Achieving a "healthy" balance
Like many folks, both my weight and alcohol consumption went up during the past year of COVID restrictions.I haven't completely fallen apart - I would be in normal BMI range were I only a couple inches taller and my wine drinking would follow CDC guidelines were my two glasses the size of Big Gulp containers. But I feel better when I am about 10 or 15 pounds lighter than I am right now.
I don't like tight fitting clothes and I hate to buy new ones of a larger size. I don't like feeling that my drinking is an addiction rather than a habit or preference. I know that I need to be in better condition if I want to enjoy, not just survive, hiking at the Boy Scouts' Philmont Ranch this summer with my grandson. (55 miles of backpacking at relatively high altitudes.) So I have plenty of motivation to improve my physical condition.
I think I've struck on a rather clever plan. A couple weeks ago, I decided to give up alcohol until I lost 15 pounds. If that takes two weeks, two months, or two years, or if I am on the wagon for the rest of my life, so be it. Quite honestly, I have not missed my Two-Buck-Chuck. Sipping water instead of vino, works. Yes, I am practicing moderation in my food intake as well.
While I've not dropped much weight over the past couple weeks, I am certainly more alert in the evenings, stay up reading later, and sleep much better. And I am just happy knowing that I have at least a bit of control over my life.
One of my favorite observations comes from Coach John Wooden who said (I may be paraphrasing) "The two most important words in life are love and balance." I will probably never be a teetotaler. I may never shrink to my ideal BMI. I know sure as hell I will never run a marathon or have six-pack abs. But I do believe I can summit Mount Baldy this July strongly enough not to embarrass myself.
A simple goal and a simple plan for achieving it. Is that really all it might take? Perhaps if you strive for balance rather than perfection.
Reader Comments