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SLENDERELLA61's Recent Blog Entries
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Thursday, July 07, 2011
Back in March of 2009 when I first hit a BMI of 25 I was really happy. I added some food, concentrated on nutrition, and continued to lose very slowly for over a year down to under BMI of 21. Throughout this journey I had a compelling desire to help other people do what I had done, to share the "secrets" that had finally worked for me after 5 decades of obesity.
I talked to lots of people; maybe 100. One person lost 30 pounds. She looks pretty good but is stuck about 15 pounds over goal. I don't know of anyone else who was successful for very long after "enlightenment" by me. I started a fitness group related to my work. The first month everyone in my group lost some weight. But it didn't last.
So my strong desire to persuade others face to face to undertake this journey has diminished. I understand that each person must find their own way; that my answers may not work for everyone.
On the other hand, I have read enough success stories, maintenance articles, and blogs of other maintainers to know I'm not unique. The strategies I have used successfully are not mine alone -- even the ones I thought were of my own making.
So while I would still like to Spread the Spark (never dreamed I could get this fit; thanks, SP)and put in a good word for Weight Watchers when appropriate (don't think I could have gotten started on my own, thanks WW), I don't have the same missionary zeal that I had earlier. Some of that urge may be met by interacting with my SparkFriends, too. Time will tell whether I'm just settling into the long term phase of lower level recruiting or whether I'll get re-ignited to take the message forward. If I knew what really helps others, I would be more likely to take it on.
Have any of you found good ways to Spread the Spark or otherwise encourage healthier living?
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
I have three more days to work before retirement. I planned to work today and the following two Wednesdays with a particular project that needs to be done. However, the new director asked me not to come today because she is in meetings and wants me to come when she is there. So, I'm to go in next Wednesday and then we'll see.
My daughter has a job interview this Friday. If she gets the full time job she wants, I will be babysitting a great deal more. It will probably all work out.
So I have today an unanticipated day off. The first thing I did was sleep in. It was my first time in months sleeping for 9 hours. It really felt good. My back feels the best it has felt in weeks. I think I'll go swimming at the gym this afternoon. I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my life. Being flexible and taking advantage of unanticipated opportunities are strategies I want to continue to use to enjoy my life!
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
For the first time I reset my SparkPeople articles recently. I had read everything except a few gardening articles about things I knew I would never grow. I was thinking that now I've read the SparkPeople library of articles that on second read I may get more out of them.
After the reset the first place I went was to the "Maintaining Your New Weight" center. I've now read six articles about maintenance. It all made sense to me. I was surprised that there was nothing I disagreed with; nothing that was different in my experience. Part of me was hoping for some great revelation that would make it all easier. I didn't find that. But I did find a certain comfort that I know what to do.
Monday, July 04, 2011
One of the many great things about keeping Natalie, my 4 year old granddaughter, is that I get extra time outside. Left to my own devices, I often think that 90+ degrees is just too hot and I stay in the A/C. But Natalie hardly minds the heat, and she gets me outside to enjoy the butterflies and birds, the lizards and the beetles, the wild flowers and the ones we cultivate. I find the bright sun and the shade each have their own virtues. The sky is constantly changing with blues and greys and silver that I simply miss when I stay in. The sunset pink, purples, and golden hues often display without me noticing. There is something so right, so beautiful, comforting, even healing, about nature. So glad that on this Independence Day that Natalie reminded me to enjoy the beauty of our land.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
There was a time, several years and decades of pounds ago, when it was hard for me to keep my house clean. I was slow and tired. The effort just took a great deal out of me. I hated cleaning and I hated the mess and I hated the dirt. And I'd never imagined when I was growing up that I would have all this housework to do. I don't know who I thought was going to do it, but my vision of my grown up self did not include housework.
Then I lost some weight and got fitter. My favorite activities were walking and Walk Away the Pounds. I thought of my house and neighborhood as the place for me to be active and improve my fitness. I read that the average housewife burned 50,000 calories per year cleaning house and I thought I had to be actively cleaning at least average. Let's see now. 50,000 divided by 3,500 equals 14 pounds per year. So, I came to think of housework as part of my fitness program.
Then I got fitter. I joined a gym. I started running. Now, once again, housework is not so attractive. There are times I want to run or strength train or bike or swim or Zumba and I need to clean house and do laundry. Darn. In case the reader is one who can count housecleaning as cardio, let me assure you my heart rate does not get anywhere near my target rate even when I do my best to sweep fast or scrub hard. So I still appreciate that housework burns some calories and reduces my sitting time, but sometimes I would be burning more calories and getting even fitter if I didn't have so many mundane tasks demanding my attention.
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