Embracing My Health

I think one of the things that make life changes so uncomfortable and hard is that we are straining, eyes fixated, toward the end. Our mind runs through thoughts like these:

I don’t want to be here right now. I want to be THERE… at my goal… where I am DONE! I’m not where I want to be, doing what I want to be doing and being what I want to be. This is claustrophobic and I feel like a victim to this dictatorial regimen (never mind that, not to long ago, I wanted to this regimen to create the change I want in my life) and what would feel really good, really powerful is to do what I want today, right here and now!

It’s no wonder we fight change. In this context, feeling resentment and resistance makes complete sense. From here, today sucks. Of COURSE we want to escape before we get started! And even if it is the first day, we feel the pressure, the need for release from the oppressive confines of our self-imposed regimen. And so we do. We let ourselves off the hook. And most often, after we’ve done that – we regret it. We reassess and rediscover the reason why we made our intention for change in the first place. Something about the way we have been doesn’t work for us any more. It doesn’t fill us with joy and peace. We are unsettled. So we make goals and set up routines and regimens for tomorrow. Wow, are we ever stuck in a loop! How do we get out? Something has to change or nothing is going to change, right?

It’s important, critical even, to have a goal. There is an end, a way of being, that we are seeking. However, we must find a different way to relate to today (today, the day which isn’t the day of final accomplishment achieved and victory) – or that end goal we want and hope for will likely never arrive.

Those habits of ours aren’t completely worthless. I wish they were because they would be so much easier to drop, wouldn’t they? Those habits give you something that you are both comfortable with and addicted to. How they win out over our intended life changes isn’t surprising – rather it’s stunning when our life changes overcome our habits.

The real work for us isn’t the life change regimen so much as creating a new life, for today, that we love! How do we do that in the face of comfortable, addictive habits?

Here we go:

1. Set your day’s intentions before you start your day. It doesn’t have to be long. Five minutes will do. Although, the more you really know and feel what it is you want for the day, the more success you will have. That can be done in five minutes, but it may take longer.

   In those minutes, say what it is that you want for your day and imagine it. See yourself doing what you want to do today. Imagine yourself crawling into bed tonight and feeling that completely delicious sensation of “Ahh… today was a really good day! I loved my day! I can’t wait to have another great day tomorrow!”

2. Fill in your day with things that you love and make you happy! If having flowers at your desk, or a silly bobble next to your work phone give you that little kid happy feeling – do it! Is there an image that inspires you? Put it on your cellphone or computer wallpaper. Is there a piece of wisdom that moves your heart and encourages you? If so, print it and post it on your mirror! If you love the smell of the ocean and the feel of the breeze against your skin… use your lunch break to eat there, or take 10 minutes at the end of your day to go ocean-side and soak it in. If you want to eat healthy food, but feel like something that is comfort food to you – pick the absolutely healthiest comfort food that still makes you happy and eat a portion of that. If you miss your family or a friend, give them a call. If a hot, bubbly bath at the end of the day is bliss – indulge it! It’s often in the spaces that our habits kick in. If we fill them ahead of time with those things that nourish us and ignite our love of life, instead of the rote ways we’ve lived and move through life up until now, things are not only going to change… they already are changed!!

3. Be forgiving of yourself if you slip into a habit. Beating yourself up isn’t going to create a day that you love. What will make a difference for you is forgiving yourself and then filling that space with loving play and nourishment.

4. Connect with friends who love their lives and are accomplishing their goals! I promise, it does rub off.

5. Take some time at the end of the day to look over your day. What did you love about your day? What didn’t you like? Take some time feel those and then think about tomorrow… about doing more of what you loved and less of what you didn’t. See yourself doing that as you fall asleep. And thank yourself for being awake, for paying attention to your day and for teaching you more and more about what things in your life make you happier and what things that don’t and that you are willing to let go. And then, sweet dreams, my love!

Today is the day! Today is the important day! Love the heck out of your day! And the next and the next! Before you know it, that last day, that day of accomplishment and victory – it will be here! And it won’t feel like such a big deal because every day between today and that day will have been exactly the kind of day you were hoping and dreaming of.

It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
- Ursula K Leguin

Enjoying my journey, embracing love, life and health!

one snail, going it alone

Day Ones are always pretty exciting. I feel the energy of what I’ve decided. I’m putting together structures and plans for what I’m going to do. It feels bright and hopeful. But it isn’t too far into that same day… or maybe the next day.. and I start seeing the long haul. I realize that what I want to accomplish isn’t going to happen quickly. It’s going to take time. It will mean taking one step and then another. There might be leaps ahead, but most likely not. When that starts settling in on my mind… the one step at a time thing… feels excruciatingly slow. That energy I feel starts to become less of an energy and more of solid, heavy weight sitting square on my shoulders.

I know this pattern because I’ve had a lot of Day Ones. Years and years of them. I remember them even as a kid. I struggled with applying myself in school and I would create ‘Day One’ of being an A+ student. I had Day One after Day One from 8th grade and into college, over and over again.  There have been Day One goals spanning everything from being a better friend to exercise to taking more risks in my life.

