1 March 2023
Two weeks ago, I was privileged to enjoy a make up & photoshoot as a belated birthday present from my family.
I decided that, now I had lost one stone since finishing chemo, I deserved a treat / celebration.
The morning was so much fun with a great make up artist & photographer, who both made me feel at ease & so much 'fun' ( I have never had a make up or photoshoot before)
I couldn't help remembering, as I looked in the mirror at my nicely made-up face & nice clothes ( that now fitted me !) that it wasn't too long ago that I looked & felt so different.
Whilst on chemo, my energy level was pretty much zero & although I tried to make the most of myself on 'good days', I still felt like another person!
A short walk up the road was too much & I could hardly walk around my flat without holding onto furniture & walls as I had no strength.
Since chemo, I must say, I have learned to look after myself & appreciate my health.
I now take nothing for granted & appreciate my body so much more.
Therefore, I decided , from now on, I would do all I can to keep myself feeling fit & healthy;
💪Eat healthily ( although I will allow myself occasional cake & chocolate !)
💪Exercise - I love to run & I am now in a twice-weekly routine with a friend and 'accountability partner'. By joining me, she has also lost 12 lb so far, so, happy days !
I am in the habit of getting up earlier & meeting her for a run.
The weekly Pilates class I attend will ensure I maintain good strong core strength & bone density as I get older.
💪Keep a healthy weight - I have now achieved the weight I feel happy with & weigh myself weekly ( I have a small accountability group who do this, too)
💪Achieve twelve monthly goals - two months in & I am loving this! Setting twelve goals for the year & making them happen! February was Charity month, so I decided to raise some cash for The Lily Jo Project by doing 50 skips ( never skipped since leaving school!)
This was so enjoyable and whilst losing a few calories, I raised over £100,too!
Maybe you are going through chemo right now & all of the above seem far too much to even dream of at the moment, let alone , achieve!
Maybe you have no intentions of running , skipping etc, but you WILL have dreams and goals for your future. MAKE THEM HAPPEN! Start to make a list of places, things, people , hobbies ...
Maybe you have just completed your chemo treatment and don't know where to start - I hope some of the above ideas will inspire you to get back into routine and daily living. Continue to take one day at a time & keep thinking in a positive way. Having positive people around me has helped me so much, too.
I love the saying "choose your tribe" (I heard this some time ago) and I certainly have chosen mine ; people who inspire me, work with me, encourage and support me. To all those, and my amazing family, I say 'THANK YOU' so much !
💓
