HEALTH - something we take for granted too often

Hello everyone! How has the beginning of 2012 been for you all? I have not posted on my blog for a couple of weeks and feel in the writing mood this Friday evening so thought I would recommence my ramblings.

I am currently lying in bed feeling rather sorry for myself. I have been blighted by a succession of bacterial infections over the past 5 weeks. It started with a nasty throat that then progressed to tonsillitis over Christmas (fantastic timing!)
 I then recovered from that (with the assistance of antibiotics) and was well for a few days before contracting a bladder infection. A weeks worth of yet more antibiotics and normal health resumed despite being over whelmed by  man made remedies. No sooner had I got over the bladder infection when I contracted a nasty cold that has since developed into muscle aching, head pounding flu. To say I am fed up is a massive understatement. What with my battle to recover from anaemia (which I believe has probably suppressed my immunity to some degree) my body has been
battling for weeks! No wonder I feel shattered, flat and drained. I know we all get bouts of ill health and ordinarily, my body does a great job of avoiding infection but not this time. I guess it has brought into sharp focus how vulnerable we can be. I
know that January is notorious as a time of year where winter has a firm grip, daylight hours are short and darkness is long, viruses are rife and people are on the come down from the frivolities of the festive period.

I have taken some time  to evaluate my diet and lifestyle to try and identify where I am letting myself down physically. There are most definitely improvements to be made, namely cutting out the junk food and replacing with immune boosting fruit and veg. Despite all I have been through to lose the weight and get fit, I still let myself down at times with my diet. I place much of the blame at work (although lack of will power is the real reason ;).) We have a tuck shop that provides discount prices on chocolate, crisps and naughty treats. It is all too tempting to dig my hand in my pocket and indulge in the calorific snacks. I know this is no excuse but I get home at night and often cannot be bothered to cook a proper dinner. Being the single lady that I am right now (again, no excuse) I will often make do with a quick meal such as scrambled eggs, soup or salad. They sound ok on the face of it but I need to make a concerted effort to prepare more nourishing, filling meals. I don't smoke, my alcohol consumption is minimal most of the time so the improvements are not vast. I think it is very easy for us to take our eyes off the ball and our bodies soon let us know about it. 

Health is so important, when we are sick we realise how good it feels to be well. I lie here right now and wish the bacteria that are currently running riot will bid a hasty retreat. For them to do that, I have to give my body a fighting chance so I have made s promise to me. Cut the crap, increase the good foods and remind myself that this is the only body I have, abusing it will only end in me suffering.

Look after yourselves, cherish your biological being. 

Rainy xx

New Year, New You?

New Year, New You?

Happy New Year to each and every person reading this. As it is the start of a brand spanking new, fresh out of the packet annum I thought I would post again.

So it's that time of year where the combined anti climax of Christmas and gastronomic excesses smacks many people square in the face. Gym memberships will inevitably soar, weight watchers ads will appear on the TV multiple times a day and Nicorette make a serious amount of revenue from shifting their products.

So it's a new year, have you promised yourself that you are going to lose weight? Get healthy? If so, that is the first step. New Years resolutions are a feeble exercise in my mind. A change of lifestyle is for good, a long term shift that will improve your health hereon in, no matter when you make that decision to turn it around.

So I wanted you to share your goals and plans? Whether you are starting out or in the midst of weight loss. I always find it fascinating to hear and read other peoples experiences, especially since I have been there myself.

Rainy xxx