JULY 8th Don't Give the Elephant Free Reign!

Happy Saturday to Journal & Friends!

So... I had started a whiney post about how I was about to deep six this current experiment I started last Monday. See, I did a sneak peek weigh in this morning. Yeah, I know, those are never a good idea! Anyway, since last Monday I had GAINED 6 POUNDS. Say what???!!!

I was sad.

I was mad.

I was scared.

I was about to say this is stupid, and go back to what I was doing before... even though IT wasn't working. At least I didn't suddenly start gaining like that.

Then... I did some blog surfing this morning, and stumbled on a post by Dr Michael Eades. Most people in the low carb community know of Dr Eades' credibility and stature. He is highly respected. So I started reading with mild interest... then sat bolt up right when I read the following:

"The surest road to failure in the first few days of low-carb dieting is to listen to your body.  The whole notion of listening to your body is one of my major pet peeves.... Listening to your body is giving the elephant free rein. If you’re three days into your stop-smoking program, and you listen to your body, you’re screwed.  If you’re in drug rehab, and you listen to your body, you’re screwed.  If you’re trying to give up booze, and you listen to your body, you’re screwed.  And if you’re a week into your low-carb diet, and you listen to your body, you’re screwed.  Actually, it’s okay to listen to it, I suppose, just don’t do what it’s telling you to do because if you do, you’re screwed."

(This is a short excerpt; for the whole spunky article, read HERE). 

Where is that delete button?? I ditched what I was originally going to say. Instead, I will suck it up and continue. I will at least wait for my two week experiment to reach the two weeks before I hit the panic button. 

This isn't my first experience with low carb. I've been essentially doing it since March of  2009. But I'm just now learning to count the carbs accurately, and experimenting with a protein rich breakfast. So... I'll keep working on getting the right mix of fats, proteins and carbs.

Continuing with determination on the 

Carb Conquest Cruise. 

No detours here!!

From Dr Phil's book:  "Your thoughts powerfully program you."

My verse for today:  "But you are a shield around me, O Lord."

My quote for today: "Virtually all the happiness-producing processes in our lives take time, usually a long time: learning new things, changing old behaviors, building satisfying relationships, raising children. This is why patience and determination are among life's primary virtues." --Gordon Livingston

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

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DAY 693

APRIL 8th Lessons From A Puppy #3

Howdy Journal & Friends,

Joey is in bed asleep! I can play on the computer. So I thought I'd share another "lesson" she has taught me.

Joey stuck in the laundry room, til she does her business; 

then she can play with her favorite toy, the Tiger.

Lessons From A Puppy #3

Wishing for something, no matter how desperately you want it, won't change a thing. It takes DOING whatever is necessary... day in and day out, consistently, for as long as it takes.

I wish desperately that Joey was potty trained. Apparently she learned some bad habits by the time we adopted her at 11 weeks old. And now, for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week while Jim is at work, I am trying to train "his" dog.  Oh joy. ;-)  I sooo want my time back... my day... my schedule... my free time to do art... my time to just contemplate uninterrupted. 

But I keep reminding myself that once she learns, she will be delightful. It will be worth it. She is really a sweet, intelligent, enthusiastic bundle of energy. She is worth it.

Obviously I see I need to apply this lesson to my weight loss journey. Every day, consistently, for as long as it takes. It WILL be worth it.

From Dr Phil's book: 

 1. Express your goals in terms of specific behaviors and feelings (Pee ON the paper and I will be soooo happy).

 2. Express your goals in terms that can be measured and are realistic (Make it a whole day without an accident).

 3. Assign a timeline to your goal (ASAP pleeeeeze).

 4. Break down your goal into manageable steps (Learn to go on paper. Tell me when needs to go. Learn to hold it at least a milli-second. Learn to use future doggie door). 

 5. Create accountability (Guess who is on Poop Patrol when there is an accident?!)

My verse for today: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth."

My quote for today: "Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car." 

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

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DAY 602

DAY 398 It's Good & The Anchor Still Holds

Hello Journal & Friends,

One year ago, on September 15th I wrote this:

Yes, this is a spiritual journey for me. This is only day 37...I can't even imagine what it will be like in a year...but I am trusting it will be good.

Yes, it IS good. It is still very hard at times, but also good. 

New friends have been good.

Losing more weight has been good.

Getting stronger thanks to pressure has been good.

Catching a fresh vision for my future has been good.

Change is a process. Growth takes time. I think I was impatient and thought that since I had read up on the mechanics of how to do this, that okay, let's get with the program and CHANGE. Now. Come ON, Loretta.

That makes as much sense as planting seeds in your garden, then running out every morning and digging them up to see how they're doing. 

It takes TIME. 

We see people start blogs, all fired up and excited, saying all the right things and making jokes and being entertaining. It's fun to read, it is... but sad sometimes, too, when after a short time they are gone. Because I have learned that it is in the HARD TIMES that we grow.

It is from the resistance we overcome that we get stronger.

It is with tears that we must decide if we give up, or keep going.

It takes time to learn, make our mistakes, correct our courses, and to continue.

I try to always tell people new on this journey at least one thing: make a deal with yourself, that no matter what, you will never quit. You will always keep going. NO MATTER WHAT.

I never want to stomp on people when they are down and struggling. It is in that very time of struggle that they have the MOST potential for growth!! If they choose to fight back, to keep going, to hang on and be spunky and determined... they will make it!!

It's like a rite of passage or something. I've seen it over and over on blogs, and I've only been around here for barely over a year. But if people will stand strong and determined when the firestorms of life hit them, they will come out the other side better and stronger for it. It's true... it really is.

