Warriors...Not Victims

"I find physical work profoundly energising and the exercise helps us get rid of stress and prepares us to live as warriors and not as victims."  When I found this statement  here under the title "A Bit of Motivation to Get on with Things", I grabbed it like a lifeboat!

I'm thankful for our yard and the tasks necessary to tend it.  While it has natural beauty, left to its own it would become unsightly.  So I shall continue to "work it" and count neither the hours nor painful joints unproductive or wasted!  (In that way, perhaps I will not become unsightly either!)

Garden Workout

I donned these (comfortable, bright, and washable) and spent about 2 hours trimming...

transplanting...

 and carrying the watering can back and forth.

GREAT EXERCISE!

I'll record it in my sidebar as an hour's worth.  I'm not sure how to count it except fun!

RETORK

RETORK was my verification word when I commented on Valerie's post this morning.  That's what I'll be doing today, and tomorrow, and the next day....

Fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, 6-8 glasses of water, and a 30 minute walk are my minimum RETORKING tools.  What are yours?

I Heard That!

"What you tolerate, you cannot change."  I was only half-listening to a political talk show when a caller quoted someone who said that.  I fumbled around for a pen to write it down, repeating it to myself so I didn't forget it!  I heard nothing else.  It hit me like a ton of bricks!

It belongs in THIS blog of mine.  It applies and explains some of the difficulty I'm facing in reaching my goal of 135 pounds. 

Inspiration and encouragement comes from the most unexpected places!

Does Cleaning House Count?

I'm not sure how much time I spent cleaning - vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathroom floor, sink, toilet and tub.  But it may be all the exercise I get today!  I calculated at this site, and came up with at least 188 calories. This is a great place to figure out how many calories you burn at various activities, by the way. 

I'm getting ready for overnight guests, friends I've never met face-to-face--only corresponded with....It always makes me a little nervous.  House cleaning is not my favorite activity, but I must confess the upstairs looks VERY nice.

Now for making sure meal prep is complete before going to my No-Longer-Red-Hats luncheon at noon.  We've invited a few friends to the house this evening to meet our overnight guests.  I've made an extremely unhealthy (but delicious) dessert to serve (baked pretzel crust;  layer of cream cheese, sugar & whipped cream; top layer of strawberries in strawberry jello).

I'm thinking a day full of friends and fun will make up for the clouds and rain outside.

Taking My Thoughts Captive

Motivation to Live Well 5/5/2010

"Keep a journal in your purse or night table to jot down thoughts of inspiration.  Meditate on those thoughts often."

I keep THIS one in my purse....Tonight I'm taking one up to my night table. Writing down my thoughts has helped me sort them out and prioritize them, and remind me of my commitments to follow through with exercise, reading, or other goals.

See more about "taking thoughts captive" at my Life & Godliness blog, if you're interested...

BECOMING....not GETTING

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. (Zig Ziglar)

They were simple goals, but they were the impetus I needed yesterday to break out of the lethargy that had settled in over me like a heavy fog.  I happily reviewed my day as I went to bed last night and realized I had actually accomplished  all three "30s"!  Not only that, but I saw this beautiful lilac bush as I took my 30 minute walk. 

I am becoming.

I have new & simple goals for today.

30 minutes walking

20 chapters read for Read-through-the-Bible plan

30 minutes reading A Year in Tuscany

30

I got my body up and out the door this morning.  It took me 20 minutes to walk up to and around the elementary school building and back through the park toward our house.  When I saw that I had an additional 10 minutes to reach my 30 minute goal, I went around the block behind our house.  There I met my neighbor who was wheeling a wheelbarrow toward his garage.  I stopped to chat and walked "in place" while we visited.  I'm sure I looked a little weird, but I'm DETERMINED to get this walking thing going again!

Coming 'round the house, I could resist taking a few pictures of our yard--so beautiful to me.  You can see more on my garden blog.

Now to read 30 chapters in my Bible to catch up in my "Through-the-Bible-in-a-Year" plan and spend 30 uninterrupted minutes reading a book I've started (Every Day in Tuscany).  I've been highly distracted lately and am committed to Self-Control today!

"WHEN"

The moment you stop saying "if" and start saying "when" is the moment your dreams start becoming a reality.

I'm SAYING when.  This afternoon.  After church!  No more ifs, ands, or buts (at least as long as I remember this...).

Reading Cindy's post was great motivation for me.  And the Lord knows I needed motivation.  Thanks, Cindy!

Blogging friends, let's get it going - or keep it going (depending on your current situation).  The encouragement and inspiration we pass back and forth are REALLY helpful--and in the end, it really is up to us to do what WE can do to be healthy and fit.

Who Knew?

Medium Chocolate Xtreme Blizzard

980 calories

I looked it up for myself.  No wonder they didn't put THIS information on the same sign as the special price!  And I ordered mine with chocolate ice cream - which probably added to the calories.

I had NO idea.  (And I'm not blaming Dairy Queen.)

Dairy Queen Made Me Do It!

From Motivation to Live Well today...."Live not in what has happened, or fear of what may come tomorrow. Live Well! in the here and now, and treat this as your defining moment."

Back from a seminar today where I learned to say, "THAT was my old self; THIS is my NEW self!" (See Ephesians 4:22-24).  

I SHOULD have remembered this when traveling to and from Grandparents' Day at our grandson's school in Illinois this week!  We passed (and stopped at) Dairy Queens coming and going - lured by the sign advertising "Blizzards!  Buy one; get the second for 25 cents!"

Transitioning into Spring

Almost every day of our vacation included trail hikes or nature walks.  Yesterday I rode in the car all day.  And this morning, exercise was gardening.  I need to be intentional about getting daily exercise now that the weather has changed.  I didn't gain any weight while on vacation--but I didn't lose any either.  I need to get at least 5 pounds off as soon as possible!

Strolling in Charleston

My "sauntering" yesterday was good practice for the Extreme Strolling we did in Charleston all day today!  Cobblestone and brick were two of the street surfaces that paved the roads in front of some of the most beautiful homes I've ever seen!  (For more pictures of our day, see my main blog.)

Most of the streets were marked this way in the sidewalks.  There were also newer street signs on posts.  This one marked the street containing a lively enclosed market area.  We found this coffee place here.  I had a cappuccino muffin with chocolate chips (I can only HOPE they were dark chocolate!)

We also spent relaxing time overlooking Cooper Bay.  This is a must-see city.  I'm so glad we made the decision to come here.  I feel stimulated physically and mentally because of our time in this city of friendly people and historical roots.

Sauntering in South Carolina

After walking 30 minutes indoors early this morning, I spent many more minutes walking in Columbia, South Carolina, the state capitol.  The wonderful chocolate truffle I ate after a lunch of grilled cheese sandwich and fresh fruit was not the healthiest choice--but it WAS dark chocolate.  The weather was beautiful today!  Sunshine and fresh air are SO refreshing.

Tennessee Walkz

I walked at noon in Tennessee!  The temperature was warm; the sights were beautiful. Our friends live on a golf course, so there were many pleasurable things to see.  I also enjoyed hearing the bird songs.  

Outdoor walks are the best!