A blur

The holidays were a blur this year - full of reacting to events.  December began with my son getting some sort of flu.  He was out of school for four days.  A week later, on the last day of school, he got sick again at the gym.  Then, at one thirty in the morning, my daughter got sick. 

Four days later, *I* got sick.  And I really got sick, usually I can still at least sit at the computer and read blogs and e-mails.  I was too sick for that.  I spent the day sleeping and hoping I could keep down crackers and tylenol.

So I wasn't able to do as much baking as I usually do.  We weren't able to go to the museums or get all the shopping done until the very last minute.  I thought of the line from The Grinch who Stole Christmas about Christmas - "it came".  And it was nice, despite not being exactly as I planned.

Then, a few days after Christmas I got the call that my Grandpa had passed away.  We knew he had been in declining health.  I was fortunate enough to be able to fly out to the funeral, despite a major snowstorm.  I'm so glad I was able to go.  There may have been six inches of snow on the ground, countless flight delays, but I was there. 

Roses outside the building where my Grandpa's funeral was held. 

I didn't have time for quiet contemplation of the past year, and time to think about goals for 2011.  So I feel out of sorts, even more so than usual.  And rather surprised that it's already January 9th.  I'm left feeling like there was something very important I was supposed to do that I haven't.

Dieting in January

Mornings like this morning make me wonder why people start their diets in January - and then get discouraged.

Not that I'm not fully supportive of people trying to get (and stay) healthy and lose weight. Particularly if people are like me and didn't find a cookie/brownie/cake they didn't have to try over the holiday season.

But this morning, it was cold. I'm not someone who typically complains about the weather, but I have to admit, it was chilly. And those of you in colder climates (north or near the Rockies) have been experiencing this for months now. (And it's been worse, no doubt).

So when the temperature is sub zero - it seems to me it's much more difficult to eat salad. It's much more difficult to eat smaller portions. Because if you are cold, it's that much more difficult to get over that instinctual notion that body fat protects
you and will help you be warmer. Or - more food will help keep you warm. That's been my experience any way.

Sure there are plenty of low fat/calorie things that are actually good for you. Oatmeal. Non cream based soups.

And it's even more difficult to get out and walk around the block (if there is snow or ice out). Or drive to the gym. Well, IMO, more difficult than in, say, March or April. Where I'm at - March and April arebeginning to get warmer. The snow melts. There are more greens - it's not nearly as cold.

I understand it's a new year. I understand waking up and realizing - another year has gone by and I haven't worked on this. I can understand wanting to maintain your current weight. But losing weight? A difficult proposition in Jan. if you don't live in Florida, Arizona, California or Southern France.

Now - quitting smoking this time of year - that makes more sense. Standing outside has got to be really, really cold. And - the taxes on cigarettes just went up. That is probably an easier resolution to keep.