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!

Climb Interrupted

If you're wondering about my "climb", take a look at my other blog.  I've been temporarily sidelined.  But I shall complete the climb shortly. 

The Climb - Day 9

...run...walk...crawl... They did it ALL!

In observing and entertaining grandchildren the past few days, I've had plenty of opportunity to move in new, colorful ways!

Sometimes "the climb" gets boring and the main view is the hard rock of the mountain side.

But seeing all the options out there for kids,  I'm determined to add some new, colorful options to my "climb"!

Just this past week I heard that the 30 minute of exercise a day once recommended has now been expanded to 60!  The coming of warmer weather brings with it many opportunities for extra minutes of  colorful climbing for me.

I want to keep exploring, keep moving, and keep my sense of wonder at all the new things waiting for me out there!

The Climb - Day 8 - Encountering the Unexpected

The "unexpected" has crossed my route to the summit!  It has come in several forms - including computer glitches that reveal how important blogging has become to me in journaling my weight management experiences!  It is almost impossible for me to upload pictures to my blogs.  Just now, when a spell check indicated a problem, uploading the correction sent the computer into a tizzy!  (I chose another word instead.)  I simply have despaired of blogging for the time being.  But the climb MUST go on.  I will adjust and continue.

A second "unexpected" is how having our two grandchildren with us the past few days has affected my schedule.  The control I thought I had over my time and energy expenditure has been compromised.  (It's called "grandparenting", I think).  They will be returning home tomorrow.  Meanwhile, I will adjust and continue.

Adjust and continue.  That is my mantra for today!  Fellow climbers, how are YOU doing?  

The Climb - Day 5 - "The Art of Resting"

From our reading in Streams in the Dessert Volume 2 this morning:  "The art of resting at noon" (Song of Solomon 1:7) "has been lost, and many are succumbing to the strain of  life which is being lived in 'high gear'.  Rest is not a sedative for the sick, but a tonic for the strong."

All around me--sickness; sadness; discouragement!  REST, my friends!  How many of our illnesses, how much discouragement, how many stresses would be avoided if we consistently rested?

In the word of Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, "See that your clock does not run down!"  (I realize for many of younger readers, the idea of a clock running down is a strange allegory!  Most watches no longer need wound.  Few clocks need winding.  But this hasn't changed--the body needs rest.)

IS it "THE CLIMB"? DAY 4

In all fairness to Miley (see previous post), I should probably listen to the whole song.  But while it's true that it "Ain't how fast I get there", it IS  "about what's waiting on the other side"!

THAT I climb and HOW I climb are incredibly important--in practicing healthy habits AND in life generally.

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity...do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Ephesians 5:15-17).  I've written in the margin of my Bible here:  "careful, aggressive, wise".  In THAT sense, "It's the climb...." .

But in the BIG picture, it IS about what's waiting on the other side!   

So, in my climb today, a big part of my incentive in practicing healthy habits (AND in life generally) IS what's waiting on the other side.  I need this persepctive to keep me going forward and upward.  It's just too hard without the expectation of what's on the other side.  (And truth be told, I'd never do the repelling thing in real life no matter WHAT was on the other side!)

The Climb - Day 3

"Ain't how fast I get there,
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side.
It's the climb...."
 Looks like Miley Cyrus is climbing with us!  I haven't heard it - just came across the words (you can google "The Climb" and see all the lyrics).

I woke well before dawn, wrote in my journal, read the Bible and prayed, and tackled a few tasks before walking my 30 minute indoor walk.  A phone call came in the middle of my walk, so I didn't get my rebounding minutes in, but decided to stop at 30 minutes anyway.

I threw some potatoes, carrots and diced tomatoes into the crock pot with some seasonings and will heat up left over chicken breast to serve for our mid-afternoon meal.

We had fruit smoothies last night.  Yum! Yum!  (Some frozen blueberries and mangoes with some V8 Tropical Colada--something I had purchased for our Sunday night birthday celebration.  They turned out very well.)

Fellow climbers are checking in!  Good to be climbing together, isn't it?

The Climb - Day 2

I know nada about about mountain climbing actually.  But I like what I see in the picture above -- not the chill, but the companionship!  It is comforting and energizing to have company on my climb!  Let's keep one another encouraged.

Looking back on Day 1, I am pleased with the progress.  Except for about 14 tortilla chips, I stuck to the "path".  And Day 2 has dawned with promise and opportunity to make good choices!  I've checked my gear (W, E, and F), and I'm ready to climb!

THE CLIMB - DAY 1

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob.  He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his path..."  (Micah 4:2)

My "path" is not just a diet or exercise plan.  It is a higher path I'm traveling.  It's sort of hard to explain.  It is not a temporary quest.  It is an eternal one.  It is closely entwined with my experience of God and the conversion of my will(power) that came about when I yielded to my "Higher Power".  (Incidentally, my Higher Power is not just an intangible source of motivation and energy.  He is a real and incredible Person with sure and life-changing power.) 

My ulterior motivation is not to lose 5 pounds or even attain a reasonable level of fitness, though that is an expected side benefit.  My ultimate motivation is experiencing the thrill of the climb that comes from learning and walking in God's path.

I've been there before.  Then I took a side-trip that seemed pleasurable to me --blizzards, a piece of pie or two, being lazy about exercise, and ignoring the scale.  God's way FOR ME (not telling you what it is for you) is to walk a different path.  And it is a good one (just not so sweet-laden).

So far today, I've exercised (E);  planned meals/food for today (F); and drunk 16 oz. of water (W).  I'm loving this path!  The climb has begun.  My equipment is minimal (E, F, and W).

Give Me This Mountain!

The Motivation to Live Well for today - 3/21/2010 - reads:  Imagine your goal at the top of a mountain. You’ll never reach it if you don’t start climbing.

Since the sail and wind images of the past week needed another visual push, I'm adopting this one.  I'm visualizing my mountain as 14 miles high (one per day, culminating on Easter)!  I will be recording my "climb" each day (God willing)--  not for anyone else but myself.  Of course, you are welcome to climb along.

This afternoon I'll spend a little time planning my climb checking out all my equipment.  My official climb begins tomorrow morning before the sun rises in Indiana!  

The goal (top of the mountain) is to get the sugar out of my system and return to days of primarily eating vegetables and fruit and exercising for 30 minutes per day/5 days a week.  Hopefully those practices over the next two weeks will result in an approximate weight loss of 5 pounds.  

Joshua 14:12 (Caleb speaking):  "So now give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke on this day...The Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said."