Posts filed under 'Health and fitness'
Gluttony is a curse, a disease, a hindrance against all the blessings in my life. Weight has been the giant in my life since I was a young teenager. Yesterday, as I was sitting around inside squandering the amazing day, it dawned on me that gluttony is blocking my path to true freedom.
The sad part is that gluttony is like the elephant in the room that everyone sees, but no one wants to discuss. If I had spent the day on the couch because of drugs or alcohol then someone close to me would have likely called for an intervention. But it is politically incorrect (not to mention insensitive) to point out a relationship with gluttony.
This morning I woke up determined to claim my freedom. I understand that gluttony is stealing my time, my energy and so very many blessings bound for me and my family. It will not happen anymore. From this moment on I am treating the bondage of gluttony like I would any other curse. Starting right now, I am breaking free – for myself and for all those who I encounter.
1. No more treating food like a god. I will not worship it by eating alone, hording “special” foods or worrying about my next meal.
2. There will be no eating apart from the place designed to eat. That means if I’m not sitting down at the table, allowing my mind and body to experience the food and communicate satisfaction (instead of cramming something in while watching a movie or working on the computer) then I just won’t eat.
3. Being hungry will not kill me. I will allow my body to get to the place of hungry by not eating until I feel an actual grow or rumbling in my stomach (not my bellybutton, but just under my chest).
4. Everything in moderation. Instead of trying to cut out the “bad” foods, I will trust that everything God created is good and I will only eat a small portion (about ½ to ¼ of what I have been eating).
5. Gluttony is a sin, and I confess my sin to God and to any one who has been looking to me for guidance or inspiration (and in whose path I have been a stumbling block).
If I look at my life through the eyes of reality instead of sugar-coating my actions with political correctness and “sensitivity” then I can finally push myself to be what I want to be.
March 2nd, 2008
Forget all the expensive gym memberships. Box up you collection of dusty exercise videos. Today is the day that you start losing weight without doing one moment of exercise.
1. Clean the house. Take a broom and a mop and get to work. Sweep the entire house from top to bottom and then follow up with a good mopping. It’s an amazing upper body work out (and you can really burn up the calories if you see how fast you can get it all done).
2. Mow the yard. Forget the riding contraptions that cost more than my first car did. Invest in a quality push mower. Pushing that machine around the yard, twice a week, will not only tone up your lower body but will also help you to appreciate pavement. For the best work out around, invest in a self-propelled mower.
3. Play with the children. Whether you jump on the trampoline, take a hike with the whole family (and inevitable carry the toddler on your back) or just run around kicking the soccer ball, you are bound to get a great work out in muscles you had forgotten you had.
4. Play with the spouse 
– enough said!
5. Wash the windows (inside and out). Climbing up and down the ladder to reach the top corners of the many windows in your home is going to tone more in your lower body than any expensive Stairmaster ever could.
6. Plant a garden. Between the digging, plowing, stooping, weeding and hauling you will get a full body work out that you will not soon forget. If you really want to put your muscles to the test then rent a sod cutter and clear some area in your yard for a NEW garden (be sure to till well before doing any planting).
7. Volunteer to keep the toddler room at church. You’ll do plenty of lifts and squats and maybe even a few presses. Rolling around with the kids can be the best exercise in the world.
The great thing about these activities is that they help keep you moving. That is one of the most important keys to losing weight. Besides, if you are up and going then you aren’t vegging in front of the television eating.
Instead of spending your time (and money) at the gym, let go of some of the conveniences around your home and you will find that you can lose weight without doing any exercising.
February 7th, 2008
It’s hard to make changes. That’s why so many people either don’t make New Year’s resolutions or don’t keep them. Not doing something is easier (and sometimes less disheartening) than failure.
The only problem is that is a Catch 22. If you don’t try to change then you will always need to change. Even worse, your life will never get any better than it is right now. Change might be hard. It might be painful. It might be a struggle. But change is necessary to get to where you want to be.
I am determined that this month will be the beginning of huge changes for myself and for my family. Every day I am getting up and repeating the changes over and over – with enthusiasm!
Until yesterday that is. Yesterday I had to work, quite literally, for the whole day. I did stop to eat meals with the family, but that was about it. Everything else on my schedule was set aside for a deadline.
THIS morning, I was determined to get back to it. But Mother Nature had different plans. Instead of doing what I was supposed to be doing I was watching severe weather creep up and over my area (we are okay though).
I’m currently three hours behind where I should be (and a couple of days behind where I actually want to be) and I almost didn’t get going at all. It’s easier not to start than to not complete what I want to do. I was going to skip the lists, the motivational chants, and the exercise and go right to feeling sorry for myself.
Something changed around the second paragraph of this article. I managed to regain my focus and reignite my determination. You can to.
1. Write out your problems so that you can start to see a solution (or just see how silly you are being).
2. Remind yourself why you are trying to change in the first place.
3. Start now.
Change can happen, but action is required. I refuse to let setbacks, delays, or distractions (like the weather or elections) keep me from reaching for my goals. I know what I need to do, I have the time and ability to do them, and today I’m going to continue to do them despite how my morning started!
