Ordinary Abundance

What  a difference a week makes!

A week ago the meds for the sinus infection that had exhausted me so was just starting to kick in.  When I was getting my prescription, I also asked the pharmacist for a tonic or something just to give me a little lift.  I didn’t want a stimulant like coffee, since caffeine is actually one of the major contributors to exhaustion in our society.  So I got a vitamin/tonic/fizzy thingie – not ideal, but I was that desperate.

I really rested over the New Year’s weekend and re-introduced the 9 pm bed time. Monday was still a holiday here (when a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday automatically becomes a holiday), so I managed to attend an aqua class at the gym.  That broke the ice for me for 2012!

Tuesday to Thursday I got up at 5:15 am every morning and worked out in the pool for about 25-30 minutes.  Then I spent 5-10 minutes in the steam room before hitting the shower and going home to get ready for work.

TOM arrived on Thursday evening, so I ditched the pool on Friday, but still got up at 5:15 am to fire up the iPod and dance.  Plan B, if you will.  It was hard, but great fun!

This is quite significant for me.  In the past I would not have started going to the pool at this specific time, because I would have known that TOM was on the way and I would have to stop for 5 days (my periods are very heavy) just after having started.  This year I’m living day to day though.  I do what I can today.  If I can go to the pool today, I go.  If I can’t, I don’t and I don’t fret about it.  This is one of the most valuable lessons I learned from Vickie.

Furthermore, I’ve been climbing stairs.  Previously I used to take the elevator at work, but now I make a point of climbing the two flights of stairs every time I need to.  Once again, it’s hard and my legs are like jelly half the time, but I’ll live, and it will get easier.

The other change I made this week is to get some sun and fresh air every day.  When I come home from work, I park the car, take my book and go and sit on a bench on the Promenade for at least 30 minutes.  It’s a great way to get out of work-mode and get some fresh air and sun exposure.  Such a simple thing, but so enjoyable!

The effect of these seemingly small changes has been nothing short of amazing though!  Honestly, it’s like a miracle.

I am alert and present during the day, where previously I was really struggling to stay awake at my desk – especially in the mornings.  I get very sleepy by about 8:30 pm, so there is no real problem in getting to bed on time – I’m more than ready to go and in fact, I hardly even get to read in bed before I fall asleep.

By Day 2 of being in the pool my feet were half the size.  When I showed my staff they couldn’t believe their eyes.  I wore a pair of shoes this week that I couldn’t even get on my feet for over a year.

And because I’m not carrying a reservoir of water around in my body anymore, I don’t get up every 90-120 minutes at night to go to the loo.  Which means that I’m sleeping better – much better.  I can’t begin to describe how much this means to me…

It seems that my metabolism has woken up, or something, because suddenly I’m sweating buckets.  Non-offensive, clean sweat.  Wearing make-up at this stage is clearly pointless, but fortunately my skin is looking good (even with TOM in the neighborhood).  I eat lots of fruit and stay hydrated.  Hopefully this is just temporary!

Mentally and emotionally I feel strong, grounded and even.  I’m doing my affirmations and positive self-talk and avoiding drama and conflict.  It feels like a good place to be.

On Monday I had a leg wax, eyebrow wax and tint and a pedicure.  In the heat, and especially with the excessive sweating, I nearly gave up on my hair this week – I’m still growing it – but this morning I had it trimmed and tidied and I don’t feel so much like a wookie anymore.  I’ll survive the heat.

Just back from the hairdresser this morning!

Craig and I saw two movies this week – New Year’s Eve and Mission Impossible IV.  Both were good fun.  I’m not a fan of Tom Cruise, but every time I see him in a movie, he impresses me.

I read two books – One Last Kill by Barry Eisler and Amagansett by Mark Mills.

I cooked quinoa for the first time and used it in a salad.  It was good!  It’s quite expensive over here, so I don’t think it will be a staple, but I’ll definitely use it again.  I also bought my first grapes, litchis and mangoes for the season.  Happy days!

Overall, I’m very happy with the first week of the year.  I was positive, strong and resourceful and I feel much better than I have in a long, long time.

How did your week go?

PS.  If you’ve read my previous post – Week 1 of Group Therapy for the Hate-Loss Challenge – be sure to also check the comments, because a lot was said there.