Follow your own path

As many of you know one of the great joys in my life is being able to get out and hike in nature.   When I was in the process of dropping my weight I had a group of wonderful lady friends that I would take on easy hikes. Once in a while we would even allow a gentleman to join our wanderings. They all marveled at our beautiful country and I think enjoyed the places I was able to take them. Due to many things happening the group slowly dwindled and we do not go anymore.  Now I am so glad that when I lead our little group I would make them stop with the comment, "look at the world for a bit. You will never be at this same spot with these same people again." We would often stand and just gaze for quite a while. I still do this with my family. "Look at the world."
       I just got a little off track with what I really wanted to write about today. I guess because my thoughts came when I was out on a hike the other day. I was hiking with one of my sons and my husband. We were searching for a route into an old cotton mill. I have always wanted to go investigate it.  The problem is that it is pretty tricky to get to. One route is through the river. One route is closed and owned by a private company and we knew of no other route. So we decided to drive on a main road to the other side of the river and hike over some hills to see if we could get to it from that way. Up the first hill we went, then down, then starting up again. My son decided to climb to the top of that hill having us(oldsters) wait down at the bottom. He came back and informed us that the mill was a lot farther than we had  estimated and needed to find a different route. We started back. My son leading and my husband close behind. As I followed them I realized that the path they were taking was really not working well for me.  I felt like I should be crossing the hill then turning back at a much more gradual decline than they were doing.  Trying to follow them I was having to use my hiking stick to give me the added support to take steps safely. They were going pretty fast and I was trying to keep up.  I was really quite afraid of slipping and going down the hill. I decided to make my own path. I went slow, sure, and steady. I felt confident in my steps and knew I would get down in my own time. It didn't matter if they had to wait for me at the bottom. I was enjoying my hike much more after this. I was making my own path to follow.
        I want to relate this to my  healthy journey and yours. Your journey is your own. You need to make and follow your own path. I had to figure out what would work for me.  I had to be very open to learn, research, and making me a priority.  I had to choose my own way. Where would I step next to help myself? What would I try? Many people ask me how I did it? I used what I had learned in my nutrition classes as a nurse and began following the path I had chosen. I tested my blood sugar often and learned what foods impacted me the most. I then avoided them. I also learned what exercise would do for the regulation of my blood sugar. I "listened" to my body. I followed what it told me. Many of the things I did not want to hear. I  knew that if I listened I would have to change to live. It worked!!  Slowly, very slowly the weight began to drop. The energy increased. All the things I thought would be gone from me forever became a possibility. Then a reality. I wish I could give you the map to my path. But it won't work for you. You need to make your own map. Test out the trail. Listen to your own body. Follow the path that is just for you. It should be slow, sure, and steady. Most of all on your healthy journey stop and look around once in a while. See where you are in this beautiful world because  you will never be in this same spot with these same people again.  Enjoy the journey. (Haven't made it to the cotton mill yet. Found another possible route. Will try it out soon.)

Dig Deep

I receive an E-mail each day from Darren Hardy. He has touched on many subjects while motivating people to strive for their best and follow their dreams.  One of the messages I received was a recording from Darren's mentor Jim Rohn.  In this message he says that instead of just setting a goal ask yourself WHY?  Why do I want to lose weight? Why do I want to do this or that?  As I was walking today I thought about those words.  I have told you many times about some of the whys  that caused me to start my journey.  I have to continue reminding myself of those whys as I work hard to maintain my weight loss and take care of myself both mentally and physically. I know that many of you started your new year with the goal to lose weight or gain health.  I also know that statistically you have already given up.  Don't give up. Sit with yourself for a little while and actually write down a list of whys.  When you have your list done look at it again and dig deeper.  Why do you want to lose weight?  Oh, there may be some tears and some frustration but you have to dig. Get down to the real reasons. The ones that will really motivate you.  You might come up with some things that surprise you. I hope in this digging you find some words that can help you in your healthy journey.  Family, participate,  begin liking yourself,  and live are just a few I came up with.   After each one of those words I asked myself.  WHY?  Why did I want to be able to participate? (because I was tired of being sick and tired and watching life from the sidelines .)  Family? ( I didn't want my grand's to remember me as an overweight, sick old lady.) What about liking(loving) myself? (Anyone who has excess weight or health issues knows what I'm talking about.)  This is the type of "Why's" that can get you motivated because they give you fuel to feed your hope.  They give you strength to try and do what you need to do. Maybe they can give you enough hope and encouragement that you realize that you really are worth the work and effort this may take you to fight hard for your life. It is a fight!  Why are you worth it?  What are your dreams? Why are you not reaching for them.?  We need to be like a small child constantly asking ourselves why?  Why?  WHY?  We might get the answers we really needed to be strong on our healthy journey. Don't give up!!!

