Lesson learned 2013

Are you a procrastinator? I should have written this year-end post before 9 pm New Year's Eve, but there are so many things running through my head that I can't focus enough to get it done. 

This has been an insane year for me. I started off focused, but I let one event throw me off focus and it was downhill after that both emotionally and physically. I let anger, disappointment, and an injury keep me from my goals. I've learned that it just can't continue. Going forward, if I can distance myself from a negative situation, I won't hesitate to do so. I have to do that for me. 

This year has not been all negative. I will focus on those blessings and cultivate my new relationships and opportunities. I'm going to be busy, but I am also making time to do some things that I've wanted to do for a long time, so get ready for me to blog about my new adventures. 

The Stress Plan

I have made progress, BUT....

I am struggling.  Once again, but this time I am not giving up. Here are the issues

• I am stressed.  
• I am eating more.
• I am not getting enough sleep.

Yes, they are all related, but I refuse to give in----AGAIN!!

Here's the plan

Get in the game:

• Continue to journal my food and exercise

• Continue going to the gym and commit to those home exercise sessions

• Find a way to positively deal with the stress. Blog more, but some days I can't write eloquently enough to put my words on a public forum. 

• Give up and go to bed. When you don't sleep it affects your hunger hormones (ghrelin) and the viciou cycle begins 

This a journey, a process.  I have to learn and not repeat the same mistakes. Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday

I had planned to do one of those fancy blog posts about birthdays, but my FB/Twitter post sums it up.

It's My Job

This morning I had a chance to reflect on several people who made a difference in my life. Family, friends, preachers, teachers who sometimes said or did the smallest things, made a difference and I carry those things forever. Maybe it was a "don't do that" or a "this is what you should do", or even "that look" across the room. At times it was a gift or loaning something to me until my parents could afford the item I needed. I had the best "hand-me-downs" a girl (and even an adult) could ask for. At other times, it was a chance or a second start. God knows I've needed second, third, and I'll just stop counting chances. 

I only hope that I can do the same.  It's the one way that I can attempt to adequately say, "Thank You". It's not always easy. Actually, the gift giving and the little acts of kindness are fun and easy. Whatever you have is a gift anyway. 

The advice, the "don't do that" part is more difficult. I'm not perfect, that's how I learned this. The older I get, the less I hold back. I'm sure it causes resentment, but I would be remiss if I didn't share what I've learned through my life experiences as those before me have done. If only I had listened....

Before my late Mother passed away, we were having a big laugh about her knowing everything and generally being in my business when I was growing up. Her reply was, "That's my job". So when I re-gift whether its a treat, a hug, a word of wisdom, or I'm just "telling you like it is" remember, "That's my job". 

How many people helped mold you? Are you sharing your gifts and your life lessons or are you being complacent? Are you doing your job? Make a difference, be an influence. 

That pile on the floor

It seems insignificant doesn't it? A pile of jeans on the floor. Waiting for the the washer. To someone losing weight, it's an NSV (non-scale victory). When you've gained weight, a pile of jeans is not usually in your dirty laundry. They are avoided because you can't fit into your old ones and you refuse to buy that larger size. You resort to sweat pants, yoga pants, anything with a stretchy waistband.

So here's the reason that I now have a pile of jeans on the floor. (Please excuse the messy room. This is my candid shot on the way to the gym.) Progress. Little by little, I'll get there. I have lost 14.7 pounds since January. Since I started using My Fitness Pal, my weight loss is  at 27 pounds. (We won't mention the last time that I lost 40 pounds.) No, I haven't lost fifty pounds,or even twenty yet, but a quick glance in the mirror gives me more inspiration and it should give you inspiration too.  Don't get caught up in that competitive trap of saying, "I've only lost_______". Only? Really? Proudly state how much weight you've lost and say, "Thank You" to that compliment.

We deserve those moments and we worked hard to achieve them, so be proud of the 1 pound weight loss, the jeans that fit so own them, the stairs that you can walk without getting winded and use them as motivation. Do it for you.

Easter Love

Here we are at Easter. Do you remember those days?

 From Christ in Poetry by Thomas Curtis Clark and Hazel Davis Clark
               
I had to memorize a speech to be recited on Easter Sunday. In front of everyone. In my itchy, frilly, cute dress. Yes, there were meltdowns, but it made for some nice memories and a commitment to my spiritual future.

Now I have a question for you. Where's the candy? Remove it from the house, your desk, your purse. It's trouble for chocoholics. We just can't stop. Even when we know it will spike our blood sugars, make us hyper, make us irritable, cause tummy upset, we still can't stop. And no, don't hit the after-Easter markdown bins. Who needs a stockpile of chocolate in the house, even if it's in the freezer?

Instead, let's enjoy the holiday. After all, Easter is truly about love, more than any other day. Save those calories for a great meal with your family. It will give you more fulfillment than chocolate ever could.

Back in the Swing

It has been too long since I posted. This is a great outlet, so I need to take advantage of it. Sometimes we let life get in the way of everything, especially doing things for ourselves. We are worthy; we deserve to be healthy. I also struggled with some dietary changes that were a major problem for me.  I hadn't been writing, watching my diet, or working out.  That was not good and I knew better. At the end of last year, I knew that I had to make a change and not let life get in the way again, so I started my journey again. I've lost almost ten pounds since the re-start. Here's the plan:

I am using My Fitness Pal extensively. It is the best way for me to record my intake and exercise. This is a must for weight loss. If you remain in denial about what you're putting in your body, you won't be successful. My Fitness Pal syncs across my devices, so no matter what I use to journal, it's all there. Also, make your journal visible to your friends. That is one more step in the accountability ladder.

My Fitness Pal also provides that community support. Support is also an important tool in successful weight loss and one of the reasons the Weight Watchers program is so successful. I tried to recruit some of my friends and family, but they weren't ready to commit to it. The wonderful thing about MFP is there is always someone else who needs support, encouragement, accountability. I was fortunate enough to already have  several committed friends on the site and I have recently found more. Members post on the forums when they are looking for new weight loss buddies and it's simple to contact them.

I also have a Fitbit. I needed some way to really track how many calories I burn during workouts and this little gadget does the trick. It also monitors my sleep and records how many times I'm "awake". I knew that I moved around, coughed and sputtered without fully waking up and this tells me how much. The Fitbit also keeps track of my steps and stairs and the activities that I normally don't count, i.e., housework, gardening, etc. It syncs with My Fitness Pal and adds activity calories to my available total for the day.

I found an inexpensive gym and joined. I had cancelled my previous gym membership and this one had a great deal and similar amenities. Plus there are Zumba classes every day! I mix classes with my at-home workouts. I have to have a little Jillian or Jeanette in my life too! Also, there is an app Nike Training Club, that has free workouts. I print the gym schedule and post it on my desk along with a personal workout schedule. There it is staring me in the face all day!

There it is in black and white. The plan to once again take charge of my health. As usual, I'm promising myself that I'll keep working. After all, I'm worth it.