Essays
Last night I fell into the "we are out, I am hungry forget it I will do this tomorrow" mind set. I ate off program and went to bed with yet another tummy ache. Yeah that was last night.
This morning I woke up, the sun is out, the birds are singing it is like a higher power is telling me today is going to be good, treat it well. I thanked God for allowing me to wake up yet another day. I then sat down on the swing in the yard and pondered my actions of the past few months and this is what I have come up with.
I am BIG on saying I will get on program tomorrow, then eating like a family of four. I do not put off anything in my life, I am not a procrastinator by nature. I am not good on doing things half way either. So why food? Why my weight? I have the tools, I have the knowledge. I have the desire. Then it hit me, and I wrote this on my hand to remind me;
TODAY IS THE TOMORROW I PROMISED ME YESTERDAY!
So today I am writing an affirmation. I will treat today as tomorrow before it becomes yesterday. I will stay on program. I will drink water. I will exercise. I will smile at strangers and say hello. I will comfort friends and myself with hugs and a listening ear. I will reach out when I need help. I will stand on my own two feet and defend my needs and program. I will remember THERE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE. And when I say I will do it tomorrow I will ask myself
IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN IS TOMORROW.
Next year you will be glad
You chose wisely today.
Next year at this time,
You will forget that stressor.
You will remember if only, I should have.
Next year you will be glad
You stopped and took control today.
Next year at this time,
You will forget not wanting to exercise.
You will remember if only, I should have.
Next year you will you glad
You challenged yourself to move more today.
Next year at this time,
You will forget what that whatever taste like.
You will remember if only, I should have.
Next year you will be glad
You chose 5&1 today.
This is all about you.
You choose, You succeed
You choose, You regret.
You choose.
Weight loss is like football
The players huddle with the coach to make their plan, just like we do calling a counselor for guidance.
When you first get the ball and start the game, your food arrives and your meal planner in hand you start.
You start your way down on the field; You are losing 1 - 2- 3 pounds.
The goal in football isn't necessarily to get a touchdown in the first try.
It is to just get a 1st down, like our first 10 pound loss.
You have your mascot to make you smile, your Nutrisystem bear.
In order to get that 1st down you don't do it all at once, in one play.
You go play-by-play, pound by pound.
Until you make it to that first down.
Along the way the fans cheer and rally you forward, our fans are in chat and in the message boards.
Once you get that 1st down, you try and make a second 1st down.
So on down the field, and down the scale.
In football even though you may get sacked, intercepted, and at times lose yards along the way...
You don't just quit. Not one bit!
When you have taken the field step by step, you finally make that touchdown, reaching your goal weight.
You throw your hand in the air and dance,
Your teammates lift you to their shoulders and celebrate you --- It feels amazing !!!
On a beautiful spring day a father walked with his son in a grove of apple trees near their home.
They came upon a seed with a small shoot. The father told the son to reach down and pluck it from the ground. Without effort the son did as he was told.
Next they came to a sprout that had rooted into the soft earth. The father again instructed his son to pull it out. This time the boy had to give it a firm tug.
When they came to a small sapling, the father told his son to take it up. The son wrapped both hands around the thin young tree and pulled hard leaning and groaning after a few hard pulls the dirt around the base gave and the young tree was in his hands.
They then came to a large apple tree, strong tall and full of fruit. Father I will never be able to uproot this tree the son exclaimed as his gazed at his father.
No son this tree is set, we can shape its branches and trim its growth but it is with us now to stay.
As the father and son walked on, the father explained to his son how behaviors are much like the trees. When our behaviors start they are easy to uproot. With time though these same behaviors grow strong, they root and become intertwined with our lives. We can no more stop a behavior we have established over time than you could break the apple tree free of the earth. However we can retrain those behaviors much like we can shape branches of the trees, with perseverance and time.
Looking at the behaviors that hold me back... I ask myself, how can retrain them? How can I shape them to fit my now healthy life style? I will need to identify the branches that need shaping… Make a plan… I will reshape my tree, one branch at a time.
My first branch… One behavior (branch) I have that holds me back is, always going with the flow.
I do it when; hanging out with friends or family.
