Thursday, December 27, 2007

A Change is coming

“Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.”- King Whitney Jr.

Which of these are you, are you fearful, encouraging or confident? Our weight loss and fitness journey can take us through all of these emotions and often we can be stuck for a period of time in one of them.

Our ultimate goal should be to find a change as a challenge; an opportunity to make our body fitter, healthier and better. If we can recognize the process and embrace each step of it then all of the steps that get us from one level to the next won’t become so daunting.

I have to admit that right now I’m between fearful and encouraging. I’ve just started to lift heavy so that I can put on a few pounds of muscle and this means going against everything that I have been doing for the last 11 months. I’m eating more calories and with this I will put on some fat. It is terrifying, yet I know, that if I do it with healthy food that the fat will be minimal and I’ll be able to strip it off in a few month at which time beautiful, strong muscles will appear. However, as the scale goes up the fat girl emerges her ugly head and laughs at me. She is telling me that I have failed. Conversely, the phat girl is boldly shoving her aside and telling her that in the end she will win.

Change… embrace it.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

And she’s off…

I just came back from finishing the Las Vegas Half Marathon. This has been a culmination of 14 weeks of running, lifting weights and fueling my body like a machine.

The event was wonderful and I was able to share it with friends and family that traveled to come and watch me. I never would have thought that I could have completed such a feat. I suppose not that I thought I couldn’t just something I never thought of doing and as I was running at about the 12 mile I wondered if I could complete it. I knew I would but wasn’t sure if my legs would carry me through. Having this wonderful, fit and strong body is stimulating and knowing that I had trained for this made some of the discomfort bearable.

However, the strange thing was that on return I found myself sad or almost in a state of depression. I would have thought that the euphoria would continue for days or even weeks. It was if I had nothing else to look forward to. This goal has been my focus for so long that now I felt I had nothing.

So today I pulled out a 08 calendar and starting jotting down the rest of the years schedule. I have things planned through June of 08 and figure that by May I’ll have some more goals in mind for the balance of the year.

I ran across this quote from George Bernard Shaw and I think it sums up how I feel.

“I dread success. To have succeeded is to have finished one's business on earth, like the male spider, who is killed by the female the moment he has succeeded in his courtship. I like a state of continual becoming with a goal in front and not behind”


I don’t know that “dread” is quite the adjective that I’m looking forward but I think the fact that we should always be looking forward and not behind is accurate. Don’t be content in your current state continue to move forward.

I’ve also uploaded a couple more pictures from the LV race.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Here come the holidays

Ah, the smell of fresh warm cookies from the oven, the site of carolers strolling down the sidewalks and the sound of the ringing bells. All of these invoke some memories within us. Most of us that have very fond food memories that surround all these types of thoughts as the holidays approach and we are quickly able to toss away our desire to be fit and healthy.
Now is the time to really stop, think and assess what we really want. What are these holidays about? Is it really about the food or is it about something more? If these times are special to us don’t we want to be around to really truly and fully enjoy them and live in them? How special to have memories of these events to share with children, grandchildren and yes even great-grandchildren or dear friends as we grow older.

“Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire.” (Epictetus)


If we can learn to control our desires we will be able to fully enjoy our lives and the freedom that comes with being able to choose our lifestyle. The next time you think that you actually want something try and figure out are you controlling the desire or is the desire controlling you?

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Mentor Week 1

I had my first WW mentoring meeting last night. I have to admit I was a bit worried about how I would be accepted. I think that many people that still have weight to lose or who have yo-yoed back and forth so many times don’t actually believe that I once was in their shoes. Well honestly, I’m still in there shoes. Once this level of fitness is reached one can’t just stop and say okay I’m done. We have to keep living the life.

It is kinda sad how many people are desperate to be fit and healthy and most of the issues that I see don’t come from food they come from a lack of self-worth and confidence. How do people get so messed up thinking that they aren’t worth it? They would give their eye’s tooth for anyone else but they can’t take ½ hour each week for themselves.

I met several nice people and many of them asked if I was going to be their full time leader. I don’t know that this will be my final location but while I’m there I will be helping them as much as I can. I’m excited to help people get on this high that I’m on.

One particular lady said that she felt so ashamed that she had lost 44 lbs and gained back 23 and she said she just was feeling like she should give up. I told her please don’t give up and to think of how many other parts of her as a person are wonderful. She had lovely blue, steal grey eyes and I told her so. I don’t think she even knew that herself. I hope she takes that home with her this week and thinks about it. I’ll be certain to be checking in with her next week.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Belief and action

Do you believe that you can accomplish your life's dreams of health and fitness. I know I certainly do. A quote from W Clement Stone is very intriguing "I think there is something more than believing: ACTION! the world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision"

In essence dreaming is the beginning of our journey and believing in ourselves will help us get there. However, action is what it will take to make real our dreams and the beliefs will support us along the way.

Don't just dream and believe, do and your world will flourish.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Official Now

I'm so excited that I'm officially a Weight Watchers leader. I did my Basic Leadership training course over four days this past week. It was so intense and brought to light quite a few personal issues I still have myself. I'm a constant Picasso, ever evolving.

It brought me to think about what happens to us when we finally think we have "reached the top" the pinnacle of our efforts. I ran across this quote that said "When you reach the top, keep climbing". Isn't this true, we shouldn't stop we shouldn't just say, Oh well I'm done guess there is nothing more to do.

Constantly challenging ourselves both physically and mentally will help us continue this lifestyle with all the fervor and vigor that we had when we started. Do you remember that feeling, excited about how you would get through the next day, so happy with the weight or inches you lost or the great decision you made about forgoing some unhealthy choice.

Now that we are physically able to be more active we should be searching for things to do. How about enter a race, walk or run, ride a bike, take a hike that you never could have before. Just live in the new found moment and body that you have.

Keep climbing and when you think you have reached the top, look higher.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Impossible Dream

From the musical “Man of LaMancha” comes the timeless song the Impossible Dream. Here is a link to the words if you don’t know them or need a refresher. http://www.reelclassics.com/Actors/O'Toole/impossibledream-lyrics.htm

In the lyrics we here of someone reaching out and perhaps never obtaining their final quest in life, they continue on that even if they don’t they will still leave this world being a better person for having at least tried.

Goals and dreams are so important and trying to writing them out on paper for us to look at and review even more important. Once we have them on paper we can look at them, make a plan on how to obtain them and go forth with conviction as we execute that plan. Sometimes those goals become or so we think impossible. It might be to an unforeseen event or a distressing time in our life. We cannot just give up on those goals during those tough times; we have to change our action plan instead.

In our health, weight loss and fitness journey we will have many dreams and many obstacles that try and get in the way. We must not let those obstacles keep up from continuing to strive for our “Impossible Dream”
Take a moment to write your Impossible Dream and when something comes up that seems it will keep you from obtaining it, how will you change your action steps so that you can still get there?

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Willy Wonka and Veruca

I loved, no I love this movie. Gene Wilder in probably the best role ever and really what person doesn’t really love chocolate and all the wonderful things that he had in his factory from the stream to the Oompa Loompas?

One character in the movie, Veruca Salt, the young lady who wanted everything I can relate to. Miss Veruca wanted everything. She wanted the golden ticket, the golden egg and the golden goose and all NOW (whiny voice)

In our weight loss and fitness journey we are all a little bit like Miss Veruca. We want everything and we want it now. We don’t want to wait; we don’t really even want to know how to get to the end. We just know that we want it now.

Unfortunately, changing our habits and thoughts doesn’t happen overnight and because it doesn’t we are forced to wait and even when we do change our thoughts and habits sometimes we have to wait because our bodies aren’t ready yet. They are so accustomed to being at a certain weight or activity level that they just aren’t quite sure if we are serious about this new food and extra activity. Therefore, it (our body) just waits, waiting to make sure that it is good and ready to start shedding some of that unwanted and unneeded fat.

We need this time during the waiting. It is imperative that during the waiting we continue to practice and hone the skills that we have learned or are learning so that they become a solid foundation, embedded in our being, never to be lost or not used in the future. So the next time, you starting thinking that you want all of this “now”, think of Miss Veruca.

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

A new ending.

I work with a personal trainer. I love it and she has several clients. Many of these clients are new in their weight loss and fitness journey and I’m amazed as I read their stories at how many times people have started and stopped or cycled back and forth with the desire to lose weight and become fit. Every month, every occasion and sometimes everyday wanting to just start over.

It is sad to think that sometimes we have to repeat and repeat things over and over and then finally one day something strikes as poignant and we just know that this will be the one that will finally make us stick to our guns and get to the end, wherever that might be.

A quote by Carl Bard says: “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending”.

