Presently I am in The Zone.
What is The Zone in my world, you may be asking yourself? Well, it looks like an adult woman who is taking care of business on every level.
I dropped the junk food for the most part last December, right after it turned out that my blood pressure was a little bit jacked. I dropped gluten on January 1. I dropped red wine for the most part, as well. (I may have had a few glasses of a fine Costco Pinot in January.)
Long story short, I’m starting to look at what I’m eating as fuel and not as a reward. I have never, ever thought that way about food. In fact, last week we got takeout as a family (Aidan was home) from Chipotle and I ordered one of their new Paleo Barbacoa salads. And it was fine. I mean, I didn’t feel at all bad about not having a big-assed burrito and an excessive amount of those wonderful tortilla chips.
WHO AM I?
Normally, it’s very hard for me to remain separate from what is going on around me. If people are drinking, I am drinking. If people are eating potato chips, I am eating potato chips. But right now, from my view in The Zone, I just want something that’s good for me. And that feels different.
I am not “dieting.” I am not counting points or calories. I’m eating no processed foods to speak of. Just meats, veggies and healthy fats, along with lots of water for hydration. And I’m getting 30 minutes of exercise a day, usually in the form of an predominately 80s Dance Party that I invented. (Check out my mix here.*)
I personally have seen that here in the middle age of life, what you eat is probably more important than how much you exercise. I like to think that exercise keeps things tuned up and strong, but food is really the critical piece. I needed to start making changes so my health didn’t start to decline. High blood pressure is no joke and because I have no family health history (I was adopted), it’s important that I meet this head on and see if it can be controlled by diet and exercise.
I went to the doctor two weeks ago, told her what I’m doing, and she said, “Great! Keep it up. Your blood pressure looks good.” So I got that going for me.
Yes, I’ve dropped some weight and that feels really good. But I’ve also made a direct impact on my health, and that feels even better.
And yet, there is always an ebb and flow… case in point: all of a sudden out of the clear blue sky, my knee is swelling. Just like that. No injury that I can trace, although I did slip on the ice recently AND I have not been taking any rest days from exercise. That might be the culprit! Still, it feels a bit too tight for my leg, if that makes sense. No pain, but apparently I have to RICE it up (rest, ice, compression, elevation—not just eat rice or cover my leg in rice!), and see what shakes out.
And who knows… next month, everything could fall apart and it could turn into a giant shit show. But whatever happens, I will still show up and do my best. If there is one thing I know to be true it’s that your best can look very different from day to day. And that’s okay.
Thanks for following along.
*Please note: I am breaking the cardinal rule of mix making by having TWO songs by the same artist on a single mix. But there is something about back to back Kelly Clarkson that gets me hyped! And then the Macklemore song? Fuggedaboutit! SO awesome. I love that song. And if you have never watched the video, you owe it to yourself to watch right now!
YOU CAN JOIN FIT 2019 AND START YOUR SELF-CARE JOURNEY TODAY! I can’t offer you any promises, but I can provide you with lots of materials to track your new habits, as well as a message each month to keep you on track and connected to your goals. That, and a fantastic Facebook group to offer support and camaraderie along the way. Click on the image above to join today!
Debra says
I’m so sorry but I’ve had to report you to the mixtape police. Expect a knock on the door any minute – I hope in time you’ll come to realise it was for your own good.
Hope the knee is better soon!
Cathy Zielske says
Just don’t tell my hubby. He will be SO disappointed. lol!
Kary says
I am a new follower of yours on Instagram and am even happier now that I’ve read this. The struggle is real and I’m in it too. Thank you for your honesty, your humor, this particular post,and your awesome card-making abilities! (Although I couldn’t get the link to work to join the fitness group??)
Cathy Zielske says
Hey Kary! Thanks for letting me know it didn’t work. You have to be a member of the class to join the FB group. Get more info here: https://www.czclasses.com/product/fit-2019/
Laura says
High five to positive changes! Not a medical professional, but I have experienced similar knee issues following a ramp up of exercise. In my case, the issue was that my leg muscles needed strengthening to more properly support my knee. I was given some exercises and all was well.
