1) Fight for Air Climb
Well, I did it! I signed up for the Fight for Air Climb. On Saturday, I used the stair stepper at my gym and I was able to climb 150 steps without too much difficulty so I think I can handle the climb. Maybe. Hopefully. With a lot of grumbling, at least. To get ready for the climb, I’m going to use the stair stepper at least twice a week and increase the number of stairs I climb each time so that I can at least be close to handling 900+ steps on April 5th. And now for the part where you guys come in (if you’re so inclined). I’m trying to raise $100 for the American Lung Association, so I’m going to leave the link to my fundraising page here. Any amount helps, even just a few dollars!
2) A break-up
I broke up with my dietician yesterday. Because I am a coward, I did it over the messaging app while cancelling our next appointment (and I even asked ChatGPT how to write the message for me, lol). I love my dietician and she taught me so much, but I don’t know how helpful she is going to be on my journey to lower my A1C. If I do go back to a dietician (which I will probably only do if I’m diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes), then I will see a diabetes dietician. I don’t feel like I was making all that much progress in living a healthier lifestyle with my dietician, but she’s definitely the person I want every woman who struggles with a diet culture mindset to go to. She was excellent at helping me break down those thought patterns and eating behaviors! But now, it’s time to do things my own way, which will entail tracking my food and paying close attention to portion sizes and nutrition facts.
3) The elephant in the room
NGS wrote a post yesterday that really resonated with me. I haven’t talked about politics much on my blog lately, not because I’m not thinking about it all the time but because it feels so dark and heavy and I don’t really have the words to express how scared I am. It feels easier to talk about other things. I am scared for democracy, for freedom of speech, for the Constitution. I am scared that there are no checks and balances anymore, and that this administration is going to be able to dismantle politics as we know it. I am scared that we won’t have any more global allies or the protection of NATO. I am scared for our immigrant community and the absolute shitstorm they are enduring. I am scared and heartbroken for trans people and losing the ability to declare their gender on documents (WHO is that hurting?!). I can’t believe we withdrew from the WHO and what this will mean for global health outbreaks going forward. I could keep going. Things are terrible and every new story makes me want to scream into the void.
4) Let’s talk about cats
Because there’s no great way to segue after the previous point, let’s talk about cute things my cats have done recently: Lila playing with her crinkly ball (the only toy she will bat around the apartment). Eloise snuggling into my freshly washed quilt and not moving (not even for treats). Lila hardcore snuggling me in the early mornings. Eloise sleeping on the dining chair next to me while I work at the dining room table. Lila splaying herself out on the coffee table while I’m coloring and watching TV. Eloise grooming a toy (!?!). Lila being sweet and loving with this beaver toy, so sweet and loving that I think they might be having a love affair.
5) Weekend plans
I have a great weekend planned! I have nothing going on tonight and I’d really like to finish one of the books I’ve been slogging through for over a week now. Tomorrow, I’m going to a friend’s daughter’s play, which should be so adorable. And then I’m going to drop off my nephew’s birthday present at his home and go shopping with my mom. Sunday, I have a writing date with Mikaela and then I’m going to visit my cousin to snuggle her baby. It’s been forever since I’ve seen her or him, and I am vastly overdue for a visit.
What are your weekend plans?
Yes, I also loved Engie’s post. It’s so weird writing a blog post nowadays. “Here are all the ways I’ve found joy this week oh and also EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE”??? I mean- should we write about it? But then we’ll just be reiterating everything we’re already hearing in the news and getting stressed about. On the other hand, not writing about it feels like I don’t care. I feel like every post should come with a disclaimer- “I’m writing about cats and books, but just so you know I’m deeply worried about what’s going on in our country.”
ANYWAY, moving on. I’m excited you’re doing the Fight For Air Climb, and I’ll definitely contribute. You’ll be in shape by April. It will be a challenge, but the fun kind of challenge.
Your weekend sounds nice! And of course… I loved all the cat talk, and that photo of Lila. Cats make everything better.
A disclaimer is a good idea, lol. I just want people to know I feel deep turmoil about what’s going on but also, I don’t want that to be what my blog is about. I want to maintain a semblance of joy because that’s also part of resistance. UGH. What a mess.
I appreciate you!