It makes me feel; accepted.
To get the same feeling I can; simply let then know what I need, and ask.
For if I want to grow strong and reach my desired heights, I must retrain my branches and reach.
Something shared with me long time ago that I pull out on occasion, to help me remember what is important.
Grandma took a mason jar from her cupboard one day and we took it out to the garden. She told me how she had a very important lesson to teach me all about time and rocks.
She took the Mason jar and filled it with large rocks.Grandma then explained these large rocks represented all that is truly important. Self, Family, Friends.
Then she asked me, is the jar full? I said I think so...
She then went over to a small pile of pebbles scooped some up and poured them into the jar. She tapped the jar, and shook it a bit. I watched as those small pebbles work their way down into the rocks filling gaps. These pebbles my child represent things that matter. Car, House, Job.
Is the jar full? She asked. Uhhh yeah I squeaked...
She laughed as reached down by her feet and pulled up a hand full of sand. Now we will add this sand to the jar she smiled. Again she tapped and giggled the jar. The sand slid in between and the tiny little gaps in the jar. This sand represents the small stuff. Phone calls, Housework, The perfect wrapping paper.
Is the jar now full? It really is, I am sure.
In a soft caring voice Grandma said Our lives are like this jar of rocks. Full, fuller, packed. With our full lives, we have to try to remain focused on what is truly important. Care for those big rocks, the smaller ones can wait. When your jar is too full none of your rocks will get the attention they deserve and you will get lost in the pile.
She instructed me that when times get overwhelming grab a piece of paper fold it into thirds.
On the first third write what you have to do that is Important.
On the middle section write the things that matter.
At last the final third. Write the small stuff you would like to get done.
Now take your paper fold it so that the important list comes first.
If you get that done, move on to the Middle matters,
If you still have time and energy turn to the small stuff. Remember you are only one person
Life is about Mind over Matter, If you don't Mind it don't Matter.
I like Owls... They draw me. So today's blog is in keeping with my love of these majestic, wise creatures that soar through the skies.
First a story...
There was a farmer, his name is John. One day a city boy came to visit, his name was Albert. John was pleased to show Albert around his farm. They walked around the barn fed the horses oats, milked the cow, and fed the pigs slop from a bucket. Albert was enchanted with farm life, and John was enjoying showing him the ropes.
They came to the chicken coop and there on a perch Albert saw a beautiful Owl sitting among the chickens.
Albert turned to John and remarked "there is an Owl in your chicken coop."
"I know" said John. "He thinks he is a chicken. I taught him".
"That is just wrong" Albert replied. "He should be free to soar... he is an Owl."
"He won't go" John said. "He thinks he is a chicken".
"Can I try to release him?" Albert asked.
"Sure go ahead" John chuckled, "he won't go".
Albert went into the coop and got the owl to perch on his arm. He took him outside and held his arm up to the sky and told the Owl
"You are an Owl, you have the wisdom of an Owl, go to the sky, you are free to fly."
The Owl looked back at the coop and all his chicken friends, jumped off Albert's arm and walked back into the coop.
Farmer John just laughed and said "I told you so."
The next morning Albert got up early, went out to the coop and again got the Owl to perch on his arm. This time he climbed to the top of the barn, he held out his arm and said to the Owl
"You are an Owl, you have the wisdom of an Owl, go to the sky, you are free to fly."
The Owl looked down seeing the shadow of the coop below with all his chicken friends, jumped off Albert's arm gliding gracefully down and walked back into the coop.
Albert was not daunted. The next morning he got up very early went to the coop and again took the Owl out this time he took him to the mountain top. He held out his arm and said to the Owl
"You are an Owl, you have the wisdom of an Owl, go to the sky, you are free to fly."
The Owl looked around. After a long time he realized he could not see the coop or his chicken friends.
He launched himself off of Albert's arm and soared silently into the sky.
He was never seen again. Why would the wise Owl have wanted to stay with the chickens?
Beliefs that's why.
He believed he was a chicken.
He did not believe he could fly high and free.
Beliefs enable us to not try new things.
They keep us in that comfort zone, of underachievement.
Do you want to be a Chicken, or a Wise Owl?
