Looking Back to January
My theme for 2021 is #YearofHealth, and my plan is to have a theme of the month for each month of the year. January was Less Sugar. I’d say the less sugar plan worked well, overall.
In the first few days, I had slight headaches, presumably through sugar withdrawal, but they were not at all unbearable. For the first three weeks, I was very keen and really didn’t have a problem staying almost sugar free. The final week was a bit different, as I constantly thought about sugar.
I had planned to stay on the less sugar plan for four weeks, ending on 28 January, in time for my birthday, and a planned weekend away. As this date approached, I desperately wanted to give up, every day. But I made it to the last day, and must admit that I felt quite good after four weeks of almost no sugar.
I’m fairly sure that to successfully stay sugar free, you would need to replace sugary foods with foods that are sugar free. I have a few sugar free cookbooks and had planned to try new snack recipes, but this didn’t happen. I didn’t replace the high sugar foods with a substitute. I just went without. Next time I would have sugar free snacks on hand.
My hope was that by the end of January, I would be feeling so great and motivated, that I’d want to go sugar free forever. I’m sure it’s no surprise to hear that this didn’t happen. I did feel great but not motivated to continue it permanently.
I love the way eating hardly any sugar made me feel, so will do it for a week or maybe even two, every month. For me that’s doable. This may change as the year progresses and I get more accustomed to a sugar free lifestyle. After only four weeks almost sugar free, I’m not really seeking out sugary foods even now.
Looking Forward to February
My intention for February is to focus on Fitness, as there has been a huge decline in my fitness level, since breaking my arm in December. I haven’t done much walking, due mainly to the hot weather which makes my arm feel hot, sweaty and uncomfortable under the brace. I have been walking, but distances have been much shorter than usual. My arm has now been free from the brace for a few days, so I’m getting back to serious exercise. I plan to walk every day in February, which will help me feel a bit better about my fitness.
To motivate me and keep me on track I’ve started another Conqueror Virtual Fitness Challenge. I completed one of these virtual challenges, late last year and loved it. The challenge I chose last year, was the Camino de Santiago Virtual Challenge 2020.
This time I’ve chosen the Ring Road Virtual Challenge, which is a virtual walk around Iceland, of 1332 kilometres. To do this I’m recording my daily steps total on the Conqueror Challenge App. I’ve chosen to complete the challenge in 20 weeks, which means that I need to walk about 11,900 steps every day to stay on track.
I’m a bit ashamed to say that I’ve done no gym at all since my accident. There really is no excuse for this, as there are things I could have done in the gym, other than exercises that need the use of my arm. I think I lost the plot a bit, and just gave up. I’m now back in the gym, but my arm is still weak, so I can’t use it for lifting weights just yet. I’m just going through the motions of the exercises that I would normally do, but with either no weights or extremely light weights, under the advice of my physio. I’m also doing legs, spin bike and lots of stretching.
Sue from Women Living Well Over 50 has created a February challenge called #FitFabFeb The theme for week 1 was Get moving. I plan to join in with this challenge, as it fits in perfectly with my own plans. Pop over and check it out. I’m sure Sue would love to have you join in the fun.
This post is linked to Denyse’s Life This Week and Natalie’s Weekend Coffee Share
Previous #YearofHealth posts:
2021 Year of Health – January
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Hi Jen, firstly thanks for the shoutout about #FitFabFeb2021. I’ve been trying to do the Myles free version of a walking challenge around Iceland but it is slow going and not as much fun as the challenge you are doing . I’m thinking of doing the Ring of Kerry challenge. Good for you with the sugar free challenge and going the distance as it is pretty tough and so easy to give up. I look forward to reading how you go in February and remember we all have times when we aren’t ‘feeling’ it so don’t feel guilty about missing the gym. #lifethisweek
Thanks for your kind comments Sie. The Ring of Kerry is on my to do list. I do love these challenges
Jennifer, Great to hear your arm brace is off. It’s wise to follow your PT advice and ease back into your fitness routine. All the best with your virtual walk challenge. Iceland is a stunning country. #lifethisweek
I’m definitely taking baby steps Natalie, though impatiently
I hear you about impatience, Jennifer. You’ll get the strength back in your arms. You’ve got this. Thanks for linking with #WeekendCoffeeShare.
Thanks Natalie
Well done on lasting with no sugar. I think it’s hard when you don’t feel amazingly better as it’s harder to find the motivation to continue – though good you noticed a difference.
Deb I Wasn’t eating lots of sugar before I started so that’s probably why I didn’t notice big changes.
Great work Jen, the sugar habit is hard to kick but your honesty is helpful for those of us who give it a go and then give up. I’m also trying to eat more healthily but agree with you about having sugar free snacks around to help ease the pain. Sue’s month is a great help and she is inspiring us all in so many ways, I tend to ned this accountability for things to work. Glad your arm is getting better but it will take a while to regain its previous strength I’d say so don’t rush! #lifethisweek
Deb I’m looking forward to being able to check out your local rail trail. Will definitely let you know
I’m impatiently trying not to rush the arm Deb. It has no strength at all yet
I was inspired by your Camino and am doing the length of Britain challenge. It’s a great way to ensure I do the required km each week. Good on you for ditching the sugar for January. I’m pretty good on sugar – gave it up a number of years ago – but every so often it creeps back in again… Yes, I bake, but I tend to give most of that away – especially now that Sarah has left home.
I’m full of admiration of you being able to bake while staying off sugar, Jo. Th length of Britain challenge will probably be my next.
Good on you with cutting sugar in Jan! Hopefully, the fitness will improve in Feb and your arm continues to get better!
Thanks Sanch. On the improve already
Well done on meeting your goals and challenges while having a broken arm. I cannot leave anything out of my daily intake of food because once I do that, the old dieter -mindset springs right back and there I am feeling deprived and likely to “over” compensate.
I remain overweight but I am also in good health following my bout with cancer! I eat from a range of foods that I can manage and small treats, along with a daily coffee, keep me at a great emotional re myself. It’s tricky thing, but I am determined not to go back to diet mentality EVER.
Thank you for linking up your blog post today. Next week’s optional prompt is 7/51 Self Care Stories #1. 15 Feb. In this one, I am using the new category in my blog called Ageing Stories because it was a good fit. Look forward to seeing you there too. Denyse.
I’m sure you’re doing all you should for your health Denyse. Eating a range of different foods with occasional treats is a perfect plan I would think
So wonderful when people focus on their health and are willing to share their experiences with others!
It’s wonderful when people focus on health and then share their experiences with the rest of us.
Thanks for popping in Corina
You have great determination! Fantastic! Best of luck with future goals 🙂
Thanks for visiting Maria