Isn’t it great to know that today can be the day of a new ending? It doesn’t matter what we did in the past and you know, we really shouldn’t want to start from scratch because then that means we have to have all the bumps and scraps all over again.
Think about today being the first day of a new ending like the alternate endings from a movie. Play them in your head, see your self and thinner, fitter and stronger.

Monday, October 8, 2007

An oops turns into an Ahh

I had an oops about Tuesday. I stepped on that darn scale. I didn't lose any weight from the week before and my training said to wait until Wednesday and see if perhaps some of the fluid retention from running was gone.
Oh, that was bad advice. What did I do, after a long run and a hard w/o. I stepped on that scale. Really, now what was I expecting, duh. Of course, it read that it was up and why shouldn't it have been.
The next day after speaking with my friend, Tammi. Good and faithful Tammi. She told me to promise her that I wouldn't get on that scale until Monday. Now, I won't break a promise to her so I said. I promise, with the most sincere little girl scout smile I could muster up. In the back of my head I'm thinking. What did I just promise?
Well I finished my week with great eating and another fantastic 8 mile run. Tammi and I shaved on 7 minutes from the last week and finished it in 86 minutes. Whoo, hoo for us!
I have a WW staff meeting yesterday and it required us to weigh. So, I got on the scale and was so surprised when I was given a little piece of paper that read 151.8. I about fell down. That was 3.2 lbs down. Yippee.
So, although I had to get on the scale earlier than Monday I figure that was okay. This morning I didn't weigh and will stay off that thing for another week.
I'm curious, has anyone else tried this yet and how does it work for you?

Monday, October 1, 2007

Accomplishment number 1

Well, as I promised, I didn't step on that scale until this morning. I'm happy to report that I've stayed the same. I guess it proves to me that if I'm eating right and exercising then the scale doesn't need to confirm to me that I've done exactly that.
I took my measurements for the month of September and I was down 1.25. I know it doesn't seem like much but when you have less to lose then the inches come off slower as well as the weight.
I also needed to buy new clothes so Friday I went to do some shopping and was quite pleased that I fit into a size six pair of jeans. It is amamzing that at 155 I can slip on a size 6. The more I do this the easier it is to release the scale and just count on how I'm feeling. I'm feeling strong, fit and empowered.
Yesterday I ran 8 miles in preparation for my half marathon in Vegas on December 2. If that doesn't make me feel strong and fit I'm not sure what will. I finished it in 1 hour and 32 minutes. Not too shabby for a person who just started running in June.
My goal this week will again be to not step on that scale until Monday morning. I'm playing around a bit with my calories to see if I can drop a few more pounds and I don't want to discourage myself when it isn't needed.
If you are chained to your scale and believe that it makes or breaks you try giving it up for a week and see what happens. You may be surprised.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

I have an Addiction

I’ve talked about being a “scale-aholic” before but I’ve never really come out and confessed about how much of an addiction it is with me. I have a love/hate relationship with that scale too and I’m sure many of you can relate. The scale can make or break my day or night. Yes, I said day or night because I have been known to weigh myself at night. Crazy I know, but done nonetheless.

I went to Phat Camp this last week. It was at my personal trainer’s house in TN. I weighed myself on Thursday morning and the number was, well, acceptable. I knew I would be working out hard and eating extremely well during the next four days so I didn’t worry much. I came home on Sunday and Monday morning hopped up on that “bad boy” and yippee, down about three pounds. Oh, how I love my scale.

Tuesday morning, hop up; Say What, I said, the number has gone up. Not by much but up and I’m not happy. Tuesday night, up even more, Wednesday morning, up again. I’m now really ticked because I’m still working out hard and eating very well so how can this be. I emailed my PT and she said it probably was just the shock of traveling and training that led to the scale decline. She has encouraged me to stop weighing once a day and certainly doesn’t like me doing it twice. I need to just weigh myself once a week.

I need learn to go by how my clothes feel and how I feel about my body. I can’t let a number on a 12”x12” pad dictate how I feel about myself. My goal for the month of October will be to just step on the scale once a week and forget about the rest of the time. I was able to not get on it this morning and I’ll work diligently to not step on until Monday morning. Stay tuned for the results.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Lifetime with WW

I haven't posted in a while but certainly not because things are boring. Actually quite the opposite.
On September 13th, I was awarded my Lifetime membership with Weight Watchers. I took pictures of my journey and showed people and explained to them the importance of not just eating low point, 100 calorie pack foods, but the importance of eating nutritionally dense food and exercising.
Exercising is such a key component to all of this. I'm not saying everyone needs to be out running daily or lifting weights although I think weights are very helpful in sculpting the body we want, but we do have to be moving. We can't stalk the Wal-mart parking lot to find the closest parking stall to the door and getting up to turn the TV doesn't need to be an inconvenience. We need to incorporate daily activities that we love and enjoy into our lives. This will help us be healthier emotionally and physically.
So with the Lifetime goal under my belt I move on. On to the maintenance mode. I'm a bit concerned about this as I no longer have a weekly weigh in to keep me in line or a loss on the scale as my reward. It is now about living this way for the rest of my life. But I know I can do it.
I have also signed up for a half marathon in Las Vegas in December so I will be training for that over the next few months and talking with everyone about the training as well as my continuing education with Weight Watchers to become a leader and share to everyone how they too can feel this great.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

We are what we eat and

think.
We have heard so many sayings like this. Our bodies are like a computer or a fine tuned machine. Junk in junk out. The computer is only as good as the data that is entered. We could list a half dozen of these types of sayings.
But, have you ever thought about what you think about yourself and the attitude that you have towards this entire journey. I will guarantee you my friend if you think positive thoughts; positive outcome is what you will get.

I read this story the other day and just find it so telling of some people and perhaps even ourselves, if we are willing to admit it.

Two farmers lived in a town. One negative, the other positive, the positive farmer would thank God for the rain and watering of the crops. The negative farmer would complain that if it kept raining the roots would rot and they would never have a harvest.

The sun would shine and the positive farmer would thank God for the sunshine as it provided vitamins and minerals the plants needed and was confident in a prosperous harvest. Mr. Negative farmer crabbing the sun would scorch the plants and how on earth would they survive.

One day the two farmers set out to goose hunt together. The positive farmer brining is new hunting dog. Before long shots rang out and the positive farmer gestured to his dog and told the other farmer to “watch this”. The dog jumped out of the boat and ran on top of the water, picked up the goose and ran back to the boat onto of the water, jumped into the boat and laid the goose at his master’s feet. The positive farmer was beaming with delight and looked at the negative farmer asking what did he think? The negative farmer shook his head in disgust and replied “Just what I thought, that dog can’t even swim!”

Is this you right now? Are you the negative farmer that just doesn’t see the good in anything that you are doing? You only see the reasons that you can’t eat healthy, the reason that you don’t have time for exercise, perhaps even thoughts of the fact that you don’t deserve to be fit and healthy.
Stay focused on the positive things that are happening and you will be more inclined to repeat those as you move closer to your ultimate goal. Look at the energy you are gaining, the clothes fitting loser. Perhaps your blood pressure has decreased or you have been able to change medications. All of these are positive strides you are making and are moving you towards your ultimate goal.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Mirror, Mirror on the wall...


We all remember this from the Snow White movie where the wicked witch would ask who was the fairest one of all. I'm sure the perception that she had of herself was one of perfection and pure beauty. She was fine until the mirror told her otherwise. However, I think that deep down somehow she had the "thinking" part right. She may not have been the nicest or the prettiest in comparison to Snow White but she did have a high self esteem. This comes from how she saw herself.
How do you see yourself, healthy, happy, physically able, determined, or do you see a an unhealthy, sad and debilitated individual who knows that he or she will not be able to complete or perhaps even start this journey?
We must learn how to throw down the negatives and and begin to see ourselves as the kitten in the picture does. We need to have a winning attitude that tells us we can overcome anything and face this with the ferocity of the lion.
The image that we need to see is one of power, stealth and tenacity. One of cunningness to be able to overcome the quickness of the world around us as we answer its negativity with that of firm belief in ourselves.
Look into the mirror today and tell me what you see. Look deeply, not what is on the first reflection of the mirror but what is in deeper and further down.
Mirror, mirror on the wall... who's the fairest one of all.

Friday, August 17, 2007

Frog in a pond

A frog was born at the bottom of a small circular well. He lived there with his family, content in the water swimming around that little well. He thought life could not be any better.
One day he looked up and noticed light at the top of the well. He became curious and SLOWLY climbed up the well. When he got to the top he carefully looked out over the ledge and what did he see, a pond! He couldn't believe it. This was 1000 times bigger than the well. He ventured further and saw a lake and was just amazed. As he continued his journey he came to the ocean. Everywhere he looked all he could see was water. As he thought back about his prior life in the little well he began to realize how limited his thinking had been.

