Mental day off

Change of plans for today … I’m taking a mental day off.

Just two days ago I told my son that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”  ….. who knew I’d be saying the same thing to myself.

The doctor called me yesterday .. and I have PreDiabetes … I know it’s not major .. I know people have far worse problems than I … but I still need a few days to have my own pity party and then I’ll shake it off.     (My brain is thinking … great … PreDiabetes+Thyroid+Dairy Allergy+IBS .. I’m falling apart.)

If they had told me that in April I would have expected it … but 44 pounds lighter I really thought I was on the right track.

The good news is ..it’s not the traveling that made me sick …it was the change in my diet.  I had bacon at Founders Circle for the first time in six months…and of course I had it every day I was there.  I was on vacation and crazy me thought that meant I could eat foods that I had given up.

Since last night I struggled with whether to share this information .. I know that some of you need a place to go to escape yourself and I want my blog to be a happy place for you.  But .. there are some people that need this information.

Before I lost weight I knew I was one step away from a heart attack, a stroke or Diabetes ….  and I took action.  But I should have done it sooner.  Everyone told me and I just couldn’t  be bothered with focusing on me. 

When it becomes important to you .. you’ll take action … but what if you never get there.  Must we wait until we’re forced?

A few years back I may the mistake of saying that “since my father wouldn’t slow down … God slowed him down”. I’m proud to say I get my work habits from him.  But who knew I’d be eating my own words so soon?  No biggie I’m ALWAYS eating my words!!  I’ve also learned to Never say Never!!

So, what’s next .. 

  • Next week I start classes on how to change my diet and add an exercise program.  (I hate to sweat so this should be interesting.)
  • Clean out all the bad foods from the pantry and fridge.
  • Plan meals
  • Grocery shopping 

This is where I’d like to start crying .. none of that sounds fun and who has time for all that … PLUS I have a family to feed that can have all the things I can’t!!

See…..this is why I need a day off … I somehow have to find how to turn this negative into a positive.

The only thing I came up with so far is maybe I’ll lose another 20 pounds ..then I’d actually be the recommended weight for my height.  And one more .. maybe my energy level will increase .. this being tired all the time is such a pain!!!

Have a great weekend and thanks for listening to me!!!

graphics-loveangie

34 thoughts on “Mental day off”

  1. Thank you for posting this today – I follow your blog and love your work. You are such an inspiration in so many ways! I need to do the same things you are doing for health reasons and keep putting it off… with 3 young children at home who count on me so much. I know you can do it! Because of you, posting what you are going through and the struggles, I know I too can do it too. Take that mental health day – I am cheering for you and I know lots and lots of others are too!!!!! Hugs from Colorado 🙂

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  2. So many hugs to you Angie. You know you are strong and you WILL cope with this, but I understand how frustrated you must feel with one more thing to have to manage. Hopefully the upside will be that when your new regime is working for you, you will feel much better in yourself. Take the time to take care of yourself. X

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  3. I know how you feel Angie. It can be so overwhelming to hear that you aren’t healthy. I was always very healthy and then BAM! I went from heathy to unhealthy over night. That’s how it felt anyway. Here I was having tons of problems that I was to busy to pay attention to warning signs. Plus I didn’t know how you complain to a doctor that I was tired, so, so, tired. Well here I had no iron, low blood count-should have went to sleep and never woke up, but didn’t-my joints were killing me, and I was exhausted all the time! Here come to find out I had Lupus, RA and fibromaylgia. How could I be that sick??? At first they thought it was leukemia, but my bone marrow test showed that it wasn’t. I really thought I was getting lazy, but with a family of 8-all guys but me-I didn’t have time to be lazy!!! It took me a long time to let go of who I used to be and accept who I am now. So I can see why you have to have some alone time to figure this out. I pray that you are able to and that you don’t get full blown diabetes. I had gestational diabetes but controled it with diet, so I am praying to that I don’t get diabetes again. Hang in there you are a strong woman and you will get through this!!!! Prayers and hugs to you!

