My Continuing Journey to Better Health

As I continue on my journey to better health, I find myself reflecting on where I've come. I've lost over 20 pounds in the last two years - but I've had to have a scare to get there. I've had some set backs, but I'm back on track now!

I started out a few years ago heavy and in poor health. I tried to lose weight and even on some of the weeks I followed the plan, I gained! I was getting pretty big - and feeling pretty lousy. Not just in how I looked but in how I felt!

The end of 2015

Mid 2016 I was diagnosed with an elevated A1C - not good. But the meds helped me lose some weight. Ten pounds. Problem with that is I didn't change my habits and when I went off the meds, some of that weight came back on!

A year ago I had a heart attack scare. I joined weight watchers for the accountability. I did fabulous for the first five months. I lost 15 pounds! But stresses (like losing my beloved cat) and holidays made me look the other way. Program? What program? I ate with reckless abandon. And I gained some weight back!

I face the music and went back to weight watchers in January, up 6 pounds. But the accountability is important. Own it. I did it and that's that. And so I work to get back on track. It's important to change those habits that put you in poor health to start with. And change is not easy.

We are now moving into the second month of the year and I am finally where I was in August before I went off the wagon. I look at my progress and, although it's slow, it's progress. In the last year and a half I've lost 20 pounds. Yes. It's been very slow progress. But so what? It's progress! I'm moving the direction I want to go and I'm proud of it.

I am now looking at my changing, aging body and dancing in the progress. I am moving in the right direction and that's all that counts.

It's National Spouse Day

A day dedicated to remembering our other half - to make time for that person that we have chosen to share our life with. It isn't necessarily just married people, it's a day for ANY two people who have chosen commitment to each other to celebrate. And I am blessed with a great man.

Is he perfect? Oh but no. Far from it. But he is a wonderful man that I am loving getting old with. We fight like cats and dogs from time to time, but we always make up. We always let the other one know that they matter.

Dennis and I met on April 24, 1982. A life time ago. We had our first date four days later and I moved in with him on January 15, 1983. I'm his third wife so he was in no hurry to marry, but we did. On May 12, 1984 we made it legal. Hard to believe we've been together more than 35 years! And we've had some hard times - and some amazing times. But we've always held on to each other through it all.

He is a proud grandpa of six grandkids - and has enjoyed being a dad to two amazing daughters and a son.

I've discovered that romance comes and goes - and the older we get it's more the latter. But he is always my best friend and confidant. He has a wonderful sense of humor and makes me laugh.

No one knows who came up with a national spouse day - but I'm glad they did. Mine is worth celebrating.

Working Hard for the Money

Here I am, right around the corner from 62.  If I had planned better, I could be looking at retirement now. But I didn't. So, late in the game, I'm making my plans.

If I work until I'm 65 I qualify for medicare. That's important because medical insurance as an individual is expensive! And if I work for three more years the difference in the amount I'll get from my work retirement and social security is pretty significant. So here I am. Trying to get ready.

I thought, how can I have another source of income while I'm still healthy? That's when I came up with the idea to train others in the field I've been in for over 35 years. So that's what I've been doing.

In the state of Oregon, you need to be certified to offer training to child care professionals that qualifies as continuing education. And that requires some work. Last year I became a certified Community Trainer. I can make up certificates and people can get credit for CE hours, but only for the very basics. To become a certified Master Trainer, you must have at least 60 hours of training to apply. And I finally did it!

I've been developing workshops and doing training for free to get those hours. As of last night, I have almost 70 hours! It's pretty exciting to have achieved this.

And through it all, I discovered something I never thought I'd do and that I really love doing. Every group is different and every group teaches me something - either from what they share or from what I observe that can make me a better trainer.

I look forward to building my new business - Early Learning Tools NW - and doing something in my retirement that I really love! Check out the blog and tell me what you think! I'd love to hear your opinion.