And what was the result of all of that? Not to get into gory details, but constipation reared it's oh-so-ugly head several times coupled with the feeling like I was going to pass out if I would get up from a sitting position. The latter would happen practically every day at work. I'd get up from my desk to go to the copy machine or help a student, start walking and then have to stop because it felt like I was going to pass out and hit the ground any second. We had graduation for our seniors at the high school where I work and I purposely chose not to walk in the ceremony because I was afraid of the dizziness I have been feeling coupled with the sun in a black robe that makes everyone hot as it is. I was just fearful that I would be the talk of the graduation when I passed out in my seat, lying flat on the grass below us, captured on YouTube to remember forever. That's a great, lasting impression for our 600 seniors! I love walking in graduation, getting to hug the kids after their names are called.
I honestly did not really realize I wasn't drinking enough fluids. I am a big proponent of drinking the water and advising other people that are doing Optifast to do the same. While I wasn't measuring what I was drinking, I was trying hard to get everything in that I needed to and also trying to remember to have my shakes as often as I'm supposed to. Then the other day I looked in my kitchen cupboard and realized I have too many boxes of product left before my next class. Usually, I get down to the wire on the boxes but not this time. No excuses, but I just would get too busy. So, I'm making me a priority. I have got to drink everything I am supposed to drink, not because it is something I am told I need to do in the Optifast program, but because it is a healthy thing to do that is simple and will make me feel a whole lot better. Healthy people drink water for really good reasons:
- It helps with weight loss.
- It helps skin look fresh and healthy.
- It flushes out toxins.
- It gives you more energy.
- It keeps constipation away.
- It will help keep those headaches and dizziness away.
So, I am vowing right here and right now that I will get all of my water and other liquids in, as well as make sure that no more than 3 1/2 hours pass between shakes. If you have my cell phone number, you have permission to call me on it or send me a friendly text, "Are you drinking your water?" or "When's the last time you have had a shake?" This is not to say I have not been doing well, just that I can improve to feel even better than I do now.
When I compare where I have come from to where I am at now, it is like night and day. I was out on a 3 mile walk today and I remembered that feeling of barely being able to walk two blocks that were straight on my street. There were times where I would walk a little and then turn around because I was starting to sweat profusely and was convincing myself that I just couldn't do it. Sometimes the mind is a terrible thing, making us feel like we're not worthy of even taking care of ourselves. Today, I was walking up and down hills because I wanted to challenge myself. I looked forward to those inclines. So when I say that I need to drink more water and have my shakes more often, it is just about tweaking something that is already going great and much improved from where I used to be. This week I will likely hit the lowest weight I have ever been as an adult. That is incredibly exciting, yet I know I am not going to stop there. This is a thrilling journey for me with a lot of miracles along the way and I'm a very grateful person today.
1 comments:
Thanks for pointing out the water requirement. Like you, if I don't get that water I get dizzy. I have also learned when I exercise, I need to be sure to perhaps get even more water in, or I get light-headed. I used to hate drinking water pre-Optifast but now I love it!
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