Self-Improvement – Page 2

LEss Tolerant With Age

October 31, 2021October 31, 2021 IBM Leave a comment

As my fifties have given way to my sixties, I’ve not so much noticed that I’ve slowed down – I can still get up a decent walking pace – but I have found I am less tolerant to several things.

I’ve always enjoyed going to the pub. I like the social aspect of it. I also like cask ale, which isn’t generally available elsewhere. I also feel good about supporting a struggling industry and local businesses too.

However, I do notice a difference these days. Back in my twenties, I’d drink more when I went out, and I went out more. I would sometimes get hammered and then feel ill the next day. The “I’ll never drink again” thoughts only lasted a day or so, though. These days, I’ll only have a few beers, and I feel off the next day. Not hungover or with my head in the toilet bowl; just under the weather.

It’s the same with sleep. I rarely sleep well. This morning, as I write this, I’ve been awake since around 4 am. I don’t shake that off quite as well as I used to, either. I’ll be feeling like falling asleep around 2 pm, but I don’t usually have time to take naps. Then again, when I do, I end up just looking at the ceiling!

Food is another issue at times. Having mild Crohn’s disease has put paid to me having anything too hot, although I do sneak in a couple of chilli peppers or sauce from time to time; I have to be very careful how much! I do enjoy a good hot curry, but I’ll pay for it the next day.

So, has this made me a miserable so-and-so? No, of course not. I just have to practice moderation. That’s a good thing of course, but not always easy to do, when I get an ale I like or a favourite dish.

These days, we cook primarily at home, with an occasional treat out. That’s a winner on several counts. Firstly, you know what’s in the pot or pan; secondly, you can more easily choose your quantity; thirdly, it’s way cheaper to cook and eat at home.

I get that some people don’t like cooking. I’m not a gourmet chef. However, I know I can cook a good meal, which, even though it is perhaps somewhat predictable (meat and two vegs, again?) is generally fresh and healthy and edible.

The other thing I need to do is move more. Perhaps I should buy a bicycle or take up yoga.

Shaping Up

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 IBM Leave a comment

I really need to get off the couch. I need to lose weight, get more active and tone up a little, drink less alcohol.

I really need to lose about eighty pounds, to get down to a healthy, slim BMI. I’m not really worried about how I look but more about the health aspects and also that it will make me feel more energetic.

I read quite a lot about how alcohol is bad for you, and also people’s stories about giving it up and going sober. I’m not planning to become teetotal, although I will be the first to admit that I can’t tolerate it a swell as I once could.

Back in the day, though, I would go out and drink entirely too much, only stopping when I ran out of time, money or I exhausted the bartender’s patience in some way. Now, I can have just a few beers and still feel decidedly sluggish in the morning.

I actively make myself alcohol free days now. I don’t drop into the pub every day on the way home, and I don’t usually drink very much indoors

Kathy and I have started a fasting regime. It’s working, albeit slowly. It’s not a quick-fix diet, but more of a lifestyle change. We don’t eat after dinner in the evening. Also, we can only drink water, black coffee or green tea. It does save eating crisps, nuts, cookies and the once-upon-a-time ten o’clock sandwich(es).I know I’m eating less calories. Also not having any alcohol in the evenings must be beneficial and again, it saves a bucketload of calories.

Can we keep it up? I’m sure there will be little slip-ups along the way. We can be flexible, so if we do go out and eat in the even ing, it means we can’t eat until the following afternoon, to get the hours of fasting in.

The one big change we need to make now, and which will the most difficult to keep up is the exercise. Being a couch potato is so easy, and it’s also relaxing for both of us when we’ve had an early morning start and/or been on our feet all day. 10,000 steps, here we come.

Thrown Off Course

January 12, 2019January 12, 2019 IBM Leave a comment

Been a bit thrown off course this year already! Planning to get leaner and fitter by the summer time, and stay that way. To that end I’ve joined a local gym, and signed up for a new eating plan. Yes it’s an eating plan, and not some fad diet.

I’ve been thrown off course by this flu bug that’s laid me low for a week. I’ve not been out of the house for six days, let alone to the gym. I have stuck to the eating plan, although this has been easier as I haven’t felt like eating huge amounts and certainly not wanted anything alcoholic.

I do feel down though, that I haven’t been able to get to the gym and do a few workouts. Anyway, I’m not going to give up on it. I’m getting back to work next week, back to the gym and staying on target with the eating.

What’s the eating plan? It’s called Noom. As mentioned above it’s not a fad diet. Rather it’s a way of eating more sensibly. I can still eat everything I like, but some food items just need to be consumed in strict moderation.

I am trying to eat better, and not so much less. For example, last night I had pork and broccoli with baked potato, instead of roasted or sautéed.

This morning I had avocado on toast. It was tasty actually.

It’s certainly better for my waistline than bacon, fried eggs and hash browns, but there’s nothing to stop me eating those too, just less often!