I actually was surprised to read this, and had expected you'd be a a paragon of healthy living for some reason.
I know a little about your work life thing and it's good to hear things are progressing...Isn't it interesting how linked stress and job-satisfaction is to the rest of our lives. Very linked and I've been where you are/were too.
I admire people who are disciplined enough to do the right thing about their eating and fitness the majority of the time.
I work really hard at this and if the motivator was simply how I look physically I probably wouldn't be as successful at it.
Right now, at 53, I have the body and (almost) strength of the 27 year old me and it feels great, but more importantly...I may have the chance to live a full term of life if I work at it...so I work at it. Discipline is part of that and I am a very disciplined man, but it's not everything...Knowing why I need to do it is important and also the ways of how to do it and make it work without hating myself/life for it is also. I like to live life, I'm good at it, and that's what helps me push into the areas of it that are less enjoyable like denying certain foods, working a little harder at being active and other such things. Don't get me wrong, I struggle too, some here on Hive know it too, the truth of it, but mostly I push forward as I have always done. I used to do things that required a lot of focus mentally, discipline, consistency, effort, fitness and strength, nimbleness of mind and so on...After years of doing that it becomes a habit, but it's easy to let it lapse...so I have had to work at it.
I'm not here to offer unsolicited advice, however I will say that it's never too late to improve, eat or sleep better, drink less alcohol, quit cigarettes or chew, read more, walk briskly for 40 minutes a day, call those people we value and say hi, look in the mirror and accept ourselves, find quiet time, look inwardly, fuck hard, stand up for those who cannot stand for themselves, be kind, generous, humble...you know? It's never too late to do the right thing as an individual...and that also means allowing oneself the ability to have lapses.
Your words, the majority of the time are pivotal...if doesn't need to be all the time and it's those moments where I run off the rails that provide some balance, and some impetus to get back on track.
I'm glad to hear the work thing is moving into calmer waters, a good time to hoist the sails and move towards some time for yourself without the mooring lines of stress, worry and work-related unhappiness. (Just added a nautical theme because I'm a nutbag.
Thanks for commenting, for your honesty and candour and reading this long-ass message.
I forgot to talk about death....LOL... I know I will die one day and to be honest I never expected to live this long. When I was 16 I thought I would not live to be 40. I don't know why ! I did get to 40 though and then passed it and when I turned 50, I was amazed and 60??? Whodathunk it ??
I do need to get back to being focused on my health. I hope I can find it within myself.
The other position that was created was supposed to be in a lower pay grade, but I applied for it anyway thinking they would offer me less money, but if it wasn't WAY too much less, I would trade the wages for the less stress option for the benefit of my life as a whole. I mean, you can't really separate what your job does to you from the rest of your life. Fortunately and surprisingly, they wanted me for the position AND they made it a lateral move for me, which of course meant I didn't lose a penny ! Never expected that, but I totally did the happy dance.... well.... the best one I could. LOL
40...50...60...137...The sky's the limit!
I'm confident you can; One small thing a day, then two and three and...before you know it you'll see some changes (feel better) and that'll motivate you further.
Great work on the job, and to not lose any remuneration...a double win. It'll be good to use that lower stress scenario as a springboard to a better situation all round, work and personal.