Crossing The Finish Line

I feel much better and more in control when I deal with the things that need to be dealt with.

So… welcome everyone to Day 1 of 100 Days of Encouragement; a brand new journey.  It would be much easier to throw the towel in and give up, but that would not make me happy. Ultimately, this is about me feeling happy about me, and you feeling happy about you. So, team, let’s get started. I know that some of you are gone on holidays, so have a lot of fun.

 As for me and the rest of the team, we will keep on keeping on and with good planning, determination, and tenacity, we will get there. Go team!

Day 100 – The Big Day AND,  the start of a whole new journey of 100 days.

 Well… the final tally is in, and it is not as much as I would like it to be, but I am proud of myself for having lost 11 pounds. I had hoped for at least 20 pounds, but the reality is that I am working on changing a lifetime of habits. If it takes me 200 or 300 days to get to my goal, then that is what I will do.

 One of the struggles I have had is working long hours on a new adventure. This has taken up much of my energy, and I hope things settle down a bit by mid August. Today I took Mercedes for two walks and pushed forward on the treadmill for 40 minutes.

Almost There

Days 97, 98 and 99 of the 100 Days of Encouragement.

 This is day 99!!!! Wow!  I can hardly believe it. My life has changed so much in the last 99 days. I have to say that I am pretty stuck right now. I am still going to start another 100 days, but may be posting every second day for the next 5 or 6 weeks, until I am done this course, that is very consuming of all of my time.

 I am in the later stages of negotiations, and look forward to being able to share my new business idea with you in the next month or so. As tomorrow is day 100, it would be great if any of you would like to send in any comments about what it has been like for you to be on this journey.

 Regardless of how tough the struggle gets, I am not giving up or quitting.  I want all of you to know that I have made the commitment to change my lifestyle for the rest of my life, and with determination, will get there.  So…    Wednesday starts the new 100 Days of Encouragement.  Lets keep on keeping on, and get to the goal no matter how long it takes.

Positive Motivation

Day 16 of the 9^th segment of 100 days. Day 96 of 100 Days of Encouragement

  There are only 4 days left in this 100 day journey. It really has been a blessing to have all of you join in. It has also been a learning experience for me, and I am slowly adopting better thinking habits and perspectives of myself. Negative thoughts like, I hate the way I look and feel may be good motivational kicks to get you started on changing your lifestyle; BUT, it will not sustain you in the long run. I have learned that I am not on a diet. This is a lifestyle change, which includes positive thinking patterns and beliefs.

 If you hired someone and constantly used negative motivation, they may not perform very well for very long, nor would they stay. The same factor holds true for self talk and motivation. Things like “I feel good about having lost the amount of weight that I have” “I know that I can and will succeed” “I will keep on keeping on no matter what” are far more motivating.

 This last week has been a getting back on track week for me after having worked at a burn out pace for a while. Although I will continue to be busy for some time yet, I am learning to pace myself and adjust. This includes getting my eating back into portion control mode. There are only 4 days left. Can you believe that 100 days can go by so fast? This coming Tuesday is 100 days. Wednesday morning I weigh in and I have decided to reward myself for all that I have accomplished and for the amount of weight that I have lost. As my jeans are all fitting pretty baggy these days, I have decided to go out and get some new ones to inspire me for the next 100 day journey. So on Wednesday, day 1 of the next 100 days,  I will start out with a positive reward and mindset to get myself started on another new and exciting journey. I hope that all of you will join in. Be sure to send in some comments so everyone can be encourged.

 As Tuesday is a week day, I will have to refrain from partying, but I will celebrate by taking some time to watch a couple of movies. The first one is “The Secret” and the second one is “The Opus.” These are 2 movies that provide positive motivation, along with the tools to succeed.  If ever there are 2 movies that you absolutely need to watch, it is these. I may keep these playing in the background on a daily basis for a while as they have such a positive influence on my overall thinking. If any of you have not seen these movies, do watch them soon, and please send in your comments to offer encouragement to others.

 While we complete the last 4 days of this 100 days, we also prepare for an exciting and positive new journey of another 100 days. So… we will keep on keeping on and change our lifestyle for the rest of our lives. Imagine the joy and feeling of reaching your goal weight AND maintaining it for the rest of our lives!!!  Go Team!!!!!!!!

Happy Canada Day!!