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  4. Oh Angie, life sure can be a bummer sometimes, but as you have demonstrated in the pass, you will find the solution to being able to handle it and make it work. Ya know if you change your diet, it will also be good for your whole family too because they will be eating healthier right along side of you, and hopefully not have any of these same problems crop up like what’s hit you lately. Just keep the good Lord along side of you and He will give you the correct path to follow! 🙂

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  5. Angie, Here’s a positive – Someone reading your post today might go get their health checked out! Maybe they will be encouraged to eat better, exercise (oh my do I really need to walk ???), take their medicine, see their doctor. All this just by reading you post. A GREAT POSITIVE. And just know, you are not alone!!! Take care of yourself, we’ll wait. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO! ALL YOUR SHARING!!!

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  6. I never post on any blog, but I felt necessary today. First of all, you need to take care of yourself. Probably more important than that, is you’re removing foods your family SHOULDN’T eat also. They will have your same issues later on. There are so many great/tasty alternatives. GO FOR IT & change it a day at a time.

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  7. Angie,

    I just want you to know I know what thoughts are going through your head because I had the same diagnosis 2 years ago. I was ashamed and really thought I had eaten myself into diabetes. The classes were great and I was told over and over…”you have nothing to be ashamed of…Nothing!” God bless you.

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  8. Love, Hugs and Prayers to you Angie! I know we all face change with a bit of angst and sadness but often we find our new path is paved with good things. You have inspired us all with crafty goodness and now you will inspire us with good health and some of us, maybe even all of us will make some changes too. Thank you for sharing your stories with us all.
    Lysa

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  9. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007, Angie, so I know how you feel. I did fine throughout the day keeping my sugar under control through food intake but my levels in the morning when I woke up were high. So they put me on Metformin, then a low dose of insulin. I was soo upset. But I decided I needed to get it done. I hated it. I’m like you, I hate to sweat. Especially with my hair lol. I made an eating change. But naturally changing what I ate caused me to lose weight and totally increased my energy level too. I was able to stop all meds and my AIC went from 12.6 to 5.1. That is a huge deal. You can do it. It’s not only what you eat. It’s how much of it you eat too. I love fruits like grapes, oranges, watermelon’s…all the sweet ones which have good sugar, BUT ARE HIGH IN SUGAR lol. So I had to stop eating that stuff in larger portions. It will just take a little getting use to. And as far as cooking for family, WILL POWER. I have a 9 year old at home and a husband who can eat anything and not gain weight. Me? If I look at it, I put on 2 lbs. So it took some getting use to. You can do it! Thanks for all your creativity and sharing. You will get many more project inspiration!

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  10. Thanks for sharing…you are an inspiration to all of us and we understand. So take a few days off…you deserve to take time for yourself. You share so much with all of us and we are interested in your progress as you start along a new path. Makes me think I should join you and eat healthier!!! Thanks again

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  11. Thank you Angie for reminding me that I have to CALL my doctor and make a change in my life. I know you will be fine, you have been able to over come everything that as come your way. You might have just saved a life 🙂

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  12. Enjoy your day off Angie. My husband was diagnosed about 2 years ago. He is not overweight at all, so although it probably helps to lose its not always the case. He has followed the Dr’s recommendations, and when last tested he no longer had it. So there is always hope. So keep your chin up and I’m sure you will do good. May God Bless and Keep you in his care. 🙂

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  13. Angie I like when you share you personal achievements and struggles. It helps people know they are not alone. I am sorry about your “bad news” but there is a lot of good help out there and it sounds like you have a very supportive family and God knows you have a huge group of friends, both in person and virtually! Stay strong friend and don’t worry about crying the tears you need too.

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  14. Angie, take time and regroup. The good news is its PRE-diabetic. You’re not labeled yet and with education you can slow down or even stop the disease. With 44 pounds lost already I know you have the ability to great things with this news!

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  15. We all need to vent and with the news you’ve received you deserve a mental health day! Thanks for sharing this. Maybe some of us will take a closer look at ourselves and change our own habits as a result.

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  16. You are right, “what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger”. You got this! I know you are a fighter and it ain’t over till it is over. Sending you a hug and it is ok to lean on others every once in a while. You don’t have to be the strong one all the time.

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  17. No one wants to hear more bad news and of course you need time to absorb this information and figure out how best to go forward. The good news is that your family can and will adjust to your new diet and for the most part they won’t have or should not have many complaints….they will become more healthy too! I hope that you will be less involved with this disease when you loose more weight…and keep it off. We all know (well, okay many of us!) it is not easy to do, but you have already managed a good deal of it, so wishing you much success and try to find some exercises that will do what you need but keep you from sweating too much (lol!). Best wishes!

