It isn't about arriving

Just the other day I was talking with my mom and she had some really wise words for me. I was complaining about not seeing changes, and how long this process was probably going to take. I told her I wanted to know when I was going to be thin. She turned to me and said "Sarah, it isn't about getting there, it is about life change."

Well duh, why didn't I think about that. I mean of course it shouldn't be about the end but it should be about making the lasting changes that I want. But sometimes it is really just hard to do that.

The other day I was also reading a great book. In this book it was talking about barriers and limitations. I know that there are a couple of big things that have the potential to limit me and keep me from achieving my dreams and goals. One of the things that it talked about was why it was so hard to keep promises we make to ourselves.

I see this in my life when I say i am getting up for the gym but don't, or when I say that I am going to start eating even better and then find that it is so easy for me to justify eating whatever I want to. This book talked about how when we don't keep our promises to our selves we are not keeping them to God, and will likely not keep them to other people. Because it all begins with finding value in ourselves enough to keep the agreements and promises we make to ourselves in front of God.

So what does that mean, it means that tomorrow morning it is off to the gym. Time to stop justifying! Finding the value in myself, to consider myself worthy of the lasting life change I want, and being willing to dig deep inside and find that the worth I have come from a God who loves me and wants the best for me. Therefore it is time to stop giving myself the room for excuses, that I have in the past.

Unexpected journeys

Life has a great way of taking us on unexpected journeys. This past week has been a great example. I had the joy and privaledge of going and visiting a dear dear friend and my Aunt this last week. The time was short but so rich. Then upon my return from them I was dumping dirty laundry and packing new laundry and heading out for a weekend retreat with 18 middle schoolers. These kids were amazing! I had such a great time.

But it was during this unscheduled journey that I realized I have no contingency plan for when things take a sudden turn. I think many of us are like that. We do really well when we are operating in our controlled environment. When we know just how to travel to work to avoid temptation (DD drive thru) and we know just what will try to jump out at us from the grocery store. But what happens when we find ourselves traveling , away from our routine, and feeling like a renegade.

I found that I struggle. So tday was a back on track day. And it felt Good. So the moral is allow those little journeys but be prepared to come back face your laundry and get back on schedule.

End of February Weigh in

Today was weigh in day. I was not looking forward to it. I just feel as though this journey is taking forever, but I guess I can only make it one step at a time.

However, today is a day to celebrate. I am now down 5 lbs in Body Fat, and up 5 lbs in muscle weight...which means... I didn't loose a single pound.. OK so that didn't make me want to celebrate, but I am down 2% in my total body fat category... so that is something to celebrate and only a small percentage to go until I am in my target range. ANd down another 3.5 inches. Making the total.....drum roll please......

11.75 inches, and 4 pounds.... (ok ..that is not as great as I was hoping... ok who I am kidding it is really frustrating) but on the other hand. It isn't ... I didn't get to this weight over night... or in a few months it was a life time. So I just hope that these slower results with produce quality life change..not just temporary.

So lets join together and celebrate..anyone want an orange!

Talk to you soon.

Frustration

Well, my nerves are now getting the best of me. I am supposed to go to my training session, and I now have a nervous stomache because once again it is that time of the month, time to step on to the scale and see if things are getting lower.

I know that it should not be about the numbers, but lets be honest with each other it is. I am hoping to see the numbers go down. If they aren't down this month then we are going to have to make some drastic changes.

It has been so great to find out just how many people are taking this same journey. It is definately a challenge at times is it not. But it is worth it ...why because we are worth it.

Each of us is worth the time and effort it takes to win the battles that lead to healthy lifestyles. It is hard, and many days it feels like I am taking several steps backwards, but in spite of this we need to press on.

Snow is melting but are the pounds

I have always had a great love for the winter. Skiing, sledding, and simply watching the snow fall have been joys and blessings for me in past winters. Why is it then that this winter I am done. I hope it isn't a sign of me loosing my child likeness.

I was sitting in the office today and looked out the window and smiled the sun was out, the snow was shining and you could feel the hope of spring coming. I love that it is the little things that renew our hope. Sometimes it can be the simplest things that just remind me that God is in the midst of all things.

So then I wonder why is it that when I see so little, well I see no progress that it is so hard to hold onto that hope that this time it will be different. If I can be honest with you, which I am going to be... I am struggling. This snow storm really derailed me. It would be so easy to just give up and count it all as yet another attempt, but I am holding on to the fact that this time it is different. THat tomorrow I will be up and back in the gym, and seeing myself moving closer to the goal. I made some good choices when it comes to food today, but I am just feeling so discouraged. Wondering if this will be a pattern for my life or if there can really be freedom from this cycle.

I wonder what it takes to really make this something I don't struggle with... Why is health something so many of us struggle with, we constantly have to put in effort just to win the mental battle to stay healthy.

Well tomorrow will be another day! A better day!