Rebel Health Check 2023 - June

 Before jumping right in to give details of what I’ve done for this badge, you may notice that I’m using a different font! There is quite a big story (in my eyes anyway) as to how this came about, which I might elucidate in another blog post later today, but at the moment it is enough to say that I found  out how to add a variety of different fonts to this blog, and not be restricted to the five that it originally gives me.

Rebel Health Check 2023 - I was quite pleased when I saw the details for this badge, as there were several elements that I would find quite easy to work on, especially after returning from a 17 day trip to America.

Teeth - I am up to date with my teeth, and had an appointment in June. It was suggested that I could make an appointment with the hygienist for a price of £53 or so - it was mentioned about staining on the back of my teeth, and after speaking to other people who had not had such good experiences with hygienists I’m happy to just keep doing what I’m doing. I do need to increase my brushing schedule, and I’ve found some little toothpick flossing sticks which I find much easier to use than standard floss, so I will be using those more often.

Eyes - I am always up to date with my eye appointments, as I’ve been visiting an optician since I was about 7 years old - and I’m now 48. As I wear extended wear contact lenses (meaning I can sleep in them) I am very conscious of the need to look after my eyes, especially as I am extremely short sighted without glasses or contact lenses. I visit the optician every year, and make sure that I change my contact lenses monthly and give my eyes a day or two with glasses, so they have a rest. I have checked with the optician that it is okay for me to use off the peg reading glasses for my sewing - as I have found that I do need them for close work.

Water - am I drinking enough water? Not really is the honest answer. I have started to use MyFitnessPal to log water intake once again, and having a new bigger sized water bottle (that we bought in America after I left mine on the plane) helps to make sure I drink enough. Also easier to drink more now back in the UK as it doesn’t taste funny / odd like the tap water in Florida did. I noted that it would be easier to drink more once I felt less bloated.

Exercise - at the start of the badge my exercise levels were practically non-existent; on Coronation Day in May, after spending the day in my sewing room, I got up and was in pain whenever I moved. I tried all the usual exercises and stretches, and took things easy, as well as getting some medication to help, but it wasn’t easing. Four days before we flew out to Florida, I saw a physio who treated me - and did some acupuncture as well (a first for me, and apart from sewing and knitting I’m not a big fan of needles). The physio also sold me a TENS machine and told me I needed to sit down and do minimal standing for at least the next 4 days. Thus, I didn’t take my running kit to Florida. We did go swimming a few times - in the sea and in water parks. So, as a result of all of this, on getting back home I decided to start a new training programme, and do a 10KM training programme, rather than getting right back into half marathon training. The physio diagnosed facet joint issue, so I’m taking the training gently and listening to my body. I know that I would do well to add some strength training into my schedule as well, to help build a healthy strong body. In my initial notes I have stated that I will look to increase walking and / or incorporate yoga / strength work on rest days.

Sleep - at the start of June I certainly wasn’t getting enough - with early mornings and late nights, and also alcohol intake whilst we were in Clearwater (we found 1.5l bottles of wine for about $8 (may even $7) and so we indulged - and given the stress immediately before the homeward flight, I needed a glass or two on the plane. Anyway - the plan is for drinking less alcohol and to get some earlier nights, which isn’t a problem given that I end up feeling tired by around 9.30pm. More exercise will also help with sleep.

Balanced diet - I was not getting a balanced diet for the first 5 or 6 days of the month, nor for about 14 days before that. I was astounded at the price of meals in America - I expected the costs to be higher in the parks, but thought that diners would not be so expensive. I discovered they were pretty similar. Also, I was not prepared to pay $2+ for a single banana in the resort. Going to Aldi and Walmart I discovered that prices really were quite high, so it was not so easy to have a balanced diet. From Weds 7th June I started to log my food intake once again (using the Garmin app and MyFitnessPal), and we got back to proper home cooking, where I bulk out meals with hidden veg and red lentils (when possible), and with home made salad and coleslaw (with a little dressing of olive oil and balsamic vinegar). I’ve been able to increase my fruit intake, as it is not as expensive over here! I was only too aware of our eating habits in the first week of June (and somewhat aghast at the calories in a muffin they gave us as breakfast on the plane - 400 calories!), and it was easy to make changes for the following week, as I could cook meals from scratch.

My challenge - something specific to my health and body to be completed over the next 3 months: I am going to work on losing weight - to try to lose 1st in the next 3 months. I’m going to do this by reducing alcohol intake, increasing exercise, getting back into training, and by paying attention to food and nutrition (taking time to log my food on MyFitnessPal). My starting weight on 7th June 2023 was 15st 8lb (and I was quite disgusted with myself then).

Those are 7 clauses complete - and we had to do 6 clauses. I know that I am up to date with all the screening tests, as I attend appointments when called to them (another clause), and as regards little niggles - as I suspect I’m at perimenopause I’m going to make an appointment to talk with a doctor about my options for this, as the weight loss and exercise are proving a little difficult, given all the aches first thing in the morning.