Summer's warm greeting...

It hasn't happened all that much, recently, but I have good, positive news to document - wholly unexpected.  And I am very thankful for it.

I had my doctor's follow-up exam last Friday.  During my May visit, he told me my cholesterol, glucose and other blood levels were dangerously high.  He gave me a very mild prescription for Crestor, to help control the cholesterol and said "exercise, cut down the carbs and watch what you eat and it should help.  If you're able to bring down some weight, that will also help."

Two weeks ago, I took a blood test in preparation for the doctor's visit.  When I saw him, he told/showed me the results from the lab.  All the danger levels went down 100 points - to a degree of "normal"/"healthy".  And while I've only taken off four pounds, I have been going to the gym again with regularity - which, naturally, helps not only my body, but my mind and my emotional state.  He told me to keep doing what I've been doing and he would see me in September (I have a blood test scheduled for this Saturday for my prostate PSA level and the next urologist visit is Friday, July 7th).

All of which is to say that I do feel happier that this kind of change has occurred.  The reality has been this:
- cut down the carbs to only two pieces of multi-grain toast for my morning breakfast
- working out at the gym
- no pasta, pizza or cheese
- no sweets
- almost every other day is a smoothie-only day; fresh fruits and ice - no other additions
- a lot more water
- regimented bed time again

It hasn't been hard.  And I feel alright.  It also helps prepare me when I start the new part-time job next week.  I know this is going to be temporary, but like everything else, it's a positive step forward.  And I don't see any reason to change or alter my diet now, with these first successes.  Only to maintain/continue forward and be even healthier.

New clearer days

In a few weeks, I'll be starting a new, part-time job.  I think in light of the recent past, this is a good approach, or re-entry, to working.  Two days a week at the outset and enough to be able to pay rent and the basic bills.  There may be a need, if it's busy, to increase it to three days, but it's one thing at a time.  I'm not going to stop searching for a full-time/salaried position, but this is absolutely a happy medium.

In this manner, I'm able to go to work; go to the gym on days I'm not in the office; see the doctors when scheduled, as I have to towards the end of the month and be able to schedule interviews, when possible.  There are nothing but positives here - I think - and that's what I'm taking away from this.

The frustrations have not been overwhelming, since I did everything I needed to from the moment I became unemployed and even prior to that.  But it is nice to think that I have a way forward that will help lead to something even more substantial, if/when possible.