Fill 'er Up!



"Why Don't You.. Think Of Your Body As A Car and Fuel it Accordingly?"...begins this great post.  "We all know that good nutrition is vital, but in a sea of non-fat, low-fat and full-fat foods, it can be difficult to know which is the best possible decision to make when it comes to healthy eating choices. So instead of deliberating over countless food labels..."

You need to go there and read the rest of it for yourself.  So, click here and read up!

Walking for Exercise and Pleasure


We began our 30 minute walk on this beautiful afternoon at THE CROWS CORNER - a delightful shop full of crafts and antiques in Edgerton, OH.  While walking in the interesting neighborhoods of this small town, I found these hydrangeas cut and lying on the curb.  I brought them home and will figure out a way to work them into my Christmas decorations.

Walking for exercise and pleasure is a wonderful combination!

GAIN or PAIN?


"Short term gain equals long term pain.  Short term pain equals long term gain.”

How true is this?!  The whipped cream on top of the latte, the "just this time" failure to exercise, the slack we give ourselves when we excuse our lack of action due to feelings or other circumstances, toleration of a day or two to pass without prayer or reading of God's Word, short-cuts to reach a goal....

For the moment these all seem OK.  Pleasurable even.  We feel we gain time or emotional or physical satisfaction by these choices.  We who are Christians even pass off these choices as an exercise in Christian freedom.

Then comes the inevitable reality - long term pain.  In our pain, we turn to our faith and the strong arms of God expecting  quick relief from it - much like Tylenol for a headache.

What's wrong with this picture?

More About Excuses....


"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." (George Washington)

Making Lemonade


When life hands you lemons......and all that jazz!

Our Saturday morning was planned, or so we thought.  I exercised by riding my bicycle to arrive right on time (8:00 a.m.) for the opening of the United Methodist Church Bazaar.  It was a beautiful, windless morning and it felt good to ride.  There were not as many vendors as in the past; fewer handmade items, etc.  So I rode home with fewer ideas than in past years.

While there, however, I heard that a supermarket was selling turkeys for $.40/pound!  I called my sister to make sure she had room in her freezer (I only have the one in my refrigerator, and it is full).  Then I called my husband to pick me up on his way to the same supermarket to get his oil changed in his car.  He had called yesterday and they said they opened at 9:00.  We were there by 8:50 only to find out that they had actually opened at 7:00 and there was now a 2 hour wait.  The turkeys were gone, too.

We drove to the closest oil change facility, paid an extra $10 (ouch!), and I walked to the supermarket competitor nearby to check out their turkey prices.  Too high. But I kept walking up and down aisles until my husband called to say the oil change was complete.

My lemonade?  I've had my 30 minute walk!

Simple Breakfasts, Anyone?


For me this morning it was half a banana (my husband slices the other half on his Shredded Wheat cereal).  I sliced mine in half longways and spread each half with a little bit of peanut butter.  That, and a couple of mugs of 1/2 decaf & 1/2 regular dark roast coffee was MY breakfast.  What was yours?

I found Jennifer Causey's blog this week.  I think you'd enjoy seeing her simple but grandly varied breakfasts!  The picture is one example.  Check it out at Simply Breakfast - the art of breakfast.  Notice the various mugs/coffee cups from post to post. I tend to use the same one every day.  It "fits" me quite nicely.

Della-esque


After my first 30 minute indoor walk of November, I went to my closet.  I recently came across the blog of a very creative woman.  I am quite conservative in my dress - but there is something in me that aspires to the verve and excitement that Della expresses through her wardrobe every day.

She is SO funny - has a great talent in expressing her views in very humorous ways.  I digress.

This necklace is a Della-esque venture for me.  I need SOMETHING to keep me perkin' this month!  (If you want to see the rest of the outfit, just click on the picture.)

Make NOVEMBER Count!

Except for June, last month (October) was the worst I've done in the sense of how many days I walked for 30 minutes.  It is a good thing that I record my efforts.  By looking at the facts in my sidebar, I see that I need to make November count
"Give it your serious and concentrated effort and make no excuses!" (from my October 19th post)
I will make no excuses....I will self-correct with the grace and power that God provides.   For all who read, for all who strive to establish and maintain healthy habits, I say, "Courage!"  And in the words of our Lord to Joshua,

"This Book of the Law (for us, the Bible in its entirety), shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to al that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will  have good success.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  (Joshua 1:8-9).

