Sedona Bound

Since I'll be heading back to Sedona in just four weeks, I am going to use this blog for encouragement to get in just a tad more shape than I am now. No miracle diets or exercises that will somehow create a toned body by the wedding I will be attending, but just better.

I had a spell of anxiety a few weeks ago and went off what I thought was a good diet and exercise routine, so I want to get back on board along with more meditation and care of myself, starting now.

Partly that's organizing the world around me: today and tomorrow, finances. Tomorrow and Sunday my house including putting up drapery rods that includes re-drilling the supports for them. Along the way, some gentle reorganization around me so I can find what I need, and better daily organization so I can get done what I need each day so I can take off to Sedona without feeling as though I'm disordered and half-prepared.

On returning, I'll have another 14 weeks before I'm in the thick of readying for Fall classes. That's when I want to feel as though I have done a good job shaping my habits and myself so that I can continue to eat and live in a more healthy and mindful way.

So for four weeks that means walking almost every day which I've been doing; exercising at the Y at least 2 days a week and trying for 3. Exercising at least 3 additional days at home. Watching what I eat. Steering clear of alcohol and sweets. Not eating after 7. Having a fast for at least 12 hours (7-7). 

That's it! Old school stuff! I can do it blindfolded! (Though I should walk blindfolded, or I'll end up in traction before the wedding.)

My goal is to get back to the weight loss I'd managed which is five pounds (I think at least a couple of the "re-gain" is water weight, so it's probably just 3 pounds of "real" weight which should be manageable in 4 weeks.)

It also means feeling a bit more toned.

Along the way, putting aside exactly what I need for the trip, including clothes, "tools," and finding someone to watch Buddy.

Can I do this in 4 weeks? Yes. I. Can. 

To keep with the title of this blog, I can do it by trimming away what distracts me and doesn't add to my core goals. Less (stuff, distractions, empty activities, empty calories) is more (more accomplished, and more feeling at peace*). (*I hope!)

Full Circle

The beautiful location of Sedona is where one of my sons and his lovely fiance will be married this year in April. I am thrilled mainly because they care so much about each other and have created a life together, but I am also excited to come back to this lovely place. I look forward to watching their journey. 

In the meantime, since this was a blog about getting healthy, I'm back on that journey. Diagnosed with cancer more than 6 months ago, I am working again to eat well, lose weight, and stay in shape, this time because I want to decrease the chances of recurrence and increase the chances of being healthy enough to  enjoy the company of my family and friends for a long time to come and avoid as much as possible the problems that come with avoidable chronic illnesses. 

My successes on this blog were not lasting. I could see on a diet and wellness app I used that the work I did in the spring and summer months to get in shape were wiped out in the first three months of being back at work. Stress and sedentary behavior of being linked to my computer and, in general, failing to prioritize me and my health led to backsliding.

I am (re)committed to making a consistent and lifelong change of taking better care of myself, of saying no to those (and myself) who ask me to commit to what I think would be overcommitment, and to be in a place where I can use my self-care as a place to take care of others and work on taking care of the Earth. Again, an interesting way to circle back to this lovely, almost mystical, location.