I broke up with a LMT via voice mail once. I felt bad about doing it that way but also didn’t want to engage in any explanations about why I was leaving. Like you I’d learned enough from her care and wanted to try things on my own. Also the chick was a little too nosy for my comfort level.
Agreed! I didn’t even want to provide a reason but I had to, sigh. At least it’s over!
Very well said, Stephany. You are a lovely, inspiring person. I will donate to your stair climbing fundraiser!
I appreciate your donation! <3
I broke up with my therapist in person, and it totally would have been better if I’d done it via email. It was a waste of both our time, because I was so eager to get it over with, I blurted it out at the beginning of our session and then there was nothing left to say… and I also still had to pay for it, lol. So I think your tactic was a wise one.
Engie’s post was deeply thoughtful and thought provoking. I completely get where she’s coming from, and echo your thoughts on the consuming worry and chaos we’re enduring.
Oh man, that would have been so awkward for sure! It was so much easier doing it over a message rather than in-person. I’m fairly certain I would have kept going to her for years if I had to do it in-person, lol.
Thanks for the reassurance that my post wasn’t out of bounds. I was really worried about posting it, but I also didn’t want everyone to think all is sunshine and roses over here.
Zelda will only play with her brown ball. But she REALLY PLAYS with her brown ball. That gives me joy in a way that I really cannot describe. She carried it around in her mouth yowling. Then she throws in on the floor and bats it around. SO CUTE. And loud.
I think it resonated with a lot of us! Not out of bounds at all. We’re all in this together. <3
STEPHANY!!! I don’t know if you ever listened to the Food Heaven Podcast, but now they are called the Diabetes Digital Podcast (I think? Hang on. Let me check.) Anyway, I don’t really listen to it anymore as I don’t have diabetes but I loved Food Heaven, and I feel like they have all sorts of topics that are relevant to anyone pre-diabetic or diabetic. They are short little episodes, and the hosts are registered dieticians who believe in HAES and are body positive but committed to individual goals. So maybe check it out?
I am very scared too. I can’t even put it into words because I immediately go into a really bad headspace. But I am very scared and worried.
I’m going to download that podcast right now – thank you for the rec!
I had a thought today when I was stressing about a work situation about how NICE it is to stress about work and not the downfall of the US’s democracy. We are in dark times.
Yay on being officially signed up! My climb is this weekend, and I’m excited. Also yay for moving on from the dietitian since she wasn’t a good fit for diabetes.
I continue to avoid the news as much as possible, because I know that whatever I see there is just going to yank my chain. Moving on, Doggo has been in SuperSnuggle mode even with the weather being warmer, and I’m loving the puppy cuddles.
I agree. I am trying to compartmentalize my life so I only get the news in little snippets. It’s all I can handle right now because everything is so depressing and awful.
I saw Engie’s post and felt it in my gut. I am one of the people who does not have the mental bandwidth of talking about politics -on my blog or in person- so I stick to “so this happened today…” I am not well versed enough to write about it. I am also a naturalized citizen, and I’m scared.
Lila is such a dame!!! Love her and her little “stink eye” she is giving all of us in the photo.
I totally understand! It’s a hard topic to discuss and sometimes, it’s just easier to talk about life without getting into the mess that is happening in Washington. <3
Such a little stink eye, haha!
I don’t talk about politics on my blog either, but it’s not because it’s not on my mind. I have to talk about politics so much it works, and it impacts financial markets so My blog is my calm space where I focus on the joys of life. I was horrified to watch the video of the interaction between Trump Vance, and Zelinskyy yesterday. I cannot believe he cozy up to Putin and then bullies and ally!! And yet, no one will stand up to him. Sigh. I have a transgendered family member, so I worry for their future. It is just so very bleak.
I think you should abandoned the book your slogging through!
I donated!! The cause hits close to home for me right now with my uncle dying from lung cancer. 🙁
I appreciate your donation, Lisa! Thank you so much. <3 I am so sorry your family has been impacted by this disease, too.
I find it hard to find the balance of talking about politics and just making sure my blog is a space of joy and comfort. I want to acknowledge what's happening because it's AWFUL but I don't think these mf-ers deserve all of my attention. Ugh. It's so hard.
