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.

Social Media Silence

Thank you for the idea. Sweet Basil

The Flowers

My dad always made sure that we always had our flowers. You see, back in the day, the flowers had a special significance.


My mother and I always wore a corsage to church on Mother's Day and daddy wore a boutonnière. Roses were nice, but carnations were a lot more practical. The flowers were color coded:

Red corsage if the recepients mother is alive.
White corsage if the recepients mother is deceased.
Yellow corsage if the recepient has a deceased child.


Mother's Day was always special to my mom. Her mother passed away when she was only six years old. I just can't imagine the grief of a six-year old child who has lost her mother. Six is just the age where a child would begin to understand death. She had two older sisters who did their best. Even as an adult, if she was sick or dreaming, she would call their names.


Then, their family received a blessing. My grandfather married a woman who had no children of her own. This woman married a man with four children who were still young. (The youngest was an infant when their mother died, and went to live with relatives. That is another amazing Mother's Day story!) Grandmomma Lou, as I called her, treated these children as if they were her own, and to my mother she was her "momma". As Grandmomma Lou's health failed to the point where my aunt could no longer manage her at home, she was placed in a skilled nursing facility near our home. My mother went to the nursing home every day. Yes, every day. My mother had to make sure that this remarkable woman knew that she was loved and appreciated.


My dad always made sure my mother had both a red flower and a white flower or a peppermint carnation with both the red and white colors. After Grandmomma Lou passed away, she had two white flowers. Every year, I remember this story. My single yellow rose pales in comparison.

Happy New Year!

Yes, it is a Happy New Year.  We are alive and kicking and some of us are fat and happy; or maybe not so happy about the weight, but happy about being alive.  I am trying to get back on track following the holidays.  By all of the chatter on Twitter and Facebook, a lot of others are having the same idea. I have my goals for the year, some of them diet and exercise and some of them for other aspects of my life.  No, they are NOT resolutions. I know that I won't immediately achieve them, but I am making a conscious effort to continue to work on them all year in an effort to achieve my goals by the end of the year. So often, we make the huge resolutions or unattainable goals and then become frustrated and give up when we can't achieve the goal or fail early in the journey. We have to realize that we didn't gain the weight (or whatever the problem is) overnight and we sure won't solve the problem overnight. It just doesn't work that way.

Now that that's off my chest, here are some of the things that I am doing to get back on track.

1. Reconnect with The Sisterhood .  I love this website and their community page aka The Hood. They have great challenges and everyone supports each other.  We get together and chat, workout, discuss all of our diet and exercise issue and victories. And, it's FREE!

2. Spend more time on Jillian Michaels.com . After all, I am paying for my membership.  I am working on my daily exercise plan, but I do need to ramp it up.  I don't eat all of the recipes that she suggests, but I use her plan as a base.  It's another good site.  Recently, there was another special offer for the site, but I'm not sure if it's still in effect. Also her podcasts are FREE99! Just search for them in iTunes.

3. Keep using My Fitness Pal . This is a great tool to track your diet/calories, and exercise.  You can also connect with your friends that are using the site.  Talk about accountability. There is a little statement that pops up if you haven't logged in for several days and they can also view your diet and exercise dairy.  There is also a place to blog and a forum section. I have my account set to post on Twitter and FB when I complete a day and whether I was below my daily calories. They also have apps for iPhone and Android. There is no excuse for not keeping track.

4. Go back to Zumba.  When I moved, I moved closer to a different gym (same company, different location). Between the move and my sporadic back pain, I haven't been doing one of my favorite activities. Zumba is a blast. Check out your gym schedule or one of the games for a fun workout. That brings me to one more.

5. Get back in the gym. I don't like doing weight training at the gym.  The gym regulars are just too intimidating, but the classes are what I really enjoy. I need to try some different classes, so that's on my agenda.  Also, I need to get back in the habit of going to the gym at lunch to get in a little extra cardio.  That means I MUST KEEP MY BAG READY.  When you're running out of the house in the morning, is no time to try to put your clothes and shoes in the gym bag.

6. Plan my meals. If you want to fail in the eating healthy department, fail to plan your meals.  There is nothing worse than being hungry and just grabbing a bite somewhere or foraging in a poorly stocked pantry or fridge. You must plan your meals and shop.  Figure out what you will eat for the week and stock your house.  If you have a trigger food, DO NOT BUY IT!  I love Popchips.  They are "not bad", but I eat a whole bag every time I buy them.  NO! NO! NO!

I think I'm done. Besides, one of my new challenges is based on the Brett Blumenthal book  52 Small Changes to a Happier, Healthier You  The first week is water and I need a break now..........