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September 24, 2006
So Far From Where We've Been
That's a line from one of my favorite Gwen Stefani songs, "Cool."
Last week at a membership meeting I ran into a nurse whom I had worked with closely in the contract campaign of 2003, back when my weight was steadily climbing (with the assistance of bagels, cream cheese, and pizza) to 140. She also lost weight -- a good 60 pounds I think -- and looks great, at least ten years younger than she looked three years ago. We bonded about weight loss.
"Were your girlfriends supportive?" she asked. I had to reply that most of them weren't. Aside from a few (like VLC and Susan) my girlfriends were rather negative about my weight loss. One even spread rumors in our office that I was anorexic!
My friend Diane had the same experience. She really looks smashing -- new body, new haircut, all around new look. She's probably in her forties and looks markedly better than her colleagues of the same age. Nurses have notoriously bad health habits, so a nurse who takes care of herself is unfortunately out of the ordinary. It's a factor of stress, too much responsibility (for patients, family, and community) and messed up sleep schedulels with twelve hours shifts, night shifts, etc. Diane is unusual in her ability to lose weight and keep it off.
It was interesting to chat with someone who had been with me in 2003 about what it's like to change your life and health. Back in 2003, my work was my only priority. I never stopped working, and I absolutely lived for the fight. I was willing to sacrifice my sleep, my health, my sanity, for the nurses and health care professionals we take care of.
These days I'm a little different. I'll still go to absurd lengths to make sure that my nurses and health care pros get what they need (don't get MR started on how crazy my job is!) but I care a little about myself too. For instance, I know we're going to be negotiating twenty four hours a day next week, so I've asked for a fridge in my hotel room for those days, and I'm planning to pack some CR friendly high nutrient density foods. I don't want to go through a week of stress and exhaustion while also dealing with malnourishment!
The fact is, you can only go so long taking care of others without taking care of yourself. We women have a problem with this: we want to solve everyone else's problems, while we rack up serious, sometimes life-threatening problems of our own. You know what I'm talking about, girls. We've got to get a grip and realize that we won't be here to give to our loved ones if we don't first take care of our own health.
Tomorrow I'll be up at 4 am to get flyers printed, get to a leaflet, and set up a rally for my favorite nurses and health care employees in the world, the folks at Temple University Hospital. I was there for them in 2003, and I'm back in 2006, ready to do whatever it takes to get them the contract they deserve. They are my source of inspiration, my never-ending entertainment, my reason for getting out of bed early and going to sleep way too late. They take care of the toughest patient population in the state and they do it with grace, pride and professionalism. You'd love 'em too, I promise.
This time, I'm lighter, stronger, older, and looking younger. This time I'm leaving the bagels alone and eating my megamuffins, brewers yeast and crucifer soups, kale salads and Subway Club salads. This time I've got somebody waiting at home for me who supports me and my work and is working in his own job to bring about the end of aging as we know it. Believe me, I know how lucky I am. To have a job I love, a man I love, and a cat who uses the liter box instead of the carpet is more than I deserve. I can only pray to be worthy of my many blessings.
Posted by april at September 24, 2006 7:39 PM
Comments
Wow, you really are super busy!
Great post by the way, I agree with so many of your philosophies.
I feel guilty for asking because you are so busy, but how do you make those egg white cubes?
Do they have a tough consistancy, or can they be made tender?
Also: I see alot of good quality organic kale at Whole Foods, so how do you eat kale? I am afraid to try it, but I do like the flavor of greens. Is it better raw or steamed?
As always, it is a pleasure to read your blog, you are an inspiration.
Sheila
Posted by: sheila at September 24, 2006 11:15 PM
Hi,
Great Blog! I am a Low calorie diet 'newbie', and have a ton of questions for you on how to do this right! Do you have an e-mail address I can contact you on with all my questions?
Thanks,
Belinda
Posted by: Belinda at September 25, 2006 8:31 AM
I'm always glad to read you bring up the subject of other-people-feeling-uncomfortable-with-our-weight-loss-and-restriction-of-calories. It feels like just suggesting those ideas as goals freaks most people I know right out. And talking about longevity research concluding that CR is the only statistically significant controllable factor for longevity either sounds like more bullshit-that-they-don't-know-if-it's-true kind of thing, or else they think I'm an anorexic who is rationalizing under eating. It's really an exhausting dynamic that has cost me lots of comfort to say the least.
This blog is a nice place to go after a lunch break of women have asked leading questions and made "concerned" but derogatory comments about my lunch and my weight. Making absurd comments, for example that I "don't get enough nutrients". (When "I ask which ones?", the woman who repeatedly says I "don't get enough nutrients" replied with a concerned expression, that I don't get enough sugar, salt and fat in my diet (even though my lunch was meat, kale, squash, flax oil, and lots of other nutritious varied things, and her lunch as always was gak...))
Ah... anyway... just letting you know the cool role you play for me.
Posted by: Hazel at September 25, 2006 11:03 AM
Not enough sugar, fat & salt in your diet?? That comment would be hilarious, were it not so sad. JD :-)
Posted by: Judith at September 26, 2006 6:36 AM