Our journey to a healthy and fit lifestyle is like this little frog. So often we are content in our current life when all of a sudden we see a light. That light might be a doctor saying we need to become healthier, the death of a loved one, the fact that we cannot play with our children or a friend who has turned their life into a healthier and more active one. As we continue along our journey and see how much more we have instore or how many more things we are capable of we realize how sad it is that it took us so long to make this change.

Therefore, we need to go a bit further than we have gone before, dream a little bigger and look over the edge and out into the horizon at the big ocean that we learn to swim.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Leadership

One of my fears with this Weight Watcher Leadership journey is fear. I’m afraid that the people in the current meeting won’t like me as well as the prior leader. You know change is hard for people and something as simple as a change in leadership can bring the largest and most functioning company to its knees; all because the leadership changed. The leader may even be better than before but because he/she is different or completes tasks in a different fashion others are resistant.

I found a good quote from John C Maxwell.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”

I need to remember that if I can show the members that I know, understand and feel what they do and know the best way for them to get to their ultimate results that they will be quick to embrace me. I’m sure after a few months with the group I will share this blog with them so that they can understand where I came from and the continuing transformation that I’m making even though the weight loss goal has been met.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Precious Time

Today was my son's first day of schoold. I can't believe how fast time goes by. It just seems that a few months ago he was starting first grade. I have that picture still, you know, the one with two top and one bottom tooth missing. How precious.

So many times we tell ourselves and others that we cannot fit exercise into our life due to time constraints. As our children grow they are involved in more activities and our lives are spent as taxi drivers more times than not. However, we can't let time dictate our life and control us. How much time do we spend in the evening chatting on the phone, watching TV, or surfing the internet? Lots I bet, especially if we were to actually tally it up.

We can enjoy these other aspects of down time but only after we take care of ourselves first. The next time you are sitting at a child's sporting event take some time to walk around the parking lot. Tossing a pair of dumbbells or resistance bands in your car and voila, instant gym. Grab another one of the other parents and before you know it you will have your own little fitness network. You can even ask each person to come up with a new activity and that will keep the variety alive and well.

Time is important and if we want to live long and healthy lives and even extend the amount of time we have on this earth, then watching how we spend our time is key.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Whatz Up!

I'm sure you are wondering... thinking she has lost some weight, gained some muscle, ran a race, what else could she possibly want to do next.

Well, I'm pleased to say that the next portion of my journey will be to work with Weight Watchers. I have loved this program for many years and the things that it can offer women and men of all ages, shapes and sizes.

I'm hoping to eventually have my own meetings. I'm so excited to be able to be part of the program and perhaps even change some of it too. I believe they are great at teaching people portion control and how to best work foods, any and all into their daily lives. However, I believe that a huge portion of eating clean, nutritional dense food, along with more emphasis on the exercise portion could and should be included. So, after I get acclimated to the WW way of doing business I'll be trying to incorporate some of my own tips from the exercise area into my meetings.

I will be sharing with the members my progress pictures and blogs too as I believe that I will have lots of inspiration from members as I move forward in this area.

Hope to see you at a meeting in Indiana some day.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Negativity

So often we are influenced by those individuals around us. Unfortunately, in the day and age negativity seems to be what people offer as opposed to encouragement, light and love.

The negativity that we have received from the moment we were children through adult hood forms us into who we are and what we believe we are capability. I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to focus on those things that have happened in your past.

Anais Nin is quoted as saying “From the backstabbing co-worker to the meddling sister-in-law, you are in charge of how you react to the people and events in your life. You can either give negativity power over your life or you can choose happiness instead. Take control and choose to focus on what is important in your life. Those who cannot live fully often become destroyers of life”

I know it can be hard when you are surrounded by the negativity or perhaps have never even had encouragement. However, you have the power to change yourself from within. You have the ability to change those thoughts and become the best person you can be. God planted a beautiful seed within each one of us and we have the ability to grown ourselves into people that can make changes and help others. Disregard those individuals in your life that are holding you back and believe in yourself.

Email me if you need a boost.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

And the Results are In

Well here it is 12 hours since I finished my 1st 5K race. I'm sitting here at the computer, first 20 oz of water already having been consumed and about ready to start on some coffee.

My body, well, it is feeling the extra stress that it handled yesterday. I'm sure most of it is just some stressed and tense muscles and nothing more.

The weather was so hot about 85+ degrees and 60% humidity. I was good during the day with feeding my body some extra carbs and hydrating well. I met my friend at the location early for registration and although we arrived quite early it was good to have all of that done and some time to walk around, warm up and use the ladies room a couple time. It is amazing how I needed to use it even though I had not had water two hours prior. Talk about pre-event jitters.

It was a gun shot start with everyone starting at once and we were off. Down the road about 1/8 of a mile, turn left and keep on running until the cone turn around and repeat. A water stop was provided about half way coming and returning and was a welcomed refreshment.

We were able to complete the first half running the entire way but on the return we walked a couple of times. I was disappointed in that, but my goal was to just complete the race and I did. I completed it in 36 minutes and 18 seconds and was fourth in my age class. I have no clue how many were in the age class, there could have been just four, but it sounds good and makes me feel like a champ! The time was the best I have ever done and I certainly am thrilled about that.

The sense of accomplishment and pride I have regarding this even is almost indescribable. The discipline, will and desire to complete this goal is what it is about. Any one can do something if they put the goal in front of them daily and focus on it completely and entirely.

I challenge each and everyone of you to find a goal, make it something that you think is not something you could do. It doesn't have to be a 5K, it could be walking around that block, learning a foreign language or patching up a broken relationship. Set up a plan for obtaining that goal and work on it until you have accomplished it.

Friday, August 10, 2007

The Race is On!

Many of you may know that I’m running a 5K. It is my first 5K race and I’m so nervous and yet excited at the same time.

It was only six weeks ago that I started the Couch to 5K program (C25K) and for a person that probably couldn’t run 100 yards, running 3.1 miles seems like a marathon.

I’m proud of myself! You know that is something that is hard for me to say and to share. I’m not a prideful individual and have never been one to gloat or revel in my successes. However, as I continue on this journey I’m realizing that I should not be ashamed of where I was or where I am now. I have worked hard for this body and this fitness level. I have dedicated myself to me. Is that wrong? I don’t think so and neither should you.

So, tomorrow at 7pm EST, if you think about it, send some strong winds my direction and give me a shout-out for completing an ambition that was only a dream a few short weeks ago.
Don’t forget that you too should be proud of all of the accomplishments that you have done during your journey no matter how large or small. Stand up and take pride in your progress.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Adventures in Pop Tarts (cont)

Well here I am three days later after my Pop Tart trials and I'm happy and relieved to say that the four pounds gained are now gone.

It does bring me to another thought, especially after a couple of the comments I have had from people.

1. Why did I eat not one but four. I can honestly say I believe I was hungry. It had been hot and muggy and I didn't want to cook. It was 9 at night and I was tired. So instead of taking an apple with some PB or grapes and some yogurt, they were all in the house, I just grabbed the closest easiest thing. I'm sure after the first pack they then just tasted good and as with any type of addict, one just wasn't enough.

2. Even though I have lost this weight I still have "fat girl" thinking. I was in such a panic about those four pounds that I was sure that I was doomed for another month to get it off.

My PT told me that this was just carby junk in my system and that by getting right back on track the next meal, or day in my case, that my body would adjust back to normal and sure enough it did.

We have to remember that losing the weight and going through the motions is really the easy part of this. It is the mental change that we need to work on that will take longer. We need to remember that we have all the right tools to do what is necessary and it is only a matter of using them or not that allows us to fail or drives us closer to success.

I know I'm on another road at this point and don't know if the road will ever end. However, I do know that I have the ability triumph and so do you.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Adventures in Pop Tarts

I have a confession to make, not only am I a self professed scale aholic but I’m also a Pop Tart binger.

Sunday was a horrible day for me. It has been hot and sticky and we have no A/C. It was about 90+ degrees and about 70% humidity. I completed one of my last runs before my race at 1pm and had not consumed much in the way of food due to the heat.

I finished my run, went to the grocery store afterwards, came home, fixed a healthy lunch and surprisingly enough a healthy dinner. However, as evening approached my body started calling out to the fact that it had not been fed properly; properly in the terms of eating every two to three hours and having veggie or fruit with each snack/meal. So at 9pm at night I was scrounging around the house trying to find something to eat that required little to no preparation and to what would my wondering eyes appear but box of Pop Tarts!

Now, these are not staples our house but Granny gave them to DS as a treat and who am I to refuse an 80 year old little lady in giving her GS some treats right. I mean, I had ignored them for several days. However, they called to me and called loudly, I confess to you all, I ate not one but four, yes four of these horrible cardboard tasting, nutritionally devoid things.

