For those of you who don't know, I recently fell and broke three bones in my left foot. I will be in a cast for the next 6 -8 weeks. I can't work. I am a nursing assistant and that involves being on my feet for 12 hour shifts a few days a week. There are times I honestly believe I am Wonder Woman, but not even she would be able to do such back-breaking work on crutches. The day of my unfortunate incident, I was getting ready for an awesome job opportunity. I can kiss that goodbye now. Thankfully, I have my nutritional consulting business and can assist clients from home via web cam and telephone. I am able to earn a living and not worry about being homeless.
One of the biggest challenges I will face as I try to settle into a more sedentary lifestyle, is to not put on extra weight. A close friend of mine broke her leg in a motorcycle accident a few years ago. She gained fifty pounds.
The fact that I don't have anyone here to actually cook, feed, or wait on me is a blessing. My dad brought over a walker (the kind old people use) so I am able to get around with it and stand at the stove and prepare quick meals. Shopping will be a bit of challenge, but I am going to attempt it anyway. I just don't want to fall victim to prepared foods, junk, or take-out for convenience sake because that sort of stuff will just pack on the pounds. I will not use my injury as an excuse to eat more than what I can actually burn off in a day! I need to cut back on calories now, not add more.
I have a tendency to gain weight very quickly if I don't exercise or pay careful attention to how and what I eat. I blame it on genetics. The women in my family are magnets for fat and once it finds us, it clings on for dear life. It's almost impossible to shed the fat once it takes up residence on our hips, butts and thighs. At least I know this about myself. Summer is right around the corner and I am a beach girl. My sexy, new black bikini is waiting and I am determined to wear it in a few short months, despite my broken foot. I have it hanging on the back of my bedroom door; inspiration to keep me from stuffing my face with comfort foods over the next several weeks.
The key is to keep my mind and my body occupied. This will prevent me from going insane and eating out of sheer boredom. Sometimes we think we are hungry but we are really just bored. I've been working on my first novel forever, so now I can get a lot of writing done. I am not actually able to walk, but I can certainly lift weights to keep my biceps and triceps in shape. I just need someone to carry them over to the couch for me. I will also need to remember to shove the weights under the couch when I am finished or I will most certainly trip right over them. I have a habit of tripping over things because I am always rushing around. That's how I broke my foot in the first place.
Walking around on crutches is also excellent exercise for my arms and shoulders. I've been practicing and it's not as easy as it looks. My muscles are killing me. I remember the unfortunate classmate who had broken his leg in junior high school. We all stood in line, anxiously waiting to try out his crutches. They're really fun as long you're not dependent on them as your only source of mobility. Thankfully, my foot is broken and not my leg, so I can still do some exercises to keep my abs, butt and thighs from turning to fat. Perhaps I will come up with a great Couch Potato fitness routine that will make me rich and famous.
A broken foot is a minor inconvenience. It could have been much worse. Yes, I've been whining and complaining a bit about it but that's just because I am so damned independent and hate asking anyone for assistance. And I really despise being forced to slow down, but once I grow accustomed to the cast and these crutches, I will figure out a way to get out there on the dance floor. Just watch me!
Has life thrown a monkey wrench into your plans? A broken bone, unemployment, debt, aches and pains, a failed relationship? Don't let minor upsets or inconveniences deter you from your goals. No matter how earth shattering your situation might seem at the moment, you can always work around it. Don't use it as an excuse to give up. It's an opportunity: a new way to get things done. And don't forget to tap into your great inner source of creativity. Incredible inventions, ideas and solutions are born when you're forced to see and do things differently.
I definitely have a few obstacles to overcome during the next 6 -8 weeks but I plan on exercising as best as I can and following the Ten Commandments for Weight Loss. That new black bikini is my goal and has been since I bought it on my 50th birthday. I am not about to let a broken foot stop me from wearing it this summer. I don't really need to lose weight, but I certainly don't want to gain any either and I know these commandments will work, in either case, especially right now. They can work for you, as well.
Weight loss is easy when you:
Set a goal and don't let anything stop you from achieving it.
Establish a few simple rules or commandments (like these Ten Commandments) and follow them.
Here's to your good health!
Cynthia
