My beautiful mother is.....let's say, a year older today!
September 14, 2012
My personal update
This is a personal post, so if you'd rather not spend the time reading this one, it's totally understood.
Last June 1, I posted about my physical condition and what I have done to address the issues I faced. As I stated then, and still maintain, I am not a success story....just another traveler along the pathway we call life. My life is not defined (at least by me) by successes and failures, but by the quality of living I put into, and get out of each and every day. For me, that is done as a follwer of Jesus Christ....I have chosen to do life with Him. Having said that, it is helpful for me to take some measurements along the way to see the trends that are shaping me. This post is all about that.
My overweight was a huge (pun intended) issue in how I chose to do life. I have addressed it, and have made adjustments, as I stated in my June 2012 post. After that post, I went on a bit of a holding pattern for much of the rest of the summer. My weight fluctuated some. It included a vacation to Missouri to spend time with family, etc. I had an added trip in my schedule due as part of Vineyard Churches USA. I just returned from that trip to Maine. I was on an expense account, and that always allows you to eat more freely than you might do otherwise. I ate very well! The lobster (in various forms), chowders, fried fish, key lime pie, etc. was all amazing! I did not deny myself because I was "on a diet." I wasn't, have not been, and will not be, unless, medically, I have to be for something specific in the future. I simply ate. I did walk quite a bit in Portsmouth, NH (terrific place to spend a couple of days), and got some very mild exercise on other days. I did not log my food, as I have been doing since February 7 (Lose It!), nor did I try and monitor anything. The verdict this morning was when I stepped on my scales....the very accurate ones I have been using all along...I was .5 pounds DOWN from the weight when I left.
OK...what am I saying. Changing your lifestyle, even a little at a time, over time, will likely produce some very positive results for you. You don't have to adopt some life of denial (though, for other benefits, that is not a bad idea for a period of time). You don't have to eat what you don't like. You just have to make a shift in how you are doing life and why you are eating like you do. I am not "on schedule"...I don't have one. I am not "back on my diet"....I was never on one. I am not "getting serious about my weight"....I was never serious (a flaw in my personality, I think). I have just determined that I will do life a bit differently....a little more moderately....a bit more respect for my body and for those around me....and a little more care for my family who wants to keep me around awhile. I figure its been about a 2 degree shift in my life. I have been up and down (on the scale) numbers of times since last Feburary 7th....but I have not changed my desire to have a more moderate lifestyle.
Having said all of this....I have a trip coming up on September 28 to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Ha! We'll see if I have to erase this post when I come home. I know this little "on the street" place where they happend to have the best quesadillas on the planet, and I don't plan to deny myself. I think I am learning something about BALANCE...seems to be working OK.
I hope this is an encouragement to all of us who have struggled with the weight thing over the years. I have no magic bullets, and no guaranteed program to push. Its just life, folks....LIFE. I'm still learning how to try and get the best out of it. Balance seems to be a very good thing for me. When I do "indulge" ....I balance it with some very light meals....some walking or other exercise...and I actually feel better! I'm here for any personal encouragement you may want or need.
Later,
The Gatekeeper
Last June 1, I posted about my physical condition and what I have done to address the issues I faced. As I stated then, and still maintain, I am not a success story....just another traveler along the pathway we call life. My life is not defined (at least by me) by successes and failures, but by the quality of living I put into, and get out of each and every day. For me, that is done as a follwer of Jesus Christ....I have chosen to do life with Him. Having said that, it is helpful for me to take some measurements along the way to see the trends that are shaping me. This post is all about that.
My overweight was a huge (pun intended) issue in how I chose to do life. I have addressed it, and have made adjustments, as I stated in my June 2012 post. After that post, I went on a bit of a holding pattern for much of the rest of the summer. My weight fluctuated some. It included a vacation to Missouri to spend time with family, etc. I had an added trip in my schedule due as part of Vineyard Churches USA. I just returned from that trip to Maine. I was on an expense account, and that always allows you to eat more freely than you might do otherwise. I ate very well! The lobster (in various forms), chowders, fried fish, key lime pie, etc. was all amazing! I did not deny myself because I was "on a diet." I wasn't, have not been, and will not be, unless, medically, I have to be for something specific in the future. I simply ate. I did walk quite a bit in Portsmouth, NH (terrific place to spend a couple of days), and got some very mild exercise on other days. I did not log my food, as I have been doing since February 7 (Lose It!), nor did I try and monitor anything. The verdict this morning was when I stepped on my scales....the very accurate ones I have been using all along...I was .5 pounds DOWN from the weight when I left.
OK...what am I saying. Changing your lifestyle, even a little at a time, over time, will likely produce some very positive results for you. You don't have to adopt some life of denial (though, for other benefits, that is not a bad idea for a period of time). You don't have to eat what you don't like. You just have to make a shift in how you are doing life and why you are eating like you do. I am not "on schedule"...I don't have one. I am not "back on my diet"....I was never on one. I am not "getting serious about my weight"....I was never serious (a flaw in my personality, I think). I have just determined that I will do life a bit differently....a little more moderately....a bit more respect for my body and for those around me....and a little more care for my family who wants to keep me around awhile. I figure its been about a 2 degree shift in my life. I have been up and down (on the scale) numbers of times since last Feburary 7th....but I have not changed my desire to have a more moderate lifestyle.
Having said all of this....I have a trip coming up on September 28 to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Ha! We'll see if I have to erase this post when I come home. I know this little "on the street" place where they happend to have the best quesadillas on the planet, and I don't plan to deny myself. I think I am learning something about BALANCE...seems to be working OK.
I hope this is an encouragement to all of us who have struggled with the weight thing over the years. I have no magic bullets, and no guaranteed program to push. Its just life, folks....LIFE. I'm still learning how to try and get the best out of it. Balance seems to be a very good thing for me. When I do "indulge" ....I balance it with some very light meals....some walking or other exercise...and I actually feel better! I'm here for any personal encouragement you may want or need.
Later,
The Gatekeeper
Word for today: Let's Grow Up
Phil 3:13-15 (NIV) 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
Today is an opportunity to mature (no matter your age)! Every step toward God, in alignment with His will and purpose, in cooperation with His Kingdom...is a step in the right direction. Leave behind emotional pain, offenses, self hatred, negative thoughts and patterns, excuses, blame shifting....and lets all just simply grow up a little bit today!
Today is an opportunity to mature (no matter your age)! Every step toward God, in alignment with His will and purpose, in cooperation with His Kingdom...is a step in the right direction. Leave behind emotional pain, offenses, self hatred, negative thoughts and patterns, excuses, blame shifting....and lets all just simply grow up a little bit today!
September 05, 2012
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