I always imagined that I would be able to be independent for decades to come. My Grandma Rhyner has always been my role model for this. She was always busy, always doing things, accomplishing things that she enjoyed. She sold Avon for decades (like 6 of them) and she sewed. She took in sewing during the depression to supplement the family's income. She could make a winter coat for a woman by just taking her measurements. And she lived in Green Bay, WI so when she made a winter coat, it had to be warm and really stand up to the elements. She would take the measurements, make a pattern, then make the coat. Later in life, she mostly sewed quilts. She made quilts for everyone in the family. Between me and my kids, I think we still have close to a dozen Great-Grandma quilts around the house. And she donated quilts to the missions. She was the roll lady at the Cathedral in Green Bay for decades. Meaning she was in charge of arranging the coffee and rolls after masses. I admired her because she found things she liked to do and did them. She enjoyed her life and she was productive and charitable. And in my late teens and twenties, I loved sitting at her dining room table or in her sewing room, chatting for hours. Her generosity was admirable but what impressed me was she lived at home, taking care of herself until she was 86 years old. The last couple of months, things were a bit more difficult but still she could take care of herself. She got sick just a couple of months after my daughter was born and died just a couple of weeks later. I was happy that my daughter was able to lay in her arms for a while before she left us but I was so sad that she was gone.
My goal was to live like my Grandma. She did her own laundry in her basement laundry room until she died. The first Avon order she missed in nearly 60 years was due the day she died. She could do all the everyday things she needed to. So when I started noticing that, at 52, I couldn't kneel as easily as I thought I should be able to or get up as quickly and easily as I wanted, I knew that living as independently as Grandma had was not going to be possible if I didn't do something soon. I had two choices: give up on a goal that I've had for more than half my life or get to work and make some major changes. I'm choosing to make changes. Thanks for reading about my journey. My hope in sharing this journey is that you will find the motivation within yourself to make the changes needed to be a healthier version of yourself. So don't just read what I'm doing, if you need to make some changes, join me on this journey. Leave a comment below so we can encourage each other.
I do know how you feel and after seeing many doctors about my hypothyroidism, I may have finally found one that is heading in the right direction. My body is not producing any T3- integral to metabolism and weight loss. I am now riding 10-15 miles per day on my bike and walking at least 1/2 hour per day. It is very disheartening to know that I'm burning 350-450 calories and consuming 1,200-1,400 and not dropping a pound. More blood work next week, more follow up with the doctor, more contemplating seeing yet another professional to get this moving along... If you are dedicated to the weight loss and diet, it will happen for you. Jill goes out with me every day and she has actually trimmed down about 10# since we started. She doesn't have the uphill battle I do. I admire your perseverance and perspiration! LOL
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