I am not a paragon of health by any means. I hate running, never played sports in school (many classmates from my hometown would heartily agree this was probably for the best – you know you all are nodding!), and I’m not someone who has typically denied myself anything. But last year, I had a physical in April and stepped on the scale and the number on it was something that really made me rethink my ways.
Let it be said that after my dad’s passing, I gave myself permission to enjoy life. I drank the spirits and ate the pasta and enjoyed the desserts. Why not? I was alive and it felt good. But given that I was home, an opportunity presented itself to rethink the way I had been doing things. I have always loved vegetables and fruits and whole grains. I love fish and seafood and healthy proteins. I take my vitamins and we have our own garden that we tend in the Spring and Summer. But my relationship with sugar needed to be reexamined.
My dad struggled with Type 2 diabetes for many years, despite being relatively thin. Instead of reducing his sugar intake and exercising more, he decided to medicate. I have nothing against medicine and doctors. After all, my dad was probably kept alive a lot longer due to their efforts, than might have been possible. But the propensity for diabetes runs in our family. This isn’t what necessarily killed him, but it led to some challenging health issues that caused many issues later on including neuropathy, or nerve damage, in his limbs and some slow healing wounds when he was hospitalized and in rehab.
My friend Kim felt that it was important for me to share my journey on this blog to help others, although I realize everyone’s journey is different and personal and I’m not sure I can offer any real advice. Mine started with the purchase of a FitBit and a scale and the promise to myself to walk 5 miles every day, no matter what. I cannot tell you how much the addition of fresh air each day has made a huge difference in my attitude and how I view everything. Some days are challenging when you are on Zoom calls all day, but when you stop mid-day and get outside, it’s incredibly beneficial. It’s been a huge life saver and has really given me a positive outlook. I also have had the added benefit of actually getting to know my neighbors and they are really great people!
The biggest change that occurred in 2019 was the decision to finally get a dog. I had resisted it for years because we had a cat and because I worried that being away from home for many hours with long commutes would take a toll on another pet. But that all changed when I saw a photo of a Welsh Terrier named Winkie in my Instagram feed. During my dad’s illness, those photos were the one thing that made me smile. The dog looked so happy and I decided I really wanted to have a dog like that. It took a while, but after contacting Winkie’s owner, a truly amazing, lovely woman, I was able to find a breeder and the rest is history. I told my husband John that he could name the dog and he selected the name Murphy, which apparently is the most common Irish surname. Murphy has been the absolute joy of our lives over the past year and a half and I credit him for getting me out of bed each morning and on my long walks!
It started out promising. I reduced my sugar and carb intake and started to see the pounds come off. Over time, I started to add hand weights to the mix and some floor exercises including planks, squats, and work on my glutes to name a few. I got these ankle and wrist weights you attach before you walk to add further resistance, but I have no idea how effective it is, although I’m sure it amuses my neighbors when they see me with my bright pink accessories! I have started to drink a lot more water than I used to as well, although it could frankly be better. No perfection at all in these parts, I assure you!
The net result after about 6 months was a weight loss of 30 pounds. This is shocking to me since ordinarily I would need to starve myself to have such a result or do something more intense. The reality is that by keeping myself moving and focusing on what I am putting into my body, the results were positive.
Do I still eat the food I make? Absolutely. I watch my carb intake thoughtfully, however. I find I am much more selective on the choices I make. If I eat bread, it’s because it’s really good bread. Desserts are the same. I have bites of everything, but I don’t eat it all. The one thing I absolutely could not give up is red wine. I still have it and enjoy it along with more thoughtful choices in spirits like vodka and soda or a gin with muddled blackberry, soda and sage.
On the eve of turning a year older, I have learned there are some things I can’t do a whole lot about due to genetics. I have thin hair. I am fortunate that it has remained dark with very few grays, so there is that, but it’s fairly fine and my natural curls rarely see the light of day since I am completely clueless about styling. I take biotin, but it doesn’t do a whole lot to make the volume of my hair fuller. I also always take Vitamin D and Vitamin C with citrus bioflavonoids for increased immunity, which I think is particularly important during the pandemic.
One of the things I do now that I think is positive is dry brushing. I do that every day before I go in the shower, since it makes a world of difference in your skin. I have always moisturized and used many elixirs in the morning and evening. My favorites are Vitamin C serum, Skinceuticals moisturizer, and Vintner’s Daughter at night. It makes a big difference in the appearance of your skin. And this is not just for the ladies. Men also can use this as a great way to maintain healthy fresh-looking skin in a way that requires no chemicals, if that is important to you.
But as much as I love beauty products (and I do!), this is about wellness and being healthy. That includes being mentally healthy. Finding the time to connect with loved ones, even in a world when many of us can’t see the people we care about due to distance or concerns related to COVID-19, is paramount. I am particularly grateful that many of my friends and family have made themselves available, even if it means being outdoors to spend time together or from a distance virtually. That time has been precious, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Reading and binge-watching great television shows or movies is another wonderful pastime. My stack of books is a bit ridiculous at this point, but I have a lot of things I want to explore! Don’t even ask me about cookbooks. I have a real problem with those, so much so that my sister had to get me a special bookcase and even that is getting rather full. If I can’t travel as much as I would in an ordinary year, I am finding the time to watch shows on TV that allow me to travel and be in the moment. I love “Somebody Feed Phil” on Netflix and “Bobby and Giada in Italy” on Discovery+ as just two examples. And I adore the actor Stanley Tucci and his cocktail making on Instagram. I will most definitely be tuning in when his show “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” airs on CNN in February!
I hope everyone is taking the time to do the things you enjoy and to eat the foods that make you happy just as I have been. Self-care is so important, and it’s taken me many years to figure that out. So, get the dog if you want one. Get outside and breathe in the fresh air. Get some steps. Eat the chocolate. And enjoy everything in moderation but find the joy. That’s really what it is all about.
I loved reading this, Kara. Kudos to you for learning how to balance your love of food and wine with health. Inspirational. It just proves you CAN have both if you do it thoughtfully. My partner also embarked on a new eating plan after some worrying test results...and since she is the main cook these days, I was along for the ride. We thought we ate pretty healthy beforehand, but some key adjustments were made. As a result, I also lost a substantial amount of weight without starving myself and almost without really trying. It was a whole different experience than being on a formal diet plan. I did not feel deprived. Exercising regularly, including walking, has been a…
Kara, I'm so glad you started this blog. I had no idea you were going through so much over the past two years. I've always admired how well-traveled you were, educated and quite a cook. I am glad you are sharing this now. Somehow, it's comforting to read during this bizarre period we are all in. You were able to take stock of yourself and in particular your health, amid and despite your grief. That is pretty courageous. Keep writing - and cooking.