If I think like a chicken…
C-Challenges make me feel inadequate.
H-Holidays slow my progress.
I - I cannot stick to program.
C – Control is always a struggle.
K - Keeping weight off is impossible.
E - Every weekend is a food disaster.
N - No one supports me.
I am a Wise Owl
W – Weight is but a number, and mine is going down.
I – I am an intelligent person.
S – Success is within my reach
E – Enthusiasm will take me far.
O – Optimism keeps me confident.
W – Walking calms the mind and strengthens my body.
L – Learning is the key to my dreams.
Now I have the wisdom to soar to my goal. I can empower myself with the belief that I am a Wise Owl. I am wise, and all powerful and free of those old beliefs that held me down.
Edmond Hillary made it to the top of Mount Everest in 1953. Such a feat was amazing. The Queen of England even knighted him July 16, 1953 for his achievement. Thus making him, Sir Edmond Hillary.
However he did not make it the first time he tried.
He had tried in 1952 and had to turn back.
He did not give up, he just had a set back.
The attempt was news, because when it comes to doing something hard even the trying is important (hint hint).
They had a news conference for Mr. Hillary, as he was walking up the crowd cheered.
He did not look impressed with their enthusiasm, when he got to the podium he stood before the picture of Mount Everest raised is fist to the photo
and declared "You beat me this time, but you will not next time, for you have grown all you are going to grow and I'm still growing!"
Sir Edmond Hillary was determined, confident, and saw his goal before him.
Everyone has an Everest,
I know I can use this same strategy in my weight loss (my Everest).
When I have a set back I will ask myself, How did I get off course?___
What can I learn that will help prevent this from happening again?___
What can I do right now to get back on course?___
There is no such thing as failure, only feedback.
Now I stand tall and straight...
Hold out my hand...
Think for a moment of what it will take for me to succeed.
Put all the things I need to succeed in my hand...
Close my fist around them and hold tight.
This is my anchor, I will keep it with me always as I climb my mountain,
as I reach my highest peek, and I scale my Everest.
Through snow, and wind, and Mcie D's, hold that fist and you will succeed.
Thinking of my Grandmother today and all her funny little sayings. I remember hearing these wise ole tid bits of information passed along from her at many different times. They are valuable pieces of information she shared to make my life easier by helping me avoid pitfalls others have fallen into. Thinking how she struggled with her weight her whole life, how diabetes took her too early. She tried everything, and yet she had all the answers right in her own words of wisdom.
Look before you leap. ~ Look up calories before you consume them.
Behold the turtle he ONLY makes progress when he sticks his neck out. ~You can only lose if you put yourself out there and try.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. ~ Keep moving exercise keeps the pounds off.
Rome wasn't built in a day. ~ Give yourself time to lose the weight, be patient with progress.
To your own self be true. ~ Put your needs in your weight loss program first.
Birds of a feather flock together. ~ Join with other weight loss minded people for support.
Two heads are better than one. ~ When in need call a counselor for advise and guidance.
A man's home is his castle. ~ Make your environment food friendly.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. ~ Don't deprive yourself, enjoy your desserts daily.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. ~ Apple spice oatmeal is yummy.
As you sow so shall you reap. ~ Work your program and you will succeed.
Better late than never. ~ It makes no matter where your weight has gone, you are taking care of it now.
Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. ~ If you stumble do not blow it all the way, get back on track next meal.
Early to bed early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise. ~ We function better when well rested.
A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. ~ We need to follow ALL parts of the Optavia program for it make us strong.
A friend in need is a friend in deed. ~ Reach out and help others in chat or on message boards and you help yourself.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. ~ Learn your program. Know it inside and out.
You are what you eat. ~ Eat healthy, be healthy
If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing well. ~ You have the tools to do your best, now do it well.
No use crying over spilled milk. ~ Pick yourself up and get back on program.
Never say DIE. ~ Don't ever give up!
Thanks Grandma, as always your words ring true, your guidance kind and wise.
When you've eaten too much and you can't write it down
And you feel like the biggest failure in town;
When you want to give up just because you gave in
And forget all about being healthy and thin;
So you did not exercise, not a bit;
It's your next move that counts... So don't you quit!