You do not want to know what the scale said the following day. It was enough to throw me into a breakdown. Now, I will say, that I didn’t gain 4 lbs of fat, but the scale did show a gain and that was enough for me. I knew for sure that I would not be able to get this off…

Stay tuned for part two.

Friday, August 3, 2007

I have reached a goal

If you have followed me for a while you will know that I'm on a healthy and fit lifestyle transformation. I started this in January, as don't we all, in the effort to lose some of the dreaded weight that appeared over time. I also will turn 40 in February of 08 and certainly wanted to be better off then than I was at 39, again, don't we all.

I started Weight Watchers January 18 and yesterday, the 2nd of August finally reached my goal. The last month has been horrible, up a 2 pounds, down a pound, up one pound, down .5. Last week was the worst, I hopped on the scale, feeling all skinny, when the receptionist told me I had GAINED 3 lbs. I about cried. How could this be, I eat everything right, not one unhealthy calorie, not one splurge. I run three days a week and lift weights three days a week. Each exercise session burning anywhere from 500-700 calories. (via a Polar HRM)

After pulling myself together, I had a chat with the leader who encouraged me to eat more. Now figure that one out! I then talked with my PT who also suggested that I eat more. So holding onto only the fact that things really couldn't get worse, I chowed and I chowed some more. I stayed with my normal regimen and just increased the food. Yesterday when I stepped on the scale I had lost 7.4 pounds! I again about cried.

I'm so excited about this and feel so empowered. My next goal is to be a WW leader. I want to teach and help others overcome what I have. I want them to know how great life can be and how we can be healthy and fit for family and more importantly for ourselves. I'm excited about what I can bring to the table to WW and the additional information that I will learn from them. So, if you are ever in the NE Indiana area, look me up and perhaps we will see each other at a meeting.

You too can reach your goals, never give up.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

The Road Less Traveled

Robert Frost wrote a poem about traveling down a road that had not been taken by many and that in the end he was very happy that he decided on that path.

In the Bible it also talks about two gates or paths that we can choose to go through. The wide gate is what most people choose. It is effortless, simple, unproblematic and in short a lot more fun. The narrow gate, which few people choose to enter is teaming with “lions and tigers and bears, oh my”. Sacrifices, pain and difficulties will often arise if one enters this gate. However, the reward is greatest. In the end we will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Our new lifestyle is so much like this poem and passage from the Bible. It is so easy to take the road that is traveled by many and it is easy to go through the wide gate. But, in doing so we are robbing ourselves of the ultimate goals and desires that we are seeking. What road are you traveling on?

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

A Fish Story

My dad loves to fish. It is one of his favorite things to do. Just the process of getting his poles out and the motor tuned up so he can launch his boat. He used to fish in bass tournaments and thoroughly enjoyed watching all the boats rev there engines and then blast off to the fishermen's favorite or even secret fishing place; the "big one" to catch!

I can hear him talking about the wonderful lures that he would be putting onto each of his five, yes I said, five fishing poles. If one didn't work then he would quickly switch to another one because for sure a Rappala, crank bait or silver do-dad widget was going to do the trick! (What ever happened to a good ole' worm I wonder :)

I sometimes think of the foods that I am tempted with as my own personal bait. It is as if society or many people around me are just trying to bait me into the pizza, beer of course, ice cream, candy, etc. However, I ran across a quote, not sure from whom, that states:

"The taste of the bait aint' worth the pain of the hook".

I'm sure this is very true to the fish when he is being reeled in by the fisherman to spend the next few hours in a live well or perhaps and worse yet ending up on someones plate! I don't want to think of how many hourse and what type of pain I will have to put into the gym or out on the road running for one fleeting taste of food that won't be worth the eventual sting of the gym! For me, I want to carefully look over the tangling hook and determine if this is worth ingesting or better yet something that should be "spit out"!

Sorry dad but I'm rooting for the fish!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

I Did It

I did, yes I did it, I really, really did (happy dance inserted here)

Yesterday was my run day and in the continuation of my c25K training I was to walk for five minutes, jog for 28 minutes and then cool down with a 5 minute walk.

I started out feeling a bit apprehensive since my Sunday run was certainly not stellar, good but not great. However, as I got into about minute 16 or so I started feeling rather strong. I had a good beat going and my music was pumping. I had increased my speed from 4.8 to 4.9 thinking it wouldn't be that big of a difference to my body and it would help in the stamina area.

As I approached the 28 minute marker I glanced down at the screen and it showed that I had completed about 2.5 miles. Now the 5K is 3.1 miles. I started thinking that if I were running this race for real I wouldn't be stopping at the 2.5 mile point and just walking it in. What would I do, I would pickup the pace, I would see the finish line, I would cross it with all the might I could summon into my legs. So with that being said, I increased my speed and started to pretend to be in that race. As I got closer to the 3.1 marker I increased my speed again and "sprinted" across that finish line.

I cannot tell you how happy I felt and still feel. It is a huge accomplishment for me. One that in my wildest dreams I could NEVER have imagined contemplating yet doing and here I did it. I completed the 5K in 36 minutes and 24 seconds and that includes my 5 minute walking warmup. So I know that come race day I will have a great run.

Norman Vincent Peale wrote:

"Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself succeeding. Hold the picture tanaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop the picture...Do not build up obstacles in your imagination."

As I continue my training up to race day I will envision myself crossing the finishing line, running easily with great breathing control and strong legs. I will paint a picture of the sights, sounds and feelings that I will have of all the glory and pride that will be in completing this goal.

What picture have you painted of yourself today?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Excuses

Today I started to think about all the things that could cause us to not finalize our goal. It really is amazing the excuses that we can use.

1. I'm too tired
2. Not enough time
3. Too old
4. Not fit enough

The list really can go on and on. In fact, as a little lesson, why don't you write down your top three and then set them aside for later.

Mine are or could tend to be:

1. I'm too tired
2. Not enough time
3. This process is taking way too long

In looking at these excuses I have a choice to find a work around or just give up. You have that choice too. Any one of us to find some reason to not spend a good hour of time sweating our tushies off at the gym and then packing every single piece of food that enters our bodies. After all it is work and takes some planning.

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." George Bernard Shaw

If we look at this quote we can easily see that we have to create the time to go to the gym or get our physical time in we can't let our lives be happenstance. We will never achieve our goals if we are using excuses for not getting there.

So, take your three reasons that you listed at the top and now, tell me what circumstance YOU will make so your circumstance is one that you want.

Monday, July 23, 2007

My C25K Journey


I mentioned earlier that I was completing a C25K (Couch to 5K) running program. You can find this on cool runnings .com if you are interested.
Running is hard and I will start by saying I'm not a runner. Never have proclaimed to be one or found it as something that interested me. However, my PT suggested that I try the program as a new avenue of fitness. I have a love/hate relationship for it at this point. You see, one run can make you feel like you are the best runner life has to offer and the next run can make you feel like you will cough up a lung or erp one if you know what I mean :)

Yesterday I went to a "real" running store and purchased a "real" pair of running shoes. I'm hoping this will help with my performance as well. How fun, to be fit by "real" runners and to be part of this "club" now :) Above is a picture of my new shoes.

I'm starting the 8th week of the program and will run for 28 minutes with a five minute walk warm-up and a five minute walk cool down. Yesterday I ran with a friend who has trained for half marathons before and she is darn good. Her pace is faster than mine so I struggle to even keep up with her which in all honesty I cannot. However, I'm happy about this because I have a goal which is too keep up with her. We will be running our first race on August 11th and I'm confident that she will do great. My goal is to just complete the 5K (3.1 miles) jogging the entire way.
I found a quote by George Patton that will be my motto until the race and perhaps afterwards as well:

"Human beings are made up of flesh and blood, and a miracle fiber called courage."

I know this is something I can do and the courage is what will pull me through to the end.

Friday, July 20, 2007

The Outcome

I'm sure everyone is sitting at their computers with baited breath wondering how my WW weigh in went last night, right? Well I'm happy to say I was down one pound. Now, I will say that for a small moment I was a bit depressed. I mean, after all, I gained 1.6 the week before. I was thinking, “Why can’t it at least be the same amount I gained last week, there for my two weeks will be a wash” But in the end it is what it is and let me remind you all again, The Scale Does Lie! (http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/scale.htm)

So after my meeting I continued on with my running program. I’m planning on running in a 5K race on August 11th. I’ve been working the C25K program and had to run 25 minutes continously. I was able to complete this task with a little help from Axel Rose and Steven Tyler, Let's face it, who could run slowly to “Dude Looks like a Lady” or "Paradise City"? I finished 2.5 miles in 35 minutes and that isn’t half bad considering I shaved off about 5 minutes from my previous time running the same distance.

