Spring Break Camp Revised - and an Update of My Health Journey

Our family plans for Spring Break were considerably revised.   Since everyone was available, we decided to begin our family vegetable and fruit garden!   While we did get in some "boot camp" with our in-house personal trainer, Amanda,  and family walks led by "Grandma" (that means me!), most of the time was spent building NINE raised bed gardens and planting seeds in temporary pots for a variety of vegetables and fruits which we are placing indoors and taking outdoors during the day when it is sunny.   If all goes as planned, we will have a bountiful harvest through the summer and fall!   Unfortunately, I don't have photos - yet!  However,  I will be taking a series of photos as our garden develops - and add them to this blog.  I am excited about having FRESH produce - I can't think of a healthier way to eat than to grow our own veggies and fruit - so it will be a wonderful addition to my health journey!  

For anyone who might be interested, here is a "how to" on building raised bed gardens:

My Health Journey - an Update

I've done well in keeping up with the challenges I've taken on - am exercising at least five days a week! I'm also averaging around 7K Fitbit steps per day and on some days up to 9K+!   I did have a lapse  of a few weeks when I was eating way too many desserts!  Just recently, I've made it a Lenten project to cut out all sweets except dark chocolate  (I allow myself two squares every other day).  The best for me would be to continue the project beyond the end of Lent - except for special occasions.  I'm also participating in the Made To Crave Action Plan by Lysa Terkeurst which is a follow-up to a Bible Study I did last month. It has a strong spiritual focus along with nutritional information and ways to stay on target with whichever food and exercise plan we've chosen to follow.   I like that it allows one the freedom to choose whichever program works for us, but does give support and ways to make it work!

I'm seeing good results from all my efforts - clothes fitting much better than before, energy level good, and the scale is going down albeit slowly - in fact, I'm now two-tenths of a point from returning to ONEDERLAND!  That's eight pounds less than I was when I started in mid-January - Yay, me!!   I have a long ways to go but I'm setting up mini-goals (via Weight Watchers Online) which are more do-able.  I also know I have the tools to make it work!    I'm focused on  "mind, body and spirit" which I feel is a very holistic approach to becoming healthy.   I can say that my life is relatively stress-free so that has also had a positive effect on my health journey.   Oh, and I have great "mentors" who inspire me  - mostly my friends on DWLZ  (Dotti's Weight Loss Zone),  and a supportive family!

Spring Break Camp!

 This entry is about exciting events to come at our family compound!   We're putting together a special Spring Break Camp for the entire family - with organized daily activities and sign-up sheets (pic coming soon!).   Amanda, our resident personal fitness trainer, will lead a daily Boot Camp,  Ralph and I will organize a Walking Club and Deniz will lead an Art Club.   Oh, and there will be plenty of indoor and outdoor games as well!   Coupled with the fun activities will be house and yard projects  - so it will be a super busy week for sure!   That's fine - I LOVE staying active!

Anyway, I will be posting plenty of photos of our Summer Break Camp…I can hardly wait!!!

Challenges and Commitments

In my last entry, I shared some areas in my life where I have stretched myself to the point of feeling out of my "comfort zone", yet realizing that this is part of my own personal growth.   Needless to say, when we find ourselves outside of the realm we are most comfortable - stagnant as that may be, it is easy to slip back to where we were before.  There is a even a certain degree of excitement when one tries something new or challenging.   Sticking to it for the long term - i.e. keeping that initial commitment - is where the real challenge lies.  

A good example are  with the health challenges I've taken on, both with exercise and committing to a healthy eating lifestyle.  I find that becoming lazy, falling for temptations  or becoming less motivated can all become real obstacles.  There are constant temptations which can destroy our drive and commitment if we allow them to do so.   Fortunately, those times I've succumbed to temptation or laziness have been short -lived.   As a result, I am continuing to reap success - but not at the rate of speed as in the beginning of this year.  You know how it goes - two steps forward, one step back does slow down our pace.   As a result I lost only two pounds in February after losing five pounds in January.   It's at this point where it would be easy to give up and say at this pace, it will take me "years" to get to my goal weight.  I realize how self-defeating that would be so I'm writing this blog entry to remind myself that the commitment I've made to myself is all about becoming healthy - and therefore one that I need to keep alive and well!

On the upside, I am ready to re-commit to my goals!   I am only 1.5 lbs away from re-entering ONEDERLAND.   I will only reach that goal, and subsequent goals I've set for myself by remaining committed over the long term.

Here is a reminder of WHY I need to remain committed to my Journey of Good Health: