Endurance

A show of hands, has anyone else noticed that losing weight is not easy?  How about when you are over 30?  It is like my metabolism is staging a boycott yelling..”Heck no, We won’t go!”.  I have been on my wealth of health journey since last Thanksgiving.  By now I want the numbers on the scale to say less but the “fat” is slooooowly coming off. And I do mean slow. It’s frustrating.  At times, you almost feel like giving up. My self talk: I could try some quick fad diet and lose record weight in little to no time but what would that do?  For me, taking me right back in the place of never really learning the act of discipline.  If you are a parent isn’t this what we attempt to convey to our children.  No shortcuts, no easy routes, do it right the first time, give it all you’ve got!  Yep, as a mother of three children under the age of 6 years old. I had to swallow my pill today of “easy.”

Two weeks ago was a tough one.  I had an emotional charged situation and instead of expressing how I felt I turned to my old faithful companion:Food. I binged for two days as I processed what I had to deal with.  The hard reality after seven months of doing it “right” I went  back to my old habits.  I was disgusted with myself.  And I could feel it that Monday at the gym.  I felt alone. mad. sad. defeated.  I knew in that moment how a drug addict felt.  I did what I only knew how to do. I prayed. Yes, I prayed about my lack of discipline.  I had to put it on the altar so God could consume my issues with food.  I am encouraged to know God answers when His daughter calls.

In my time I learned a few things: I am not looking for a quick fix.  This is my way of life.  I have gone from never exercising to having a regular workout regime.  It will take time for my body and mind to get use to that.  I need accountability.  I can no longer be the lone ranger.  Just as a new believer in Christ I allowed people to teach, direct and hold me to the fire, I must have that same attitude in this “new” life.  And lastly, I have to renew my mind to food, exercise and my overall health.

My first step was to reach out to my workout partner “Beth” especially when I feel like down a whole case of Oreo cookies.  This is a huge step for me.  I am use to “taking care” of everything for everyone.  To admit I may need some help especially to someone who I am still getting to know made me vulnerable.  I need accountability.  I also decided to speak with someone about nutrition.  I can’t doing all this work and “eating” it back up. And finally, I decided to share my fitness goals with you. I am a transparent person, at least I would like to think so but the following let’s the world know what’s in my heart. (deep breath, so here it is goes)

• lose 45 pounds
• better relationship with food and money(will explain later)
• run/walk in a 5k( a walk or run)
• mud run (I know I have lofty goals)
• learn how to swim this summer
• wear a bathing suit
• build endurance
• stick with it

I am so grateful to all of you who send words of encouragement.  Please know I do not take it lightly.  Your encouragement has been the push I needed many days.  Along with the support of “Beth”, family and friends. I can say I am a blessed woman.  There are some “haters” but they only drive me not to quit.  My faith in Christ has been a great asset on those days when encouragement may seem far and few between.  Here are the two scriptures I am quoting this week.  I especially was saying the first during my first ever 6 mile walk/run last week.

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  Matthew 24:13 NLT

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6:12 NIV

Run Forest, Run!

I have not posted in a while on my “wealth to health” so here is an update. I have joined my local YMCA. I have a workout partner and attend at least two classes within two days: Three C’s(core, cardio and conditioning) and Zumba.  I really enjoy Zumba. Did you know you can burn over 1,000 calories in one class? The first time I went I left class drenched in sweat.  It was a good workout.  I still attend my weight watchers meetings.  I have discovered on Pinterest several weight watcher friendly recipes that my family enjoys. (sidenote: some I had to adjust because the point value was under the old system.)   I have changed my eating habits and started drinking more water.  I had a “bad” weight in.  Not sure if you can call it “bad”. I gained a pound, not sure how because my pants are literally falling off.  I am losing inches and that is fine with me.  I am not stressing anymore over the number on the scale.  This is the best I have felt and looked in a long time.  My family is even starting to notice.  My parents came to visit and complimented me on losing weight.  You must understand that is huge coming from my rather vocal west indian parents. 