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  18. Angie – thank you for sharing your struggles. That is difficult news to hear and you definitely deserve a day (or several) to work through all of your emotions. Lifting you in prayer!

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  19. Love and hugs babe! Take your few days for yourself! You deserve it! I’m so proud of all that you’ve already accomplished in regards to your health, don’t let this get you down.

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  20. I’m at the point you are now. would you share your food plan and exercise. I just can’t seem to get motivated. Good note today my eye doctor said it was not full blown diabetes but do what the doctor said with pre diabetes!!

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  21. We all need to take mental health days every now and then…it’s what keeps us sane. I am sorry to hear your news but the positive thing is that you are PRE-diabetic so there is a lot you can do to keep from going over the line to being diabetic. I have been a type 2 diabetic for 11 years now and it truly sucks but you learn to deal with it. I will tell you that carbs affect your sugar levels but as long as you eat in moderation you will be fine and walking is great to bring sugars down. I applaud you for sharing your situation with us because it took me awhile to be able to feel comfortable with telling anyone about my situation. I was ashamed but learned whether you are overweight or not anyone can become diabetic. Good luck Angie, I know you will be just fine and you will do whatever you need to do to be okay.

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  22. It’s your blog so you have every right to relieve some stress. Besides, I think that everyone who follows you follows you because they honestly like you. Like me!
    Just think: It’s better to know what you have so that you can take action. And I would make everyone else eat what you need to eat instead of cooking 2 different meals. They should benefit from the healthy eating lifestyle as well as supporting you to stay healthy. Take walks together. Go hiking.

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  23. Angie–You are such an inspiration to so many of us. Today I had my mammogram. I’m on Medicare and this is the only thing that is covered for me. I fear I have other problems and I guess I should just pay to have it all checked out. As of this week I am back on the treadmill–although starting out slowly–and alternating with stretches and weights, just to see if I feel any better. I’m sore. But, because of you I am aware that I need to do things on my own to get back to feeling better. Just think, if you hadn’t lost that weight you would be that much worse—So—you are on the right track—and good for you! Keep us informed as you are doing all of us a big favor!!

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  24. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic 2 years ago – still the same. I am (again) dieting and exercising. How I hate them both! I’m already medicated for high blood pressure and diabetes, so I really do need to lose weight and be fitter. It’s just SSSOOOOO hard. I do not have the will-power. I know just how you’re feeling. It’s all quite daunting, and sadly I don’t have the answers for either of us! Good luck with everything.

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  25. I just wanted to leave my thoughts with you. First – good for you for taking charge of your own life. And Second – your family does NOT need those bad foods either. Even if they don’t currently have problems, your positive steps will, perhaps, help any of them from having problems in the future! Hang in there and be strong.

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  26. I’m sorry you for your diagnosis but health is something we take for granted. Your body is telling you something. Take care of that and the rest will fall into place. You are such a creative and inspirating person and want you around happy and Healthy!
    Big Hugs.

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  27. {{Hugs}}, Angie,

    I’m going through some mid-40s health changes, too. And a separation. And kids who can also eat a bunch of stuff I can’t. And I need to lose weight. Etc., Etc., Etc. I wholeheartedly support mental health days. In fact, I think they’re quite necessary. So, I hope you enjoyed your day off, and I hope you have a few more (planned or unplanned) in your near future. 🙂

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  28. Don’t apologise for posting your Mental Day Blog. We are your friends who welcome you to reach out. You have been given a pre-diabetes diagnosis. Sock it into touch so it does not become type 2 diabetes! Exercise and diet – urghh! I know because it’s a lifestyle for me because of my health issues. But you can do it. You are a very positive lady, you can do it and you will do it. Many of your other friends on this page have suggested that you family adopt your new lifestyle as well to save them from getting problems like this later in their lives – sounds like a great idea, I hope they do, too. Take time out to recharge your batteries and come back when you’re ready. We will all miss you but you have to put yourself and your family first. God bless you all.

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  29. Angie………..Congratulations on losing 44 pounds! That is such an accomplishment!
    I too stuggle with some of your symptoms; please look into Celiac disease. Years of not know why all these things were happening to me was changed all because I don’t eat gluten. I don’t take all the presciptions any more and stay away from sugar!
    I hope you took the time for you on your mental health day; we always forget about ourselves. Thank you for all you do! I follow your blog and it makes me smile all the time! Hugs to you!

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