Weight: 189!
Yes! I broke the 190 mark, for two days in a row now! I was looking back at my very first post, and although I didn’t include a benchmark goal of 190, I should have, so as far as I’m concerned, I’ve hit my first benchmark. Later on, I’ll come back to those goals, but first I want to tell a story. It’s been on my mind, and since this Thanksgiving is so different for everyone, I wanted to write it out.
It happened ten years ago while working at the Social Security Administration in Fargo, the day before US Thanksgiving. I was miserable. I wasn’t able to be with Bruce, and although I had plans for the holiday, there was a big snowstorm coming, and that would mean not being able to go. I wasn’t looking forward to spending the day alone. Then I got a call that changed everything.
The department I worked in handled hearings and appeals for people who were appealing the Social Security’s decision to grant them disability benefits. When this call came in, I thought it would just be another call where someone was asking for the status on their hearing. It was, but it was so much more. This lady was living on the street. I can’t remember if she had kids or not now, but overall that doesn’t matter. She had no money, and due to her disability, she was unable to find work.
As I sat there listening to her talk and tell me her story, my whole attitude changed. I realized just how fortunate I really was. Sure, I was going to spend the holiday alone, but I had a roof over my head, a steady full-time job to pay for both that roof and for meals that kept me fed, and people to talk with, even if they weren’t with me in person.
In the event that my plans did get canceled, (which they did in the end), I’d ordered a prepared Thanksgiving meal from my local grocery store. All I had to do was heat things up. I had leftovers for months, but it was worth it.
So let’s have a look now at some of the goals I set for myself back on September 6th:
- A target weight of 130 pounds, with benchmarks at 175, 150, and 140 pounds
- The unwritten benchmark of 190 has been reached and exceeded
A much lower A1C level, although I don’t know at the moment what my doctor would like that to be yet
- I’ll be getting my A1C checked later next month, but my blood sugar levels typically average between 5 and 6 now, so there’s definitely going to be major improvement
To feel better overall
- Still working on this one
Hopefully to have less joint pain and be able to move a bit easier
- Maybe there’s some improvement, but it’s still a little hard to tell
To maybe be able to decrease or get off of some of my diabetes medications
- Met and then some! I’ve now been insulin-free for an entire week, and am only taking one diabetes medication at this point
So, not even counting family and friends, I’ve got a heck of a lot to be thankful for this year. If I chose to start listing other things I’d probably never get this posted, so I’ll stick with keto things.
But, the point that I wanted to make here is that I learned so much from that call ten years ago, and now, although it’s not always easy, I’m really trying to be grateful for the things I have rather than the things I don’t have. This year I’m planning a turkey dinner with rolls, stuffing, and more. (I’ll post links to the recipes after the holiday and after I’ve made my final decisions on some things.) Even more, we’re going to have someone join us for the meal, so we’re able to make it possible for someone who would otherwise most likely be alone have a place to go. To me, these are the things worth celebrating.