How Far Ahead Can you See?

Day 21 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 Hello everyone. I’m sure that you have noticed that I have been away for a while. I realize that I made a commitment to post daily, but I took a little holiday away from everything. Well, I am having to work at keeping the original weight loss from coming back on and started taking the right steps. I think I hit a burn out from all that I have been doing, but I have to say that I am happy to be back. I said that I will not give up. Maybe take a break or fall back a little, but NEVER GIVE UP. I know that there isn’t anything that I won’t be able to overcome as long as I keep believing that and working at it. The day will come.

 What pushes us to unconscious eating and/or overeating?  Stress!!  We are all waiting for a time when there isn’t any stress. Well, guess what? That only happens when you are dead, so start practicing conscious eating. That’s what I’ve been working at for some years, and I have at least gotten to this point where I am starting to chip away at the weight.  Fear ignites worry and stress, and much of the time it is because we can’t see far enough into the future to feel safe.

 It is like the analogy of travelling at night from one location to another. You start out knowing that it may be a 3 hour drive and you get into your vehicle and drive from point A until you arrive at Point B. If it is night time and we can only see 160 – 300 feet, depending whether they are on high or low beam. What is really important to note is that when you travel the 300 feet that you can see with your headlights, another 300 hundred feet of light becomes available again and again until you get to your destination.

 What we know is that whatever we need for the moment we have or can access. When we are ready and need something more, that next step will be there for us. It’s about when you are ready. I know that I need to keep going forward with life and I will get there. It doesn’t mean that there won’t be obstacles and challenges. It just means that when you believe and keep going forward in faith, it will be there.

 So… let’s keep on keeping on and we will get there.

There’s No Excuse

Day 12 of 100 Days of Encouragement

 I’ve noticed that I have allowed myself to have many excuses for falling off my eating plans. It seems that the unconscious just finds ways to get that food. Well, today I said, “there are no more excuses.”

 Each time I felt that tug to reach for food, I told myself, “no more excuses. I will take responsibility for my life and make choices that will ultimately make me happier.”  When issues and uncertainty surface, I have learned to turn to thanking God for taking care of everything in the past, present and future. I only need to focus on what is in front of me and around me, and take care of that.

 Today I stayed on track for the first time in a long time, and still put in a full day. When I was tired, I eventually found a little time to rest.

 So… there are no more excuses team. We can and will get victory and reach our goals. Let’s keep on keeping on, because we will get there together.

Getting Back Up

Day 7 of 100 Days of Encouragement

I want to apologize for being away from the blog for almost a week. As all of you have read, I have been overwhelmed with all of the new challenges of building a new business. During this time I let go of keeping good records of what I eat, have been eating a lot of  fast food, and have not had the energy to exercise. This has resulted in my gaining a few pounds back.

Today I decided that I have to get back on track. Even though it has been raining for a few days, I finally took my little dog out for a walk, in the rain. As the picture explains, I need to get back at it until I am successful at my quest. My goal is to change my habits and lifestyles for the rest of my life. For those of you that have been faithfully staying on track, I commend you.

Although this challenge has not been easy, I will not give up, as I know that many of you will not give up either. So… let’s keep on keeping on, because we can and will experience victory.

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.

The Road To The Goal

Days 3 and 4 of the 9^th segment of 10 days 

Days 83 and 84 of 100 Days of Encouragement

It has been a beautiful sunny and warm weekend, as well as very busy. Although it has been a good weekend, I have to tell you that it has been quite a challenge trying to get back on track, with all of the changes and transitions that are happening.

 Transitions have a way of adding excitement as well as stress and uncertainty. It is during times of uncertainty that you have to walk by faith and not by sight. Well, it sounds easy enough to say, but walking the walk is much different than talking the talk. This is where the rubber meets the road, and I have to live in reality. Despite the trials and struggles, I have to say that I am thankful for all of the support I have, for all of the opportunities, and for an abundance of blessings. I am also very thankful for this great team. It is a pleasure to hear from you and I feel blessed to be sharing this journey with you in this life changing experience.

 One thing for sure is that when you decide to deal with something like changing eating habit and thinking patterns, you are going to run up against some emotional and psychological challenges. These may even play out in your day-to-day life, which is usually the case. It can seem like you’re going through hell.

 Today I heard someone repeat a famous quote made by Winston Churchill, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”  The only way out is to keep going. It seems like the challenges pile on top of each other and keep growing, but I will keep on keeping on, because I know that no matter how many times I fall down, I will get back up and get there. I know that if I can make it, anyone can.

Up a Ways and Then Down a Bit

Day 1 or the 8^th segment of 10 days. Day 71 of 100 Days of Encourgement.

This morning was weigh-in. I had lost 2 pounds as of day 68, but this weekend was challenging and I took the liberty of eating extra portions and junk food.

 But, the good news is that I still lost 1 pound in the last 10 days. That’s a grand total of 11 pounds. I will keep on keeping on and will get to the goal. Today I got back on track and feel much better. I have to plan and work at not seeing exercise as an excuse to eat chocolate and whatever else I want.

 This journey feels like the picture. Climb up a ways and they fall back a little into a dip or little valley, then back up a long ways, and down a little…

 I have to tell you that it has not been an easy journey for me, but I have never been more determined, just as many of you are. We can count on crossing the finish line with the biggest smiles on our faces and joy beyond measure in our hearts.