Update on weight

When I first began this blog I had lost 115 lbs.  I thought that was where my weight would stay.  As I have become more active and "wiser" about my food choices I have been able to lose I little more.  My weight loss now bounces between 125-130 lbs.  As I type this I just can't believe that I ever carried that much excess weigh around.  In the meeting I teach, I have those who have lost 10 pounds hold a 10 pound bag of sugar.  It astonishes me and them at how much that 10 pounds really feels like.  I am surprised at the change in how some foods taste to me.  I never dreamed I would crave veggies  and whole grains.  I still love the sweets and will probably always struggle with that.  I do have them but the impact on my fibromyalgia pain makes it (almost) not worth it.  I found an old chart I began after I had lost about 30 pounds.  I bought a scale that gave me the percentage of fat and BMI. (body mass index)  I had already lost 30 pounds when  the scale told me  my body was 63.4% fat.  Muscle was 24.6%  A BMI of 40.7. It also reads the water content which was 35.7%   It would have been a lot higher if I had the scale from the very first. Every few months I would record those number again to see how my weight loss was impacting those numbers. Today I got on my scale again.  I know it can not be very accurate but is a tool to see how I am doing.  My body fat is 33%  Muscle is 31.2% and the BMI is 24. The water content is 47.2 %.   As I have mentioned before I  decided when I began that I was doing this.  DOING THIS.  I took photos, made charts, saved "big clothes" and many other little steps to help me to see the progress when I was discouraged and ready to give up.  If you are just starting your healthy journey take pictures. Take measurement.  I don't have the measurements from the start and wish I did.  Do everything and anything that can keep you going on your way to a new and improved you! YOU can DO THIS.

2014 Where did you go?

I have been looking back at this past year and it has been a bittersweet experience for me.  I started the year off with a bang as a new Weight Watcher leader on the very first Saturday after the new year.  That is when many people decide to begin on their own personal healthy journey.  I had gone through (what to my brain seemed like a whirl wind training) and there I was.  In front of a group of people who had come for help and motivation to lose weight.  I jumped in and have never looked back.  I have met many, many incredible people. I have watched the struggles to get control of bad eating habit and the rewards of feeling better.  Not everyone has continued on and that is okay. You need to be ready to fight the battle for your life.  It is not easy.  I know.  I have laughed, cried, and learned so much from my new friends.  I have really enjoyed it and look forward to continuing the  laughing, learning, and helping each other to be healthy. This time when  I began my journey I did find success with Weight Watcher but I think if you find something that works for you that would be awesome.
    I was able to go on a trip with my husband and found a place that enchanted me.  I could live there the rest of my life but would miss my family.  We now all live within 10 miles of each other  so we are able to see each other often.  Like I have said before, bloom where you are planted. (just visit paradise once in a while)   Many people have told me the same thing about my home town of St. George so I am lucky to live in one type of  paradise and visit another.
        Bittersweet. I lost a dear aunt.  Aunt Myrl was the anchor for our family. She would call me several times a year and when we were done I would know everything about everybody. (even some family I don't remember.) She was a little bundle of dynamite and a joy to all of us.  The sweet was that at her funeral I was able to see and visit with many family members I have not seen in many years.
       Also bittersweet was the sad loss of my sweet little daughter in law's mom. Queen Tonya. She was a unique, one of a kind special lady. I prayed each day to know how to help and support her family as they were going though her sudden illness and passing.  They all were so wonderful to her and helped her to be able to pass in comfort. They all miss her terribly. They are going through  all the first holidays. Something that Tonya was always so fun to go all out for.  There  is a great sadness in them at this time. The sweet is to watch how strong they are and how they are able to honor her and remember her  by carrying on her traditions.  It is a hard thing to lose your mother.
        I have continued on my healthy journey and have been able to maintain my weight. Even losing about 10 lbs.  I am down between 125-130 lbs. (depending on the day)  I know that I need to keep control of my weight for the rest of my life or all my old "friends" (diseases) will move back in.  I am pretty proud in saying I have only seen my personal Dr. once this year. I saw him at my annual physical. He still says I am his, "one in a million" patient.                                                                          I  was able to complete the St. George Half marathon but bronchitis kept me from doing the other one I had planned on doing.  Every once in a while I get a little thought in my mind to get training again but so far I have been able to beat it down.  Maybe, who knows? I continue to walk and exercise and enjoy being able to move. I recently cleaned up the leaves that had fallen from our huge  fruitless Mulberry Tree.  I paid the price for several days after with stiff sore muscles. But it was worth it. The joy of being out in the air, moving, accomplishing, and sweating were  worth it.
      Many other wonderful days were enjoyed throughout this year. I look back with the knowledge that If I had not started my healthy journey there would be a good chance that I would not still be here. I forget how sick I was and when I read some of my blog posts I am shocked and horrified of how sick I allowed MYSELF to be. It is easy to neglect yourself or put off doing the things you need to do to take care of yourself.  I was able to have a second chance. I have had to work hard  everyday of this journey but the Miracles I have been given make every moment of it worth it. Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you.   
                   