A lot of those Day Ones were launched in my mind the night before the new day. And, in the light of day, I could see the long haul. My mind would start making up what that long haul experience would be. I would start to think I’d know how hard it would be, how miserable I would feel and how little joy would be in my life. Inspiring you yet? Yeah, me either. So my Day Ones rarely made their way to Day Five or Six.

Day Ones have been private affairs too. I learned early on to stop sharing them because I didn’t want to have to explain how I had given up on them. And so the cycle spun on.

Today, as I walked back home from dropping my daughter off at school – I saw a little snail. She was working hard to navigate over the top of the succulent plants. It looked awkward. AND SLOW. Her antennaes reached out to find the next bunch of green leaves to move onto. The expanse of succulent plants was immense. Where was she going and how on earth was she going to get there?

Transformation is slow. I can imagine the end result clearly in my mind, but the in between portion of things seem interminable. I was thinking about this as I watched the snail. I also thought about the people I know and others that I have seen who have transformed their lives in one form or another. Their journeys seem short to me. One moment, they are at Day One and suddenly (from my frame of reference) they are there. If I look more carefully, I notice that it has been weeks, months or years. But having not been a part of their day to day journey – the time has flown by in a flash. Suddenly, they are where they wanted to be! Inspiring!

Walking a little further down the path this morning, I noticed that there were a lot more snails on the succulents. All of them heading somewhere. And I noticed that many of them had found other snails to travel with. And while not an aesthetic image thing… you know those slime trails they leave behind them? Well, that trail created easier paths for the other snails to follow.

two or more are better

This afternoon, I’m imagining myself as a snail traveling up the succulents. It’s awkward and slow. And, good news! Some have gone ahead of me to help ease my way. As I travel, I find it encouraging to know that, my own journey will make it easier for those coming alongside and after me too.

Enjoying my journey, embracing love, life and health!

Thanks for the encouragement and support in response to my last post.  Seeing the progress really is a motivator! 

I’ve got a week and a half of holidays ahead and I’m thinking about them this morning.  I don’t want to back track.  I’m feeling two things.  One, I’d like to continue losing weight, or at a minimum stay at my current weight.  And two, I want to feel great.  I don’t want to feel that physical malaise, icks, blahs or that “ooph, I shouldn’t have eaten that” feeling.  

I’m going to have to be flexible since I will be staying with family.  But here’s my first thought.  I think I will buy enough produce when I get into town to make a massive salad to go along with each meal.  That way, I can pile on the raw foods and minimize the amount of cooked and less healthy food choices I’m eating.  Paul & I decided we are going to pack our juicer and blender too — if you can believe that.    We both love our green lemonade juices first thing in the morning.  And I definitely want to keep my green smoothies going as well.  It’s a little unorthodox to travel with a juicer and blender, sure…  But keeping the high quality nutrition coming our way feels more than worth it.

My question for you today:  Do you have any strategies you are going to be following through Christmas and New Years?  If so, share with us! 

Embrace Love, Embrace Life, Embrace Your Health!

This past week was a good one.  I’m feeling more and more of a divide from my prior eating habits and my new ones.  I haven’t completely settled into a new routine, so the time to stick to my healthy changes is every day.  I created pages that I posted in my pantry letting me know how many days to my next goal.  It’s been great having that visual reminder.

So, to the numbers…

(more…)

Weight: 246
Height: 5′8″
BMI: 37.4

Measurements

Neck: 14.25
Bicep: 14.5  (-.5″)
Forearm: 11 (-.5″)
Chest: 46 (-1″)
Waist: 44
Hips: 48
Thigh: 26
Calf: 18

No weight loss this week, but I’m not surprised.  I am happy to see some body “restructuring” though — with some inches lost around my upper body.  It’s interesting that my size has shrunk in regions.  My waist and hips have lost weight first, and now my upper body is seeing some results.  My neck and limbs have seen the least reduction… I’m guessing that will start to appear as I continue on.  Any loss is exciting though.

Oh, and I have to tell you.  I reconnected with a friend yesterday who I haven’t talked with for 4-5 years.  I found her blog and was so inspired by her.  She has a son, who is only a couple of weeks younger than Amira, who inspired her to transform her life to be the healthiest she can be.  Last I saw her, she was beautiful but carrying some extra pounds.  The new pictures I saw of her – she’s fit, trim and.. a TRIATHELE!  And not just a triathlete – one who wins first prize in her category!  Absolutely inspiring!  She’s definitely inspired me to get my fitness routine into gear!  More on that to come!

My question for you: What motivates and inspires you to be your healthiest?

Embrace Love, Embrace Life, Embrace Your Health!

