For years we have been told that your metabolism has slowed down or it is not working.  While it is all good to be told, few of us really understand what it all means.  How does your metabolism work?  What exactly is it?  And why should I even care?  So I did some research and the answers are so simple.  I don't know why the doctors just don't explain.  Or we should ask more questions.  Either way, The phrase is just pushed out there and we are left with questions that we for the most part just ignore.  

How does your metabolism work? 

• Metabolism is the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy. During this complex process, calories in food and beverages are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function.  Even when you're at rest, your body needs energy for all its "hidden" functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, and growing and repairing cells. The number of calories your body uses to carry out these basic functions is known as your basal metabolic rate — what you might call metabolism. 

Here are some links to a couple of articles that I found that help explain both of which are simple and straight forward.  

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508#:~:text=Metabolism%20is%20the%20process%20by%20which%20your%20body,release%20the%20energy%20your%20body%20needs%20to%20function.

https://www.rush.edu/news/how-metabolism-really-works  (this one is high on my list)

After 72 years of living, I am still learning life lessons each day.  This one is very interesting and I wonder why I have never known this before.  Was it easy to ignore, not really caring?  Our lives are so busy sometimes with kids going here and there, with family and jobs and just day to day living.  Lets not forget the laundry and bills.  You get the idea.  The last thing one thinks of is how the metabolism works.  And of course when we were young we were active, riding our bikes and running and playing.  Not so much with kids today.  They are busy on their phones.  I have to admit to doing a lot of that now a days too.  A very bad habit.  So we work on changing that too, but little at a time.  Slowly.  Small changes.  

 Well, its been nearly 2 months since I started what I consider a "get healthy" plan.  As you know, I was left overwhelmed by advice that I have gotten from my Dr and nutritionist. So I have developed my own plan.  My motivation is to be able to do things easier and stay in my own home longer.  Losing weight is by far the most important part but there is so much more.  I have to admit its been a struggle but it is getting easier.  Water was big deal at first.  But I think I have that under control as of now.  There are days when I leave the house early and will put off my water and water pills till I get home.  Its hard to catch up for sure.  Getting up several times a night to pee is not all good either!  

I have the eating thing down now.  That actually was very easy.  I quit cooking big meals like I have for the past 50 years.  Tonight it is going to be chicken breast.  Thin sliced.  A couple of months ago I would have soaked them in milk and egg and coated them with flour and fried them.  Served them with mashed potatoes and gravy and some sort of veggie and maybe a roll. Tonight I will grill them plain with a bit of salt and pepper.  Will take two out for dinner and add a bbq sauce that is sugar free.  I have a salad made up and that will be dinner.  I will take the rest of them and make chicken salad with grapes and celery, pecans and a bit of miracle whip.  We will have it wrapped in lettuce leaves.  And today for breakfast I had a piece of ready bacon and a piece of Oat Nut bread.  Lunch was a cup of chicken noodle soup and 3 saltines.  Getting ready for a snack.   Might just be some grapes.  Its hot and they are refreshing.  

I am trying to follow what the nutritionist has laid... a fat, a carb and a protein with each meal.  Snack of carb and fat before bed, as well as my Dr's advice to think protein and eat 5 small meals a day.  Out of everything I have been told and listened to and researched and read about, from Mayo Clinic to NOBS weight loss, this has been my take away.   The class we took from the nutritionist gave us a meal planner.  LOL.  It had us counting carbs and fat and protein all day long.  NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!  Lets be realistic.  I have enough on my plate, I am not going to count carbs.  I sometimes do keep track on my fit bit but really dont do that very often.  I listened to a couple of pod cast from NOBS weight loss.  (that is NO Bull Shit).  Her whole deal is eat what you want but less of it.  Eat when hungry (ask yourself if you are hungry) and eat till you are full (before you are over full) and through the rest away.  Always leave something on your plate.  Her language was such it was hard for me to listen to.  How many times can one person use the word F..k.  And it was marketed to be free only to find out just the first part is free.  Then if you want special attention and mentoring and emails and so on, its 249 a year.  NOPE!  NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! 

I have lost 12 pounds.  Keeping it off even though I have to admit to cheating with a big old burger of which now I can only eat half of.  McDonalds fries call my name every once in a while and oh a bacon egg cheese biscuit!  But is all good.  The weight is coming off and I think it will continue to.  I am not after a big weight loss all at one time here.  I am not sure that is healthy or good for you body.  It has to adjust to years of the other way.  So slow and steady.  And that is just fine.  Next spring I will be buying a size smaller.  Ah...new clothes.  

Right now my dishwasher needs to be loaded and some dishes hand washed.  Then to work on a project in the truck.  For as little as we eat, I still spend the majority of my time in the kitchen!  Going to be  a good week.  Crossing things off my list.  

 Up early this morning.  I got somethings weighing on my mind so it was hard to sleep.  Today we are praying for some healing in a little one that belongs to us for the time being.  She belongs to God but he gave her to us to enjoy and guide.  So we pray.  

I started out ok with water and pills and my half a peanut butter sandwich.  (that is protein, carb and fat). That is what, according to the nutritionist one is suppose to have for each meal.  Of course they expect you to count how many carbs are in what food and so on.  Way too much trouble.  Who does that really?  She probably does but she knows them by heart.  I dont intend to learn them!  So there.  I have supper planned and my day as well.  Not sure what I am going to eat today but there are plenty of snacks and easy foods for the rest of the day.  Its going to be ok today.  Yesterday it was like....wow...you cant get enough to eat.  Granted I was not hungry just anxious I guess.  Something drove me to eat but its ok.  One day does not a diet break.  LOL....right?  

Going to be a busy day.  The first of the month and paying bills and reconciling my books and bank account.  Done already.  I developed a very good work sheet on excel that I use for my bills and budget.  easy to see just how much money is being saved and spent on what and how little I have left to spend on whatever.  This week I bought some new clothes for this fall.  I am willing to share the work sheet!    Some house work too today and a bit of time to make some potato salad for my hubby.  

I am looking forward to this weekend when a friend of mine is coming down to stay overnight.   We plan a trip to Jasper and Harrison to lunch and check out what is new in that area.  Might stop at Aldi's too to spend that whatever money.  

Now to the bank and pharmacy and post office.!  Man my life is so boring.