Being Well, Well Being (An Update!)

On 31 May 2013 I wrote a blog trumpeting my intention to embrace a healthier lifestyle.  Prompted by a worsening of my (very mild) asthma and a fairly hectic travel schedule for the Senior Denegris, I decided that “something” needed to be done.

One year down the line, and on the cusp of one of life’s most stressful events – selling and moving house (more of which later), I thought I’d do an update.

Step one on the wellbeing drive was weight loss.  Today I am one stone and 10 pounds lighter than I was when I started (that would have been two stone, but house-related stress means I have been snacking a little more than is good for me of late).  I have been doing the 5:2 diet: you eat as you normally would for five days of the week and on the other two you restrict yourself to 500 calories.  Some days are definitely easier than others on 500 calories but it’s manageable, worth the effort and helpful because you only have to remember that you might be hungry today, but tomorrow you can eat!

All told, it’s been a revelation.  I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had to use my inhaler, I’ve bags more energy and I feel much happier and more confident.
Step two was to take more exercise.  I’m still nowhere near where I need to be, but having two large dogs means that on home-working days and weekends, two walks minimum per day are mandatory, clocking up between one and a half and two hours each day.  Next step is the British 10K that Mr D and I have signed up for on 13 July.

Step three was to start practising meditation and mindfulness.  Again, it’s still a work in progress.  I subscribe to an online guided meditation service, www.getsomeheadspace.com and I love it. I could and should do it more regularly, but know that the after effects of those days when I’ve meditated stay with me for several days before I need a top up.

What’s next?  More of the same, no doubt about it, and with a house move imminent, I’m going to apprentice myself to Mr D and learn how to garden properly.  This will help with both exercise and mindfulness.

All in all, I look and feel a lot better than this time a year ago, and that’s particularly helpful as we try and conclude our sale/purchase.  It has been a marathon, not a sprint.  There have been highs and lows.  No matter how much you’d like to, you can’t influence the speed of the communication and decisions.  It is, in short, a really stressful time, but I’m far better placed to manage it than I was a year ago.  Onwards!

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Nicky Denegri is our Senior Consultant. If you would like to know more about this subject, drop her an email and we will be in touch.