Valentine's Day is gone and with it are the decadent, wonderful, creamy chocolates and other goodies. Not good for someone trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Wait a minute! Can you spell "D-A-R-K C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E?" Why, yes I can! After-holiday clearance items ... here I come!
Actually, I have read in several different legitimate articles that dark chocolate (in moderation) is rich in antioxidants provided the percentage of cacao (not a bad word) is high. Do, of course, check with your family physician whether eating dark chocolate at breakfast, lunch and dinner is right for you! Oh yeah, don't forget about snack-time as well!
I do like Valentine's Day for another reason ... at least for my ornery self. Moo-ha-ha! In order to mess up someone's "diet" plan, sending four pounds of chocolate to someone you don't like is fun, too. Although, for the record ... I've never done that. However, I would rather be on the receiving end. Ha-ha.
A lot has happened since the last column appeared. I've dealt with a great deal of stressors and decisions to make. Life's daily grind can be difficult but once you persevere; life can be like a breath of fresh air (unless you have bad breath). My solution is to add a touch of humor ... and of course, overeat!
Although the humor is a great coping mechanism ... overeating is not. Unless your version of overeating is scarfing down a bag of carrots!
For one stressor ... my dad was in the hospital.
Also, my habitual caring for others is a gift and a "curse." What I mean by that is I "overly" care for others by worry and concern ... yet it is a gift because I really, really do care. I also admit ... I'm a genuine brown-noser and proud of it..
Also, since the last column, I have decided to put off the ankle fusion surgery. Whoops! Now, I have re-decided to go through with it and bite the proverbial bullet (I sure hope that "bullet" has some nutritional value). Whoops! I'm putting the surgery off again! Nope, it's on! Aaaarrgghh! Oh the complexity! Back and forth went the different decisions, until my appointment with my family doctors. Then, it was decided; yes, I will have the surgery in early March to be done in Columbus.
Several factors were noted to make the decisions. One ... my ankle will continue to deteriorate; two ... I will not be able to help anyone if I can't walk; three ... my surgeon may become tired of my continual postponement of the fusion surgery; four ... the injured ankle throws my gait off; therefore causing other arthritic issues.
Well, enough said! I'm tired of the pain. I'm tired of having a "punch card" for my maladies - have three illnesses - get one free. I'm tired of not being able to do what I want such as return to the YMCA.
Although, I'll be non-weight bearing (post surgery) for two to three months, I look forward to the day that I am able to walk without pain; wear whatever shoes I want without an ankle brace; and go back to exercising whatever method I choose.
I realize the prior paragraph is redundant to the one before that. Seeing those two paragraphs on paper clinches it for me. I will go through it, get better, put the envelope to complete rehab with flying colors and get to that point where losing weight will be (in my pea-brained mind) more attainable and realistic.
Oh my gosh! While writing this and re-reading this column; I feel like a burden has lifted off of me. After I get out of rehab and while resting at home, I can make choices. To indulge or not to indulge. To eat a cookie or eat some fruit. The choice is mine. Sure, I can blame my not-so-realistic choices on someone or something. In the end, on the scale (whether it is an evil scale or not), I am accountable. Making choices is an everyday occurrence; not just when I feel like implementing them. It is so important for me to remember that and it will lead me to success in whatever endeavor I may face. It may or may not be a couple of months before you hear from me, but you definitely will. You can't get rid of me that easy ... unless ... you have in your possession raisin cookies.
Until next time ...
Casi Stewart can be reached at casichilstew@yahoo.com. A Weighty Issue appears every other Monday on the Life page.
