Diet, Exercise, or Spring?

Lately I’ve had an excess of energy. (Praise the Lord!) I went into the Covid lockdown like a lion and came out like a lamb. A practically dead lamb. Not because of illness but because of blah-ness. Not only had I lost touch with my previous pre-covid life, but I came to at a snail’s pace. During the lockdown I did get Covid. I only felt sick for a couple of hours. And those hours were not bad. But what I did experience was another 8 weeks of absolutely no energy.

Zero. None. Nada. I’d get up for a few minutes and go lay down. It was winter so I blamed the lack of energy on that. It’s always been easy for me to go back and lay down if it’s grey outside.

I would usually take the time to read a book. What’s yummier on a grey day then a cup of tea and a book? But I didn’t have the concentration to do read. (It’s just now occurring to me; was it long covid?)

I had a general feeling of malaise. I had no interest in anything. I was in a depression. It’s hard for me to describe myself in a state of depression because I’m the pick yourself up by the bootstrap’s kind of person. So, believe me, I don’t say it lightly.

I kept pushing myself to straighten up and fly right. I knew I should exercise, but ugh, I couldn’t muster the discipline. Finally, I made an appointment with my doctor. I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mouth, but I sat in the room and told her, “I am depressed.” She recommended anti-depressants. I was disappointed but not surprised that she didn’t ask about my diet or exercise routine. (Which bad diet, no exercise.) She gave me a prescription for a routine blood work panel, and I was on my way.

I left the prescription on the passenger seat of the car, (which I’ve since lost) and stopped at Whole Foods on the way home. Even though I hadn’t been practicing it, I believe “food is thy medicine”, so I prescribed myself, and almost $200. later left with one bag of plants to eat and some vitamin D. By the time I reached home I somehow found the strength of determination that I was not going to eat sugar, gluten, or drink alcohol. I upped my good fats, olive oil, avocado, and such, and lowered my carb intake. It may sound silly, but I pride myself on being 64 and not on any medication. At 50 years old I told my primary physician that I intend to make it death without ever having to medicate. He said in a non-cheerleader, cynical tone; “Good luck with that.” (I never went back to him.)

I had a half of a bottle of red wine staring me down on the kitchen counter as I was preparing our dinner of plants. Paul doesn’t drink wine, and it would sure be a waste to throw it out. I put it in the refrigerator inside the door. Nothing better than an open bottle of wine where the temperature changes every time the door opens. Sure to be delightful when I decided I was healed enough to drink it again.

Habits are hard to break. Especially sugar and booze. Both could be argued, (by me) are addictive. I was drinking two glasses of wine at night starting just before dinner. And something sweet after dinner. The perfect meal.

It’s been a cold rainy winter. I’m blessed to live on a large property enchanted with nature.

After 2 weeks of eating right I woke up wanting to take a walk. The sun was shining. Which I thought was the impetus. When I got back from the walk, I realized the sun had been shining in between the rainy days before I changed the way I was eating, and I hadn’t felt like taking a walk. I took a mental note. An odd thing happened that same afternoon. I wanted to take a walk again. Only this time I walked further. Oh yeah, by the way, I lost 6 pounds in those two weeks.

It’s been 6 weeks now since my last supper of my favorites, wine, sugar and carbs. I’m down 12 pounds, but more importantly, the fog has lifted from my brain. I am thinking clearly. It’s incredible and feels like a miracle. To prove the miracle is I bought Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies for Paul, and not only have I not eaten any, I am not jones-ing for any either.

I make time every morning to walk the property. Yesterday I had so much energy I was hoping it wouldn’t interfere with going to sleep. It didn’t. This past week, I’ve really enjoyed watching flowers start to bloom, and buds taking shape on the trees. I stop along the way to let nature speak to me.

Now I wonder; is it the diet, exercise, or Springtime?