Think about the one habit or way of life you need to implement into your daily routine for the rest of your life to make you happier and healthier. When I think of doing this, I think of an older woman or man who has finally figured out that life is truly better when they consistently make the right choices over and over again, day after day. I see their life full of discipline, strength, and beauty. It is a life I know I need to enter into, but it is not an easy decision…not by a long shot.
So, what is your habit? Mine is giving up certain foods for the rest of my life. Perhaps special occasions are in order, but they are very dangerous for me. The once-in-a-while sweets and unhealthy foods lead in to an overdose – a binge. It can go on for days, which leads into weeks. It’s like a “junkie” with no self-control ruining their body. My body hates me for this, and I end up feeling gross, bloated, and defeated once again. If you asked me where the devil is working in my life, I can say without hesitation he is always creeping into my eating choices. He tells me lies: “This will be your last donut; just do it. You’ll feel good. Another blizzard won’t matter much…” One unhealthy choice leads into another and another. And before I know it, I have added 20 more pounds onto my already overweight body with clothes that don’t fit on a body I haven’t been for years. What are your results for not making the choice to change today? So, I see these people who don’t let the devil win in the areas I struggle with. I wonder when they finally made THE DECISION. As I procrastinate making the decision, life just gets worse. Someone was just about to ask me if I was doing the Whole30, but she saw the food I took from the cafeteria line and realized I wasn’t by my food choices. The thing is, I can’t just do a way of eating for a month anymore. I need to be all in. This is why it’s so hard….Here are the struggles if I was eating the way I should for my body:
The planning and cooking is well thought out. Just think home cooked meals from scratch. That is what I do. This take A LOT OF TIME! As you can see, I am planning my whole day and week, so I can avoid downfalls and starvation. This list is only a small tidbit of what the challenges are. I believe the benefits make this all this worth it, BUT it is truly a suffering and dying-to-self process. In the end I feel great, sleep better, loose cravings, and have more energy. My health screening in awesome! A part of this way-of-life, is also exercising regularly. I stopped this about a year ago as wedding planning and other factors became too much and working out went out the window. Balancing all this with a family can also be hard. So, this is where I am at. It is a crossroads of sorts. As I do suffer and die to myself over and over again, it is easier for me if I have prayer intentions to pray for. I lift up other’s needs and sufferings to God in the midst of my pain (whether it’s emotional or physical), which I offer up. It makes my own sufferings lighter and easier. And little-by-little, the journey becomes a way of life. As I enter into this new season of life, I’d ask for you to send me your prayer needs often. I have no idea how I am going to do this (yet). Your prayers will be most helpful. Please know that I know what I need to do. I don’t need ideas of how to eat. Your support of my choices through your words and actions is also very important.
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June 5, 2016
A letter written to my personal trainer. I share this for those that have travelled this road and for those who will travel this road. I was 10 pounds from my weight goal last time. I never made it. My body was an average weight. It wasn't toned. I didn't eat as healthy as I know how to eat today. I didn't exercise regularly. This time it is different, because I am doing everything different. BUT, some things always remain the same. Dear Tyler, As I sit here and think about what to call this, the same thought came to mind as it did in the past as I wrote about losing weight. So much about weight loss is a battlefield. I fight with myself. I fight with outside influences. Some moments are winning moments while others are losing. There are many "new days" of starting over. This time is different than the last time I lost weight. I am stronger and healthier, but that doesn't mean I've been able to escape the fear that comes towards the end. Some say maintaining is harder than losing. When you get in the groove of losing, it isn't hard, it really isn't. Of course staying on track has to be something someone really wants to do. But to finally reach your goal and each and everyday is a choice to stay close to it or not, is hard. It is so easy to let one thing go and then another and then another. Before you know it 5-10 pounds are added back on. I can't even begin to tell you how easy it was to add all my weight back on and then some. I can cry over this when I think about it. In a messed up way, I've come to figure out that it feels safer not being there - at goal weight; at maintenance. Being where "normal is" feels safer. It's crazy how this looks. It's almost like I am the unruly, disobedient child who isn't getting caught. "How much can I get away with before it affects the scale?" This means eating way more desserts in a day than I ever would and maybe some crappy snack food once in a while. So, now I haven't gotten on the scale in a while. :( It is a fear that the end is near. Our identity doesn't lie in our body, but ask any over weight person and they'll tell you how much they've come to see so much of who they are as an overweight person....especially for women. It may not define them, but it's a part of them. So much of being overweight affects our lives, especially when you're single and dating within that time. Although it may sound crazy, staying in the "normal," feels better. I've been here so long...so much of my life. It's that way even if some of that "normal" isn't so good. But this is what I know: Being smarter about how I'm losing weight this time will help me to be more successful long-term. I have better support this time. Although I need to make sure my supports are clear on what I need for support, especially in maintenance. I know what works well. I need to set goals AND set up accountability. Lastly, it just becomes go time...with the fear pushing aside weakness. Someday, Tyler, my weight will not be a part of my identity! "If I am going to win the fight of my life, I can't be afraid to fight." I need to operate out of my imagination, not my memory. I love these videos...check them out...they tell you how it is. A kick in the behind to go make a difference and become the better version of yourself that you were created to be. At least that's what I feel when I watch them. Thanks for listening. I thought I would share this latest battle I need to overcome. I think it's always tougher when it's our self we're fighting with. As I was headed to the Y today, that dreaded feeling came to me, "New Year's is coming. There are going to be a ton of people at the Y soon...oh no!" My Y-Anniversary is in December! That's right; I signed up before NEW YEARS! A month before I searched around for the best place for me. I beat the, "I need to get in shape and lose weight" crowd. However, it took me 2 years after that point until I got serious about really working about - until I disciplined myself. Now I get this whole fit for life thing and why it's such a big deal. But here's the thing, I could be fit (somewhat) and fat. So, let's start from the beginning. What are the lies that kept (and are keeping me) fat?
