Finding Peace Within My Journey

I'm starting today's blog entry with some good reminders - especially since I refuse to beat myself up because I got off my program last week!   We took an unexpected almost week long trip to a funeral in Indiana with stops along the way and back.  I once again made good food choices but some not-so-good ones as well (especially with sweets).   I haven't gotten back on the scale yet - want to give myself a week to get back on track.  It may take longer than that - but I've got my determination back and I've returned to tracking.

On the three encouragements above, I especially like #2.   It's a matter of asking the question - is this something only my tastebuds want  or is it something that's good for me and for my body?  I also like the idea of feeling peaceful, and asking the question:  "Is this food going to add to my peace, or take away from it?"  Oh, and I should add that the above poster comes from the bible study I've started entitled "Made To Crave", the title of a book by Lysa Terkeurst.   It is also helping me focus on the fact that craving spiritual fulfillment can replace other not-so-healthy cravings!   Another book that makes a similar point is one by Deepak Chopra:  What Are You Hungry For? 

So here I am, back to journaling, tracking, and feeling generally at peace about myself and my journey!  What else could I ask for?   In the days and weeks ahead, I will continue sharing this journey which has now taken a spiritual pathway in my life.

Movement Challenge

Since "challenges" are a part of my journey,  the next few weeks, I'll be discussing two co-related challenges,  One is the "Made To Crave" Bible Study and the second is the Nicole Kellerman 21 Day Wildly Alive Get Moving Challenge, of which I'm about to complete the first week.  I tried it last year, but lost focus and dropped it but I'm so glad I signed up for it again as I am truly enjoying it!  My body is in better shape this year, my energy level is definitely higher, and - surprise, surprise! - the more I move, the better I feel!

This is my first week of the three week challenge - and I've done planned exercise every day except one.   This is also my 2nd week of tracking with WW online - and I'm using considerably less from my weekly point allowance than I did the first week  (from 20 out of the allotted 49 to only 4 in four days!).   I had a 2.2 lb loss last week, and the scale appears to be going downward this week as well.

Most important of all is how I feel.  I can honestly relate to the poster above - I feel great!  I am amazed at how much easier it is to move - I am more limber, I feel virtually no joint pain,  and I am less fatigued after each set of exercises I do - whether it's a 1.5 to 2 mile walk (there was a time when I would be exhausted after just one mile), or an exercise tape such as Leslie Sansone's walking and stretching tapes.

Note:  stopping here, but will be adding to this blog entry at the end of the week so I can evaluate the entire week.   Oh, and thank you, Elaine, for agreeing to be my Challenge Buddy!  So glad we are doing this together!

Health Is A Journey, Not a Destination!

My journey to good health is a life-long endeavor.  However, like many other types of journeys, I do get side-tracked at times.   This past Monday I jumped back in with both feet!  After only five days of getting back on board with both a change of eating habits and making exercise a routine,  my body is already thanking me!   I'm feeling better day by day!   While I don't' see the scale as the only measure of becoming healthier, it is an indication that excess weight is coming off which in turn allows me to move more and feel less bloated, etc.  I had actually stopped weighing myself last month as I did not want to see what I had put on in excess weight during the holidays - call it denial or fear of facing reality!  Sad, huh?!   Now, I'm weighing myself ever day.   This morning, the scale indicated a three pound loss - after just four days back on my journey!   However,  since I started on Monday, Monday will be my official WI day.    Since I am both planning out and tracking my food and exercise daily,  I feel I have very much taken control of my journey.

Since I believe that my journey will be strengthened if I address the spiritual self as well, I have also signed up for an online bible study based on a book entitled Made To Crave which begins on January 19.  The synopsis of the book is:

Made to Crave is the missing link between a woman's desire to be healthy and the spiritual empowerment necessary to make that happen. The reality is we were made to crave. Craving isn't a bad thing. But we must realize God created us to crave more of him. Many of us have misplaced that craving by overindulging in physical pleasures instead of lasting spiritual satisfaction. If you are struggling with unhealthy eating habits, you can break the 'I'll start again Monday' cycle, and start feeling good about yourself today. Learn to stop beating yourself up over the numbers on the scale. Discover that your weight loss struggle isn't a curse but rather a blessing in the making, and replace justifications that lead to diet failure with empowering go-to scripts that lead to victory. You can reach your healthy weight goal -- and grow closer to God in the process. This is not a how-to book. This is not the latest and greatest dieting plan. This book is the necessary companion for you to use alongside whatever healthy lifestyle plan you choose. This is a book and Bible study to help you find the 'want to' in making healthy lifestyle choices.

I will be doing the bible study with a friend online as well as with my daughter here at home.  One or two other women may be joining us.   I look forward to the support and sharing of our journeys with both my online friend and with the my daughter and any others who join us.

Addressing Goal Number One - My Health Journey

Yesterday, I listed my goals for the year.  Today, I am addressing Goal #1:  a return to my journey of good health.   It's not that I ever totally left that path, but I did get side-tracked this year with the move and a myriad of other reasons.

After much self-debate, I finally signed back up to WW Online TODAY!  Looking forward to the six weeks of webcasts on their "new" Simple Start program - which begin tomorrow!  It's not really a new program as it's mostly based on Simply Filling but it does include two weeks of optional menus, recipes - with shopping lists, etc. etc. I'm not a creative cook so I appreciate assistance in those areas.  Since I've never done Simply Filling,   I expect to gain new information from the webcasts.   I also want to track food and exercise and WW has user-friendly tools to do so.  I signed up for 3 months and will decide in early April whether or not I want to continue.   I am also encouraging my husband to join me - always works better if we set goals together and I know he's as anxious to lose the weight he's gained these past several months as I am!   We both have regained about 1/2 of the weight we initially lost in 2013.   At least we're starting at a lower number than we did a year ago!

I'm also enlisting help from the personal trainer who worked with me in the Fall. She taught me a lot about my own abilities  in the areas of weight-lifting and strengthening exercises  along with their healthful benefits.  I want to add the strengthening workouts to my other exercise routines -  walking and swimming.

It's time to return to my health journey, and I feel I'm off to a good start!

Re-dedicating My Blog to My Life Journey

                       

I am forever challenging myself to create a more meaningful life, even if it means climbing out of my "comfort zone".  I've never wanted to live a mundane life but have always sought new experiences - I call them "life adventures".   Now that we are already in the first week of the New Year, I can't help but get excited about what new adventures LIFE has in store for me in 2014!  

I do have a few goals this year which I believe will enhance my Life Journey:

1.  I am re-dedicating myself to my Journey to Good Health and I have the best reason to do so - my two beautiful granddaughters!   I want to continue sharing my life with them but in order to do so, I need to be as healthy as I can possibly be!  

2.  I am re-dedicating my Journey of Faith as it is truly what guides me through this Journey called Life.

3.  I am also re-dedicating my life to love and serve my Family, in whatever capacity I can.

4.  Finally, I am dedicating this year to my own self-discovery - to continue reading, researching and learning new ways to become a better, stronger, happier and healthier person.

And here's one more goal for the New Year that is directed to all the people in my life with whom I share this Journey: