Health

 Happy Sabbath,

I am thankful that my son, family and I are in good health.  My mom had a mammogram and there were no issues detected. I had asked my mother about any family history of breast cancer and said that both and and her sister both had something called a tag but after biopsies, they were found to be benign.  In a few short years, I will begin to have my yearly testing done.  I am thankful that for now, things are okay.  

I am thankful that I was able to get my booster shot yesterday.  I received all three of my vaccines and although my left arm is sore right now, it is not stopping me from doing what I need to do.  I know it may not protect me from all the COVID variants out there but at least I have a slight buffer for when and if I do come into contact with the disease.  I am surrounded by so many people who have let down their guards and even tried to encourage me to stop masking up.  Now those very people are having trouble.  One particular person has been missing this week and I was present when he and another person made a call to call out of work because they were experiencing symptoms.  Even though I am considered fully vaccinated, I will continue to wear my mask and keep distance as much as possible from others.  

I am thankful for the progress I have made with getting to a healthier weight range.  I do intermittent fasting and at times I might go a day or 2 to get things moving.  My gastrointestinal system is so sluggish.  I eat certain things to try to figure out how fast things are moving and it seems no matter how much fiber I add into my diet, it still moves soo slowly.  I decided to fast today and am doing well.  Going through this process especially since spring has shown me that I don't need 3-6 meals every day to get through.  I can tolerate longer periods, not that I really want to and often don't do.  I have a goal to be between 145-150 and I have been fluctuating between 150-161, which was the weight I used to be prior to having my son. Prior to my son, I did intermittent fasting about once a week and I would walk everywhere so I was getting exercise and cardio in most times unintentionally.  When I was not fasting, I ate like a glutton and had what ever rich sugary fatty foods I wanted.  I'm in my late 30's and things have changed and slowed down with my metabolism but I am thankful that my body does respond to fasting and better diet choices (I am more plant based than before).  I went to the store earlier this week with the intention to find one blouse to wear with my yellow timberlands.  I left two stores with much more than planned but the most shocking thing about my purchases was that I was comfortably selecting size small for most items.  I used to wear everything oversized and still occasionally shop that way but I am embracing myself a lot more now and see that I should have made such purchases a long time ago.  Last success about body goals, I am able to wear a size 4 in non-stretchy jeans (something completely unheard of for me but if I keep myself within a healthy weight range, size 4 instead of size 6 could become my norm). 

I am thankful that my knees are holding up. There was a time that I overexercised at the YMCA years ago and I injured myself after using a leg press machine.  I didn't realize I injured myself until I went to jog one final time around the indoor track.  For years, I was not able to squat or kneel safely/comfortably without experiencing excruciating pain. It's interesting how when starting this fasting lifestyle I am now able to do so.  I chose to do this primarily to try to heal dental issues as there was research showing how doing so stimulates the production of stem cells and new tissue and other development.  My knee had an inflammatory issue for so long and I am now able to squat down many times without problem.  I have temporary knees like Megan I guess one could say.  I have more energy and focus.  When I don't visit Trader Joes or Walmart, I save my money when grocery shopping.  I go to Trader Joes, I always lose my mind in that store...without fail. But whatever, I am thankful that my knees are better and my body is functioning better. Even the tooth I was afraid that I would lose is 99% back to normal when the doctors said that I would likely have to get a root canal and possibly more work done.  

I am thankful that people have agreed for a special event that I have to lead out for next Sabbath.  People I asked have said yes that they will participate. I am thankful that it is coming together.  I have to finish the plans next week but will give my nerves and everything else over to God so that it will be a success. 

Prayer request.  I still have an issue at work.  I need prayer to overcome it.  I'm not quitting my job and it looks like he is not going anywhere any time soon.  I want to work and be proper around other people.  I am dealing with temptation but want him to also be proper around me as well.  Either one of us leaves or I have a better distraction, one that is by God's hand.  I need help with this.

Happy Sabbath