Sugar runs through my veins. Not blood. SUGAR! I’m a sugar junkie. Malted Milk Balls? I never eat just one. I eat the whole box in one setting. Milk Duds? Caramel Chews? M&M’s? Gummy Bears? Please, stop! Give me a truckload. No, a dump truck load, and I’ll scream for more. If I were a hoarder, my house would be bursting at the seams with candy! Am I diabetic? Nope! I’m just an insane, full-blown addict!
And, since Christmas, I’ve added hot chocolate to the list. Covered with marshmallows. So yummy. Then I ran into a problem. A big problem. I got hooked on the marshmallows! My brain wouldn’t shut up about it. Every time I started doing something, I’d hear, “Sandi. Come and eat us,” till I ended up eating two whole bags full.
I only wish my body liked candy as much as my taste buds do. But, it doesn’t. It suddenly got too big for its britches. Between the bloat and neuropathy, my feet and legs swelled like road kill on the verge of bursting open. I complained. I moaned and groaned. My poor body was suffering, and my brain didn’t care.
I had to make a decision: keep up the insanity, or straighten up. I chose to straighten up. Since this is not my first rodeo, I knew what I had to do. DETOX!
I dislike water as much as I love candy. And intermittent fasting is almost as bad. But, because I’m an all or nothing freak, I do better at eating nothing than going on a stupid, calorie-restricted diet that never works for me. Fasting is a beautiful word compared to the evil, diet word.
Oh, and one other thing. I started walking. Since I quit jogging after seventeen years (another stupid thing I did), I’ve gained weight and lost a ton of muscle strength till it’s difficult walking up just a few steps. And I fall. A lot. And I’m old. Real old (77). But, that’s okay. I can’t fix that, but I can fix what I do with it from here on out. I must admit, though, that since my legs refuse to support me at times, I feared falling in the middle of the road and getting run over if I started a walking program. My son, an insane hiker, marathon runner, and body builder, told me about trekking poles that athletes are using today. I bought a set, tried them out, and fell in love with them. It took me a few walks before I got the hang of it, but I won’t walk without them. Ever!
The moral of my story is this: If you value your body, no matter what your age, take care of it. It’s the only one you have, and it ain’t gettin’ younger! Trust me!
THE END!
Straight From the Heart 
I bought M&Ms yesterday. I know I shouldn’t have. I need to set them down, start walking again, and lose some weight. I’ll do my best to follow your advice and take care of myself. I’m 60 and would like to be fit enough to enjoy my life in 20 years. Many of my neighbors do. I’m one of the younger people in this 55+ community. I used to be one of the youngest but, each year, people younger than I am move here. I guess that comes with aging. No more M&Ms today though. My fingers aren’t crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for reading my post and for your comment. Any addiction is hard to break because it overpowers us. Good for you for listening to your body! Old people in general teach me how not to live the rest of my life. I’m too young at heart to let my body slow me down. Keep in touch and let me know how your walking goes for you. I really enjoy using the trekking poles; they really help me a lot. I bought mine on Amazon for $24.99. You can find them cheaper and over the moon in cost. I started out cheaper to see if I would even like them. Yesterday, I walked 55 min, although I’ve been walking 3 days a week since Jan. 3rd. I have some back problems, and the poles really help with that. Yesterday I decided that the poles are my best friends. Like an extra pair of legs. Best wishes in your decision to get back on track!
LikeLike