Weight: 246
Height: 5′8″
BMI: 37.4

Measurements

Neck: 14.25
Bicep: 15 (-.25″)
Forearm: 11.5
Chest: 47
Waist: 44 (-1″)
Hips: 48
Thigh: 26
Calf: 18

The progress was slower this week.  I found encouragement though in looking back at some old numbers.  For example, since my highest point after Amira’s birth…

• I’ve lost 39 lbs.
• I’ve lost nearly 10 inches around my waist
• I’ve lost 6 inches around my hips and chest
• My BMI has dropped from 43.3 to 37.4

I need to get some new photos up of my progress.  I’ll try to do that today.

I’m finding that adding green juices and smoothies and eating more raw meals is making this journey to optimal health much easier.  It isn’t as difficult, physically or psychologically.  That alone is making me a fan of raw eating.

My two week challenge with Paul went really well and helped me push through 5 lbs of loss.  I’m strategizing another challenge for myself.  I’m going to do a short challenge followed by a longer one.  My first will be between now and Thanksgiving.  9 days including today.  My goal: lose 3 lbs.  My second will be from November 29th until Christmas, nearly 30 days.  Goal: lose 12 lbs.  Accomplishing both of these goals would have me at 231 lbs on Christmas morning.  That would be a Merry Christmas to me, indeed! 

Breakfast this morning was juice:

• 1/2 head romaine lettuce
• 1 large leaf of purple kale
• 1/2 a cucumber
• 1 pear
• 1 apple
• 1/2 lemon

As always, I do love my green juices.  Well, in the case of today, purple juice. 

Embrace Love, Embrace Life, Embrace Your Health!

Weight: 248
Height: 5′8″
BMI: 39

Measurements

Neck: 14.5
Bicep: 15.5
Forearm: 11.5
Chest: 48
Waist: 46.5 (-1/2″)
Hips: 49 (-1″)
Thigh: 28
Calf: 18.5

My camera battery is dead because a particular 3 year old played with my camera yesterday and left it on all night.    I’ll get a new photo up with the next check in.

I haven’t lost any additional weight yet – but there was some more inches lost around my midsection.

A little fun happening:  Dancing with Amira this morning, my pants shimmied their way down and literally off my hips.   Whee!

Goal for next check in – to have lost some weight in addition to inches!

Weight: 248
Height: 5′8″
BMI: 39

Measurements

Neck: 14.5
Bicep: 15.5
Forearm: 11.5
Chest: 48 (-1″)
Waist: 47 (-2″)
Hips: 50 (-1″)
Thigh: 28 (-.5″)
Calf: 18.5 (-.5″)

This numbers check-in is a good example of why you can’t just trust your scale as a measure of your progress. The scale shows me at the same weight as my July 26th check-in. However, and it’s a big however! I’ve lost inches! An accumulated total of 5 inches! That’s some progress!

I need to remind and encourage myself of that because I want to see the scale numbers drop and I want my self-portrait updates to inspire me. And it doesn’t. I’ll be honest, it takes some discipline and determination to post these photos. I’m embarrassed of my size. But my embarrassment is outweighed by my commitment to have this be a journey to optimal health and fitness. Every day, every number, every picture is a part of that journey.

I see the headline on the Yahoo homepage: “If current trends continue, nearly all Americans could be overweight by 2030“. I click over to an ABC News video. And what is the commercial that I’m given to atch before the news article? Oreos. A back and forth “bonding moment” between a son and father (albeit over webcam) eating Oreos together…

Anyway. The video news blurb audio wouldn’t play for me after the advertisement for whatever reason. The only thing I could see was video image after image of overweight people. I gave up and searched online for the study and found it: (”Americans Could Be Overweight Or Obese By 2030.” ScienceDaily 29 July 2008.).

The net conclusion of the study: as much as 86% of American adults will be overweight or obese by 2030.  96% of non-Hispanic black women and 91% of Mexican American men…  That’s no small number.

The only thing that will begin to alter these numbers are you and me.

Want to buck the trend with me?

Since my tooth trauma almost a month ago, and even before that, the fact that we are not covered by healthcare has been on my mind. And, if you’ve seen Sicko, you know even if you ARE covered by health insurance – it doesn’t mean all that much either (especially if you get really sick). Here in the US the only thing to do is be your own healthcare provider and provide yourself with PREVENTATIVE healthcare. For the most part, our doctors either don’t or aren’t equipped to have our best health interests at heart. I know for many it frustrates and angers them, but they are trapped in a system.

Now that I’m pushing forty, and have been feeling the effects of taking my own good health for granted… I know that’s not an option any more. I can’t foist the responsibility off on anyone or anything else. The buck stops here, as they say.

My goals are 1) to be fit enough to run, jump, and play with my daughter and be able to do whatever physical activity I want. If I want to learn to rock climb, I want to be able to do that. If I want to take a week long hiking trip through the Olympic Peninsula, I want to do that. If I want to run around the pond with my daughter at full speed, I want to do that! and 2) to eat food that brings health, healing and longevity to my body.

I think that sums it up without getting too complicated. I’ll be adding more details as we go along — but I think it covers everything in those two goals.