Re-wiring for improved function

some lone dove…, originally uploaded by A.p.K.

All weekend I couldn’t figure out what was dragging me down. A few hours of activity, and I was exhausted. I would eat and not feel full. Then this morning, I woke woozy and nauseous; by the time I made it out of bed to shower and have breakfast, I was ready for a nap.

Today moved like molasses, and I seem to only be operating with about an hour’s worth of energy at a time. Then back to bed, quickly asleep.

I should have known better though - this has all of the classic signs of anemia, and I’ve been prone to it before. Usually associated with an illness that puts me off of food, and sometimes associated with being a woman, I have difficulty maintaining ideal iron levels in my blood.

Sure enough, thinking back on the past week of food, while it has been relatively lean and fresh, it has not been rich in Heme Iron, and I have been consuming my fair share of coffee and red wine, both of which impair iron absorption.

So tonight it will be lentils and rice, maybe with some turkey from the endless supply in the freezer. Also, tonight will be the re-inception of my Daily Health & Wellness Journal:

(From the Who/Why/What page) I am a 20-something (curvy, athletic) woman trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and positive self-esteem. I have found through past experiences that writing down my eating and exercise habits helps me to adhere to a more diligent pursuit of overall wellness.

I do not own a scale, and so my progress is measured in how I feel, how my clothes fit, and hopefully if I can get up the nerve, visually through self-portraits.

I have no ultimate goal, and am aiming more to develop good long-term habits. There are no absolutes and absolutely no deprivations in my “diet”, and rather, I seek to learn new ways to cook healthy foods and keep my taste-buds entertained.

The rules:

- no counting calories - estimating, yes. itemizing, no.

- no scales, except in doctor’s offices

- no guilt. i will fluctuate, i will lose some, often plateau, and occasionally gain some because sometimes it is necessary to spend entire weekends living on toast and ice cream.

mostly i will adjust my outlook and my lifestyle in a gradual and healthy way, seeking a good balance between wellness and enjoying the good life.

new information, insight, support (and critique) are all always welcome.