However, this morning came my great awakening. My dearest friend reminded me last night or asked me “Who says you have to complete this goal within a certain time frame? He has asked this question before but I guess until yesterday it never really dawned on me, that it was only me that was putting the pressure on me to achieve this WW goal within a certain amount of time. Therefore, I have thrown out the window, the idea that I must reach this goal by next week or the week after or even the week after. If it doesn’t come for five more months then that is okay too. I know what I’m doing is healthy and I’m in the best shape of my life right now and I can only get better if I continue on the path that I am now.

Then, I ran across this quote from W Edwards Deming which really sums up how I feel today.

“We should work on our process, not the outcome of our processes”

So with that being said, it will be my process that I will continue to work on and let the outcome fall where it may and when it so chooses.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

A little update

I have not written for about a week and to be honest I’ve been struggling. I’m sure most people don’t know and I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve been a bit discouraged. Last week at my WW meeting I actually gained 1.6 lbs. Now, I will tell you that no one gets fat from eating right and exercising, both of which I do consistently. My average calories are anywhere from 1500- 1700 per day and a normal workout session burns between 500-700 calories. Thank goodness for heart rate monitors, if you don’t have one, get one.

Anyways, during the last week I have been struggling with what to do, the thoughts of giving up have been daily and strong but I know that something is happening within my body and as I talked about before, the number on the scale is just such a small piece of the puzzle or part of the picture. However, I’m a self confessing scale-aholic and no matter what I know logically, emotionally that number does matter.

So, with this hump to overcome, I’ve searched for a few quotes on discouragement and found a couple that I felt was appropriate for me to remember and perhaps you as well.

Failure is an EVENT, never a person. (William D. Brown)

This is big for me, because I’m quick to say I’m a failure at this; forgetting that at this point I’ve lost almost 30 lbs and over 32 inches.

"Every great work, every great accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement comes apparent failure and discouragement." (Florence Scovel Shinn)

I think this is a wonderful. It reminds me that I do have a vision and that I need to hold firm to it that this small blip could really be the sign of a great thing to come.

So with this off my chest now, I’m on to bigger and better things. I’ll be checking in later to let you know how things have went.

Until then, eat well and exercise hard. Enjoy your life and this journey you are on.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

The Crow and the Pitcher

A crow was terribly thirsty and came upon a pitcher which had once been full of water. However, when he put his beak into the pitcher, found that only a very little amount of water was left and he could not reach far enough to get it. He tried and tried and was going to give up in despair.
Then a thought came to him and he took a small pebble and dropped it into the pitcher, then he took another pebble and dropped it into the pitcher. It didn't seem if anything was happening but he continued on dropping small pebbles into that pitcher. At last he saw the water mount up near him and he was able to quench his thirst.

We are all so much like that little thirsty crow. We see something that we want and probably need and expect to be able to have an immediate gratification. However, this process takes time and little by little changes occur within us. Most of the times the changes are unseen to us and start on the inside before the outside appearance is even noticeable. Nevertheless, if we continue to make small changes, before long we will be able to quench our wants and needs.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Actions Speak Louder than Words

How many times have we heard this saying or others such as “Talk is cheap”, “The proof is in the pudding”

You see, we know what we are supposed to do, but the truth is many people don’t DO what they know. Knowing really isn’t enough; we have to take action to make the knowledge worth it.

We know that eating the right foods and moving our bodies daily will improve so many aspects of our life. We will have better health on the inside, improving blood pressure levels, lower cholesterol, fighting off cancers by giving our bodies the food and fuel it needs to protect us. We also have a better outlook on life as exercise releases the good feeling endorphin hormones. This in turn helps us cope with stress, manage our jobs and have healthier and happier relationships with family and friends.

However, knowing all these things and actually putting an action plan into place is a key element! Start today by putting into places an action that will move you closer to your ultimate goal. Show those around you without words where your true heart and passion lies in your own journey.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Looking at the clouds

Lie on your back, look up at the clouds and figure out what they look like? Imagine the fire breathing dinosaur, the horse running freely or a quiet mountain. I like to do this sometimes; it is really fun with your children they have great imaginations and are never afraid to “see something” that we struggle to.

Albert Einstein, a man of great imagination, wrote several quotes regarding imagination.

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere”
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions”
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand”

In our journey to a healthy and fit lifestyle we are so quick to take out the imagination of it all. We feel we are destined to remain a certain size, shape or look. We don’t imagine that we could be strong enough or fit enough to run a race, lift a certain amount of weight, and eat a different food. By limiting ourselves we are taking out any possibilities of great things to come. If we take the time to imagine how we ultimately want to be we can put a process in place to take us there.

What do you see in your clouds?

Sunday, July 8, 2007

You can't change the past

It is funny how most people reminisce about the past, beat themselves up for the past. Hold grudges on people from past occurrences. I long for things I should have done, could have done, never did and funnier yet things that never even happened. Why can't I accept the here and now be proud of where I am and look at the future?

We can look at this phenomenon two ways. The past can definitely motivate you. You can also be optimistic about it and take the lessons learned from it an move on.

As I looked for two quotes regarding the future, I found two that seemed to almost fit together. Edmund Burke wrote " You can never plan your future by the past" and Alan Kay says "The best way to predict the future is to invent it"

It is so motivating to know that things that I've done in the past that have kept me from reaching my fitness goals can just be written off. I can choose to not live this way and further and that my future is completely in my own hands. I can invent it, as Kay states. I can reinvent habits and invent a new body and lifestyle.

Are you looking forward or living in the past?

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Inadequacy

“Raise your hands if you’re Sure!” Sorry, but I’m kinda, sorta, raising one hand and looking around to see if anyone else is too. I’m a perfectionist and can’t stand the fact that I might not measure up to someone or something. I don’t like to be the center of attention and would far prefer to be in the background. I would make a great Supporting Actress.

I came across this quote from Maryanne Williamson which was used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 Inaugural speech as well as in the recent movie Akeelah and the Bee.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around. you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Wow, is this not really powerful. This is telling us that we need to let our light shine. We need to be proud of who we are the talents and gifts that God gave us. We should be proud of our accomplishments and our transitions to healthy and active lifestyles. We should want to help other people have this same feeling too.
I think the next time I hear the Sure commercial I’ll be heaving my hands into the air with vigor, heartiness and satisfaction.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Change Hurts

I really wanted to link this somehow to the “Love Hurts” song but just wasn’t clever enough today. So think of the tune to Love Hurts for a moment. (Music playing)

Sometimes I think about how my life used to be. How I used to eat, or not exercise, not really care about when I did eat or what it would be. I’m a very structured person so the fact that I was unstructured in this area is still sort of a mystery to me but oh well. For many months I really longed and mourned that lifestyle. I missed some of the spontaneity and fun that came with my eating and drinking. Any exercise I got might have consisted of playing with my horses or going for a casual walk with my son as he rode his bike. It wasn’t an easy thing to alter my habits no matter how much I wanted to.

Anatole France, a French writer, wrote; “All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.”

It is strange that he uses the word die. It seems so permanent. Once something is dead it doesn’t come back, it is gone forever. We have to have this same attitude, what we are changing into cannot be something that is just for this week or year, we must completely be dead to our old lifestyle and then we will grow and enter a new one. I say grow because I’m assuming that our new life is just as an infant. We will start out with our baby steps, move onto a grammar type school and then secondary school and then graduate into our new life to live and be successful.
I believe that I am dead to my old life and now in the grammar school of my new life. Where are you?

Sunday, June 24, 2007

A Scary Movie

I love a really scary movie. Not the fake blood and gore ones but ones that are suspenseful and make my skin feel like it is prickly. I can remember growing up, and sometimes still, when a scary part comes to the screen I cover my eyes and peek through my fingers. It is kind of as if just peaking will not make me look at the scariness full on and therefore mutes it in some small fashion.

Our new healthy lifestyle can be compared to a good scary movie. We really want one, like the thoughts of having one but only want to look at it through “our fingers”. However, if we aren’t facing this journey head on and looking straight it, how will we really know how frightening or intimidating it is? It may not be quite as daunting if we can see all of it instead of having our fingers covering bits and pieces of it. For all we know, our fingers could be covering the soft and harmonious parts and thus leaving us with a distorted and uglier picture.

Eleanor Roosevelt wrote a brilliant reflection on this topic, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you REALLY stop to look fear in the face… do the thing you think you cannot do”

Now, I think I will go watch a scary movie and sit on my hands :)

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Stress

This word is probably one of the most clichéd words in the English language today and yet stresses are everywhere in our lives.

What is stress? Stimulus or environmental change of such intensity or duration that it taxes a person’s previous adaptive capacity to its limits.

