Challenge and Joy
My brain has been struggling a bit more lately, but I will always have days and weeks of anxiety (and sometimes depression). It’s just how my brain is. But I KNOW how to take care of myself now. I haven’t been working out as much or eating quite as well lately, but I have continued to be consistent for the most part. Just not as much as I would like. I will get back there no problem, though, because I know how much it helps my brain! The movement piece is the most important piece! There is so much scientific evidence for that as well!
I know without a shadow of a doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today without God’s radical provision. Moving us out of state, bringing us to this camp, providing mental health care that has been more helpful than ever, providing for our financial needs, leading us to an amazing church, giving us amazing friends who are already like family, giving me the desire to take better care of myself, helping me learn WHO I am (and how God created me), having the opportunity to serve/work at camp part time (which provides financially and gives me something outside of the home to focus on… and working rec is just so fun!), allowing me the opportunities to have hobbies and things that I enjoy, and just living a full yet simple life. I’m just so grateful.
My 4 Mile Race
Today I ran a 4 mile race in 37:25 (9:21 min/mile) and placed first in my age group! I am honestly still on cloud 9 about it. I got second place in my age when I did my 5k in May, but this feels different. Not only did I get first, I also had a MUCH better pace despite it being a longer race. I have been struggling a bit with consistency these days, but I’m obviously growing!
Wellness
I got my lipids tested on Friday (after only 3 months because I’m just trying to stay on top of things). I have had high cholesterol since I was 30 (well, that was the first time I had it checked… it could have been higher before). I have taken meds at one time, but they didn’t really do anything. One of my big goals with taking care of myself is lowering my cholesterol (and preventing other diseases that are in my family such as type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis).
Before March, the last time I had done bloodwork was September. I have seen a major improvement since September and a slight improvement since March!
In September, my total cholesterol was 251 (pretty high- needs to be below 200), my LDL was 171 (needs to be below 100), and my HDL was 54 (which is pretty good actually- needs to be 50+ but 60+ is optimal).
In March, my numbers were 228, 147, and 54. And yesterday, my numbers were 215, 143, and 50. I’m honestly a bit concerned about the drop in my HDL because it was better before, but the other numbers have come down. My numbers are still considered too high, but they are going the right direction, and all just from diet and exercise (no medication).
Overall, I’m pleased with the work that I’ve done. I still have more work to do, and the past few weeks have not been my best nutrition and movement-wise.
Honestly, after today’s race, I’m more motivated than I’ve been in a while. It felt like such a “win” for me mentally and reminding me what I’m capable of. Also, having my blood work done regularly helps keep me focused as well.
My goal moving forward is actually to go back to using Cronometer pretty regularly because it helps me to be more aware of what I’m putting in my mouth, eating in the dining hall less, and working on improving my consistency with movement again. This month has not been my best by any means.
Oh… a few other things. I ran my fastest 5k time on Monday which was 27:28 (8:52 min/miles). I think that showed me how possible it was for me which helped me mentally with my race today! My pace wasn’t as great today, but it was still really great.
Shopping Wins
Yesterday I went to Sprouts and spent $103 for a lot of food. Not only were several things really on sale, there were some pastured chicken wings for about $1 per package. So I got 3 packages for a little over $4 (it would have been over $25 normal price). The milk (low-temp pastured/grass-fed) was really on sale as well.
I also went to Goodwill and got 4 tank tops, a t-shirt, and a pair of shorts (not pictured) for $19.
Today I went to the Farmer’s Market and got some more goodies! Local raw honey, produce, loose-leaf tea (chamomile mint), some face cream (and samples), watermelon mint kombucha, and blood orange vanilla ginger beer (SO good).
For the rest of the day, I will be cleaning, doing laundry, making homemade buns for our burger dinner tonight with friends, and planning for next week! I always look forward to a fresh week, but in the meantime, we will be enjoying our friends! We have friends from our old camp coming tomorrow night through Tuesday morning as well!
I shared about my curriculum for the upcoming year in my stories on Instagram the other day. They are in a highlight if you’re interesting, but I do plan to share some things on my blog soon as well! Stay tuned!
simplycourtney.org 