Heyo! Entering the first blog post is tough. Like, what do you talk about? Do you jump right in with the heavy stuff, or keep it light-hearted. I have so much that I want to start sharing. So much has happened in my life in the last 5 years. And, I have a ton of things I want to accomplish and share with you all.

My Enneagram Type

I’m an Enneagram Type 8, The Challenger. I’m also a Type 2, The Helper, but I feel that I have more of the Type 8 qualities than the Type 2. I think I’m naturally a Type 8, but lovingly thrust into a Type 2 sometimes. It sounds sort of awful, because Type 2’s are The Helper, and that sounds so nice. But, for me, I have gotten lost in being the helper many times. I have learned that I need to take care of myself better as I age. I have learned that I need to care, then step back to let others learn to care for themselves. “Give a person a fish and they eat for a day. But teach them how to fish, and they can feed themselves for life.” I really try to remember those words when reaching out to others. It’s easy to get wrapped up.

I Could Do It All

When I was younger, I could handle caring for myself and everyone else. I was stressed, but I did it. Now, I turned 50 this year, and my body has been changing and my realization that I can’t do it all for everyone. In this post, I’m going to focus on my physical health. Physically, it’s tougher to do the things that I did in my 30’s-early 40’s. So, I am implementing a few improvements in the last month to help boost my health and function as I slide into my 50’s.

My Vision

I have a vision, Type 8’s are people of vision and action. This vision is of how I want my body and health to be as I age. With the body type I have, it’s not easy. Pain has settled in my hips and plantar fasciitis in my feet. I am seeing a PT for my hips. Strengthening my core and stretching my hips are key right now. While I returned from a run 4 years ago, plantar fasciitis hit my feet. Hard! I never expected it, and it has knocked me down. I hear so many other people say they have it too, and they kicked it, or manage it and can run again. For me, I went to the foot doctor and was given customized orthotic insoles. I haven’t done enough to kick it. Four years later, I still haven’t been able to run. Running was my thing, my exercise of choice. I have completed 7 half-marathons and countless 5ks. So, with my fist to the sky, I made an appointment with the foot doctor again. I’m excited and looking forward to it!

Action, Action, Action

I will not allow this body to pull me down. Slowly, I am taking steps to take back my body. Type 8 are visionary and full of action. Action, action, action. That’s my mantra! I have a 2 year old to teach, care for, and play with everyday. I want to be able to keep up with her, and get up off the floor! I want to feel good. I hope you will come back to see my progress updates.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2023

I have made some changes in my life. First, I have seen a couple doctors for my ankle and had an MRI. I have arthritis in the joint, 2 ligament tears and a ganglion cyst. Eeew and oui! This has definitely been something that has held me back for some time now. One of the docs gave me a really great brace to wear, and it is helping me so very much! I have been able to go on 2 mile walks every other day. I rest it when it hurts. I have arthritis in a few different joints and taking the weight off of them in order to move better is one of my goals. Second, and the biggest reason…because of my increasingly risky health issues of inching towards pre-diabetes and having a family history of cardiac disease on both sides of my family, I started taking Ozempic almost 4 months ago. This isn’t something I’ll take forever, but it is helping to get my numbers better and reduce my weight so that I can provide ease to my joints as I move more and to reduce the risks of injuring my joints further. I have lost 35 lbs so far. I’ve been lifting weights as well. Altogether, I am very happy with the changes.

Second Update 11/14/23: I have been able to run again. I can run 1-2.5 miles per workout 1-3/week. It feels so good to run again. I am weaning myself of the ankle brace. I have lost a total of 45 lbs now, and I’d like to stay at this weight. So, the goal at this point is to maintain. I am accomplishing it by going to the gym, running, lifting weights, controlling my portions and types of foods I eat. Still on the Ozempic, and will have my dose lowered eventually to a maintenance dose. If you have any questions about my journey and using Ozempic to get healthier, please don’t hesitate to message me. I am open to talking about the pros and cons of the medication.