Sweet Memories?

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

"The things that are hard to bear, are sweet to remember." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca

"Above all, be patient with the situation and with yourself. Don't lose your way by being blinded by disappointment, frustrations, and failures. Ponder the goals in your life and the obstacles you might face. Make appropriate plans to overcome those roadblocks even before they occur. Think of the reward of reflecting on a goal you have reached, rather than one you failed to see through. Most big dreams involve big effort!"

Be patient with myself. Thatīs a hard one. I think Iīm harder on myself than I am on anyone else. I disagree that itīs sweet to remember the hard things Iīve experienced! Yes, Iīve discovered that I am proud of myself for passing through some very dark times and hard experiences. Iīve been telling that to the ME in the mirror often. The sweetness is in knowing that I made it, that I am stronger, that I am on the other side of these things. But I carry with me memories of some things that I continue working out now - they donīt go away because they are still in my present.

I know these quotes are meant to help us in facing things having to do with changing our lifestyle and having to do mainly with eating and exercise. What I always think about when I read them is MY life - where I came from, what I continue facing, how some hard things donīt go away. Iīd like to change some things in my past, but then, I wouldnīt be who I am today. I donīt think Iīd be obese either. But here I am, this conglomerate of who I have become. I am facing ME and I am becoming a changed person. Thatīs good.

Still, some hard things donīt go away. My determination is to do this lifestyle changing even though and in spite of the hard things that stay with me, and the memories of hard things that were not and are not sweet. I will- I choose to go on!

  

Is This Worth It?

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Duh! Stupid question! I finally dropped today. By .5 lb. Thatīs a big deal because I had increased and it took me a week to drop back down to where I was and then this little bit more. Muscle gain? Probably. Thatīs more than 1/2 lb a week. Thatīs more than 2 lbs a month! Iīm good!

Have found some other positive changes, too. Although I continue with up and down emotions, I feel stronger and in more control of my worrisome thoughts. Perhaps I can have control over them after all. Still bothered by some physical things which could just have to do with being alive!!

SP is worth every bit of time I invest, because itīs investing in others AND itīs investing in ME!

  

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

W 09/13 - M 09/11, Reward Trip to the Atlantic Seashore

09/06 W - 1123 calories 9 water 500 minutes/1189 cal burned
09/07 Th - 1459 calories 10 water 550 minutes/2366 cal burned
09/08 F - 1573 calories 10 water 315 minutes/2632 cal burned
09/09 Sat - 965 calories 10 water 202 minutes/1036 cal burned
09/10 Sun - 1620 calories 10 water 255 minutes/2714 cal burned
09/11 M - 1932 calories 9 water 525 minutes/2714 cal burned
09/12 T - 1431 calories 19 water 45 minutes/ 229 cal burned

You see the struggle! I weighed in 2 lbs over what I weighed when I left.
I did all my exercises and way-more cardio than I thought I would! I burned more calories than I ate! So, why was I more?

So...this little amt of weight will probably come off quickly and Iīll be back on-track. But, how do I prevent it from happening on future trips?

I really hate steps backwards.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TWSTAMPER 9/15/2006 7:23PM

Hey, remember that all that exercise probably added some muscle wieght! And we all know (repeat after me now) "muscle weighs more than fat". I got really discouraged when I was going to the gym in the beginning (a few years ago) to see the scale go up. So I kept hearing "muscle weighs more than fat", big deal! But then I realized the pants were getting too big and the inches were coming off. Hope you're feeling better about it all now after a few days. Report Inappropriate Comment

Hit the Road Jack!

Monday, September 04, 2006

Iīm getting ready to travel. With travel comes a bit of insecurity about sticking with my plan. The last three long trips away from home were indeed challenging.

~Challenge to not let othersī desires influence my spark!
~Challenge to make sure I get food for my eating plan!
~Challenge to drink my water!
~Challenge to stay positive!
~Challenge to keep myself motivated when others try to knock me off-balance (Iīm not sure they intend to be that way)!
~Challenge to stay within my limits!
~Challenge to get enough rest!
~Challenge to stay away from negative people!
~Challenge to do my exercises and cardio!

I donīt want to repeat the errors I made. So...

~I determine to make good choices.
~I determine to stick to the plan.
~I determine to pray and remain calm.
~I determine to insist on going where there are healthy choices.
~I determine to get to bed before midnite, every night.
~I determine to remain pleasant even if life gets out of my control and I cannot do these things.
~I determine to carry healthy snacks with me at all times in case meals are delayed.
~I determine to carry water with me at all times.
~I determine to have fun!!!

  

Overcoming Adversity!

Monday, August 21, 2006

"Adversity and loss make a man wise." - Welsh Proverb

"Victory over Trials

The need to weather hard times is constantly part of our business and personal lives. Do you ever think of these hurdles in a positive light? The next time you are faced with opposition, instead of looking at it as a source of anxiety, view it as an opportunity! Can you apply what you have learned to other areas of your life? Will this experience make you stronger and wiser next time around? Sometimes the worst and most painful experiences are the ones that help us grow the most. Having a positive attitude can deflate even the scariest situation. Overcoming adversity can help you achieve the extraordinary!"

I just had to copy the Healthy Reflections email here. I have considered this very thought many, many times, esp. in the past couple of years. I think we need to see adversity in a positive light but without denying that it is often hard, sad, and challenging!

We need to be extra careful how we look at someone elseīs hardships. It is not helpful to deny that life is often just plain hard! So many people pretend and donīt face their life challenges. They settle for getting by, for staying in their comfort zones, for letting others run their lives, for less than their dreams.

I donīt want to atrophy in a state of nongrowth. I want to age elegantly. I want to age actively. I want to get older and wiser. I always want to have a dream to pursue and a goal to reach. I want to leave a legacy that inspires others to pursue their dreams and enrich the souls of men! I am no longer self-defeating - I am courageous and bravehearted!!