Then on yesterday I had another discovery.  I ran. Yes, while on my walk in the park as I was listening to worship music, I felt a prompting to run.  My first thought was how? You are probably thinking just get your feet moving.  oh, if it could be that easy.  But I can not remember the last time I just ran without chasing or lunging for my active 1-year-old son. My second thought, what if people see me? You know breathing heavy, arms flailing about like I am having a seizure not so pretty. Again, I felt the urging stronger now to just run. I know it was Christ speaking to me.  One thing I KNOW in all my years of being a born again Christian is when God is prompting me to do something that is outside my comfort zone.  Usually, this call to action is bigger than me and more often than not has spiritual ramifications. So I abandoned all self-doubt, fear and thoughts about others and I ran… and ran… and ran. My chest was tight, burning like I just swallowed gasoline, my legs ached but I RAN.  Within my one mile walk, I ran at least three times.  I may have looked like a sloppy mess but at least I did it.  There is a reward for when you are obedient to the Lord.  Towards the end of my time at the park, I threw my hands in the air, abandoning now all thoughts of who is around me and completely without shamed starting thanking God for the ability to run.  Oh, how we take the little things for granted! Immediately, I had this thought, I would actually do that again, run that is.  There is so much the Lord has taught me during this season of my “wealth of health” about Him, I one day hope to write more about it.  Until then, I am enjoying my Rocky Balboa moment and pray you have one today too.

In His Super Grace

Ro:)

Rocky Balboa

Dropping LBS?!?!

  Say what? I actually got on the scale and I lost 2 lbs! I jumped off and got back again and sure enough I had lost 2 lbs. Go me, Go me, Go me!  It’s a small start but it was the encouragement I needed. Since I started this journey I have lost a total of 7 lbs.   This weight loss was the encouragement I needed after doing a radical change in my eating habits.  My goal: drop 45 lbs. So just 38 more to go. What’s my current weight you ask? You would want to know… but I am not ready to bare all just yet.  Umm, maybe one day(wink, wink).  I want to say thank you so much to all of you for the sweet comments, recipes and encouragement, this girl needs it.  It helps me to know people are counting on me when I have days when I want to eat that whole sleeve of Oreo cookies(or trust me, I can do it!).

So for all of you are on the journey to health and thinking about giving up… YOU.BETTA.NOT. Here is some encouragement I found on Pinterest and looking around on google, enjoy!

In His Super Grace(Your workout partner)

Ro:)

Food for Thought

I did it. I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting on Monday.  I was a bit overwhelmed by the process at first however, I am glad I did. Before I share about my experience let me just clear this up. I am NOT joining Weight Watchers because J. Hud has lost all that weight.  No, I am joining because I need accountability and their points system really intrigues me.  I have done my research, spoken to several people about the program and decided to travel almost twenty minutes away from home to attend Monday’s meeting. 

When I arrived at Harvest Baptist Church I was almost intimidated. The parking lot was full.  At first, I thought it was a Sunday morning service.  Little did I know that what was going on inside was reminiscent to small group bible study.   Once I entered the fellowship hall I met Joanie, the class facilitator and lifetime member with Weight Watchers.  She went over some information about the Weight Watchers then allowed me to sit in on the weekly meeting.  Today’s topic: Eating during the Super Bowl.  I found a seat in the back of the room.  For years, I would be very skeptical of these type of “support groups” but here I am sitting in this metal chair in desperate need of support.  Joanie talked to us about sticking with the “points” even with attending a Super Bowl party.  She spoke about eating a meat lovers pizza with all the most fattest meat  and how “bad” you feel afterwards. I giggled to myself because actually I feel pretty good afterwards.  Seriously, I noticed a common theme throughout the meeting  I must renew my mind to eating. Until this point, I never planned what I ate nor did I really consider portion control. All things Weight Watchers highly urge you do.  I must PLAN to eat healthy, I must PLAN to change or substitute my high sodium diet and I must PLAN to stay within my allocated points if I truly want success.  Romans 12:2 reads:

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

My old stinking thinking had to go and go soon! In this meeting I also learned there is a difference between a snack and a treat. Did you know that? I guess I never thought about it.  But as I sat in this meeting once again my thoughts challenged me.  How could have eaten so poorly for so long and other destructive habits.  However, I did get some encouragement.  I learned people who keep food journals have good success in weight loss.  I purchased one the night before at Barnes and Noble for $2.  It has really helped me in keeping track of my points and consider what I am eating.    As the meeting started to close, our “Pastor” Joanie celebrated those who have lost weight thus far and ended the meeting with this thought, “We are born to win but we must plan to win…”  Immediately I went home and started putting what I learned to practice. And I started working out… again. That’s for another blog post. Already I notice a difference in my approach to food. I have started retraining myself in using “healthier” food to celebrate milestones and I certainly snack more on veggies(Mom would be proud).  However, I need some really good recipes in my arsenal on those tough days.  Do you have any healthy snacks or dinner suggestions? Please share in the comment line.

In His Super Grace

Ro:)

 See my prior Journey to Health post.