Politics is so hard right now, and it’s like a huge shit storm. It is stressing me out so much, and I won’t not talk about it on my blog, and at the same time, I don’t want to ONLY talk about it. Unlike Lisa, I don’t have to deal with it for work. It’s important that we try to keep our mental health, and also important that we stay as involved as we can. HANG IN THERE.
Good luck with your stair challenge, it sounds amazing.
I was just thinking today about how much I welcome work stress because it feels so much easier to handle than “fate of our democracy” stress. Give me something low stakes like work!
The balance is key. We need to acknowledge what’s happening and our blogs can be a place where people can vent and talk about how they’re feeling. But it’s also good to find joy and happiness in the midst of all of this. <3
I hope that your weekend is going well; it does sound like a lot of fun! There is something about holding a warm baby that really makes everything better. Also, the cats. Aren’t cats weird. My parents used to have a Hillary doll for their cat; I don’t know if it had catnip in it or what, but he would cuddle up with that thing, and I have a lot of pictures with “captions” about his political leanings. I hope your training for the climb goes well! I am on the 8th floor of an apartment and I have not taken the elevator except for the first day when the owner brought me up. If all I get is those steps per day (which I hope is NOT the case), at least I am getting 8 flights a day!
8 flights! That’s impressive. My mom and I joke that on our first cruise, we were very adamant that we were ALWAYS going to take the stairs. Our legs were soooo sore after the first day that we had to start taking the elevator. I hope we’re better prepared for this challenge!
I think of you every time I go up! I also counted them, and there are 16 per flight. I am actually on the 8th floor, so that is 7 flights (I don’t know what happened with my math there) so that is 112 stairs each time! I know nothing about cruises; how many levels are there, and what level were you on, and are the dining options always on the top floor?
On the cruise ships I’ve been on, there are about 11 floors, and on our first cruise we were on the lowest level and then would usually have to go to the 6th/7th floor for some of the things (like the main dining room for dinner) and then 10th floor for things like the lido deck, buffets, etc.
I don’t think that is a cowardly way to break up! Who says you have to do it face to face and waste a whole session (and money!). I am glad you got something from her and recognize that. Nothing wrong with needing something different.
I’ve been keeping a private journal to chronicle my personal despair with this administration and release all my worries about the very lasting effects this will all have 🙁 Everyone should share what feels right to them. These are our blogs after all! We aren’t getting paid or censored (yet).
Unfortunately, since you have posted this picture of Lila in a PUBLIC PLACE (rookie mistake, Stephany!!!) you fine for cuteness overload has DOUBLED. LOLOLOL. But seriously STAHP WHY SHE SO CUUUUUUUTE.
I’m glad you have a place to chronicle your despair! You are really going through it. We all need a place to release it all. I worry about censorship so much and wonder what this country is going to look like a year from now. It’s scary. 🙁
OH NOOOO. I completely forgot about the cuteness fine. Dammit! Oh well. Worth it!
Donated! Thanks for sharing the link. OF COURSE you’ll be able to do it – slow and steady and all that.
I’m glad you broke up with a provider who wasn’t giving you what you need at this point in your life. Remember, YOU are driving the bus/car/trolley of your health care and your life. You get to make the choices, and you clearly made the one that was right for you. I hope if you do seek out another provider, you find someone whose views align with yours but who also can help you re: pre-diabetes/diabetes specifics. <3
I still have to read Engies post but the Elephant is in everyone’s room isn’t it. Mine might look a little different as I am seeing from the other side but the impact it’s making is still there. It’s a sh**t show right now. I am really wishing that women would talke over… at least for a while. I am rather sure we would not behave like these boys trying to impress each other without any consideration for anyone else. I am so done with it. But I can’t think about it too much for my own health.
I wonder, was this the new dietician you quiet or was it still the one you previously had and wanted to end working with because she was so anti diet culture,
I don’t blame you for NOT wanting to address the elephant in the room (politics) and trying to stick fingers in your ears and sing as loudly as you can to ignore everything… I wish I could do it but as you know my work/life is already directly affected by this madness and I struggle posting anything uplifting right now because I feel so worn down (and we’re only 60 days in). These are going to be very long for years. 🙁
Good for you for signing up for the Climb! Woohoo. That is exciting and I am rooting for you.