Joy's Journal

[quietjoyful1]

Good morning!

Oh, I love this concept and this site. It makes so much darned sense to me!

Here's my story in a nutshell:

55-year-old woman. The only thing I don't overdo is moderation. Seven years ago, I weighed 240 lbs. on my 5'6" frame. Then I became an exercise and diet addict and got down to 140 lbs.

At age 52, my life exploded with stress (two teenagers both developed serious, life-altering mental illnesses; my older son has high functioning autism to boot). My spine crumbled from arthritis and I needed two emergency surgeries to save my spinal cord, which put an end to my exercise-as-I-knew-it (which was excessive, high-intensity, and ultra-endurance.)

So..........in the past 3 years I put on 50 pounds, intermittently trying Weight Watchers and low-carb dieting, with no lasting success.

The one good thing I have done for myself is to cultivate the practice of self-compassion and kindness through a dedicated meditation practice. This helps.

It also leads me to appreciate the beauty of the "Middle Way"---neither rigidly ascetic nor overly indulgent. In fact, I am cultivating exactly the habits the No-S way of life endorses: gentle discipline, measured indulgence, moderate exercise. I say yay to such beautiful common sense.

Because I am the sole caregiver for my two disabled children, my life can seem very small from the outside. I cannot really travel; I often cannot keep plans that take me away from home for any length of time. Five years ago my "Bucket List" had things on it like hike the Appalachian Trail, cycle across America, live for half a year on a Tuscan villa. None of those things are likely to happen now, because of the circumstances of my life.

So now my "Bucket List" has only one thing on it:

Life richly and deeply, wisely and well, with as much authenticity and sweetness as possible.

As a former athlete, I know that discipline is not a dirty word.

I'm happy to be here.

Here are the habits I am in the practice of cultivating (apart from No-S's):

1. Meditative practice of one sort or another daily.
2. One Housekeeping Duty daily.
3. One walk of at least 10 minutes daily.
4. One Housekeeping task daily.
5. Take proper supplements daily.
6. No-S guidelines daily.

This is what I will be checking in daily with. It's good to be here, in the land of the moderates!

Joy

[quietjoyful1]

1. S- day food:
Breakfast--1 cup oatmeal with butter and maple syrup.
Lunch---bowl of homemade soup with meat, kale, sweet potato; 1 sprouted wheat bagel with butter.
Dinner---2 slices of homemade apple pie

2. Meditative Practice---2 hours restorative yoga

3. Housekeeping Duty---decluttered older son's beside chest

4. Exercise----1.5 mile walk in nature preserve

5. Supplements---Vit D., multivitamin

SUCCESS!!!!!

Interestingly, coming off a stint of low carb eating, I had SO MUCH PLEASURE eating my meals today. Without bingeing at all. (I have been known to eat mass quantities of pistachio nuts, for instance, trying to scratch that whole wheat bagel itch.)

Tomorrow is a No-S day. I'm looking forward to it. Rather than focusing on what I can't have----seconds, sweets, or snacks---I'm focusing on what I CAN eat: anything I want that fits on on my plate.

Tonight, I noticed a twinge of habit eating, but the truth is I am not hungry. So no problem. I am drinking some selzter and might have some hot sleepytime tea in a bit, and that's it.

So glad to be here...
Joy[/code]

[quietjoyful1]

Day 2: SUCCESS!

1. No S- day food:
Breakfast--2 eggs, 2 slices bacon, sprouted grain bagel and butter
Lunch---out running around, lousy commercial bagel and swiss cheese.
Dinner---2 loin lamb chops, steamed kale with ghee, and 2 potato blintzes.

2. Meditative Practice---25 min. sitting meditation in morning, 2 hour group meditation in evening

3. Housekeeping Duty---laundry

4. Exercise----90 min. ballet class for women over 50! Fun!

5. Supplements---Vit D., multivitamin

Joy

[jump4joy]

I just wanted to say hello from one Joy to another. I've been a member here for several weeks but haven't posted yet. The name Joy's Journal caught my eye because I had thought of using that title too. Besides sharing the same name, I'm close to your age at 53. I'm a mother of two dear girls who have flown the nest. I'm about 80 pounds overweight and was drawn to this plan of moderation as well.

I loved your intro! I'm so inspired by your apparent resilience and grace in the face of great challenges. You have such a way with words..."appreciate the beauty of the Middle Way..." "Life richly and deeply, wisely and well, with as much authenticity and sweetness as possible." Beautifully said. I'm happy you are here. Perhaps I will start posting my journey, too (With a different title, of course). <smile>

Joy in Utah

[quietjoyful1]

Dear Joy,

Thank you for stopping by to comment on my journal. Your kind welcome is much appreciated.

One of the gifts that my circumstances have give me is that I have learned to be content with stillness. No big projects, no grand adventures, no ambitious undertakings. I figure if I can't live life large, I will live life deep.

It would be lovely to see another Joyful Journal!

Joy

[quietjoyful1]

SUCCESS! Day 3. More details tomorrow.

B: 2 pancakes, 2 sausage
L; small slice pizza
D: to be determined, long story.