Changes are happening around us all the time. Most of the time we are able to bend and flex to accommodate to the new situation. However, there are times where we may have a catastrophic situation such as the death or illness of friends, or family, a change or loss of jobs these changes can take our breath away and the ability to adapt will be difficult.

It is important to continue with a healthy and active lifestyle during even the worst of times as our bodies and mind need a continuous outlet for the pressure and tension. We also need to make sure that we keep ourselves in check during “normal” periods of our life and not allow ourselves to get too distraught over minimal changes that happen. Let’s save ourselves for when the “big one” happens, shall we?

Greg Anderson wrote; “The perfect no-stress environment is the grave. When we change our perception we gain control. The stress becomes a challenge, not a threat. When we commit to action, to actually doing something rather than feeling trapped by events the stress in our life becomes manageable.”

So, what’s your stress today? Is your perception distorting the reality and what are you doing to help yourself.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Wayne's World, Wayne's World . . .

Party time, Party Time, Excellent, Excellent (guitar sound) RRRR

If you are familiar with this movie then my words above will make complete sense to you and you may already be busting into the Bohemian Rhapsody.

If you haven’t seen this movie then the above won’t make a whole lot of sense but I think the little story below will.

In the movie, Wayne wants a guitar. It is the all time most exceelent and amazing guitar. Something that he desires to have more than anything, he tells his friend Garth that “it will be mind, oh yes, it will be mine” Garth answers to his friend “you’ll never afford it! LIVE IN THE NOW!”

Wow, we have all had this experience with something in our lives. We so long for the perfect body and healthy lifestyle and we chant to ourselves that we will obtain that, when all of a sudden, WHAM our friend, yes our best friend, spouse or family member –tells us we can never acquire that vision and to just “live in the now”.

We can look at this two fold, we should also dream and dream big and know that we can obtain our ultimate goals with hard work and dedication and at the same time we must live in the now so that we don’t lose sight of the daily activities that will ultimately get us to that eventual goal.

On the flip side, many times when we have a high and lofty goals, people around us will try and convince us that we should not aim to such high standards and that we should be happy with our current surroundings and never try to become something better or greater. I think most of the time it isn’t that they are trying to be negative or hamper us but it is themselves scared of what we might become and the fact that we may not ‘be the same’ as we have been in the past.

However, you choose to look at this story is up to you, you may have it come across your life in both ways. Either way, remember this:

“Whatever course, you decide upon; there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson


In the mean time: “Party on Garth, Party on Wayne”

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Happiness and Selfworth

So many of us start our healthy lifestyle or many other self “projects” thinking that if we do it for our spouse, our children, our work or anyone other than ourselves that for sure we will complete it with heartiness, vigor and ultimate success. I mean after all how could we let others down right?

However, a quote from Stacey Charter really affirms what our conviction should be:

“Don’t rely on someone else for you happiness and self worth. Only YOU can be responsible for that, if you can’t love and respect yourself- no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are-completely, the good and the bad-and make changes as YOU see fit-not because you think someone else wants you to be different”

If we think about this carefully we MUST agree that no one else can make us change, no one can force food into our mouths or force us to exercise. We have to be willing and committed to ourselves so that we can be happy.

So the next time, you are tempted with doing or not doing something stop and think is this something that YOU really want to do for yourself or are you trying to be something or someone for another’s sake.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

I Have A Dream

This has to be one of the most famous speeches and speakers of current days. Can you only imagine how Dr. King must have felt as he wrote and spoke these poignant words? If you have never actually read this speech please take the time to do so as it is such a powerful and moving manuscript.

What if Dr. King did not believe or dream that these types of obstacles could be overcome. How, different the speech may have been. One of the “dreams” he cited states:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal."

He did not dream that maybe if all things are aligned and if people so felt inclined that we might be able to be nice to one another that we could all be a little equal.
No, he dreamed large, he dreamed of things that he wanted to see in his lifetime, he dreamed of things he could be involved in and ways to help move our society towards a common goal. He didn’t dream half way, he dreamed large and mighty ideas.
We too need to have powerful, influential, mighty and grand dreams without them we have little to believe in and without belief we have no hope and hope is what keeps us alive.
What is your dream?

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Procrastination

Webster’s dictionary defines procrastination as the postponing of what one should be doing or needlessly delaying.

It is very easy for us to fall into this trap when we want to become healthy and fit or worse when we have started our journey and have a slip up. Most of us can find any reason not to get to the gym or an excuse for not making a healthy dinner. The kids have activities, I’m too tired, and I’ll start the regime tomorrow. The list goes on and on. However, I can almost guarantee that when these justifications come up that some amount of TV watching was done or web surfing instead of physical activities or healthy meal planning.

Why is it that we want so much to have healthy fit bodies but we aren’t willing to put into them the time that is necessary. If we work at it each day and make it a priority just as we would going to work then it becomes a part of us and we would never dream of delaying it.

Napoleon Hill wrote: “Don’t wait, the time will never be just right” but I can guarantee you that today will be better than tomorrow.

Get up, lace up and get out there today!

Monday, June 18, 2007

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Everyone knows this song, but have you actually ever looked or read the lyrics? I’m not sure what the basis was for the song but if you look at the words closely you may have the same thoughts as I do.

In the song she is talking to someone about the fact that she works hard, makes money, and gives love to her family and in return for this all she wants is respect; sounds kinda simple to me. I think we all, especially women, want this and for me working out at the gym is another area that I’m working towards gaining that admiration.

I have been working out at the gym now going on three months. I’m one of just a couple of women that lift weights and I am only one of two women, my friend Tammi being the second, who lifts free weights. Perhaps there are others but I don’t see them. So needless to say, I’m pumping iron with the “Big Boys” and trust me some of them are big and lifting hard and heavy.

Today I was getting all of my equipment set-up for my workout and one of the regulars there came to me and said that “I was one of the hardest working women in the gym, and one of the hardest working people there too” I was so thrilled with this compliment. I know I workout hard and at this point I don’t even think about people watching but the fact that this big, beefy, monster weight lifting man, noticed how hard I worked out made me feel darn big in my britches!
Eat your heart Aretha, I got me some R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

If It Sounds too Good to be true. . .

We have all heard this saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” In the last couple of days the new buzz or word on the street is Alli. It is going to be the new miracle drug. Able to help us shed our pounds with a single shot of a pill a few times a day. All for the small price of about $60 which will last you 30 days; such a small price to pay for the body you have dreamed of right?

When I sit and read this I almost find it comical. I look at all the information for this new drug it tells us that we are encouraged to have a healthy diet, plan on losing the weight slowly and not have more than 15g of fat per meal. It also says we should count on eating smaller portions and be committed to making time for physical activity. I read this and shout “Say What!” Isn’t this what we have been told to do all along?

We are so quick to pop a pill in our efforts to obtain our goals. We are positive that the one little pill will magically change us and we promise we will do all the things necessary to have the “little magic pill” be effective. Can’t we just do this on our own and save the money or instead invest it into healthier foods or a gym membership or some other type of activity? Who knows what the side effects of this drug will be on us years from now or even weeks from now and all we had to do was to practice healthy eating and add a little more activity. It really is that simple. No pill required.
I’m sure this is too good to be true, what do you think?

Friday, June 15, 2007

Alice In Wonderland

Another great story that we can learn so many lessons from. The author of Alice In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll, wrote:

"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there"

How true is this statement. So many times we just aimlessly wander through life without any final destination in site and then wonder how come we never got anywhere?

My fitness goals have been that way over the last month, just doing the workouts, eating the right things but not really sure what road I'm on or should be or even want to be. At first this really wasn't such a bad thing but as I began to think about it, the lack of the goal was also keeping me from really working out to the best of my abilities.

So, I've decided to start a new running program. In the next 6-8 weeks I will learn to run a 5K. Perhaps, even enter a race. My goal isn't really to win the race, just enter it, start and complete it.

Put a goal in front of yourself to keep yourself motivated. Perhaps it is just to walk a particular distance, walk/run for a cause or like me just to say that I can do it. How exciting to have something to work towards and at the end know that it is one more thing that if I set my mind to can become reality.

Dream big!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

The Nestle Quik Bunny said. . .

Patience is a Virtue.

Mmm... I loved chocolate milk growing up and it is a healthy and nutritious snack. It is wonderful after a good hard workout as it provides carbohydrate and protein. So not only was the little bunny smart intellectually but he also chose a nourishing drink.

The Nestle Quick Bunny really wanted to guzzle his milk. He just wanted to finish that glass as fast as he could. He missed savoring the flavor.

We are that way too in our journey. We are so intent on the end result that we forget to savor the journey. Now I’m not saying to take your eye off the prize but, the journey and the living of it, is so full of rewards and lessons that if we skipped it and just got to the end we would be missing some of the most important elements and components. I mean after all, is everything that you are doing really that bad?