I know not everyone has the same belief system that I do, but for me I've found that it is in those very firestorms that my God proves Himself most faithful and loving and encouraging to me.

Another bit from a year ago:

I want to learn to FEEL the emotions instead of numbing them with food.

And to DEAL with them...and know it will be just fine...I will survive them regardless if they are uncomfortable or intense. And lastly, I will HEAL...not just try to survive or endure the same "stuff" that comes up over and over...but to resolve it, to put it to rest, to HEAL it. 

It's been rough lately emotionally for me, and with our circumstances.  But I can honestly tell you that holding on to your determination with one hand, and to God with the other will see you through. Your anchor will hold.

Here is the video I posted from last year... I still love it, and it fits so well today for me:

(For complete post "Feelings & The Anchor Holds" click HERE) 

From Dr Phil's book: "The key is to never let anyone take your commitment away from you, especially not for the sake of their own comfort."

My verse for today: "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence... "

My quote for today: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain!" --source unknown

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

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DAY 313 Friday Favorites & Let's Box!

Hi to my Journal & Friends,

I never would have believed it a year ago... but I am having a blast boxing!

Well, it's a version of boxing, called Chair Boxing. So today, for Friday Favorites I thought I'd do a review of the exercise DVD I recently bought that I'm having so much fun with.

Over this last year, I've read with interest all the advice different bloggers have generously shared about how to be successful at exercising. I may have to do most of mine sitting (for now), yet the principles apply to everyone. No excuses.

Some of those that I can remember, off the top of my head, are:

Find something you enjoy

Do it consistently

Make it a priority

Be patient and work at your own level

Change it up occasionally

Be patient (my hardest lesson to learn)

(what am I forgetting??)

I've had a lot of fun trying things this past year, and now have several things I am able to do at home, that I enjoy (most days, anyway). I don't really have a system, I just change it up as the mood strikes. 

DVD's, I have several now to choose from, mainly for aerobic workouts

Rebounder, I do a gentle "health bounce" where your feet don't leave the mat

Resistance bands, to build upper body strength

Clubbells, which I'm now enjoying since I learned to stop OVER doing it

Walking, which is on my list, but I'm not quite there yet consistently (knee problems)

Stretching, which I do daily to try to get my legs and hip joints to straighten out all the way

So today, I'm talking about one of the DVD's, Chair Boxing. I know most of you can stand and exercise, but sometimes people need a way to sit and exercise, for various reasons. Here is a picture of it:

Before I tried it, I didn't expect too much. But I was pleasantly surprised at how much it got my heart rate going! It's not as intense as following along with Billy Blanks Tae Bo, but it's still a respectable workout. 

Once he warms you up, he keeps up a brisk pace. It is all upper body and some core, and there is a shortie workout that is 18 minutes total, and then the usual longer one, which is 38 minutes.

If you are picky and don't like low budget videos, pass on this one. But it's a good basic workout, and I really enjoy the boxing motions. And the guy leading the exercise is likeable, not annoying like some can be. ;-) This can also be rented from Blockbuster, to see if you like it before buying.

I bought mine HERE which also lists the whole series of Chair Aerobics DVD's.

Here is a very short youtube video of Chair Boxing:

Overall, on a 1 to 10 scale, I think I'd give this 5 for production quality, and 8 for content. For what it's goals are (upper body and core workout in a sitting position), I think it did a great job, and I definitely recommend it. 

From Dr Phil's book: "A common denominator among people who successfully manage their weight and stay fit is that they exercise as a matter of habit."

My verse for today: "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."

My quote for today: "Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them--a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." --Muhammad Ali

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

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DAY 295 Keep Going, Keep Growing

Hello there, Journal & Friends,

Yesterday started out a rocky day. MyGuy was working outside in the yard, and I decided to go outside and get some sun. I am sooo glad I did! It changed my whole attitude. 

I had allowed feelings to overtake me... feelings of sadness and regret, frustration over slow progress. Self-pity over my knee pain, which was interfering with "my" plans to do my walking. I guess in general, I was just focusing on too many negatives, and letting them drag me down. You know... doing all the things I say NOT to do, LOL!!

Well, the weather here in Southern Oregon has been sunny and gorgeous all weekend, and it really lifted my spirits when I looked at our yard. All the hard work was finally paying off.

Last year it looked plain and puny... this year I can SEE the progress. I think I needed to SEE some life and growth. To see change. 

It reminded me to just keep doing what I know to do, and change will come, in time. There is still tweaking to be done... minor course corrections along the way. But in time I WILL see growth and change.

Here are some photos I took (can click to enlarge):

Our wooden barrel planter has 3 Strawberries that are turning red... I hope the birdies don't see them:

Here our Snow Peas have climbed halfway up the trellis:

Even our one Zucchini plant has give us one pretty blossom:

There were troupe of 4 Bumblebees busy pollinating the flowers. I took a gazillion pictures trying to get one to turn out, but they were just too fast for me. Instead, here is a cute little Ladybug who came to visit:

That big bush at the far end is called a Butterfly Bush. Last year it was tiny... look at it now!

Last year we planted 4 Blueberry bushes. The one at the left really took off... there are lots of blueberries on it this year. Mmmmmm...

I have to remember that I am like these plants. I go through seasons... winters and storms and rain and winds and hot sun.

Yet through it all, I keep growing. 

From Dr Phil's book: "You must get in touch with your thoughts and feelings and why you're having them."

My verse for today: "Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed."

My quote for today: "Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you." --Denis Waitley

Enjoy the Journey,

Loretta

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