Yesterday, me and my gimpy foot finally limped back into the gym after months—and months and months—of excuses. Why the avoidance? Some cocktail of grief over my mom’s passing, a touch of depression, and, let’s be real, the eternal mantra of the lazy: “Busy.” Truth is, if you don’t prioritize a thing, you don’t do it. Period.
And this foot. What’s wrong, Carla? Well, apparently, I… walked too much? Diagnosis per Dr. Google: Old Lady Foot. Which, LOL but also not LOL, has been maddeningly humiliating. Do you know how bleak it feels to struggle just to walk? To limp through life like your body betrayed you? It’s been a constant reminder: strength matters.
Of course, instead of strength training, I’ve been self-soothing with carbs. North Country carbs, from our anniversary trip this past weekend. Which is to say: Polish Princess Bakery croissants… and scones… and one of those giant coffee rolls that could double as a flotation device… and, fine, a baguette. At some point mid-carb-coma, I came to, stuffed the extra loaves in the freezer “for future dinner parties,” and called it “adulting.”
Then, a redemption arc. Driving back from a final walk-through for clients fleeing Massachusetts (welcome to freedom, friends), the whole sky caught fire. Westward, it was red brilliance; eastward, the glow ignited Manchester’s buildings. A rare, cinematic phenomenon. I pulled over in front of Notre Dame Cathedral to snap a few shots, then raced home, burst through the door, yelling for Louis. Together, arm in arm on the porch, we stood as the sun melted into streaks of red, pink, violet, cerise, orange, mauve. I breathed deep, my chest finally unclenching.
Grief, carbs, excuses, broken body—none of it mattered in that moment. Just me, him, God’s gift of light streaking the sky in impossible colors, reminding me that strength and beauty are still here if I choose to see them.
And then: time to make dinner. Sans bread.
Compartmentalization is one of the most effective tools of collectivism.
The most exceptional people know you gotta take care of the whole unit: mind, body, and soul.
THIS is the one core idea to internalize for 2025: Your body is your temple. Even if you are not religious, this is a fantastic shorthand way to conceptualize the radiance that emerges when you have true health.
Alignment between thoughts and deeds restores your soul, and taking care of your body properly–e.g. ACTUALLY EXERCISING, say, not thinking about exercising–IS how you align your thoughts and deeds. In other words, it is the PROCESS, the journey, of regaining your health that fixes your mind and spirit.
The 20th century’s most insidious stain was the compulsion to sever your soul. I believe public schools are designed to break your spirit. Government essentially exists to break your spirit, to turn you into a widget. Need evidence: The people in charge of public health called you “non-essential.”
If you’re planning to make big changes in 2025, GOOD! Regaining your health is the Number One act of Rebellion you can take.
If you gain your physical health back, the rest will follow.
I’m here for the ride, follow me!
Why?
*I lost and kept off 50+ lbs on low carb, medium protein, high good fats (avo, animal, ghee, lard, coconut, olive; NO SEED OILS)
*I quit alcohol in 2017 & regained mental clarity in a way that is only clear once you get it (iykyk)
*I resisted Covidmania
*I’m usually about a decade ahead of the curve!
We know the drill: If you fall, pick yourself back up! And I did. Can’t decide what’s more bruised, my leg or my ego?
Yeah, I know it looks like the mug shot of a meth-headed hooker who got caught with a dime bag by her regular cop who needed to make quota, but it was the best I could muster at the gym this morning. 
Face pull: 20×13; 30x12x2
Cable scapula dumbell raise: 5x12x2; 5x6x1
Low row: 70x12x3
Lat pull down: 70x12x2; 70×5
Cable chin up: 55x12x3
Stretches
I have a theory about life… we are all just trying to manage what we have grown addicted to…
We’ve trained ourselves to tamp down the gift of higher consciousness and instead insatiably feed our addictions.
Some are obvious & understood, like this lady depicted here (well done!!!), but no one wants to talk about America’s addiction to alcohol, sugar, attention-deficiency, or statism.
All life boils down to, is, how are you spending your time? Where is your attention focused? If you are honest with yourself, is your attention on that next “fix,” whether it be meth or a candy bar or that third glass of wine?
Newsflash: bad habits reduce happiness and good habits enhance happiness, and the only difference between the two IS WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO FEED.
Know this, your choices today will result in who you become and what your long term health becomes. You should be asking yourself questions like, where does dementia come from? How does chronic sugar “use” impact my health?
The “cleaner” I live, the more obvious it is to me, and the easier healthier choices become. Just like making poor choices have bad outcomes, making better choices lead to happier outcomes.
In my life, primarily over the past 5 years, I have:
* Quit alcohol
* Switched to a low-carb lifestyle and significantly reduced my sugar consumption
* Lost 50+ lbs and kept it off
* Eliminated ruminating anxiety
* Improved my sleep
* Become “whole” by which I mean my idea of me and the me I present in the world are the same… AKA I live my life with personal integrity because that’s what keeping promises to yourself is (what you tell yourself and what you do are aligned)
I’m not a superhero. I’m not exceptional in this regard. I simply took a hard look at my life, decided there were things I didn’t like (or liked too much), and then, like this woman did to quit her addictions, I made changes and–this is the key–STUCK TO THEM.
The first step is making yourself one simple promise, maybe it’s no candy during the week, or a promise to cook all meals at home, or getting 7+ hours of sleep… Find one thing you can do and then DO IT!