AND BELIEVE ME....I HATE THE WORD FAT! BUT, there is no way around it this time.
It's crazy to think 30 days can change my life in so many ways! Usually, when I stick my mind to doing something, the progress is slow. Well, these 30 days, my friends, were nothing but slow. Everything about it was different and life-changing. I honestly wish everyone could get on the Whole30 ride. Why wouldn't you if you found results that ARE phenomenal, amazing, and life-changing?! Those are the words I use when I tell people what has changed in my life. First off, I was blessed to start my Whole30 with a lifestyle that was already pretty clean from processed food, soda, and additives. People that start off on another foot, have a very rough detox. Mine was mild. I was already weaning myself off of dairy to prepare for this. And, I honestly splurged on desserts before. I only told my cousin how many donuts I ate one day! This is NOT recommended. I still had sugar in my diet. Sugar is in so many of our foods which isn't in them naturally, and that's why we're addicted to it! This is why my fasts from sweets didn't stop the craving, but it surely taught me how to rely on the Lord and how to pray more. In the beginning of my Whole30, I craved grains the most, but that did go away. My Phenomenal, Amazing, Life-Changing Results 1. MY SLEEP CHANGED I noticed almost right away that my sleep was deeper. My body is ready to sleep and wake up at certain times. This is great for me if only I wasn't a night owl! I will become very well rested if I embrace my body's natural sleep clock! My dreams became very detailed and deep as well. 2. MY SUGAR CRAVINGS WENT AWAY Before day 12, I had already lost my cravings for sugar/sweets! This has changed my world. For most of the month, I literally thought I would puke if I ate something sweet. I realized that if I did want something sweet, it was emotional. For the most part, I do not long for a sweet. As a result of taking out sugar, natural sugars (found in fruit, for example) have such an amazing sweet taste! When we take out the junk, good foods taste so much better. I've come to appreciate good (healthy) food so much more. 3. NO BLOATING, STOMACH NOISES, OR GAS (well maybe a little) I was so over how bloated my stomach felt right before I started my Whole30. It has been heavenly not being bloated! More than half way through I realized I didn't have my normal after workout/supper gas. And just recently, I noticed my stomach is so quiet. I never hear it! There is so much peace. My body is digesting the food I take in and disposing of it well. It makes me question, "Oh, so this is normal? Have I (and so much of the world) been that bad?" 4. NO PRE-MENSTRAL MIGRAIN OR DURING PERIOD CRAMPING I ended my Whole 30 with my period pretty much. I usually would love to curl up in a ball and hibernate for a week, even though I know I don't have it that bad. It was a pain-free period! Any woman that struggles with cramping, bloating, and migraines around/during their period, should try eating this way - END OF STORY! 5. MY PANTS ARE LOSER I didn't know my weight for a whole month and lost 6.2 pounds. I ate healthy foods until I was satisfied. I do need to have good snacks, especially before working out. I didn't weigh myself the whole time, which tells me, I do not need to weigh myself if I don't want to However, I like to once a week as a tool to know where I am at. My measurements also are a huge indicator that I am doing something right: 1" off my chest; 2.25" off my waist; 1.25" off my hips, and 1" of my thighs. STILL FIGURING OUT I am still wondering if eating this way will help my back pain, skin, and migraines. The skin is a tricky one to figure out with so many factors. It is also one that takes longer, because cell turn over is slower in the skin. It is my hope to be off some of my migraine meds next month. I also wanted to share with you that with the food I bought, I ate. There is little waste, because it's valuable. Some of it is expensive. I plan my meals and make them. They say those that plan their meals out and buy for them save money compared to those that just shop for food and buy whatever. I cook on the weekends for the week mostly. I plan ahead for when I will be eating at places that are non-compliant. With all the good that has come out of eating this way, I can't imagine going back and adding what I took out. However, when I really want something I may eat it. I may have the other day, but I am not telling. Unfortunately, if and when I decide to eat something non-Whole30 compliant, it will mess with the good I have going on. It will be like starting the Whole30 all over again. However, it shouldn't be the end of the world. I am figuring out how to make decisions for this new way of life. I can't go on living never eating anything sweet. Then I'll never taste my wedding cake! As I move forward I can decide to slowly reintegrate foods and see if I want to keep them in my diet, OR I can eat something when I really want it and observe how my body reacts to it. I am going with the later for now. When and if I am ready, I may try the other approach. This is our only life God gave us. You better treat it well! Whole30 Testimonials A-Z Symptoms Disappeared Most people that are in their 30ies that are positive, goal setters/achievers, and determined realized this: 1. That being in our 30ies is great. These are great years. These are great years in so many different ways for each of us. For me, this will be my 10th year in