In the present moment

Working it out

Tuesday, December 6, 2005 23:01:07

I feel so much better. I got up this morning at 5:00 a.m. and took a three mile walk. (I felt groggy, but it was time to get myself back on track.) It was cool enough out to make it enjoyable. I put all of my worries aside and focused on my feet hitting the pavement. I allowed myself to be alone with my thoughts and the worries to subside………for it was my time……..my time to be free from life’s daily grind. The kids and hubby were home and asleep……a perfect time for me to escape for a healthy walk. A perfect way to start my day!

This past seven days or so I have not felt myself. I allowed worries to interfere with taking care of myself. I allowed worries to cloud my judgment. When I am in this state of mind……….the normal things I enjoy doing tend to fall to the wayside for a bit. It is a process……..I always manage to get myself back on track…but it is a process and it takes time.

I am not mad at myself. I realize that life has these curve balls that I have to accept and learn how to cope with. I believe I am coping quite well by allowing myself to feel the emotions and work through them in my own way.

Last night I was noticing the nice tone I had in my legs. I did not want that tone to go away due to lack of exercise. I am trying to save on gas, so I have not been swimming for about a week now. I miss it so much………but I have priorities and swimming will have to wait for now. I got out my handy dandy calendar and scheduled my walking workouts for the rest of this month. If I am able to get to the gym for a swim, that will be a delight! The main thing is to exercise, for when I do not exercise……..I feel glum.

So, the main issue is to remind myself to exercise no matter how many worries consume my mind. Every other day, I have to allow myself a one hour break from my worries…….for they will always be there when I get back from my workout………and due to the workout…….I will be in a better frame of mind to keep things in perspective.

The thing to keep in mind is that there are some things in my life I have control over and there are other things I do not have control over. I have to focus on the good things and exercising is one of the good things I have to offer myself. When I allow my worries to make me depressed………I stop journaling……..quit exercising………and sit around and allow my thoughts to be consumed with worries………thinking I can find a solution to them. I suppose in some respects I do. Like I said……..it is a process. I go through these motions and in the end………I am back on track and I have managed to find solutions to the issues I do have control over and I have managed to except the issues I do not have control over.

For today, I am back on track. My workout has put me in a wonderful state of mind. I am ready to take on whatever comes my way……..for my perspective feels positive.

Comments(0)

Current Thought Patterns...

Monday, December 5, 2005 22:08:11

It is my current thought patterns that will determine my reality.

Another pound has bit the dust!

Comments(0)

Perseverance

Monday, December 5, 2005 22:07:11

Perseverance

One inch at a time. That is how I climb and that is how I live. Sure, the summit is my goal, but without each carefully calculated move, I could never make it to the top. Each small step and each giant reach presents a unique challenge. As I move up the cliff, I recognize characteristics of the rock and then adapt learned techniques to advance further toward the goal.

*Author Unknown

Comments(0)

Phases

Monday, December 5, 2005 22:06:11

I have been up for an hour or so and I am still working on getting into the swing of the day. I am on my second cup of coffee and I have had some time to chat with my thirteen year old about the goofy things I used to do when I was younger. The little ones are still sleeping; however, I know they will be up shortly and my day will officially be on full throttle.

I so enjoy these moments of silence………alone with my thoughts. There is nothing like it in the whole wide world. It is these moments I give to myself that I am able to regroup and begin anew each and everyday.

Aria just got up and my thirteen year old is going to change her diaper for me. That is great, because I am in the middle of journaling right now.

Okay, I have been really focused on visualizing my body going through the necessary phases of weight loss. Many times I find myself wanting to skip some of the phases……..however, this is not an option. My body is losing weight one solid pound of fat at a time. My body will go down the size ladder in the order it must………skipping sizes is not an option, for I refuse to try to squeeze into a smaller size to say I am wearing it. I like to look good in what I wear, not like a “muffin top”, as someone on one of the other threads mentioned. I loved that phrase! It is so true!

Wanting to skip the phases in my weight loss journey is what it is all about. This is a normal thought process. It keeps the momentum going. I keep visualizing where I want to be; therefore, I keep on with the life style changes to make my goal a reality. It is an amazing process really. I continue to persevere and I continue to lose weight. My body is becoming more in shape as each day passes. I have done this before and I know I am going to do it again. I have the ability to reach my goal weight because I have a plan and I am working the plan. I am also able to adjust my plan if need be. I celebrate all aspects of my progress, no matter how small they may appear to others. To me, each and every step I take in this journey is worth celebrating. If I slip up and get back on track, I celebrate doing so. When I work out, I celebrate my doing so. When I make a healthy food choice………it is yet another celebration in the works! My life is filled with celebration of my accomplishments I make on a daily basis.

I lose weight slow and steady. When it took me 2 ½ years to lose 80 lbs (post baby weight)………it was as if those around me really did not notice…….until one day I was a size 6/8. (started at a size 20) Slow is good…..for my body had time to adjust……….my skin had time to spring back into shape. The stretch marks are there; however, I celebrate my being able to give birth to four beautiful children. I do not view my stretch marks in a negative way. I celebrate them.

I think self love is being able to love yourself despite any quirks you may have. I think to love your self, it is essential to be able to laugh at your self and move forward. Negative self talk is absolutely poisonous to the soul. I used to be that way in my early twenties. I am so happy I am not that way today. In my late twenties, something happened………maturity I believe……..but I no longer felt the need to batter myself on a daily basis; rather, I chose to focus on my positive attributes. It took time for me to realize I had some of those, but I believe my daily walks helped me to feel better about myself…….and it all fell into place from there.