Days 13, 14 and 15 of the 9^th segment of 10 days. Day 95 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 Happy Canada Day everyone!  I want to apologize for missing a few days. I have been busy writing papers and putting in long hours. I am not sure how I will get through the last 5 days of this 100 days, but I know that I will need the next 200 days after that to keep this plan in action. I feel like I have been burning  the candle at both ends and have reached the middle, in other words there’s not much left. As for my weight loss in this past 5 days, well, I am not too sure about stepping on the scale. I guess I better jump onto the treadmill for an hour before I head out to watch the fireworks.

 I know that I still have another 6 weeks to get to get through the intensive program, and, work on putting my new business together at the same time. Exciting things have been happening, and I had the artist come over today and create sketches for me to send to the manufacturer. When I get further ahead in the project I hope to be able to let the “cat out of the bag” so to speak, and share in my new venture with you.

 When I began this 100 day journey I could not have imagined the incredible life changes I have experienced. For starters I have lost some weight and changed careers. Although the weight loss is not going as well as I would like it to be at this time, I know that I will get to the goal. One thing I know about me is that no matter how tough things get, I keep at it until I reach the goal. So be assured that I will hang in there and succeed. The good news is that we all will.  

 Please feel free to contact me anytime, just to say hello, to chat, or to ask for support. Right now, it could do me some good to hear that others are doing better at the weight loss than I am. Have to get onto the treadmill now, so keep on keeping on, because we will get there.

Stuck In A Rut

Day 11 of the 9^th segment of 10 days. Day 91 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 Day 12 of the 9^th segment of 10 days. Day 92 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 Well, I have hit a wall and a burn out. I have become stuck in a rut. I have been pushing pretty hard for about a month, and I sense that I am running out of energy and strength to stay on track. I weighed in on Sunday morning and found that I have not lost any more weight.

 For the past few days, I have not written down what I have been eating, and I noticed that I am slipping. So… tonight I prepared the menu diary to write things down tomorrow. I will go to bed earlier tonight, and plan my meals for tomorrow and the rest of the week.

 I know that I am in this business course for the next 7 weeks, so I will just have to manage my time and energy by planning, and taking better care of myself.

 So, if anyone is praying out there, I guess I have to do what I am telling others to do. Reach out and ask for support. Like it or not, I am staying with this commitment and will do another 200 days. So let’s buckle up and keep on keeping on. There is no giving up or turning back.

Daily Encouragement: Something for God to Take Care Of

We can sometimes get so caught up in repeatedly asking God for help with our problems that we forget to listen to what he has to say to us. His message could go like this:

This is God. Today I will be handling all of your problems for you. I do not need your help.  So, have a nice day. I love you.

P.S.  And, remember…..

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it on your own.  Kindly put it in the SFGTTCO (something for God to take care of) box. I will get to it when I know that the time is just right, and in your best interest. All situations will be resolved, but in my time.

Now, you have a nice day.

God

Journal Entry: Managing Indecision and Frustration

What to do when you don’t know what direction in which to turn?

Indecision triggers fear and can be paralyzing. It also tends to be very draining emotionally. The solution is to tell God that you need Him to open only the right path, and block the wrong path.

Make a decision, even if you are uncertain it is the right one. Look at what is in front of you and determine a plan. Boldly take a step forward and watch how your pathway twists and turns to get you to where you are meant to be.  Keep going forward, even if the way seems unclear, slow moving, and overwhelmingly frustrating. There are invisible powers that exist to protect you and will manifest in the journey. The unique treasure of experience will unfold into a personal revelation of God in your life.   

No one ever said it was going to be easy. Never the less, there is always a solution. Keep on believing and going forward. 

Poem: Never Give Up

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all up-hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have a sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is strange with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When we might have won had we stuck it out;

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow…

You may succeed with another blow,

Success is failure turned inside out…

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit…

It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit        Author Unknown

Daily Encouragement: A Little Hope Can Go A Long Way

Everyone has something that they are going through. Just remember that everything is going to be OK. May you be encouraged that God always provides a ray of hope if you watch for it. This may come from an external or internal source. If you are having a hard time finding a source of hope and inspiration, look into your past. Each of us has a time that God answered prayer. Hold on to the experience of that special time in your life, knowing for certain that the sun will shine again. 

You get better mileage on the road of life when you run on hope than despair.

Daily Encouragement: Live Out Your Dreams

May you trust that each day you are where you are meant to be.  Allow creative energy to come to and flow through you as you step out in faith. May each new step in your journey bring you closer to living out your dreams.  It is here that you learn to walk on the waters of life. Hold on to your faith and keep going forward.