*Insert Rocky Theme Music Here*

Immediately after my guests left and I made a new plan for getting back to the whole diet and exercise thing 2 things happened:

1.) I caught some sort of plague
and
2.) I had REALLY nasty test results come in, accompanied by chastisement from the doctor.

As we all know, 2017 has been a rather craptastic year for me.  I've not been super diligent with the diet and exercise.  And now the doctor is threatening putting me on cholesterol meds.  And I REALLY don't want that.  Why?  Because A.) I can actually fix that problem on my own (and I'm motivated to now!) and B.) Statins raise blood sugar, and my ENTIRE family has issues with diabetes.

But sadly this whole "kicking my own butt" plan had to be put on hold.

I don't get sick very often.  Allergies, I get those a-plenty.  But I rarely get the flu or anything like that.  But man, when I get a headcold, I get it good.  it always sets up shop in my lungs, causing me to spend weeks coughing up phlegm.  In the past I've gone to the doctor for steroids.  Well, after those test results, I decided that I didn't want to.

It's like this guy moved into my chest!

This time I treated myself with rest, fluids and Mucinex.

And while my chest is a bit rumbly still, I'm feeling so much better!  I was actually thinking of trying my chance with the doctor, but decided against it.

So the other issue that I'm facing is the lowering my own cholesterol.  That I can do!

1.) Exercise:  I'm still getting over this plague, which leaves me without energy.  So I'm starting slow.  Instead of running, I'm going to power walk.  I'm (supposed) to be doing a weight-based program right now.  I'll go back to that, but use lighter weights until I feel 100% again.

2.) Diet:  I'm home today on vacation.  I'm going to take some time to make a shopping list and meal plan.  I'm also going to look into the DASH diet and other diets that are supposed to be good for your heart to see what foods I should be sure to include.

I'm going to add some more things in here that has nothing to do with test results: my environment and myself

3.) Taking care of my environment:  I need to make a better effort to keep my house tidy, clean and organized.  It'll help my mental health and my allergies!  Pick at least 1 thing a day to clean.  I can do at least 1 thing!

4.) Taking care of me: I need to make this more of a priority.  I need to take time to connect with friends to reduce my feeling of isolation.  I need to make sure that I do that yoga that I mean to do.  I need to make sure to schedule my chiropractor appointments and to stretch.  I need to make sure to get up off the computer once an hour and walk.

But right now: breakfast.  I walked the neighborhood, had a rather brisk shower and I'm feeling rather good.  Breakfast and meds will help me keep in that direction.