A remedy for my rotten ways

Sadly, my exercise plan has hit some roadblocks, the biggest one, of course, being me. Or my RA, rather, but at times it is hard to tell. Am I having a hard time rousing myself in the morning because I am truly zapped and sleep is what I really need more than anything else (quite possibly), or am I just being lazy and unmotivated (perhaps)?

Who really knows. What I do know is that, for the most part, the mornings are my only guaranteed time to exercise, but for the last two weeks, when my alarm has gone off, instead of getting up, I glance at it scoffingly as if to say, 'Seriously? After working 10 hour days all this week, you really think I'm getting my ass out of bed now????'

You can imagine the rest of the conversation yourself, and the result. This is not to say that I haven't been exercising at all, but certainly nowhere near five times a week (what was I thinking???). In my defense, I will also mention that it has been getting dark quite early here now that winter is approaching, and if it isn't light outside, my body does not want to get up, and neither do I.

But, since I am still determined to get back down to, or at least within earshot of my pre-diagnosis weight, and because I know that I have an indulgent streak in me which ought to be tamed a bit (especially after a quite decadent birthday week), I have cut out most fun things that I like to eat and drink. I have done this kind of cleanse a few times before (even before the RA) as a way to help boost my energy and give my liver and insides a break for a few weeks, and I do always feel better afterwards, though quite ready to run fleeing into the arms of a nice medium-rare steak and side of frites:

Honestly, though, since I have already cut out red meat, caffeine and refined sugar, I am half way there. The other half of this heinous sacrifice cleansing diet means that I have to give up alcohol (choke, choke), all meat except for fish/seafood, dairy, wheat and starchy foods.

Frankly, it's boring as hell, and if I had my druthers, I'd be chowing down on a pepperoni pie from Nick's right about now, sipping a glass of red wine and looking forward to some kind of sugary, sticky-sweet dessert as a nightcap.

Instead, I am eating two soy dogs and some asparagus. Really pales in comparison, doesn't it?

The good news? This WILL NOT be forever (would life be worth living without champagne, cheese and chocolate?). It's working (I have lost three more pounds!!!). It is genuinely good for my poor heart, my weary liver and my goddamn RA. So there you have it. I am being healthy. Blah.