Thirty-One Gifts

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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

I'm Not Perfect

It's hard to swallow your pride.  It's hard for me to admit that I have flaws.  I'm human.

From Christmas to New Year's, I gained seven pounds.  Kills me.  However, I know with a good week of water to flush out the salt and toxins and some exercise will fix the problem quickly.  I hope.  I so wanted to make it through the holidays having KEPT IT OFF.  Now, according to the numbers, I did lose more than I gained over the holiday period, which I count from Halloween to Jan 1st.

I have to be happy with that.  However, I have to get back on track.  I know I will keep gaining if I don't get a grip on the food and exercise as well.  We've been eating out lately and not kept a lot of food on hand, as we have both been busy, so I will have to remedy that.  If the food is here, healthy or not, I will eat it.

First Step - Clean out your fridge and pantry and put good food in it, and if you can't do it all at once, then take a few bad things out at a time, switching them for something healthy that you like.

Second Step-  Go on Live Strong and My Pal Tracker (both free), and track your weight on My Pal, and on Live Strong as well, but Live Strong has more content.

So, I'm not perfect.  But, I'm not done yet. :)

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Diet is "Die" with a T

Okay, this is controversial.  I detest diets, food plans, and diet products.  Note: They may work for many people, and I'm not about to say if it works, don't change, but these did not work for me:  6 times for Weight Watchers, 3 Redbook Diets, Atkins twice, Gym plans, the South Beach Diet, Richard Simmons Meal-A-Deal twice, liquid diets, and when I was a teen- diet pills.  NONE worked for me.  They only made me more fat.  However, I know people that are on some of the popular programs, and they are doing well.  Can't take that away from them.

Diets just don't work for me.  I had to have a full-blown food overhaul and intervention.  I intervened, and refilled my fridge, freezer, and cabinets.  Hey, even my purse has healthy snacks.  But, once I let go of my favorite junk food, fried food, and other assorted bad habits, all you are left with are healthy choices.  It truly is a change of lifestyle.  People told me that for years, and I didn't believe them, but it's true.  You can't go back to the way you were eating, as that will put the weight back on.

Don't think short-term.  Think long-term, no matter how little or much you have to lose.  The habits you make in your resolutions or goals should be forever.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Resolutions? I think not!

There is a difference between a resolution and a goal.  Everyone makes resolutions, and they don't mean anything.  Why?  Here's the definition of resolution:

  1. a firm decision to do or not to do something.
    intent, plan, aim, and decision

    • .
          the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
          "the peaceful resolution of all disputes"

The first word is "intention," and that is not a set goal.  It's simply the intent to do something.  Intent, aim, plan, and a decision don't include ACTION.  You can make all the plans and decisions you want, but they aren't full of movement.  They will sit there like a lead balloon.

Here's the definition for a goal:

"A result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end."

Set goals.  They require more than a plan.  You have to carry them out, or there is no use setting them in the first place.  There is a beginning and an end.  

My goal for this year is to lose 100 pounds.  It's just less than 10 pounds per month, and I know I can do it - if I exercise a lot.  My goal is to exercise 3-5 days per week.  If I maintain the exercise, the pounds will drop.  I don't "plan" to put into action; I am going to do it.  

You set goals every single day.  You always have a "To Do" list.  Put yourself on it first.