ministry. Although this is a messy year of transition and change, I know without a doubt I have a solid career underneath me - one filled with experience and wisdom. I've worked hard to love what I do to stay passionate doing it. I've also worked hard in the last several years to become a healthy and fit person. I've been blessed to find the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. And I started my own business with Rodan + Fields to help support myself and my future financially, while helping others change their lives in amazing ways. 2. It's time to get serious. I've said this before to myself, "It's time to get serious!" I want to be in my best shape and health....I want to be financially well...I need to use my time better...I need to cook again...I need to read the Bible...I need to pray more. I need to take more vacation. ...These are all things I've said at one point or another....and over and over again. Some I am working on already. But I strongly believe if people aren't getting serious in their 20ies about this (and more) stuff, the 30ies is the time to do it. Afterwards, it only gets harder. We're busier, our bodies aren't as youthful and more time has slipped by. Now, if you are past 39, please do know, it's not too late. One of my role models is 47 and he just achieved an Iron Man! He's been working at this, "Time to get healthy thing," for a few years now. It's been amazing watching his body and life transform. When I started personal training, I realized how hard it was with a body in my early 30ies. Now, of course my weight had a lot to do with it, but I was no spring chicken, either. The earlier we get at these goals, the better our life is going to be in all areas. he other day I said to myself, "I am so sick of being over weight and always trying to lose weight." It has been my whole world for who knows how long. This has been my struggle, my issue. I truly think I am working on it in a way so it is not my issue some day. Of course I understand the loss of baby weight is different and natural. I think I am doing this by: 1. Focusing on fitness and being healthy (not weight overall). 2. Not choosing a eating program, but eating healthy, natural foods that I can sustain over a long period of time. Most eating programs require buying foods and/or shakes, and counting/measuring. This is unhealthy and controls too much of the day. I want to make food, eat it, and not worry about how much is too much. Whole30 will help me find the right foods for me. Reflection:
What are your thirties teaching you? What did they teach you? What do you need to get serious about, and no joke, just do - no excuses? What do you hope for? Are you working towards it? Have you prayed about this? I thought I would create a space dedicated solely for fitness and health - for healthy living. It has been a passion of mine for quite some time now. I'd say I really entered into the "health scene" back in 2004 while in college when I had my first wake up call to the realization that I was very overweight and needed to lose weight. The two years that followed were mostly about eating healthy. Even though I was somewhat active, it was not in a workout routine, and it wasn't a focus. It wasn't until I gained the weight back plus some by slowly letting things go through the years and hurting my back and going through almost a year of endless chiropractor treatment, that I realized I needed to change my life from survival mode to an over-comer...to a victim to a survivor and achiever of many things! In the spring of 2013 I did my homework to begin pursing working out in a way to make this a part of my lifestyle. By May I decided on the YMCA, which offers scholarships and a wonderful community feeling! I worked at a Y all through college, so I will always be partial to Ys. I started personal training that June, which has changed my life in so many ways in and outside of the gym. My journey includes my doctor, personal trainer, once in a while physical therapist(s), an amazing supportive boyfriend, and many others that support me along the way. I've made some pretty deliberate choices along the way, and I only continue to do so as I come to learn about healthy living and about my personal body. As I continue to "come into my own" in these beautiful thirties, I am learning over and over again how important it is to listen to my body and its changes, as well as, listening to the research that just makes sense that helps me live a better, holier, happier, and healthier life. I look forward to sharing more about all this with you. For example, my doctor and I have discussed trying eliminating dairy out of my diet for a month to see if it would help my clenching and migraines. She has seen a huge success rate with other patients who have eliminated dairy who clench. As I dive deeper into my research, decide, and possibly try this for a month, I would blog about it here. Here are just some topics that interest me:
My goal is to inspire you and others into action to a healthier life. Think about something physically that could be changed about you realistically. Can it happen without any work? If not, there's only one person that can change your life, and that's you. We are all trying to over come something! With a lot of hard work, dedication, and prayer, you and I will make it. Blessings, Amy |
About MeIn May 2013 I got serious about perusing a fit, healthy life. Since then everything has changed! Archives
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