Sunday, May 31, 2009

Dollars And Sense

This post should really be called "Dollars and Common Sense." I liked the catchy title I gave it though. Why don't I just get to the point of it. Okay, I will.

In an attempt to get myself healthier and get my glucose level down our grocery shopping has changed a lot. Instead of picking up hot dogs/burgers and buns, bags of chips.. cheap things, we've started buying veggies and LOTS of fresh fruit. This costs more than those bad for me things.

My glucose level hasn't even dropped as quickly as I'd hoped it would, but I know that eating an apple is way better for me than eating a half a pizza. The drop in levels will come in time.

One big thing that has changed (and thank you Lucy for prompting this post) is the timing of it all. I used to drink coffee from the time I got up until dinnertime. Dinner would be my first meal of the day. I would eat a unhealthy big dinner and have a first snack later, then a later snack at bedtime. All were full of carbs and fat.

Now I'm forcing myself to eat fruit for breakfast, fruit and cheese for lunch.. and I'm not hungry for dinner. I'll usually warm up a small plate an hour or so later.

All this change is making me twitchy what with me being a creature of habit. I almost need travel health insurance with all the twists and turns I'm making. I'm actually taking a Xanax once a day to avoid the small panic I feel over the CHANGES.

If that wasn't enough! Me and hubby have begun the process of quitting smoking. We know is for the best. We both know people who have died from cancer. That has never been enough motivation for either of us. The motivation has come down to money or rather the lack of money.

With him being on layoffs so much we've had to take a hard look at our budget and figure out where we can cut corners. The purchase of cigarettes jumped up and hit us in the face. I don't blame it for jumping because we spend about $190 every two weeks on the habit. That's almost $400 a month. $400 a month would definitely cover the cost of fruits and veggies. And a lot of them.

So.. we're starting somewhat slowly. We're not smoking anymore in the places we would normally smoke. Like at the computer. Yikes, that's a hard one. I know we'll sit here and mindlessly smoke one right after the other.

It's been so hard for me over the past that I have to smoke in the car then I have to light one to walk into the store. Another time is just crazy. After a shower I've had to light one up before I'll get completely dressed and dry my hair. I can't cook without one burning.

Now we're trying to only have one if we go out and sit at the dining room table. We never sit at the dining room table. Never. It gets used for folding clothes and putting groceries on. We either eat at our desks or at the coffee table while watching tv.

I've washed all the ashtrays in the house except for the one on the dining room table. To be honest we've each brought a couple of smaller ones back into the computer room, but not the packs of cigarettes. And if we want another one we have to go to the dining room. Alternating. I even use a timer to make sure we have to wait an hour in between. Ahh.. Such a true confessions post this has turned out to be.

Just like the change in eating though any start is better than no start at all.

8 comments:

Jeni said...

Good luck with the smoking cessation campaign. I have, as I told you, been taking the anti-smoking meds, Chantix, but have not quit as yet. I had cut back though on my intake for awhile but this past week, didn't take any of the meds and right away, my smoking increased right back up to the prior high levels. So, now I'm going to go back on the "pill" starting this week and hopefully, put a lot more effort into try to quit.

Smalltown RN said...

Changing habits is a very hard thing to do...but with dedication and dertermination anything is possible....to make a routine it takes 21 days....so take it one day at a time....mark your calendar....document your progress....it's been over 8 years that I quit smoking...I didn't think I would get there but I did..one day at a time.

Changing your diet is a great start as well...but don't overwhelm yourself....change can be difficult as I said....so combining quitting smoking and diet alterations although both are wonderful lifestyle changes...take them gradually...you couldn't have picked a better time of year to start on the fruit and veggies...all the fresh produce will be out before you know it and will be far more affordable and enjoyable! One of the things I like to do is look up new recipes to accompany my diet....so look up recipes for fresh salsa and pitas in replacement for chip and dips...or fruit salads instead of ice cream....or frozen yogurt with fruit....good luck with it all...I will be cheering for you....

Hugs....

Queen-Size funny bone said...

I say good for you. when I got married the cigarettes were $20 and I told hubby to quit I wan't taking that out of the grocery budget.

Berni said...

Fortunately I never smoked partly cause I am too cheap! I am really glad I didn't because I know it is one of the hardest things to give up and I am not sure I would have the will power. Wishing you every success with it.
Go easy on the fruit no more than 1/3 cup at one time or it will raise blood sugar too. So hard to have to watch what you eat and give up smoking too.

Sara said...

Good for you. I know you can make it!!

Robyn Jones said...

Good luck with all the changes...I know it is hard, but you can do it. I am also in the process of changing diet...I got fat after having two kids after 38 years old...(no figure...) now I have to fix it.
We are also doing it slowly..it is a little easier then....sometimes we slip up, but then right back on it...

Forgetfulone said...

I used to smoke, and I'm so glad I quit. My mom was a chain smoker for EVER! Seriously, probably 50 years. She quit a little over a year ago. If she can do it, you can! You'll be so glad when you give it up for good and get the nicotine out of your system. It's not easy, for sure. Good luck with your efforts.

We've been trying to eat healthier, too, and it's not easy, either! And, it is more expensive!

Misty DawnS said...

You are pretty amazing...
just remember that we aren't perfect, and there will probably be setbacks. But, you are amazing...