Resisting Swine Flu

According to Prevention on the web, one of the indications that your immunity system needs a boost is: You've got a lot of weight to lose.
"You know excess weight is unhealthy for your heart, brain and other organs. But it's also bad for your immune system", the site says and continues:

"In fact, those who become most seriously ill with swine flu tend to share the same characteristic: a body mass index over 40, meaning they are morbidly obese. Excess weight can cause hormonal imbalances and inflammation that impairs the immune system's ability to fight infection."

Getting it Straight and Keeping it Straight

I first saw this quote by Jerry Bridges at Leah's blog: 

"Our first problem (with holiness) is that our attitude toward sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We are more concerned about our own 'victory' over sin than we are about the fact that our sins grieve the heart of God. We cannot tolerate failure in our struggle with sin chiefly because we are success-oriented, not because we know it is offensive to God."

Now, I know that weight loss and dieting is not always equivalent to holiness.  But I also know that my personal failure to exercise self-discipline in the areas of healthy habits is a result of failing to appropriate God's grace and power by an deliberate act of faith.  And whatever is not of faith IS sin....And sin IS "offensive to God", as Bridges states.

As I continue the journey of a healthy lifestyle, I want to keep my eyes on the fact that failure in this area is not so much about me - my failure or success - but is about the heart of God - His glory, His holiness, His power, and His love for me, His child!

Make No Excuses!


I didn't bask long in the glow of achieving my weight loss goal.  Instead, I got back to my walking routine (after several days "off" during vacation), prepared our dinner of two Cornish hens (in my crockpot), and used the left overs along with some black beans and a can of diced tomatoes to create chicken/black bean chili for our healthy dinner tomorrow.  

I glowed long enough to facebook about my success--sincerely seeking to give the Lord Jesus the credit.  (I've tried too many times unsuccessfully to think that it was "MY" success.)  When someone congratulated me and inquired about my advice for weight loss, I responded this way:

"Thanks, friends! A few of you have seen me yo-yo through the years. This IS my most visible area of weakness (I think!) I have no credible advice, except give it your serious and concentrated effort and make no excuses...."

The more I think about it, the more I want to underscore AND remember this myself.  "Give it your serious and concentrated effort and make no excuses!"  This will be my mantra in my new phase of maintenance of habits, healthy weight, and holy awe at the amazing grace of God!

The Great Salmon Pay Off


I selected salmon for most of my dinners while on vacation.  I also enjoyed at least one baked fish entree.  I enjoy sampling the various ways restaurants prepare and serve salmon. I still haven't baked or grilled any salmon at home. 

This morning when I weighed, I was thrilled to have reached and surpassed my weight loss goal.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but LATER it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11. 

My future focus will be continuing the habits of healthy eating and exercise that have helped make my efforts successful.  Ultimately, I recognize and praise the under-girding grace of God.  Apart from Him I HAVE done and CAN do nothing of eternal value.  My health, habits and happiness are dependent on Him from whom ALL blessings flow. 

Cherish Your Health

Cherish your health. 
If it is good, preserve it. 
If it is unstable, improve it. 
If it is beyond what you can do, get appropriate help.

If you want to see other suggestions of how to stay young and live well, go to Donna's blog (click on Donna's).  They're ALL good and very do-able.
 

Exercise with Winnie the Pooh

OK.  I don't know where the video went....but it was cute while it lasted...

Cold Weather Exercise


I found one for $5 at "my" thrift store.

After reading of all these benefits, I plan to begin today!

It increases the capacity for breathing.
It circulates more oxygen to the tissues.
It helps combat depression.
It helps normalize blood pressure.
It helps prevent cardiovascular disease.
It increases the activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
It aids lymphatic circulation, as well as blood flow in the veins of the circulatory system.
It lowers elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
It stimulates the metabolism, thereby reducing the likelihood of obesity.
It tones up the glandular system, especially the thyroid to increase its output.
It improves coordination throughout the body.
It promotes increased muscle fiber tone.
It offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.
It enhances digestion and elimination processes.
It allows for easier relaxation and sleep.
It results in a better mental performance, with sharper learning processes.
It relieves fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.
It minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.
It tends to slow down aging.