Time Out

It's a long weekend (Monday holiday) and I had high hopes to get some in-depth tasks accomplished. But it didn't start out well - we got home from our Friday night dinner near midnight, completely exhausted, and it's been a "wiped out" weekend ever since! I spent most of Saturday simply sitting around, with no energy. Today - not much better. Granted, I did the shopping we missed out on thanks to Friday's bomb scare. And got 2 1/2 things done in Olivia's engine (bolts "soaking" in Q10 overnight on the 3rd task, so I can actually move them).

It's a gorgeous day outside, perfect for a spot of mountain walking. And yet when I headed up the mountain, armed with camera, binoculars and bird book - it ended up a 1/2km drag before I simply couldn't go on. Instead I sat on a big log and took stock of what the heck is going on.

And I know what I need to do. I haven't been treating myself right. I haven't gotten enough exercise in, nor am I eating what I should be. Most meals I'm uninspired and we end up with what's easy & quick to make, not what will give us the best nutrition. We're in a bad rut, and it needs to change.

Change is hard though. It's going to take effort and committment and time. But there's no time like the present.

So here's the plan. Tomorrow I head off to our local fruit and veg shop and stock up on everything they have - whether it forms part of our normal diet or not. Lots of greenery, fruit, things with a variety of colour. I also investigate juicers. In a few minutes I'm going to Mooiberge farm stall to get 2kg of strawberries (Spring! yay... :) ). And then I'm going to sit down right in front of this screen and work out a plan I can stick to.

For the next week I need to make sure I'm getting enough water. I'm cutting out the processed foods and going home-made so I know what's in it - legumes done at home instead of the frozen vegetarian protien products, home-cooked whole grains instead of shop-bread, fruit and veggies - as much as I can eat, and every time I hit a craving. I'm giving up my coffee for the week (though I only have one mug a day, and it is my only real "sin".. :) ) in favour of green tea. I'm leaving off the dark chocolate (tradition on a Friday night as something special). I'm going to investigate local producers of organic goods (and plant that darned veggie garden for summer - in pots, in case it needs relocating). I'm going to eat the freshest stuff I can lay hands on and see what happens by the end of the week.

I'm starting with a mere week. But I aim to make this the starting block of a lifestyle change, the foundation on which I build.

I have no doubt as the toxins flush out of my system things will get worse before they get better. But it's not going to be a busy work week and I'll have the opportunity to deal with that as it happens. The rewards at the end will be worth it.

All I know is this can't go on. I have to change, now, before it's too late. And sorting out how my body functions will help me get my head around what other steps I need to take to sort out the rest of my life. Clarity of body, clarity of thought. And no more of this stodgy, slow-brain, dragging-along-body nonsense.