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?