      

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words.

Spread a little Joy.

We are once again in the  middle of the Christmas season.  Each year I like to watch and wait to see if there is something special I can do to help someone have a little more joy in their heart this time of year.   This year I have been acknowledging  people who have given me random acts of kindness.  I want them to know that to me it means a lot when they do something kind.  A few days ago I was walking into a gas and goodie type  store to get me a drink.  As I approached the door a gentleman jumped ahead of me and opened  the door with a cheerful, "please let me get that for you."  I told him thank you and want on to get my drink.  As I was paying I noticed the man in line right behind me. He was holding a refillable coffee mug and another cup of coffee.  On impulse I told the cashier that I would like to pay for his coffee because he had been such a gentleman to get the door.  She told me that she sees people  come in all day and literally slam the door in other peoples faces that are coming in behind them. I paid and left with him calling out, "thank you."  Today I returned to that same store.  The cashier as I went to pay told me that my drink was already paid for.  The gentleman had come back later  and paid for my drink and asked her to make sure I got it the next time I came in.  She then explained about why I had paid for his coffee. He just couldn't believe that someone had paid for his coffee for being polite.  I hope it spread a little joy into his day.  It gave me a lot of joy to think about his reaction.   I guess it gave quite a bit of joy to the cashier too.  Three people had a moment of joy.  Not bad for a two dollar investment.

Confused?

I have told you many  times that I had to learn to ignore stares, comments, and my own stinkin thinkin.  It was hard. I thought I had that in pretty good control but something happened the other day that has really bothered me.(and shouldn't)  I was loading stuff into my trunk at the store and a great big truck roars up and pulls next to me.  The man rolls down his window and says something that I can't quite hear because his truck is still on.  I  smile and  continue on with what I'm doing.  He then gets out of his truck and says.  "I really like your sunglasses, it takes a  REAL woman to wear glasses  like that!"  Now this was not a young man who might say something thinking he was cute.  He was probably as OLD as I AM.  I smiled and got into my car and left.  Then the stinkin thinkin came into play. Was he making fun of my glasses?  Do I look stupid and he was trying to tell me in a nice way? Was he sincere?  Am I to old to wear glasses like these?  You know what we do.   So then I decided to ask some on my boys if they thought it was an insult or compliment.  They all said I look fine in my glasses.( but they have to say that they are family)  Those of you that live in my area know that I have worn big white sunglasses for years.  I feel like it is part of who I am.  Once in a while I have a pair that is a different color.  Blue, pink, green ..... but usually white.   As I am writing and trying to work through this  I will continue wearing my BIG WHITE sunglasses and take what he said as a compliment.  I too really like my sunglasses.

Winter Fun?

My "sister" Marla and I



About 100 lbs. lost