I take this weight loss journey in phases. I focus on mini goals. I do not overwhelm myself with the big picture. As I meet eat mini goal, I reset my counter to conquer the next mini goal. A mini goal is so much more fulfilling to focus on. I always feel successful. Mini goals are pieces of the puzzle that will in the end build a beautiful puzzle.

Today I will be swimming at the Y. I am looking forward to my workout!

Comments(0)

Feeling Fine

Monday, December 5, 2005 22:04:16

It is another fabulous sunny weekend! I am wearing a really cute outfit. I feel perky!

I got in my 3 mile walk, showered, had some alone time with hubby, and was able to visit with my girlfriend without the kids around!

Tonight we are entertaining some friends and I am quite excited!

My friends have kids too, so the kids will have a great time too!

Comments(2)

Quote of the day

Monday, December 5, 2005 22:02:10

"In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the
right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the
worst thing you can do is nothing. After all, if we do the
wrong thing, at least we can learn."

*Theodore Roosevelt
Comments(0)

Make It Happen!

Monday, December 5, 2005 22:01:21

Hello, hello! I went for my yearly check up and the doc is quite impressed with my weight loss thus far.

Also, I just took out a real cute t-shirt that my mom brought back for me during her vacation……..or it could be a hand me down from my brother…..who knows, but I thought to my self……I really don’t think this will be wide enough for me to wear as of yet, but what the hay, I am going to try it on! Low and behold, it slid right on and no middle roll to speak of! As time goes by, this t-shirt will get to the point where it is hanging on me…..due to my hips shrinking so much!

I have traveled down this Lose the Post Baby Weight before……..I know the changes my body is going to make and which phase I am to face next. I am enjoying the journey once again……….for it feels amazing to set out to meet an objective; and then, to MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Comments(0)

Fathers Day

Monday, December 5, 2005 23:09:10

Today is my day to swim! I am so looking forward to it too! The YMCA has a Family Prime Time room for my 13 year old to play with the little ones in. (Cruze 3 and Aria 1) They have very fun tunnels in there and all sorts of fun things to do. Once my workout is complete and I have had a few moments to soak in the hot tub, I will go and get them to join me for some pool time fun!

I had so much fun with family and friends yesterday! We took the day as it came. The weather was not okay for going to the beach, so we just hung out in the house for the most part and grilled out. The kids played together and the adults had some entertaining conversations. By the end of the day, the sun came out and hubby packed the kids up for a Dairy Queen run!

Once everyone left the house, I had time to get it all straightened up so I could sit down with a hot cup of green tea and relax………..take in what a fabulous day it was……..and boy was it!

Hubby had a wonderful Fathers Day! It is amazing how just going with the flow makes life so enjoyable. Though, I must say………..I had picked out his gift & card with the kids a few weeks back. Not because I had intended to then, but I saw the perfect gift and went with it! So, all I had to do on Fathers Day was to put it in a cute gift bag with tissue paper……….(I save all kinds of cute gift bags and have them on hand.)have the kids sign the card……..put Hippiedad on the envelope (his nickname from the kids), and finally, put on some lipstick to leave my mark! I placed his gift with his card on the back of the toilet, for that is his first stop in the morning! He LOVED it. He got to sleep in and wake up to a present at the commode. LOL He WAS a King for the Day! And, that is how it should be……

Comments(0)

Hanging out

Monday, December 5, 2005 23:08:09

Yesterday was a very social day! I took my daughter over to her girlfriend’s house to hang out and her mom is one of my best friends. I told hubby I would be over there for a bit because we do not get a chance to get together during the week.

Hubby was able to get one of the three projects accomplished yesterday. We need a ladder to get on our roof to fix a little piece of siding, so that will have to wait until next weekend. Today is Father’s Day and my hubby is going to be king for the day, so to speak!

I had some wine yesterday with my friend and we had a blast together. We laughed so hard. I jotted down what I ate during the day when I got home, before I settled down for the night. I did not eat when I was not hungry. I jumped on the scale this morning and I did not retain any water……..no gain. This is a good thing.

Hubby keeps commenting on how I am looking thinner every time he comes home for the weekends. My cloths are really giving me a true picture too, for they fit so comfortably now. I am starting to see defined and sculpted muscles in my legs. I feel great! I know size 12’s are just around the bend, for my size 14’s are starting to bag……ya gotta love it!

How amazing to feel this good about my body during my period. Usually I feel all bloated…….but not this time. I had more cramping this time, but the weight gain did not show up on my scale. How cool is that!

Comments(0)

I have a plan

Monday, December 5, 2005 23:07:09

I just got back from my three mile walk. While I was on my walk, I was jamming to my tunes and thinking about how to get in my swimming routine next week. I decided to have my daughter to watch the little ones in the Family Prime Time room at the YMCA while I workout. (My daughter earns points each week to earn her allowance and privileges for the following week. By helping me with the little ones on Monday and Thursday, Jasmine will earn additional points. This is a win/win solution.) After my workout, the children can join me for some fun in the pool. I will be able to do this on Monday and Thursday next week. (My doctor appointment landed on one of my usual swimming days.) I have also scheduled in three walking days. Life is all about adjusting to circumstances. The real deal is to never throw in the towel; but rather, work within my circumstances and keep exercise in my life. Now I can rest, for I have a plan.

Comments(0)