We are learning lessons in food selection, variety and mixture, new and expanded exercise regimes and an entire host of personality traits that would never come to the forefront and be recognized. If we never embrace the development and if we just skip to the end without that schooling, we will soon find ourselves back at the beginning wondering and kicking ourselves, asking, how did I get back to square one?
In closing, the reward is in the journey, patience is a virtue and chocolate milk is mm good!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Olley Olley Oxen Free

When I was little and we played Hide and Seek or Kick the Can, when the game was over to call in all the players still hiding we would use the above free. Perhaps you have wanted to call me back from my hiding place too.
I've been around but busy on a well deserved vacation with my son. He has been home from California visiting and will return tomorrow. I have been able to stay on track for the most part and have exercised with him almost daily. How much fun to have your 20 year old son as your spotter and workout partner.
I will confess that I have had to go back and read a couple of my own blogs to inspire myself to get back up and realize that this small hiatus is not a collapse but a relapse as well as my all time favorite The Little Engine that Could.
It so important in this journey to have a support group and have those people around to help during difficult times. I had a couple of rough days and in talking with my PT, she helped me recognize that I probably was having some issues with knowing that my son would be leaving and that I was medicating myself with food. WOW, what a slap in the face and an ouch but amen at the same time. After really thinking about this, I'm sure she is right. I've been so happy to have him home and we have had so much fun together that the thought of him leaving and probably not seeing him again for a couple of years was really weighing on my heart.
I do know that he is really supportive of my efforts and is so excited about seeing my transformation that I don't want to have my month of June be less rewarding and exciting because of his visit. He would want to know and feel that he had helped reach my ultimate goal and that he was apart of it.
So, with that being said, I swung my leg back up into the saddle yesterday and started again with spot on eating and a walk. Today my eating was great and another walk. I will be starting my new routine on Thursday and will be ready to complete the rest of the month of June.
I did take a new picture so if you have a moment, take a peak at what four full complete months of healthy eating and exercising can do.
Roll on little doggies, roll on!

Monday, June 4, 2007

Help I’ve Fallen and I can’t get up!

This is an all too familiar phrase. It was made popular back in 2002 by Life Alert Emergency Response. But I bet many of us have this same feeling as we progress to our fit and healthy new lifestyle.

How many times have we been to a party or some sort or had a stressful event that just pushed us over the edge. Before you knew it, a half gallon of ice cream and 17 Oreo, no wait, Pepperidge Farm cookies have been downed and you are onto the left over Halloween candy from your child’s pumpkin. Now come on, raise your hands. I know both of mine are up!

We know we will have opportunities or challenges during this process and even after we reach our goals that will test our abilities and strengths. Sometimes we will conquer them and other times, we will fall down. Making sure we have plenty of healthy food choices in the house and a support network will help us when these situations arise but their may be times that we don’t have any of those options available and I know, that the gas station carries many things that would make me feel better and if needed I would drive to fulfill that desire :)

However, if this happens, we are not failures, because as a Chinese proverb reads “Failure is not falling down but refusing to get up”. So, the next time this type of situation arises and you handle it with less than a stellar performance, remember to pick yourself up, brush your knees off and get moving again on the right track because you CAN get up!

Sunday, June 3, 2007

A thought from Buddha

Buddha wrote: "What we think, we become."

It is such a simple statement and yet so profound. We are constantly flooded with images of fit women and the world telling us that this is the image that we want or should be. However, we normally just tell ourselves that we could never be that fit or never could wear those types of clothes and so we don’t.

We continue to live in the same routine and believe the same thoughts about hips being too big, waist to large or thoughts of not being strong enough to complete a race, smart enough to get a promotion or too old to change a career all occupy our reflections. Since we never think we can do or be anything else we reel in our similitude and continue to be unhappy.

However, if we think positive thoughts about ourselves in terms of our physical appearances and our God given abilities we will become these things. We will work hard to create the beautiful, strong and brilliant individual that resides with each one of us.
I am beautiful, smart and strong!

Friday, June 1, 2007

Eleanor Roosevelt

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Wow, another powerful and strong statement from a woman. We certainly are smart aren’t we? Especially when we look at our challenges in the way that Mrs. Roosevelt did.

If we look at something that has happened to us in our life that we consider a “horror” and then compare it to our transition to a healthy lifestyle that we are working towards why oh why wouldn’t we think that we could embark upon this endeavor? We are strong and powerful when we believe in our selves and realize and recognize all of the difficulties we have conquered.

So, with this written down, I’m now challenging myself to do something that I have never done before. My challenge will be to purchase a piece of clothing that I would normally not wear and have a picture taken with me wearing it. After all, I lived through one teenager, how hard should this be?

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Sacrifice versus Success

So many times we want successes and we want them now. Just the other day I talked about how we could have it all but not all at the same time.

The success that we desire can only be obtained by the how much we are willing to sacrifice. If we are only willing to surrender small amounts of our life or routine then we will only gain a small amount of accomplishment.

Many of the people that are our role models or inspirations make enormous forfeitures. They put the desire to be healthy or have a particular physique in front of their desires for chocolate cake or a glass of wine. They are willing to sacrifice those to ascertain their fitness and health goals.

If I want the Hillary Swank body then I better be willing to let go of some of the inadequate effects that will stall that progress.

How much are you willing to sacrifice?

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Cake and eat it too!

We have all heard the saying of “You can’t have it all”. However, I’m here to challenge that thought.

Proper planning and execution of that plan will give us the outcome that we desire. I know that if I plan my food and exercise routines that I will be successful in my endeavors. I know that I should have a safe meal that I can count on when prior poor planning comes into play. I don’t know about you, but I can tell you there are times when grocery shopping is not at the top of my “to do” list and I may not take the time to figure out a menu for the week. I do though always keep a supply of frozen chicken breast, rice and some type of vegi in the house, so if all else fails, guess what’s for dinner.

I get a workout schedule from my PT and each of the exercise routines is laid out along with an exercise directory that gives me the proper technique to complete the exercise. The cardio routine is written in such a manner that the speed, incline and duration are all there. All I have to do is “go with the flow”.

I know that by completing these steps on a consistent basis, consistency and time being the key that my outcome will be positive and I will fulfill my goal. So, in closing you can have it all, just not all at one time!

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Teenager's weigh in on the process

Do you remember growing up and wanting to be just like your friend “Sue”? You wanted to look like her, talk like her, wear the same clothes. Peer pressure during the teenage years is so common and difficult to handle. Each adolescent wants to be just like the other and at the same time is struggling to be an individual. However, the process to break free and become an individual can be long a tumultuous and as a mother of a 20 year old and a 13 year old can wreak havoc on everyone in the house as they move through their transition.

The weight loss and fitness journey can be similar to the teenage years. We see so many people that we want to emulate and ascertain to become and we also see all the obstacles in the way. What we don’t see is that the ultimate goal comes with being able to make sacrifices and be an individual; an individual who can make good decisions on food choices and exercise and not mimic the ways of the world. This can be a struggle and I’m sure that other people in our house feel as if we are wreaking havoc on them, although they probably should come along for the ride.

Just remember, if we eat and exercise like everyone else, we probably will look like everyone else and not become the individual or select few that are our ultimate goals. So, take pride in being unique and an individual. Be the example for others that are at the beginning of this journey and allow them to mimic you.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Its a holiday right?

So we are entitled to a free for all right. I like that thought of thinking. I mean after all how many holidays do we have in a year? Lots if you think about. We celebrate our lives with food. Food for a good grade, food because we had a bad day, food because it is Christmas, Mother’s Day, 4th of July or the many other ones that fall somewhere between January and December.

Each of these instances and the food that is before us is an instant gratification. We have to be careful as the instant gratification that we have during that moment will linger with us into the next day which, more than likely is not a holiday.
It is very easy to allow ourselves the freedom to eat what ever we want, whenever we want because it is just there and we give ourselves an excuse. Now, once in a great while this is okay because I certainly believe in having a “treat”. In fact, I wrote about my son’s birthday a few days ago. However, I can’t afford to be doing pieces of cake or pizza on a weekly basis or before I know it I will be slipping back into the old routine and back right where I started. We need to plan these special occasions into our lives and since we have so many things that revolve around food at times not partake in them and continue eating and exercising in a healthy way. We need to look past the moment and think of the consequence as the decision we make today will affect us tomorrow.So, since it is a holiday we have the

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Are you just trying?

So many times we use the phrase, "I'm trying" or "I'll try to". In saying those words we are allowing ourselves and easy out, in that, just because we tried it must be okay. However, we should be telling people I do have the ability to complete this or I will do that or I do not want to have the Supersize Meal. Make it into a statement that convinces ourselves that the outcome will be positive.