Disclaimer:It is essential that you seek professional advice for all issues about your health. Do not take any of the information in this blog (either in posts or comments) as professional advice.  Posts and comments on this blog are not intended to be used in place of  professional advice, unless implicitly indicated in the blog post.

Brownies, Cakes and Pies, Oh My!

I wrote this recent post for Lexington Medical Center’s Every Woman Blog. I wanted to share it with you because honestly, I need the encouragement.  Please post comments here or over there just make to leave ’em. Here is what I wrote:

I love the holidays.  It is such a great time with family and friends.  However, after house hopping and picking up plates or eating at every location, I realized the holidays are bad for my waistline.  So I am doing something rather unconventional.  I am boycotting the holiday feast all together, well sort of.  I am avoiding the sweets! (Whatcha talkin bout Willis)  I know really, I picked the worst time to start this or did I?  I have tried several times to kick the sweet/carb life with it only to last for a short season.  No, there are no health issues, but I discovered something about myself the other day.  Here goes my confession: I am a thirty something woman who eats like she is a child.

I enjoy eating fruits and veggies, but of late I eat as my friend would say “dead food.”  What is dead food? Food that is processed, loaded in sugar, empty calories, dyed and overall F-A-K-E.  I have also been a professed “foodie.”  I enjoy food.  My family is from the Caribbean, so in our culture we celebrate everything around food.  If you get married there is a party with a big spread, someone gets divorced there is a party with a big spread, you have a baby, there is a party with a big spread, etc, etc, etc. I think you get where I am coming from.  About a month ago I decided to crucify my desires.  Not so I can get into a dress, but because I want to live long and strong for my family.  I am well aware there is an enemy already trying to take me out, why help him (John10:10).   Besides, with all the things I am active in; my health must be up to par to maintain it, right? So I started with the one basic question: “When do I find myself turning to sweets?”  The answer:  During times when I am happy and when I am sad.  Well, that is pretty much all the time.

Now that I know I am an emotional eater it is time to do something about it.  I am a firm believer that things cannot change if they remain in the dark.  I decided with this month’s blog I would expose myself in hopes of encouraging you to tackle TODAY an area you KNOW you need to CHANGE.  I have found personally excuses rob you of your tomorrow, potential, and dreams.  Sure, I could have waited to the New Year and do the whole resolution thing, but for me it would not have been authentic.  I needed to start NOW!

As long as I can remember I have had this love-hate relationship with food.  Here it is plain: I am the kind of girl who can eat a whole package of Oreo cookies in a day. I am the kind of girl who can eat an apple pie covered in cinnabon frosting in a day. I am the kind of girl who can eat a whole batch of freshly made brownies. Whew!  That was difficult to confess.  But if you don’t admit where you are how can you change?  This is not a diet, rather a lifestyle change.  Sugar breaks down your immune system, makes you sluggish and I don’t know about you, but it gives me a rush and when I “crash” I am rather cranky.   For the past few weeks I have done well.  Over the weekend I attended two events where there was a smorgasbord of sweets.  I said no, even when I was encouraged to have just a small piece.  I am serious. I have got to get this “craving” under control.  Here is what I plan to do.

I must preface this by saying I am not a doctor and this is what I plan to do for ME, I am not advising you to do this.

1.  DETOX: I am taking an herbal cleansing to get all that sugar out of my tank.  I am realizing more and more than food is for fuel. Like my gas tank sugar is damaging.

2.  LEARN TO SAY NO: This means it is okay to deny myself.  I don’t always have to reward myself with food.  I must have other ways to celebrate accomplishments and other ways to deal with times I am stressed.  Moderation is key, but my reward for healthier eating habits is a long life!

3.  ACCOUNTABILITY: I need help! I must have people in my life to hold my accountability to this, check in with me, and call me on the carpet when they see me going back to destructive habits.

4.  CHANGE MY MIND: I must learn to replace the bad habits. Basically, I have to deal with the mental struggles with why I run to food.  I have found a really great book that is helping.  It is called Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.   This book has totally changed my life.  I have never read a book that speaks so plainly about food while teaching the craving I have is naturally just in the wrong direction.

Could I be taken my sweet-tooth too seriously? No! Again, I want to change my life. I want to live a long satisfying life.  But I must be a good steward over this body.  If you so feel inclined leave a word of encouragement or share your journey to a better you in the comment section. I promise I do read them and it may be the boost I need on days when I really want to down a whole bag of pretzel m&m’s.

High School Skinny: But enjoying my favorite time of the day, lunch!

Preggo with the second born. The only time in my life I really considered what I ate.

Ro