Thursday, March 12, 2009

self maintanance

In the last few weeks, I have had quite a few trips to the doctor and hospital. This year I turned 33, and it has occurred to me that I really need to start taking care of myself.
I get run down easily, which in a way surprises me a little, as I do eat very well and try to get my vitamins and minerals from healthy foods but I know my big downfall is that I just don't get enough exercise, and I need to remedy this. I don't think I'm lazy but I'm just not compelled to exercise - I wish I was. I don't know what my plan is yet, but I know I need a plan.

What I have been compelled to do however is have a smear test. The thought of going through this process is not a nice one, but with the recent press coverage of Jade Goody - who is dying of cervical cancer - it really brings home the importance of being tested. Life is for living, and I want to do this, and not ever have to regret that I didn't because I hadn't been for a slightly embarrassing and mildly uncomfortable test every couple of years.
I also have PCOS - quite common, apparently 1 in 5 women have this, but I don't want it, because I'd quite like to have children and it's just a bit harder if you have PCOS. So I've had all manner of blood tests and ultrasound examinations to try and get a picture of how bad this is, and how best to treat it. Of course, healthy eating and exercise will help.
I have to say that I feel better, albeit mentally for the moment, for treating myself to an MOT. I don't need to spend any more time with all these things in the back of my mind - leaving more room for creative expression, in whatever form that may take. Today, it's a photo. Enjoy

4 comments:

Kitty said...

The kids got a Wii for Christmas (I clubbed together with Mum and my brother) and recently bought Wii Fit (MUCH cheaper at Argos than anywhere else). I was sceptical beforehand, but do you know ... it's really good?! You can exercise in the privacy of your own home, as much or as little as you like. Wii Fit keeps a check on all your 'results' and after having it for only one month (and I don't use it everso regularly) I have noticed a huge improvement in my sense of balance. That might sound odd, but the exercises they get you to do happen at the same time as getting you to focus on your centre of gravity and keeping yourself in balance. I can actually feel that I'm much less 'wobbly' for want of a better word.

I hope you manage to deal with the PCOS well enough to have children. I had endometriosis to overcome before I had mine: it was well worth the effort.

x

Locket Pocket said...

It's a humbling moment when you realise that you won't necessarily just "bounce back" from any injury/illness like you did as a child. I recently started to think that I need to take more care of my health too (but I'm 4 years older! maybe it's TOO LATE!!!!)

Lucy x

Anonymous said...

I am almost 32 and feeling exactly the same way. i cant just eat anything anymore; i dont bounce back from a night out; and am noticing i am ageing. my how the changes start early! i too am trying to commit to exercise. good luck!!
emily

Unknown said...

Snap - I am not compelled to exercise either...although I have said to myself that at the ripe old age of 34 it's time I did a little bit more moving around, before everything starts to slide too much, if you know what I mean ;)
I am a stickler for the smear - after having the 'joy' of the scrapey hot wire thingy thanks to abnormal cells after Miss G was born. I still have a yearly one (thank you, Mr Doctor for that pleasurably annual treat), and last time the little ginger man was happy to go for a search up there too, with the torch he had brought from home. Well, they do say you lose all dignity after having kids....

As for the PCOS, my friend has it, and has 2 kids. It was a little bit of a battle to get them, but well worth it - so once you do give it a go, don't despair...just relax and dive in, I suppose!!!