Cathy Zielske says
Yeah, I may need some PT, which I am all down for, but I don’t love the fact that our insurance will probably only cover a tiny bit. 🙂 But, it’s worth it! I’ll be going in next week if this issue persists!
Dianne says
I love this perspective!! Food as fuel, not a reward. ?????? You go, girl!
Cathy Zielske says
That’s kind of new for me, to actually experience that. I’ve thought it in my head a lot, but this feels like I just might have the chance to integrate it for real.
Kim Woods says
Good job lady! I have definitely been a doing what everyone else does kind of person and lately I’ve embraced being the one to not drink and be the DD. It is empowering, I feel proud of myself and still have fun, actually more fun! I had noticed that any amount of drinking was not mixing well with my stress (my husband has stage 4 cancer) and while I wanted to get out and have fun when I could I ended up just being REALLY tired, wanting to go home and to bed early and not my happy upbeat self. After trying the not drinking thing I was more fun, my stress stayed where it is supposed to be and I wasn’t trying to go to bed at 9:30. I’m proud of you and always like to see these kinds of messages. I agree, it is all food and we can’t starve ourselves or that is worse. Good foods, clean foods and fuel is right where we need to be 🙂
Cathy Zielske says
Hey Kim, just wanted to send some love to your husband. I cannot imagine, but your perspective… thanks for sharing it.
Glenda Thorne says
Happy Birthday month to me as well! I’ll be 66 and am in the best shape of my life, well my older self, lol. Eating better, less processed sugar, exercising with a fabulous group of like minded ladies of all ages. Sure, like you Cathy, I wake up and darn something hurts or swells up but at least I wake up!. Keep on doing what you are doing, don’t despair if you fall of the tracks, it’s all good and life is good. Happy March and Happy Birthday. ???
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks, Glenda!
Heather says
Cathy! The Glorious video!! It made me cry. May we all make it to 100. (Thank you for this wonderful link.) Please let me know if I am incorrect, but I believe your playlist link is not working.
Cathy Zielske says
Isn’t it good? I cry EVERY freaking time I watch it. That she is really his grandma… the fact that she says, “Oh, right you don’t drink” because he’s sober now. It’s so great. You can feel his love and respect for her.
Heather says
My bad. My filter blocks Spotify. It’s broken on my end, not yours. I should have checked that. Sorry for panicking. I’m super excited to do some dancing today. ? oh, and do you know the back story on whom she egged? I’m gonna have to google that. Too funny. Have a great day, Cathy.
Jill broyles says
I ran into similar knee issues. I found, for me, it was shoes. The arch was wrong in a new pair of walking shoes. Totally helped when I corrected that along with the rice diet. Much love for you and what you are doing. Btw I’m loving the look of your hair. I think you look younger. Go Cathy Go as Ali likes to say. Have a great weekend.
Cathy Zielske says
Yeah, i have some SERIOUS support shoes for running. I am not running, not really, but… i have been incorporating one minute here and there, but I don’t really think that is the cause. I think it’s from slipping on the ice while shoveling a few days back. Not sure though, so… RICE it is.
Connie says
Thanks for inspiring us with your progress and positive spirit. By the way, the fact that Duran Duran is on the playlist corrects any errors?
Cathy Zielske says
YOU KNOW IT! #iwasanickrhodesgirl
Anne says
Hi Cathy,
WOW! I am so inspired and impressed with your progress–I too am in the process of making changes in my diet… can you share what types of foods you eat–especially for lunch/snack since that is where I am tempted to stray the most. I also ALWAYS thought of food as a reward, and it’s hard to change at age fifty-something, but if I want to get to stay around, I ‘ve got to do this. Thanks for another great and encouraging blog entry…you rock!
