Daily Reminders

I’m back with another update on my journey. The last time I told everyone about the lower carbohydrate and low sugar diet I was following. Well…..it works! I’m down 11 pounds in 5 weeks. I’m still exercising daily…either in my pool or on my recumbent bicycle. I try to do at least 20 minutes per day. Some days I break it up and am able to do 30-40 minutes. The main thing is to be consistent. 

I went to Everman’s to see if I could find less expensive lower carb products. I did find soybean pasta….have not cooked it yet. I will report back on it after I get in the mood for spaghetti. The bagels I could not find at Everman’s. Nor could I find the blueberry muffins and brownies that I like. So, I will continue to order from Linda Diet Delites website as I mentioned in a previous blog. The bagels are only 50 calories (for ½ bagel); the blueberry muffins are 40 calories each; and the brownies are 45 calories each. All are low in carbohydrates which make them perfect for snacks. The muffins are heavier than regular muffins but that’s because they have 8 grams of fiber.

Throughout this journey, there are some things that I remind myself on a daily basis:

1. Nobody is perfect. God did not create us to be perfect. He created us to be whole. Slip ups are bound to happen.
2. Position myself for good things to happen --- surround myself with positive people; products that help me stay on course; learning more about how the body processes foods, etc.
3. Be flexible with my goals --- I don’t need to be a specific size. I just need to be healthy and happy. Healthy is reflected through good lab results and overall radiance. Happy is reflected in my mind and through my spirit. I truly believe happiness is a choice. We can’t move forward if we are always looking back and dwelling on past failures. God doesn’t dwell in the past. He is God of our present and of our future.
4. Dream big, but focus small ---  I know that losing 40 lbs will keep me healthy as I continue to age but that number can seem overwhelming. I break it down into 5 pound increments.  Small steps in the right direction will achieve a goal just the same as a large leap….plus I get more positive feelings along the way just from achieving my smaller goals. 
5. Be patient but persistent --- I didn’t regain the weight overnight and it won’t come off overnight. The main thing is to not be discouraged on the weeks that weight loss does not show up despite doing everything right.
6. Be grateful ---  Every morning I thank God that I’m awake, I’m alive, and I have another chance to help others and fulfill my own goals (i.e. personal goals and professional work goals). I always try to remember that someone, somewhere, passed away the night before and would love to be in my shoes. That puts my day in perspective pretty darn quickly.
7. Make “my mess my message”. I heard that quote from ABC news anchor woman, Robin Roberts (she is currently battling cancer).  I am doing that with this blog….I just never thought of putting it like that. My struggle (or mess) has become my message to others.
8. And finally, God has 3 answers for prayer: yes; no; and I have something even better in mind. Despite my weight struggles, I believe the best is yet to come. God’s dreams for me are so much more than this….but this struggle is preparing me for his future plans. 

So until my next posting, I hope everyone is dreaming big dreams but achieving their goals one small step at a time! Stay positive; choose happiness; and stay in faith. Until next time….