It's a moment of truth, It's an attitude change;
It's calling a counselor to get back in the game;
It's telling yourself "You've done great up till now;
You can take on this challenge and beat it somehow."
It's part of your journey toward reaching your goal;
You're still gonna make it, just stay in control.
To stumble and fall is not a disgrace
If you summon the will to get back in the race;
But, often the struggler's when losing their grip
Just throw in the towel and continues to slip
And learn too late when the damage is done
That the journey wasn't over and they still could have won.
Life-style change can be awkward and slow
But facing each challenge will help you to grow;
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint in the cloud of doubt.
When you're pushing to the brink, just refuse to submit;
If you bite it you write it... But Don't you quit!!!!!!!
Ten Little dieters 10 little dieters talking on line, one hated vegetables, then there were nine...
9 little dieters say, "This is great." One said "I don't have time to exercise," then there were eight...
8 little dieters say, "This is heaven." One had a birthday, then there were seven...
7 little dieters, getting thin for kicks. One said, "Programs and fun just don't mix," then there were six...
6 little dieters, see how they thrive. One said, "Just once won't hurt," then there were five...
5 little dieters their water they did pour. One did not drink it, then there were four...
4 little dieters from fat getting free. One heard, "Dear you're getting to thin," then there were three...
3 little dieters see how they do. One went on vacation , then there were two...
2 little dieters, life has just begun. Did not follow program, then there was one...
1 little dieter standing all alone, the body's gotten smaller, how the pride has grown...
1 little dieter, at goal she looks divine...
We, each one of us, can be that one and not the other nine!!!
The Scale
Weight is a cyclically quantity,
Weight loss tends in the downward direction.
My ego invests way too much
in what the scale says,
as if it were looking in some sort of mirror.
Today I will judge the day and myself
by how I feel tonight
when I put my head down on the pillow.
squeaky-clean adherence to my plan,
always pushing forward.
What more can I ask for?
What more do I really need?
Much like a mirror,
the scale can be a helpful tool
from time to time.
Spend your life in front of it,
judging what you see,
And you will not see
I said yesterday... I got to go plant my tomatoes. Thing is I enjoy digging in the dirt, getting one with the earth, nurturing the plants and eating tomato’s. So I asked myself, how is that a got to, and not a get to?
I discovered I only see what I am looking for.
Everyone has a to do list. Things to do go with having a life. I was Thinking of the things I GOT TO do, pay taxes, mow the lawn, pay bills, go to work, do dishes, get gas, clean the toilet, the list goes on and on.
Now let me look at this all in a positive light. For everything I got to do, I get something back.
Most times the get to will balance out the got to.
I am thinking this rule even applies in my weight management journey.
How could this thought possibly pertain to weight management?
What could be the get to list that comes from this new way of living?
Will the get to out weight the got to?
~I got to Journal...
From this I get an accurate accounting of how I am doing, and what works or does not work.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to drink water.
From this I get hydrated, have less hunger, hydrated skin that shows less wrinkles.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I still got to go grocery shopping.
From this I get out of the house, get in a little walk, and can find a wide variety of wonderful foods to enjoy.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to exercise.
From this I get more stamina, muscles that burn more calories than fat, and a great looking toned body.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to call a counselor for guidance.
From this I get support, knowledge, and understanding.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to keep going through party, vacations & fun.
From this I get the self satisfaction of not being a quitter, the chance to show off the new me, and continued weight loss.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to have a goal.
From this I get to see what will happen, kind of like telling my own future. I have something to look forward to, and a purpose for my actions.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to lose weight. From this I get satisfaction, better health and lets not forget bears!
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to meet plateaus head on.
From this I will get time to let my mind catch up with my new body image, a time to evaluate, and a new energy for the journey.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1
~I got to make healthy food choices. From this I get to experience new and wonderful flavors, and soft bakes,
without guilt.
*Get to 3 / Got to 1 It is time to step into the light and remember that there is always a bright side;
it just depends on how hard your willing to look.
So the next time that GOT TO list is overwhelming,
Think just a little and see it as a GET TO list instead.
The Get to beats the Got to 3 to 1!