Cathy Zielske says
I can! I am leaning into Keto… low carb, med protein and higher fat. I have bacon and eggs every day for breakfast. I eat a really yummy lunch: lean ground turkey cooked in olive or avocado oil and seasoned with liquid aminos from Bragg, and then I mix in a heaping serving of riced veggies (broccoli and cauliflower are my fave!). For snacks I look for protein, carb and fat together, like an uncured beef stick from my favorite company (1,000 Hills), a fresh pickle and some cream cheese. Or almonds and cheese. And for dinner, I just make something low carb.
It’s pretty basic, but because of the fat at every meal or snack, I never feel hungry.
Low fat = hunger. I fully believe that. Also, my cholesterol numbers are great. Eating fat doesn’t really affect that they way we have been led to believe. 🙂
Carrie Kelleher says
Love this Cathy! Keep up the good work! My focus for March is moving but I’m going to come up with a plan that’s small and achievable so I stick to it!
Judi Church says
“Your best can look different from day to day. And that’s okay. “ love that you said that. I keep reminding myself of that fact. Kudos to you, Cathy, for keeping it real. Injuries happen. Shit happpens. But we keep on doing our best and moving forward. You are an inspiration.
Cathy Zielske says
Amen, Judi!
Amy Sorensen says
Having been wrangling with two unhappy knees since September, might I suggest a daily dose of turmeric? I know, it sounds insane, I was skeptical when my ortho doc suggested it, but I am finding it is not only helping my knees but my ankle and my SI joint too. I get the liquid kind from Costco. Love keeping up on your journey!
Cathy Zielske says
I can do that! i have it in my cabinet as a supplement!
Diane says
I am so happy for you, Cathy! I know that you have been on a roller coaster for a few years, now, so it’s good to know that things have settled a bit. My fit journey is on hold for a the time being; my husband of 35 years passed away this January, so I am on the widow diet…food just isn’t that important right now. Don’t worry, I am eating, just not as much or as often. I have an artificial knee and it swells occasionally for no apparent reason. I have attributed it to extra sodium sneaking into my diet, so in order to counteract it, I add a squirt of lemon or lime juice to my water (it acts to flush my system, so to speak), and the swelling goes away. It may not work for you, but it does for me…and turmeric is excellent to add to your diet, just as Amy said. I always look forward to your posts. Good luck!
Cathy Zielske says
Oh Diane, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Louise says
This story very closely mirrors mine Cathy from a health perspective , down to the blood pressure issues and having kids same ages and stages. And of course, I’ve been ‘following’ you since way way back in the day. So it’s kinds nice to see parallels and that you realise your not the only one. The realisation that it’s all about health now going forward is key isn’t it ? Well done you, I’m really enjoying reading about and following along this chapter Keen to see you you / we go over the next months eating clean and moving more.
Cathy Zielske says
It really shows us that health won’t be automatic, you know? We have to do our part!
Rebecca says
I love to read about women taking time for themselves to improve their well being. 🙂
That video was awesome, I hope I’m that alert at 100!
Cathy Zielske says
Wasn’t it great? I watch it every so often. Love it so much!
Darcie says
I’ve been a regular follower of yours for years and one thing I continue to love about you is your honesty – with yourself and your “internet friends”. 😉 I’m only a couple of years older than you and all the “adventures” you experience and share about, I can relate to. The comment that really got my attention in this post was how it’s very hard for you to “remain separate from what is going on around [you]. If people are drinking, I am drinking. If people are eating potato chips, I am eating potato chips. But right now, from my view in The Zone, I just want something that’s good for me. And that feels different.” I’m exactly the same way – in that, it is hard for me to separate myself. But in the last few months I’ve lost quite a few pounds (knock, knock, knockin’ on diabetes door!) :-/ and have been consistently putting forth the effort to show up for myself every day. Even though I hadn’t put the two together, I feel like I am in The Zone also and am trying really hard to find what is good for me. After this, I’ll be even more aware.
Finally — That Video, though! Oh my stars.
Cathy Zielske says
Yeah, remaining separate… it can be hard, but it does get easier when you know you are really giving yourself real love and care. : )