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Year Four, Day 243: Nostrovia!

Hello Friends!

If I ever get discouraged,  remind me to read this post!

I found an old picture of me in Facebook  Memories this morning. Six years ago today, I was riding the Amtrack train from work in Portland to my home in Salem. How I loved  the train! And how much poofier was my face! I believe I weighed about 40 lbs. more than I do now. I was struggling with depression  which I attempted to control through recreational eating.  

About a year later, I was living in Portland again with my daughter, son-in-law, son and Honey Dog.  We lived together in a home in the Kent's neighborhood (dubbed "Felony Flats" by those who know).

I enjoyed that neighbor, despite the high crime. It was close to the Springwater Trail, where I had my epiphany  on a cold December morning. I decided to wake up and start living! I began by walking and then jogging the trail nearly every  day. I started eating healthier and spending more time reading, playing my piano and praying.  Less time worrying and watching TV. 

It was during that time that I began this blog, with the goal of posting everyday.  I began a course of personal growth, focusing on my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.  

I am coming up on my 5 year blogaversary, and although I do not always post daily, i am still committed  to pet a oval growth. 

Here is a picture of  my face 6 years ago. I would have been 52 years old:


And here is my face today, at age 58:




How  far I have come - in so many ways!

Not only have I shed pounds,  I've conquered an eating disorder that has plagued me since early adulthood.  I ave stronger family ties and several new additions: Two grandchildren, two great nieces, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and their families.

And to put icing on the cake (yes, I still use food analogies), I am dating again!

The world around me has gone crazy, but as for me, I feel pretty dang good about myself!

One challenge I have yet to conquer is my insomnia. So that has been my focus this last week. 

And I have come up with  a controversial solution!  I am calling it the vodka experiment!

It has been close to 10 years since I have had anything close to a serious relationship. And more than that since I consumed much alcohol to mention.  As I matured and began really looking at who I am and what I seek, I had a lot of regrets about my past.  Part of which was a lot of "partying". I was a social drinker. Especially when I went out to the clubs. They were called "discos" when I began partying in my late teens.

But I finally became weary of waking up with a hangover. And as I started really looking at my diet, I decided I didn't need the calories.

The past 8 - 10 years have been all about denial, deprivation and coming to terms with the crushing guilt and shame from my younger days. 

Perhaps the deprivation was a form of penance.

But I have always been told that moderation is the key in life.

It occurred to me that Vodka might well turn out to be a solution for my sleep disorder and bringing a wee bit of joy back into my life.

"Wee" being the important factor here. I googled the nutritional content in Vodka. I found there 100 calories in 1 ounce of Absolut Citron, which is my preference. Actually, my drink of choice used to always be a Salty Dog made with Vodka, but for this experiment I am doing straight shots.

I drink 1/2 ounce of Absolut Citron about 8 p.m. every night.  I limit myself to 1/2 ounce, because in my research about intermittent fasting, if you have a drink with 50 calories or fewer, you are still in fasting mode!

https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/absolut/citron-vodka

Tonight will be my 4th night.  I am sleeping so much better and I feel rather tough, Clint Eastwood-like even tilting my head back to a straight shot of Vodka! It also gives me something to look forward to and I am finally understanding the word "night cap"!

"Nostrovia!"

Nostrovia means "let's get drunk!" in Russian. But I am not in it to get drunk. I am in it to sleep and lose weight and find balance between joy and self discipline.

Perhaps I should have said "na vashe zdorov'ye!", 

Nope. Don't even know how to begin to say that. It means "to your health".

I'll stick with nostrovia! 

On that note, I am heading out in this heat wave to the gym.

Nostrovia people!

Love,

Zita














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