want this blog to be.  I know if I am not true to myself,  readers will see through the BS and pretense and not care to follow.  I also know I run the risk of alienating folks if I keep changing but....if the shoe doesn't fit.....

Sometime in my mid-30's my mother's DNA kicked in and I started gaining weight.  And after being diagnosed and treated for Graves Disease, I gained even more weight and have struggled ever since to get it under control.  My family watched my mother deteriorate as she aged, as she gained more and more weight...the diabetes, heart trouble, back surgery and eventual Dementia.  It was painful to watch and left an indelible scar in my brain and on my soul and I do not want to be that person.

So here I am, overweight, high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, filled with arthritis, high cholesterol and in my opinion spinning out of control.  I KNOW what I need to do, no question, I am smart enough to realize the consequences of not making my health my number one priority.

I've done Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins and even went to a weight clinic.  They all work, but you have to keep following the plan and that is where I run into trouble.  It's someone's birthday at the office, or somebody brought in left over goodies from the weekend, samples at the grocery store, not having the healthy stuff on hand, being bored, being sad, being happy....being out of control.

So it's time to begin a journey and I think the best way for me to succeed is to share it with others.  I cannot be a successful business owner/blogger if I am not a successfully healthy human being.  The two do not mesh....it may work for awhile, but one or the other will break.

I am not a particularly athletic person, but I do enjoy being outside walking and working on my container garden; I have practiced a bit of yoga and Tai Chi.  I think these are excellent places to start my journey: with small steps, adding/expanding a bit each week or so until I feel comfortable again in my own skin, and not ashamed at what I have let myself become.

Sun Salutation is a great way to start the day.  I did 4 sequences this morning.

Well, I don't know if I'm at this point yet; BUT, a I had very similar advice before my double knee replacement surgery and it was so appropriate and made a HUGE impact on my recovery.  I need to adopt this attitude right now and apply it to my whole life.

Now, for the eating part of this equation.  I felt most comfortable and had the most lasting success with South Beach.  Getting through the first 3-4 days of no simple carbs and no sugar is quite difficult, but I did it and felt increasing better each day I followed the plan.  The biggest element to being successful is having the right food on hand at all times and never letting myself get so hungry that I would eat the table if I could fit it in my mouth-believe me I have felt this way at times!

Adopting a healthy eating plan and sticking to it may seem simple to many people.  Trust me, it is not.  Like any other addiction, food/eating incorrectly does not have an easy "fix" (pardon the pun).  It takes planning, small steps and a positive attitude....and it can't be done cold turkey.  We do need food to survive, damn, it would be much easier if we didn't.

So, how does all of this tie together, you may ask...when I started this blog I  had every intention of making it all about "physical creativity"...crochet, knitting, sewing, gardening, journaling with snippets of items that I sell sprinkled in along the way.  But ALL of life involves creativity and I feel I must also share how I create a healthier life, and in turn continue to grow my "hands-on" creative life.  And my high school friend?  I'm going to tell it like I see it, the good, the bad, the ugly and most importantly, the successful, the positive, the healthy...creating on the wings on serendipity, one day, one step at a time.

Where Do I Begin?

I have a birthday coming up this week...let's say I'm fairly certain I've already lived the first half of my life.  And that's ok, it's what I do with the rest that intrigues me...

I have a lot of dreams, desires and hope for tomorrow and all the tomorrows I may enjoy.  There are a few things I wish I had done differently, but at this point it doesn't really matter.  I'm here and I'm ready to write several more chapters.

I figure it's never too late to be healthier and more fit so I have embarked on a wellness program.  I've been stumbling a bit, but I will continue, taking little steps along the way that will eventually add up to a whole lot of improvement.

My family is my number one priority.  Always has been and always will be.  They are the reason I get up each day and more forward with plans to better myself.  I owe them the best me I can be.  Without their love and support I would lost.

I love to craft.  I love to write.  I love music. I love Mother Nature. I would not know how to get from morning to night without visiting with the "creative" me for a few hours.  It is how I breathe.  Some may find it odd that I would take on developing a home business at my age, I should be retiring in a few years.  No, I don't think so.  I feel that my best work is still to come and I long to dive into it head first.  Work continues on my craft room/space and I am constantly finding new ways to use the talents my DNA has given me.  My crochet, knitting, sewing, journaling, jewelry design & scrapbooking will travel with me until my last breathe.  The music in me accompanies and soothes with every step I take.  And words, oh my, words never cease to amaze, confound and delight me as they tumble across the page expressing my innermost thoughts, dreams, desires and hopes as well as the demons, 

the fears and the failures.

Turning 63 may be daunting to some.  To me, it's just the beginning of a long and wondrous journey.  My hand is outstretched in friendship; I hope you will journey with me from time to time.

Something New

For years I have used the same old crochet hooks and knitting needles, all metal or plastic, some of them the very needles or hooks my Mom and Grandmother had!  A few months ago I could not find my "G" crochet hook so I went to Jo Ann Fabric and Crafts  to get a new one.  And I discovered something new.  I saw these hooks with much wider handles and thought, 

hm-m-m that looks interesting.  

Well I got one, and now I have 3.

I can hardly believe what a difference it makes using this hook when I crochet.  

My grip is much more relaxed and my hand does not tire as quickly...and oh how my thumb used to hurt.  It will still hurt if I crochet for hours, but I get a lot more stitches in than I ever did using the narrow hooks.  I plan on replacing every hook I have with this much more ergonomic design.

Another thing I discovered is bamboo knitting needles.  They are extremely light which translates into more knitting before my hands tire, they are very smooth and the yarn glides nicely on and off the needle.  I have started replacing my knitting needles as well.

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks!  I've certainly learned a few and plan on learning a few more before I'm done.

Take care...

Scarves

I absolutely love knitting or crocheting scarves.  The way the yarn comes together is always a surprise, from unrolling the twisted up skien to the finished product is a process that never ceases to "entertain" and delight me.  I have had so much fun making these two designs this winter and they have been received so well that custom orders are waiting to be filled and I actually need to order more of the ruffle yarn.

Another favorite has been this cowl.  I found the directions on a lovely blog, fiber flux and added my own individual touch by crocheting a flower to attach.

I remain forever grateful to both my Grandmother and my Mom for teaching me these time honored needle arts.

-Until Next Time...Helen