Hi there! So I was just scrolling through my photos and it was a reminder of what a good year it was.
I have had so many great experiences this year. I got to capture the sunrise over Ballito on an autumn morning and watch the moon’s eclipse with my son. I got to watch my son do what he loves best, play soccer. Through my job, I travelled around the country promoting our latest product launch, and we appeared on TV twice. I got to meet and be inspired by the stories of two of our local sporting heroes, Dricus du Plessis, our ex UFC champ, and Andile Dlamini, who is our South African Women’s Soccer Team’s (Banyana Banyana) goalkeeper. I also got to give back through the Dove Self-Esteem project. We visited a school to remind grade 8 girls that they are beautiful as they are.
ScreenshotMeeting Banyana Banaya’s Goalkeeper, AndileThe Blood MoonOur fleeting TV star momentHelping raise young girl’s self-esteem with DoveMeeting Dricus Du Plessis. He will win again!Sunrise over Ballito
All pics except the blood were taken by the author. The blood moon pic was taken by my son.
These are just a few of the many moments that made up a year that I can look back on with pride, joy, and gratitude.
What are some of the moments that stand out for you?
It’s that time of year again where we all take some time to reflect and take stock of the year that has been. Those of you that have followed me for some time know that this is also when I take a moment to just say thanks for all my blessings. I hope you join me in doing the same.
This has been one of the most challenging years I have ever experienced at work. I successfully reapplied for my job. I got to not only keep my job but start with a new team. I underestimated how stressful it would all be. Once again my health markers took a knock but I did say my words for this year were health and wellness so I remained focused on my diet and exercise to help me get through it all. I am still here so I am very grateful for this. i am also grateful my new team and I have made it through and still have our jobs.
I had actually started the year reading and sharing Joel Osteen’s book “I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak over your Life” These declarations really helped me start the year on a positive note. Now that I think about it, I should end the year the same way. I highly recommend doing something similar. It helps start the day wrapped in your faith.
Image: Canva
I will leave you with the above quote from Joel Osteen. A reminder that even though the year is nearing its end, there is a new year on the horizon filled with possibilities and possibly destined to be your best year yet.
On the last Monday in July, I went to bed feeling very apprehensive. Earlier in the evening, my blood glucose levels were the highest that they had ever been. I had done some exercise to burn off some of the glucose in my blood quickly, but I was still in shock. I went to bed that night praying that if God woke me the next morning, I would make some drastic changes.
I had been on a carb binge. I don’t know why, but I craved Lays Sweet Thai Chilli Chips in particular. I was eating a large packet a night. Added to that I was eating Cornetto ice cream almost every day. I was out of control, and my body was not having any of it. It was like these chips in particular had become my new cigarette! When I saw that reading, I knew I had to stop. When I woke the next morning, I was so grateful to be alive. I immediately made the decision to keep my promise to God. That morning, I drastically reduced my breakfast to 2 hard-boiled eggs, onions, tomatoes, and bacon. No carbs to start the day. My lunch was a chicken breast and veggies, and dinner was an omelette. I was taking back control. This is largely how I have eaten for the past month and a half. Naturally, I have lost a little weight and a few cm’s. I allow myself a cheat day over the weekend just to help me keep momentum. It helps. It’s easier to resist snack cravings all week if I know I can indulge on a cheat day. Oh and Lays Sweet Thai Chilli does not even make it off the shop shel anymore. I work right past with my head held high.
The Cravings are Real!
I have used the same mental tricks that I used when I gave up smoking because this feels like giving up smoking all over again. When I was thin, I didn’t snack. In hindsight, it was probably because I sucked my thumb. Yip, I did that until I was eighteen and then replaced it with cigarettes. Of course, when I stopped smoking, I started snacking, and the weight piled on, and diabetes kicked in. Currently, I’ve been going cold turkey for 6 days a week. (Is that a thing?). Sometimes the cravings are so strong. It feels like I am talking myself down from a ledge when I have to get past them…lol. I have made a promise to God, though, and I am determined to keep it. That gives me the strength to push through each craving.
Romantising water
In the middle of my carb binge, I also started craving Coke. I was mortified, as I don’t drink soft drinks unless they are all that’s available. I would rather drink coffee. I am not a water drinker by nature either. To overcome my sudden craving for Coke, I started drinking sparkling water. Not very refreshing, but it doesn’t have that plain water taste, so it works. I started drinking it in a very large wine glass to make it fun, but I still didn’t do it as often as I should. What I liked about this glass was that it held more than 250ml at a time. Last weekend, that glass broke, and I found 510ml whisky glasses. So, four glasses a day get me to 2L, and I don’t even notice it really. Whoop whoop!
My 510ml Whisky glass
Adapting to Adaptogens
I have started taking Ashwagandha in the evenings to help with getting a good night’s sleep and dealing with the daily stresses. This is also supposed to help with my blood glucose levels. I used to take it in the morning, but I started feeling depressed by the evening. I recently listened to the Huberman podcast on reducing cortisol levels, where it was mentioned that taking it at night can help lower cortisol and promote a good night’s sleep, so I made the change, and I no longer feel depressed by teh afternoon. My sleep quality has improved, so that is a bonus.
Nootropic Mushrooms
Lastly, I started adding a nootropic mushroom blend to my morning coffee. It includes Lion’s Mane and others. I have so much to get through and think through every day at work, so I wanted to see if it would at least help me focus and improve my clarity of thought. It’s only been a week and a half, but it has definitely helped with both the focus and the clarity, especially in the morning. By the afternoon the effect seems to have worn off. It also seems to have enhanced my short-term memory. If I remind myself not to forget something, I usually don’t. It’s pretty cool. Of course, all of this could just be a placebo effect….lol.
That’s me for now. Have you tried Ashwagandha and nootropic mushrooms yet? What has your experience been? Let me know in the comments.
Grounded African 