We don't need to just "try" and make good food choices or try to excercise. We do need to choose to have healthy food in our house by making good decisions at the grocery store and we do have those same choices when we are out to eat. We also can exercise. We don't need a gym or a personal trainer to do extra activities. We can go for a walk around our neighborhood, we can walk around a track at a local school, we can take our kids into our arms and dance or if they are too heavy dance with them. They will love it if we act crazy and at the same time they are getting in some activity too.

So in the words of Yoda (We all know it is the Star Wars 30th anniversary right):

"Do or Do not, There is no Try" I know you will choose DO!

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Expect Lapses?

Now, how on earth could she tell me this you’re thinking? Of course I am. No one is perfect. Only one Man gets to claim that, sorry. But just because you lapse doesn’t mean you need to col-lapse. What is the difference you ask?

According to Webster; lapse is an accidental or TEMPORARY decline or deviation from an expected or accepted condition or state; something that can be recovered from. However, collapse is to disintegrate, cave in or worse yet, complete failure and end.

This new way of life will at some time become exactly that a way of life and normal. However, until then, we are bound to slip up now and then and loose a battle. We just don’t need to dwell on it. We need to try and figure out why we had a lapse and find a plan to get back on track so as to win the war!

Just because we have a “screwed” up moment in our decisions doesn’t mean that we ourselves are “screw-ups” or failures by any means.
When I was growing up and went to Bible school, we were told: “God doesn’t make junk” and you know what, He was right!

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

_ _ _ _ Happens!

Hold on a minute there, why don’t I fill in that blank for you. I really meant it to say LIFE HAPPENS and it happens to all of us everyday.

The unfortunate part about this is that we can’t really control life and what happens to us or what it brings our way. We are just part of it and have to learn to roll with the punches.

Last week was my son’s 13th birthday. A big one as he is now officially a teenager and along with his birthday came the normal cake and special dinner that I’m sure most of us do for our family. My son helped make his birthday cake the night before and was most proud of his efforts. Now at 13, getting a child to do anything is an accomplishment and the fact that he was actually eager to participate was something I certainly grabbed onto.

When it was time to eat the cake he was so anxious to give me a piece and to ask me my opinion that he sacrificed his first piece and gave it to me. I had a choice at this point. One, decline the cake and crush him but be victorious in my efforts or two, accept the piece graciously and ask for a small piece and tell him how wonderful it was and build him up, while at the same time making a poor choice on food. What do you think I did, what would you do?

I took that piece of cake, thanked him graciously and savored every single bit of it, even licking the plate with frosting (sorry but it was really good). He was so proud that I loved it and that was worth every calorie in it. I only have a few more years of these opportunities and then they will be gone. What is a few more pieces of cake if it is once a year.

Prepare yourself for this as it will happen. Know what you will do before hand and don’t agonize about it after you have made your decision. Embrace life and the changes that it brings and relish the special opportunities that you get with your family and friends…. In the end Life Happens and I want to be part of it.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The Entire Enchilada?

Sometimes that enchilada plate can be a doozy, far too much to eat at one sitting and that means we need to have a ‘take home box’.

We can’t look at the entire plate; we need to set a goal. Goals for me have always been a tough for me. I always seem to look at the bigger picture and sometimes making a smaller goal is difficult. During the first four months of my journey, my goal was to fit into some “hot momma” jeans :) Well, I’m happy to say, that I met that goal and if you look at my pictures link you can see me in them.

So, now that I have met that goal, I’m thinking, What next? I watched the movie Million Dollar Baby the other day and loved the physique of Hillary Swank, so my new goal will be working towards something along those lines. I’ll continue the weight loss but as that tapers I will increase the muscle mass and tone. It should be a fun journey.

I would like to challenge all of you that read my writings to think of goal for yourself; a small one would be great, and let me know what you are working towards as well as letting me know when you achieve it. I’ll probably pop back in a while and ask for some updates. So, get your takeout box so that the entire enchilada doesn’t look so overwhelming.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Two Different Skinnies

I had quite a revelation last night when I went shopping. I decided that new workout clothes were in order. Now I will admit that shopping is not my forte or something that I enjoy or take pleasure in. However, I was hoping that with my physical transformation would come a mental transformation.

I’ve never considered myself attractive and with that, the choosing of clothing has just been a necessity. I’m sure some of this is personality and some of it is how I was raised and some of it has just been the fact that I didn’t like the way I look.

As I continue to become fitter, healthier and thinner, more and more people are telling me to buy new clothes, show a little more skin and be proud of my hard work and fit body that is emerging. But when I look in the mirror I still see the same person. Yes, my clothes are loser and yes I know I’ve lost weight. My workout clothes almost need suspenders to keep them up :)

It is apparent to me that the task of transforming myself physically will be much easier than the mental transformation. I’m not sure when or how I will have the epiphany but it is part of the transformation and one that I know I will need to put effort into as well.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Perseverance and Marie Curie

The following is a quote from Marie Curie, Nobel Prize Winner.
"Life is not easy for any of us. But what-of-that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this something, at whatever cost, must be attained." Marie Curie
Can you imagine what this woman endured in her day to ascertain a Nobel Prize? She was born in 1867 certainly not in a period where women were admired or sought after for brilliance, intelligence or outstanding ability. But I’m sure what she recognized was that without insistence, resolve and determination she would never obtain her fullest potential and be able to give her “gift” to the world.
I truly believe that we all have our own gifts to be given to the world. I believe that God made each of us for something special and we must have strength of mind and willpower to find that gift. Part of the gift that God gave us was a strong and healthy body. He wants us to have this in order to fulfill all of the dreams and desires that he has for us.
During our journey we must have strength, courage and endurance to get us to the end other wise we started this for what?

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Self-Confidence

Self-Confidence – confidence in yourself and your own abilities.

Do you think this is something we are born with or something that must be sown and nurtured? I’m not really sure what I think but I do know that without self-confidence that this journey can be tough.

How many times have you said to yourself that you were going to eat right, exercise and lose this weight once and for all? I myself, cannot even count how many times I have had this conversation with myself and I believe that the lack of self-confidence was the part that was missing.

I did not believe in myself or perhaps I didn't think myself as worthy and as soon as I started or shortly there after I would stop and give up or the routine would just gently fade away. This time is different and I don’t know where it came. I think some of it is the support that I’m receiving from my trainer and the faith and belief that I can and will complete this journey.

Look within yourself and others around you for support and conviction until this seed of self-confidence has taken root and takes over your life, it is at that point that will be able to harvest it and help others.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

The Sixth Sense

Wow, this was an awesome movie wasn't it? If you haven't seen it, rent it. I have watched this movie several times and even though I know what happens, to this day, I still get chills. Funny how that works huh?

Did you know that a real condition referred to as Synesthesia, or a Sixth Sense exists? Synesthesia means “joined sensation”. I believe each of us has Synesthesia. It is that little voice that speaks to us or the feeling that something “just doesn’t feel right”. Sometimes we pay attention to it and other times we disregard it as misleading talk or worse yet we just ignore it. How rude!

The little voice in our head tells us we probably shouldn’t eat that, have another portion, the annoying conversation that we have with ourselves regarding the fact that we should get ourselves up and exercising, all of these are forms of Synesthesia.

When we have awareness of these instances we should really grant it attention as, more than likely, it really does have our best intentions at heart.

I see healthy food choices they are everywhere…. :)

Monday, May 14, 2007

I found a new drug

Don’t get all worried, I’m certainly not advocating taking drugs for your weight loss. We know that they don’t work and are just a waste of money. However, I do think that I have found a drug of sorts that my body has started to make.

I really don’t know what it is called but I’ll explain what happened. At work today, I was feeling very anxious and antsy. I just couldn’t sit still. It was the old “ants in my pants” thing. I started looking back on what could have caused this. Certainly not drugs and no caffeine, at that point it dawned on me that my weekend had not been as heavy on the exercising part as it has been during the past weekends.

Saturday was busy just getting my house in order after having been gone last week along with grocery shopping. I did manage to get 30 minutes done on my Nordic Trak but normally I’m pushing an hour plus of exercise daily and it is tough exercise. Sunday was beautiful in NE Indiana so I spent about four or five hours riding my two horses and playing with the yearling that we have. So no real physical activity in that either comparatively.

I’m sure that by this afternoon, my body was crying out and craving its daily workout. It just goes to show that we really are meant to move and move deliberately. I think my body is now completely addicted to exercise. This is my new drug. It is one that most of us cannot overdose on and we can have it daily. In fact, you should have it daily. Yes, it will be habit forming but certainly one that will be excellent. So in the words of Huey Lewis and the News; “I want a new drug”; I found mine and love it.