Write down your promise TO YOURSELF and then just do that one thing. This is how good habits are developed, the same way bad ones are: through repetition.
I believe the world would be a better place if we expended vastly more efforts on making ourselves better rather than trying to “fix” or “help” others. I believe you shouldn’t work on anything beyond yourself until you are “whole”.
Not “complete,” because we are forever evolving, growing, changing and striving, but when you feel that sense of self, an awareness of your relationship with YOURSELF, a deep sense of consciousness, and self-ownership, i.e. that YOU are responsible for YOU, you’ll know. THEN, you can start to focus externally.
Wishing you success and joy on this journey. Remember, it’s a CHOICE to Live Free and Thrive!
These photos from one year apart came up in my memories & I wanted to post them because they serve as a good, motivating reminder of the changes I’ve CHOSEN… If you are anything like me, seeing people succeed when they put their minds to it, is motivating!
From quitting alcohol to prioritizing my health through mindful lifestyle choices like #keto#meditation#sleep, I am grateful that I’ve chosen to #LiveFreeAndThrive!
If YOU want to make changes, know YOU can! I’m here to help! Check out my website CarlaGericke.com for lots of content about my journey.
Know this: the more you choose healthy stuff, the easier it becomes!
I’ve lost and kept off more than 50+ lbs and I’m super proud!
Feeling blue as a result of being stuck at home? Join your hosts for a rundown on the books and TV shows they’ve been enjoying in an effort to stave off cabin fever on this week’s Told You So!
This post and photo appeared on November 8, 2018 after I lost my NH Senate race–I received 42% against an eleven term, 82 year old Establishment Elite incumbent with almost half-a-million dollars in his war chest. (I had $25K and a lot of grassroots support.)
Positive reflection: I am very proud of myself for not cheating on my #Keto lifestyle at all during this entire election cycle–well, except for those damn little choccies at AFP once in a while!
I could ignore pizza laden tables at events without ever having that “OMG, I’m going to die, I’m so hungry” feeling. When contemplating how I would like to “reward” myself after the race, I ran down a litany of “naughty food,” (poison) and realized, burger? nope, pizza? nope, cupcake? nope, mac & cheese, well, yes, but I can make a yummy, almost-as-good substitute. I now know fueling your body with the nutrients it deserves can change your life by giving you stamina, focus, and balance.
My sister, Lizette Cloete, who kindly cooked us a volunteer “thank you” meal on Monday night even got “a-talking-to” when she wanted to make a traditional meat and bean chili. “No,” I said, “I am living my principles and that means serving food that I can eat.” She made two separate pots and people could mix and match according to their desires. Thank you!
Other than once over a lunch date with myself at a fancy hotel while waiting on a print run for mailers, I didn’t have any urges to drink alcohol, either. (I ordered a ginormous sparkling water instead because I like that tea and water glow I have now!)
I’m down 65 pounds, and think my weight is probably close to where it wants to be. This morning, Louis and I both had the exact same thought…
Louis: “When we’re in South Africa in December, let’s set a goal to do yoga every day.”
Me: “OMG, I was literally just thinking the same thing!!!”
For me, this journey is about being the best me I can be, and I’m getting there, and then some… Get ready to be amazed! <3 y’all!
Last year today, Facebook reminds me, I had lost FORTY pounds by switching to a Keto lifestyle. I’ve lost another 25 pounds since then for a grand total of SIXTY FIVE pounds. I haven’t had a drink of alcohol in 450 days–I had to look that up because I don’t track this number because I don’t think about it, AT ALL. (Yeah, color me surprised too.) I quit biting my nails after 45 years, and now enjoy bimonthly manicures as a reward. On Sept. 29, 2018, I started journalling daily. I know because the first entry reads: “Diary of my last 37 days of my second Senate race against ‘the lion’.” I lost my race, but I am 100% confident my book is going to be better than his. This brings me to my point… Of all these things, here’s what I am most proud of: I have perfected the art of the humble brag… Nay, I have become an EXPERT HUMBLE BRAGGER, and YOU should too!
Seriously. I have been thinking a lot about how much we choose to get in our own way, and what societal stimuli we choose to follow. As a literature and arts junkie, I am only now realizing that drinking yourself to death, or fucking up your life “‘cos YOLO,” is not aspirational. Why are these people elevated and touted as role models? Reading memoirs of authors documenting their alcoholic slides to death is pretty fucking bleak. Hey, Ernest (or Anthony Bourdain), put down the bottle, it only makes the anxiety worse! I guess we revere them because they’re “not boring,” but know what’s not boring? Setting and meeting goals. Achieving what you want. Being your best self.
Which brings me back to HUMBLE BRAGGING. I want YOU to become an EXPERT too, because regardless of whomever decided “humble bragging” was a bad thing, I am here to reclaim it as a POSITIVE.
Why? Because we should be PROUD of the things we achieve that are meaningful to us and improve our lives, even if it is, “I made my bed” or “Today I brushed my teeth.” (Hey, I’ve struggled with depression, too.) Because life is hard enough without taking away or diminishing our own personal pride–which is a wonderful feeling that we should encourage in each other (without being assholes about it). Because we deserve to love ourselves enough to admit it to others.
This is why I love the concept of “humble bragging.” It’s got just enough yin and yang, just enough balance to keep it real. Go on, now you try it! Let me know in the comments below what you are proud of in your own life, some improvement you have been working on and feel good about–big or small! And… go!