What can change in 40 days?

By Stacy Pederson

My Latest Posts

  • Before the 40…

    40 days, in Abrahamic religions, generally marks a period of great change in one’s life, brought about by sacrifice and discipline. Historically this figure would be alone, meditating or fasting.

    Yeah…that’s not going to happen. It’s 2021, and I’m just coming out of quarantine. I don’t need anymore alone time, and I like to eat, at least I will once my sense of taste returns.

    This dedication to change is an inspired one…inspired by the realization that my body does not react to things the way that others’ seem to. For instance: I have the Covid. Yep. I have no appetite, no sense of smell, and no sense of taste. My energy windows last from 15-30 minutes and no more. I’ve been sleeping over 8 hours per evening, and I’ve been drinking at least 60 oz. of water daily.

    All those trips to Costco were in vain.

    But despite the fact that I’ve imbibed less than 1000 calories per day, I have gained weight. GAINED! Everyone I know who has had the Covid has lost weight. I don’t get it. What is wrong with my body?

    Between digestive issues that arrive as mysteriously as they disappear, anxiety, weight battles, skin issues, and exhaustion, I believe, wholeheartedly, that my body hates me. I’ve been at battle with it for the past decade or so, and it always seems to get its way. Why else would it betray me by gaining ten pounds, randomly getting cystic acne, and allowing age spots to form overnight? Dumb. I’m going to get this thing in order if it kills me. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

    On top of that, my cycles are changing, my moods are darkening despite medication, and I can’t focus. My doctor seems to think I need more sunshine and exercise, but I’m outside every day (that I’m not sick) working out and playing with my kids. It’s not fair.

    This meme deserves a medal.

    Self-care is fairly new to me (since I’m a mom). I spent years busting my ass working fifty hour weeks and taking care of my kids. While I’m still (obviously) taking care of my kids, I’m looking forward to taking care of myself as well. Until now, I’ve never had a skincare routine, a workout schedule, or taken time for myself for…well, anything.

    Recently, I read about naturally resetting hormonal balance. This, according to an article on prevention.com, can be achieved by cutting everything fun out of my diet for 40 days. Fun items include: caffeine, alcohol, dairy, gluten, and processed sugars. I need more information, more than one article to support this message because without coffee and cheese, I may die.

    Scouring the internet for information is futile. One article says one thing, and another article takes a similar approach as the other, all selling their “tried and true” methods, promising results. These, of course, are all written by so-called experts. (More on insecurity-targeting diet and beauty gimmicks later.)

    Beachbody seems to have the most reasonable reset diet on their 21 Day Fix plan. While I’m not a fan of any MLM or “become a coach!” program, especially one that pushes their products like a 24/7 infomercial, I have to give them credit where credit is due: their exercise programs are damn effective. My friend Allie lost a bunch of weight as did my friend Renee. These are both real humans with real schedules and kids and responsibilities. 21 Day Fix is also pretty simple as far as equipment needed and time investment is concerned, utilizing thirty minute workouts that are simple to follow. 40 days is my goal, not 21, so I’ll have to do 21 days plus 19. Math is awesome! Concerning the diet that is recommended with the exercise program, each food group is divided into portions per meal. Yep, you’re actually allowed to, and encouraged to eat, and snacks are not a problem.

    So I have a baseline. Hallelujah. This also fits in with all the other “advice” that tells me I should be eating more vegetables, and veggies are a staple of the Beachbody diet.

    Spelling is important.

    Beyond the dietary changes, I have other plans as well:

    1. Start a grown-up skincare routine that targets dark spots, wrinkles, blackheads, and hormonal acne. After asking some ladies in my support group, Musely seems to be a favorite for the removal of dark spots. It was easy to get, and I just started using it two days ago. Nothing yet, but it’s only been two days. For blackheads, I’m trying an organic Aztec mud mask twice a week. I’m still deciding on how to attack the acne. (Keep following for product weigh-ins.)

    2. Whiten teeth. Good lord I need to do this. I look like I have candy corns in my mouth in like every photo. I also need to have oral surgery to have a tooth replaced. More on that as I make progress.

    3. De-stress. Easier said than done. I’m not good at sitting still or meditating.

    4. Try supplements. Okay. This one is also tough for me. I don’t trust advertisers, and I have a hard time spending money on myself. But I’ve decided to try two, just to see how they work. I’ve researched both, and both contain only natural ingredients: Orgain Organic Collagen Peptides which are supposed to support skin, hair, nail, joint, and bone health, and may also aid in weight loss; and Flo PMS Vitamins to try and get my raging hormones under control. I’ve heard these can have an adverse effect on some users, so I’m tracking my usage with my doctor. I already drink the Orgain Protein shakes, which I will be subbing in for the expensive shakes that Beachbody offers. Also, the Orgain is more readily available and has both a probiotic blend and a superfoods blend. I have both.

    5. Sexy (affordable) attire. I’ve been dressing like an exhausted mom on a Walmart run for a few years. While I have a few nice pieces hanging in my closet, I’ve been so perturbed with my body that I haven’t put the effort into my wardrobe. It needs to be a blend of classy and fuckable. Cluckable, if you will.

    Greasy hurr and a grey sweatshirt. Yaaassss gurrrrl.

    My journey begins the moment I’m allowed out of quarantine. Wish me luck!

    *To me, a “certain” body type doesn’t make one fuckable. Confidence does. And in order to become more confident, I’m challenging myself to perform more self-care rituals. Body confidence is everything. And every body is beautiful if it is loved by its owner.