In the last five years, I’ve made great strides to be a healthier person. In 2010, I went from being a half-a-pack a day smoker to a non-smoker. In 2011, I quit a toxic job, which demanded all of my time and energy and where no one appreciated my hard work. The following year, I found a job that was 8am-5pm with no overtime, a set lunch hour and amazing co-workers, who praise my work. I started drinking less and cooking more. And I started running and boxing, two things I love to do.
Despite all of this, however, I wasn’t losing weight. To this day, I don’t think that people believed me when I said I was going out for a run or to the gym. When I’d come back from my daily lunch-hour 3-5 milers, people at work would ask how my “stroll” was. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with “strolling,” but the assumption stung. I worked out, I just didn't look like it.
Last April, I started making efforts to find out what was going on with my body. Traditional doctors said “work harder” and offered drugs. I took issue with that and said no (I’m that 1% mentioned in the warning section of prescription medications where a weird reaction occurs that no one has ever heard about). Eventually, I found a naturopath, who is amazing. Over a series of visits, we crafted a plan. Through her, I learned the following:
My thyroid is fine, quit asking about it! I don’t know how many times doctors over the years have suggested I have my thyroid tested, but it’s a lot. Tests showed my thyroid was fine, but as my naturopath correctly assumed, my adrenal glands were not. My body overproduces cortisol at a high rate (I later found out this is genetic) and life stressors and lack of sleep were contributors. My body thought I was in constant crisis and was hanging onto everything I ate. I started taking a Cortisol Balancer, which helped my sleep and in regulating my adrenal glands. Also…
Namaste, Cardio. We found that my every-day cardio was making my cortisol levels spike and then dip even more, so my doctor prescribed yoga. It was so, so hard to hold off on running - I wanted to go, go, go! But less cardio actually helped me lose weight. Bodies are so weird.
Say AHHHHHH. One look at my tongue (Eastern medicine is amazing) and my doc knew my iron was low. We did a blood test to confirm her suspicion and I was in the anemic range. I take iron pills every day before heading to the gym now and feel like it helps an enormous amount with my energy levels.
Take a Chill Pill. I started taking lavender pills for a while to help quash some of my anxiety. Apparently, lavender pills have been shown to be as effective as Ativan, except without all the weird side effects or addictiveness. I no longer need to take them, but they helped at the time.
Clean Eating. OK, most of us on here know about clean eating. I considered myself pretty knowledgeable, but did not know about this phenomenon until last year. I cut out the processed food and most grains (not all, as per doctor’s orders) and kept healthy proteins as part of my diet. I tracked my food via a free USDA (Supertracker) web site and kept it at 1300-1400 calories per day.
Setting Goals is a Necessity. I’m goal-oriented, so this worked for me. Every two weeks, we’d set new goals. The goals didn’t just include calories and weight, but things like: “practice gratitude,” or “three times a day, take three deep breaths.”
By doing all this, I lost ten pounds in just under two months and was ecstatic. I was doing great – spiritually, mentally and physically. I was on a real path towards weight loss and health!
And then…because life can never be simple, I received a job offer with a salary that was nearly twice what I was making. After confirming the job details (I inquired specifically about hours + work/life/balance), I took the position. Unfortunately, the new company was completely dishonest about the hours and I found myself back at a place where lunches and breaks were non-existent. I was tasked with staffing meetings that went all afternoon and late into the night (we’re talking 10pm / 11pm- ridiculous!). Exercise, healthy eating and everything I learned went to the wayside. I tried to stick it out and find a balance, but after two months, I was right back where I started five years ago: physically and emotionally drained and stuck. After six months at the job, I had gained 30 pounds (I’d like to thank my sturdy desk chair and the food carts across the street for their support during that time).
It was around this time that I stumbled upon the book “The Power of Habit” and realized so much, but mainly this: humans (especially this one) need routine and habit. With the new (crummy) job, I was like a rat lost in a maze. I was in constant chaos and there was no way I could find any semblance of balance.
It’s difficult for me to admit fault, but (cue Will Arnett in Arrested Development): I’d make a huge mistake.
I called the company I’d worked for prior and they hired me back. I consider myself very, very fortunate that I was able to come back to my current job. Still, it’s difficult not to dwell on what a giant mistake of a life decision I made and how far I back-tracked – not just emotionally and physically, but professionally (I missed out on at least one promotion and am not making much money). But dwelling isn’t productive.
I’ve been back at work (at the good job) for almost four months now and have lost nearly 20 of the 30 pounds I gained while at the crummy job. I’m back to working out every day at lunch. I don’t work early or late, so can spend time with my family. I’m slowly, but surely remembering all the things I learned in that bullet-ed list. The confident, happy me is coming back. And that is worth everything.