I let myself go. There’s no way around it, denying it, or hiding it. Thirteen years ago, I was super active and healthy. I was a runner and a yogi. I also had an occupation (wrangler of tiny humans/early childhood educator if you want to sound professional) that required me to be in a nearly perpetual state of motion for the majority of the day.

Fast forward thirteen years, a severed ankle tendon, three major abdominal surgeries, and a change in occupation and lifestyle later. As you can imagine, I put on weight to say the least – a lot of it… like sixty pounds. I knew it was happening. I could see it, and Lord knows I could feel it as more and more of my clothing stopped fitting. Something had to give, and it did.

A few months ago I went in for a physical with a new doctor. She was thorough and ran a full panel of blood work in addition to a urine specimen and also a coronary calcium CT scan to determine my risk factors for heart disease, something that runs rampant on both sides of my family. About a week later my blood work came back, and I was less than pleasantly surprised to learn that some of my liver enzymes were wonky (not from alcohol but the ones that can indicate fatty liver). My triglycerides were elevated, and I was now considered prediabetic, being .3 away from my A1C calling it full blown. Oh yeah, and technically with my BMI, I was obese. I knew I was overweight, but obese… yeah that stuck. And then the super perky tech on the phone told me that my doctor wanted me to be on a low fat/low carb diet and to watch my sugar intake. Oh yes, and sodium should also be monitored too, because why the F not? I then began to wonder where I could get myself a shirt that says #eatdirt to wear at my follow up six months later.

I’m not writing this, or even God forbid, trying to sound whiney about it in a vain sort of way. I had tried Weight Watchers in the past, sometimes more faithfully than others. I knew I had put on weight, but to hear that and to see the results snapped my jiggly booty (and old lady chicken arms) into attention. I knew that I needed to start getting serious about making some real and lasting changes. Vanity was and is still not the factor, my health being at risk was. I want to be around for a long time, and knowing the gene pool I was hatched from, I knew it was time to stop messing around with lame excuses.

The first thing I did was go online and sign up for a Planet Fitness membership – the Black Card level so that I could use all of the perks like hydromassage beds and being able to visit any location when we travel. I then proceeded to take inventory of any workout attire that I had, only to find that there was no way I was squishing one let alone both “the girls” into the sports bras that I currently had. I remember from prior physical fitness that breathing is important, so I decided to invest in some new attire. Ross’s had some great deals on shirts, capris, and sports bras – SCORE! I also visited Fleet Feet in West Bloomfield (shout out to Mariam and Rayan for their help) where I got a super cool scan of my feet. More than a few dollars later I left with a new pair of Hokas (LOVE the Arahis) and excitement to start my journey.

I also downloaded some charts for healthier eating to assist me with grocery shopping. My adopted mom has also been a great help with my learning about a pre-diabetic diet. I learned that once you start actually taking the time to read labels that you may spend nearly two hours at Kroger and not realize it until your husband texts you to check in before having your photo put on the side of a milk carton… I have been experimenting with different flavors and food combos, and I have even taken over a drawer in the fridge for “Jan’s healthy stuffs”. I haven’t actually labeled it as such because that would be a bit extra even for me. I also don’t have to because Russ has less than zero interest in trying my plant based hot dogs and cheese – neither of which actually taste horrible. I also gave up Pepsi. For those of you who don’t know me, that was beyond HUGE. I don’t drink coffee often at all, and I didn’t drink any other kind of pop. I did it cold turkey over two months ago, and I still haven’t committed any felonies.

Healthier food in the house…check. Gym membership with appropriate attire… check. Where to start… awww craaaaaap. I was pleased to find out that Planet Fitness has free consultations with personal trainers. I made an appointment with Dave who put together a training program specifically for me with my goals in mind. I got right to it, and I average 4-5 days a week at the gym, combined with some yoga and light weights at home.

Now that the weather is getting nicer, I plan on incorporating more outdoor exercise. I am currently down 18 pounds, and I am working on getting back into my pattern again after a little over a week off from traveling and illness. I am finding it harder than before, but I am not giving up. My health is too important to give up.

Besides… I have plenty of shenanigans to participate in, curmudgeons to annoy, and love to share. I’m gonna need way more time for all of that.