Today is day 18 of my time away. I am contemplating extending my trip by two more weeks. I am wrapped up in a cocoon of healthy thoughts and actions, and I really like it. My blood sugars are normal. My blood pressure is normal. I am six pounds from crossing back over the BMI chart obese category into the merely overweight category. A place I have not been for 25 years. They make it very easy here. The food is all prepared in a healthy, balanced manner and served in a lovely dining room full of mostly energetic, kind, and enthusiastic people wanting to improve. Exercise classes are offered throughout the day that are generally fun, and sometimes ridiculously challenging. The other day as I was whipping two huge ropes against the gym floor as fast and hard as I could during interval training, I felt like I might throw up. I felt like I was on the Biggest Loser. Honestly, I am concerned that when I go home I will not be able to replicate this level of self care. I am not as worried about my being able to keep up the general exercise or eating plan, per se. I am more concerned that the stressors of real life will send me into the same patterns and habits I partook in before, before coming here.
As previously mentioned, I had never experienced even a day of depression before discovery. Since discovery I have struggled with coping. I have let the stress win. Managing stress and taking care of my emotional health will be my biggest challenge when I return to my real life.
Yesterday in a class on mastering emotions, we watched the following Ted Talk by psychologist Guy Winch. It is worth the 17+ minutes of your time, I promise. Dr. Winch is an eloquent speaker informing us or merely reminding us depending on where we are at in healing from wounds and managing life, of how important it is for the health of our bodies, to take care of our minds.
❤ Finally an apology to all my blogger friends out there… I have limited my time on my electronics since I have been here. I don’t carry my phone around with me. I only spend about 30 minutes per day on electronics and sometimes that has to be for work. I miss you all and I will be back in full force when I return home, but for now, I need this break.
try not to cry on my rainbow 
Way to go Kat! Have been away from your blog a while and was so happy to find you immersed in intensive self-care! Every time I read you are back east I think how great it would be to meet you. If the spirit of adventure moves you, and you find yourself with a few extra hours and a sense of adventure before catching a flight home, give me a holler…I’m in Connecticut.
The physical healing, balance and restoration you are cultivating will surely awaken you in beautiful and unexpected ways. Thanks always, for sharing your journey with us.
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Howdy, Amanda. Oh how I wish I was just a little closer in proximity to you! I’m currently down south a bit. I leave here on the 15th and will be returning home to quickly establish a schedule then am off to Hawaii!!! I will definitely find a way to meet up next time I’m back east. We travel to NYC a couple times a year… much closer! Thanks for the sweet words of support! This was one of the best decisions I have ever made! ♥️
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Hey kat!! I been holding off commenting, I’m dying to know how its going and if you decided to stay the extra two weeks. I hope its still going as well x x x
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Hey there Owlie! It’s going so well I may never leave! Ha! Just kidding! But I do love it here. Everything is moving in the right direction. I have now cut my final dose of diabetes medication in half. Hoping to dump it completely soon. I will be here until October 15. I feel so much better and so much stronger. One of the best decisions I have ever made. I’m even starting to like exercise! *gasp* as everyone I know faints dead away. 😊
Blue Eyes is here for a three day weekend. Today we are off on an excursion. I’ll post photos, right after I eat my healthy balanced breakfast and get in one more exercise class… 🏋
Thanks for thinking of me! 😘
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TED talk was just what I needed to hear. Thanks for sharing!
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Well, this is maybe where blogging can come in handy. Maybe u can also find a counselor who specializes in eating/emotions? Of course u always have me ❤️ I will go back to being your accountability partner if u need one. Focus on all the positive and in your head, expect and accept from yourself that will be able to do the right thing. Dieting isn’t rocket science, it’s just uncomfortable. But let’s see if we can make it as exciting as possible. Write lists of your favorite healthy snacks and activities and keep them handy as a reminder.
So proud of u!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you, thank you. Thankfully my transformation is also not just about dieting. I actually believe the positive aspects of my blood sugars and blood pressure have a lot to do with reducing fat and sodium, yes, but exercise is crucial for me. It has made all the difference. My accountability journal now includes food, exercise, and self care! 🙂 ❤ Thanks for being there for me, C!
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I am very happy for you to read how much you are enjoying yourself while away. I would extend your stay. Taking care of you is of utmost importance.
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I’ve extended and feeling great about it!!! This is really the first time since I was 20 that my life has been just about me. It feels good! I hope you are well, Bugs! ❤
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Hi Kat, So happy for you. What an amazing experience you describe! I loved the Ted Talk. Thanks for sharing it. I love Ted Talks in general and often listen to them while working out. This one had some eye opening info for sure. We were discussing self-care in my last s-anon mtg, about how it’s more than getting pedicures and massages. Emotional health is so important and so overlooked. Thanks for taking the time to blog. I have been thinking about you. Keep up the good self-care.
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I’m learning a lot and changing in positive ways. Glad you enjoyed the Ted Talk… I have another video to post soon. This one is humorous. I need to track it down. Thanks for the encouragement! ❤
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Its wonderful being merely overweight! See you on the other side soon xx
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Wonderful! ❤
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Ah Kat- it’s so good to hear you are doing so well! Self care, is something that so many of us tend to struggle with. I think you should extend your time if you can! Hold on to how good you’re feeling right now and let that push you to continue caring for yourself when you do get back! Taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally is so vital!
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Thank you, Kaye. I am staying an additional two weeks. It is also interesting being in therapy that is just focused on me and not all about sex addiction. My therapist is trained and has thirty years experience, but no experience with sex addiction. Strangely enough, it is a bit refreshing. Just focusing on my issues and not in the context of sex addiction has been enlightening. I don’t think I was completely ready to do that back during trauma therapy. It’s all good! ❤
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