As I expected, I woke up quite sore from a the day of digging in the sand. I definitely used more than a few muscles that I don’t normally use, and my body decided to remind me of that the entire day. Even when sitting in front of the computer most of the day where one would assume I would be immune to the soreness, it seemed to still find me with every little move. This made me realize some of the consequences of the vitamin D deficiency that I had started to noticed, but hadn’t really been paying attention to.
Although I have been getting outside as much as I usually do during this minimum wage challenge (which was one of the main goals), I’ve gained 10 – 15 ponds over the last few months. I now know the reason why — I was constantly eating trying to get rid of the fuzzy head I had. I actually feel bad about this because now I realize I probably ate more food than I should have during the house sitting jobs (even with my attempts to make sure I didn’t eat much of the non perishable foods). It’s much like when I’m up late at night and I’m tired — I eat snacks to try to get the energy to finish what needs to get done before I go to bed. I have been basically doing that all day.
I’ve never been one that has needed to diet. I usually get enough exercise doing the things that I like to do that I can eat anything I want without it being an issue. So the issue isn’t that I need to go on a diet, it’s that I need to stop eating extra excessively in an attempt to clear my head. Since the fuzzy head feeling is still with me and will likely remain for at a minimum of a few weeks as the vitamin D gets into my system, I’m going to have to make a conscious decision to stop myself from snacking to try to clear my head. It’s not a challenge I’m looking forward to.
While this all makes perfect sense to me now, it’s something that didn’t all click together until I was diagnosed with the vitamin D deficiency. I’m quite concerned how my productivity is going to be from now until my head does clear up, because that extra food was the only thing that seemed to keep me going, even if it didn’t clear my head up much. Now that I’m aware of this excessive eating and know I need to cut back, there is a big question mark on how much work I’m going to be able to do on a daily basis. While I’m confident that I’ll get back to my normal weight once my head clears up, I’d rather not gain any more until that time comes.
I say this because my first day of not snacking constantly was torture. Although I sat in front of my computer the entire day, I wasn’t able to accomplish much. I usually like to write 3 + articles along with a whole list of other daily activities, and I didn’t come close to getting that done. I can tell these next few weeks are going to be challenging to say the least. Any suggestions on how I might be able to deal with the fuzzy head feeling while still being productive, but without consuming extra food until my head begins to clear up?
Day 41
It was time to go to begin another house sitting gig. Since the weather said it was going to be a beautiful day, I decided that I would get up early do some hiking in the Marin Headlands in the morning and afternoon. It’s really an interesting place because it has beautiful California coast:
and at the same time, the area is littered with old, rusting, metal military bunkers:
and even larger cement military bunkers:
The gun turrets in these large bunkers no longer hold guns, but instead have become ponds 20 feet deep:
Then as you walk along the hills, you may come across one of those cannons that used to be in the turrets — all sixty plus feet of it:
And it’s important not to forget all the beautiful views:
It’s certainly an interesting and beautiful place to explore and I was never quite sure what I was going to see around every bend as I hiked up into the hills. Getting out hiking seems to help my head clear up a bit, but it seems to last only for the time I’m outside, so it doesn’t help me much when I need to get in front of the computer and write.
While I certainly will have productivity challenges over the next few weeks, the last two days didn’t add any money to my spending. The drive up the coast was paid for as compensation for house sitting job I was driving to do, and there were no costs to visit the Marin Headlands.
Yesterday’s & Today’s Spending
Food: $0.00
Car: $0.00
Housing: $0.00
Travel: $0.00
Health: $00.00
Misc: $0.00
Total: $00.00
Total Spending
Food: $27.89
Car: $45.00
Housing: $0.00
Travel: $0.00
Health: $565.00
Misc: $19.00
Total: $655.89
(Photo courtesy of puuikibeach)
Thyroid OK? TSH,T3,T4 in range?
Thyroid is OK 🙂
I wonder if getting out and getting more sun would be helpful. Just as maybe it would trick the body into think you were getting the nutrients you needed, inasmuch as eating does.
We don’t do a lot of covering up and sunblock, but more just try to avoid peak sun hours. Like, 10am – 3pm. (This habit was passed on to me from my spouse – who turns into a lobster very easily – but not at all if he stays out of peak sun).
I think some late afternoon walks while sun is still high might be good for you. Maybe morning and afternoon, so you can be productive during the day. This may be good advice anyway, for the long run, to get more natural Vitamin D.
Hmmm, that does sound like a good idea. It’s going to be strange not covering up, but I think I’ll give it a try. Anything to help at this point…
P.S. To be clear – I mean going on a walk with no sunblock or covering up.
I’d recommend eating more protein, fewer carbs. And coffee of course!
I don’t drink coffee and I’m not sure that’s a habit I wnat to start 😉 No doubt that I can always improve what I put into my body…
Maybe try drinking water instead of snacking, with a bit of lemon juice or something similar if you prefer. Going to the kitchen to get a glass of water would get you the same short break and distraction from your work that getting a snack would, and cold water might give you a little burst of alertness. Sticking your head out the door or window for a few breaths of fresh air (especially if you are staying somewhere cold) might have the same effect.
Or you could just accept your need to snack, but get yourself some things to snack on with a low calorie density. If you air pop some popcorn, it is quite low calorie (and pretty cheap) for the volume. I think a serving size is 6 cups. Also buy some veggies, cut them up, and keep them in the fridge for when you have a need to snack.
I don’t think too many people gain weight from snacking on raw broccoli and celery and drinking lemon water.
I was going to suggest tea or water to drink when you need something to keep you going or just in your mouth. I wonder if it is something you are doing to distract yourself from the fuzzy head feeling. I think the idea of getting outside as much as you can…even to do some work might be a good, too. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
My thoughts are on veggies as well. Soup made with cheap veges and blended makes a thick, nourishing snack which is filling and low calorie. A big pot in the fridge would keep you going for a few days.