The Encouragement of Friends

You just never know the good your words or actions may trigger in another person!  This morning, Donna's post was on my mind.   Besides being happy with/for her, it served to prod me to put my "pedal to the metal"*!

It helped that I woke up with new energy after sleeping most of the last 24 hours.  After a week of stomach upset, I finally THINK I feel better.  I have no excuse to put off the proper care and feeding of my body

So after saying "good-bye" to my husband, I put the trampoline down on the floor and began my 30 minute walk/workout.  Now, at 7:45 a.m., I am drinking a glass of water and celebrating.  I did it!

* When the accelerator is pushed so far it can't move any more, (in some cars) it hits a metal bar, or the end of the footwell (which is hopefully made of metal). Hence the term pedal to the metal. Obviously if you have the accelerator all the way forward you're gonna be gathering speed...or going fairly fast.

Thanks, Donna!  

I Thessalonians 5:11:  "Therefore encourage on another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

I Walked and Walked and Walked Some More

I didn't walk 30 minutes today;  I walked more like two hours.
I didn't walk quickly today;  I did some strolling.
I didn't walk alone today; I walked with my husband.
It wasn't cool today;  it was hot.
I didn't walk inside my house today;  I walked through other peoples' homes and gardens.

To see more of the OUTDOOR scenes that I saw, click here.

I'm WITH It!

This is the path from our side yard to the front door.  This week (as many of you know) I began a path.  A path of 3 days without white flour, pasta & rice.  I was successful and got back to 30 minutes of walking daily, too.  I'm not at the "front door" yet, but I'm on the way.

More important than what I went WITHOUT is what I am WITH!  I am WITH energy--emotional and physical.  I'm going to get serious about finding the article that triggered this three-day dare.  It made sense then; it makes sense now.  I'd just like to read it in full again.

Losing It With Jillian

In my weight loss journey of last year, I pretty much eliminated breads and pasta from my daily menus.  Concentrating on fruits and vegetables with occasional chicken or fish, I successfully lost over 40 pounds.  Gradually, I have drifted back into eating breads and pasta -- too much, too often.  

After reading a chiropractors blog yesterday, I accepted his challenge to eliminate breads, pasta, & white flour completely for three days and take note of my energy levels and emotional responses.  Today was Day 1.  Already I believe I have more energy.  I didn't feel sluggish and sleepy in the afternoon.  I intend to follow this plan the next two days.

I came to the end of the day and hadn't exercised.  While flipping TV channels, I came across a show that was new to me:  Losing It With Jillian*.  After about 15 minutes of watching a husband and wife with significant weight to lose do so intensive workouts, I got out of my chair and did my 30 minute indoor walking routine while I watched.

I'm really thankful that I did it. I plan to do it early tomorrow morning instead of putting it off until 8:30 p.m.!

*Losing It With Jillian: Jillian Michaels To Rid Families Of Their Excuses and Empower Them To Transform Their Lives In a New Life-Changing Series (from a Press Release)

"I've Been Resting on my Laurels"

(Sung to tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad") 

I've been resting on my laurels

Far too many days!

I've been resting on my laurels;

But I'm done with lazy ways.

So I got back to my work-out.

Now to plan my meals...

I've been resting on my laurels

But now I'm back to "real"!

Centuries ago, the Greeks crowned the victor in the Pythian Games with a wreath of laurels in the belief that laurels communicated the spirit of prophecy and poetry.  (They also reportedly put laurel leaves under their pillows to acquire inspiration!)  The laurel in modern times is a symbol of victory and peace and of excellence in literature and the arts.

The phrase "Rest on your laurels" refers to being so satisfied with past achievement that you make no effort to improve--to stop trying because of one's success or satisfaction with the past.

Well, I'm DONE with that!  I've even been inspired to hijack the words to an old song to sing of my resolution and effort today! 

Sing along, if you want!

Days Well-Lived at the Abbey

A solitary walk up this hill yielded this close up of Joseph and Jesus....

Another day, a hike with friends took us to the statues.

Healthy meals (and no in-between-meal snacks) and daily outings like these contributed to my PHYSICAL well-being.  My emotions and spirit were similarly nurtured.  I hope to honor the time I enjoyed at Gethsemani by continuing these practices.

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.