Monday, September 7, 2015

Sept 7th Back to the Beginning

When I started this blog, I was studying some principles of change from Dr Phil McGraw. He can be annoying to some, I know. But that doesn't mean the principles aren't true and useful!

Over the years, I've tried all sorts of approaches. The last one, focusing on my art, turns out to NOT be the answer either. As much as I'd like to not "put in my time" here, it looks like I still need to. I'm still pursuing my art, for sure. But... here I am. On THIS blog. Again. Sigh...

I haven't gained ALL the weight back that I lost since the start , but enough that I'm skeered: 349. 

So... I'm starting over, taking a refresher course, and trying to have a teachable heart.




The quotes:
"Nothing will stop you from being anything other than healthy, vibrant, in shape, and fully in charge of yourself and everything you think, do and feel. This will happen because you MAKE IT HAPPEN. It will happen because you have made the DECISION to step up and DO what it takes to have what you want." (Pg 4 of The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr Phil McGraw; emphasis mine)

"For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13 New Living Translation Bible)


My thoughts:
I've found out the How, now I need to DO it. 
It's not a matter of can't in my case. It's a matter of won't. 
That needs to change. I get so far, then back off. 
Lots of factors involved, but that's not the point.

To get what I want healthwise, I need to CHANGE.
And for me, bottomline, that's a choice.
No excuses.


"Run when you can, walk if you have to , crawl if you must, just never give up."
--Dean Karnazes


Loretta

=^..^=



12 comments:

Amy AS said...

I went from 420 lbs to 255 lbs and am now up to around 435 lbs. I understand your struggle. I'm glad you're starting over again. So am I. We'll support each other :-)

Retta said...

Hi Amy, thanks for visiting. Thanks for the understanding, I appreciate that. We can do this!

MargieAnne said...

This must be very scary for you.

I am not keeping my lost weight off very successfully either. It's a worry as it doesn't help one's health as one grows older.

I'm also having eye-sight problems and have just read how diet influences this. Ah Me! I'm really tired of being concerned about diet, exercise and weight. But unless I stay engaged in the necessary changes there will be no chance of better health.

I'm still working on my attitude. How much do I care? How much do I want the best health I can achieve?

I need to follow in your footsteps and get blogging again.

Blessings. *smiles and cyber hugs*

Retta said...

MargieAnne wrote: " I'm really tired of being concerned about diet, exercise and weight."

Oh my, I SOOO relate to that!
It's one of the reasons I dragged my feet about starting blogging here again. I just wanted to get on with other things, and not put more time and energy into talking endlessly about the weight thing.

But I guess I don't have that option. At least not yet. So... we do what we need to do, to make it happen, right?
While I wait (not so patiently, I'll admit) for God to change my heart, I'll do the outward steps to take me in the right direction.
I'll keep my eyes peeled for your next blog post. :-D

anne franklin said...

Quote from your comment.."While I wait (not so patiently, I'll admit) for God to change my heart, I'll do the outward steps to take me in the right direction."

So important to bite this bullet. Some call it 'fake it till you make' it but it's really an exercise in faith :)

We are strong women. We can do this.

MargieAnne said...

With the help of our God... that is!

Summerfun2014 said...

I'm glad you're back Loretta, I've missed your posts. I'm also having a heck of a hard time with my weight, I'm at my heaviest weight which is a little bigger than you are. I'm still trying to find something that works but so far, it remains elusive. I did find a nice little bible study that I've started, it's pretty good, you might want to check it out, it's called "Taste for Truth" by Barb Raveling, you may have already seen it? Anyhow, if you find a way of eating that works for you, please share, I'm considering giving Atkins a try but it sounds a little confusing, I don't know how much of each food group you're supposed to have each day and I can't find an informative website. Anyhow, good luck and welcome back.

Retta said...

Thank you, Sumerfun, for the welcome back. :-)

Sorry, though, you are struggling too. Actually, the way of eating I started in 2008 is still my preferred way: low carb. I started simple, no big complicated plan. Just: no sugar, no white flour. I slowly went from there.

One of the best books I bought from Amazon was "New Atkins for a New You". Pretty thorough. http://www.amazon.com/New-Atkins-You-Ultimate-Shedding/dp/1439190275/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441952887&sr=1-1&keywords=atkins+the+new+you

It's not the "diet" that flunked out, it was me. I got sick. Had several dental surgeries, have had no teeth AT ALL for over a year; complications made me have to wait til this December for the denture work to begin. And yes... I felt SO. SORRY. for myself. I caved in and ate too much of whatever was soft and mushy (can't chew a salad without teeth!). Got so totally sick of green smoothies I want to gag. But... gotta do it, if I don't want to totally lose all remaining health.

All that to say... we all have our Story, yes?? And just a couple of days ago I heard one sentence from a podcast (can't even remember which one!) and it was this: CHANGE YOUR STORY!

That really caught my ear, and I realized my "story" lately has been so full of oh-poor-me and it's-not-fair, and the like. And look where THAT has gotten me!

So, howza 'bout we both change our stories?? I think my new one will go something like:

In Sept of 2015 I realized I did not have to lay down and accept that this is the way it must be. That God loves me even when I goof up, and wants to encourage and help me. He promised me in 2 Peter 1:3 that "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life."
He has given me the choice to follow Him, and reach out to Him for help, and He is there with open arms. He is FOR me, not against me. He has never given up on me, and so I won't either. He is working in me to will and DO of His good pleasure.

And that is what my new story is focusing on: while I wait for Him to change my heart, I will DO what I already know to do.

My song of victory goes something like this: "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles..."

PS: feel free to poke around my sidebar on the right side; there are lots of links to low carb info. May I make one suggestion? Keep it simple.
Hugs to you.

debby said...

I'm always so glad to discover a post from you, Loretta! I'm so sorry you've had such a tough year, but so glad you have never given up. At our age, its just trying to give ourselves the best health possible, right? I look forward to journeying with you.

Retta said...

"The best health possible". Totally my goal now! I have no illusions about being some skinny hot mama. I just want strength, health and vibrancy. :-)
Thank, Debby, for your support. I appreciate it very much.

foolsfitness said...

I too have struggled with the ups and downs but I try to just keep up the fight. Sometimes I reduce my idea back to "harness crazy" just trying to figure out if God designed me to be who I am to try to use my skills to be a good me, or try to be a better me, or at least a good part of the time. Dont forget your blogs title "Journey" sometimes the journey leads through some difficult places... but you keep going. You inspire me you know by stopping by and posting a comment to encourage me too! I believe God appreciates how we are earnestly trying to struggle with what ever this thing is. I was looking at one of the cat drawings you had done the other day. I appreciate you.

And remember at Foolsfitness we are so hard core that we do bootcamp workouts in sneakers!- Alan

Retta said...

Hi Alan! Thank you so much for the nice comment. I appreciate that very much. It made me smile today. :-)

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