February 6th, 2008
Weight has always been an issue in my life and in my home growing up. Today it is one of the first subjects discussed even though we only see each other about once a year. What diet or program we might currently be on and what we are eating or not eating.
After the birth of my second child I tried everything I could think of to lose weight. I bought (and actually did) a small library of exercise videos. I cut my fat and calories. Nothing happened. Then I found a Christian Program that helped me view food in a whole new light. I quit dieting and quit weighing and the weight seemed to pour off.
My last pregnancy brought the weight back in spades! Now it’s a fight between doing what I know to do and doing what I’m going to do – which seems to be a recurring theme through out much of my life.
My issue is not with calories or fat grams. My issue is with the heart. It has idolized food over all other things. It would treasure the times alone with food (when the family would be someone where else and it could eat the meal with no one to disturb it). It didn’t want to share food with any one for any reason.
I have started retraining my heart to love what is right above the food. I am breaking the habit of selfishness by making moments to share with others, by making food a time together so that the people become more important than the food.
Like any bad habit that we form over many years, breaking the food habit is not easy or over night. Every morning I am declaring out loud (and with enthusiasm) that the weight is gone and the habit broken. I am following up the words with regular exercise and by giving away eating alone.
With a positive attitude, the right mind set, and action, you can have, be or do what ever you desire!
February 4th, 2008
February is the month that we are supposed to be getting Heart Healthy. Coincidentally, it is also the month that my whole family is training to run a 6k. I had actually given up the cause until yesterday. But I woke up this morning with a whole new fire in my belly.
Being stubborn has always been a part of my personality, although the last several years have toned it down tremendously (but not enough if you ask my husband). Still, I hate to be told that I CAN’T do something. It’s like waving a red cape in front of a bull.
Yesterday, I mentioned to my dad that I might not be in the condition to run the 6k. I don’t think he meant to look, but he did and then said, “You can’t run it with that much extra.” Maybe those weren’t his exact words. I pretty much quit listening when the words “you can’t” came out of his mouth.
I thought about it all night and during my quiet time this morning. According to the Positive Mental Attitude that I am studying right now, I have what I say. So I determined this morning to start saying that I COULD run the 6k and that I WILL release the extra weight that is hindering my life.
It’s not just words, but action following the words. I’ve already been working out regularly and started running with the family today. My husband is 100% on board and is all about encouragement.
I’m not mentioning it to anyone else (except all of you in the World Wide Web, but don’t tell any one else ). This is my goal, my positive statements, and my actions to put the statements in motion.
I will run the 6K.
February 2nd, 2008
If you could plant subliminal messages in your mind that would help you achieve success, would you do it? The power of suggestion is an incredible tool that most of us never utilize on our own minds. Even more of us use it without even knowing it.
Take the athlete (casual or professional). The coach will constantly tell them to push their talents. “You can do it.” And the athlete will tell himself “I can do it.” Before long, the athlete is doing it. Granted, he did put in hours of work to get there, but the mind helped.
Look at the business tycoon. She tells herself she is going to be successful. “I will have my own company.” She has people around her to encourage her and support her goals, “You will make it.” Eventually, she makes it. There may have been some stumbles along the way, but she pushed through in the end.
The power of words is beyond belief. The Bible mentions the tongue (and the power it holds) almost as often as all other subjects. What you say can deeply impact your ability to accomplish your life goals. It has a way of burying in your subconscious and dictating your path.
Make your mind work for you. After all, a mind is a terrible thing to waste .
1. Set your goal – whether it is weight loss, literary success, or just home organization.
2. See your goal – picture the finished product in your mind until you can SEE it.
3. Say your goal – repeat your goal first thing in the morning and last thing at night three times – with gusto!
Don’t sit around and wait for the magic to happen. Get out there and put action behind your words. Not only will success be close behind, but you may just find yourself enjoying life a little more than before.
January 11th, 2008
Hearing from God is not just for special, select individuals. God desires that each and every one of His children have a personal and intimate relationship that allows them to communicate with Him freely. But hearing from God does require that we take “self” out of the equation.
To open your ears to the words of God, you have to be willing. Pray that the Holy Spirit will open your ears. Spend time in the Word so that you recognize it when you hear it.
Expect an answer. Listen for a response from God in the scripture that you read, in the bible study that you are doing, or in the weekly sermon. Listen to your words with your children or FROM your children. God’s revelation often comes from unexpected places. At least you won’t have to deal with talking shrubbery.
Learn how to make the connection. When you pray and hear a response then ask for wisdom to connect the dots. I was working in my garden one day (a great time for me to talk with God) pulling weeds and working through some other issues. “Lord, I just need you to let me know that I’m going the right way.” Later that day, on three different occasions, I had someone tell me that I had grown spiritual, or that they looked up to my spiritual walk, or just gave me a pat on the back to tell me I was doing a good job. God answered my prayer.
Hearing from God is only the first step. Once you know that part, your part is to respond. God doesn’t show you something or tell you something just for fun. He has a purpose in mind. Noah wasn’t just supposed to build a boat; he was supposed to save the human race. Joseph wasn’t just supposed to interpret a couple of dreams; he was supposed to save two nations from destruction by famine. Responding with obedience to what God has shown you allows Him to accomplish through you what He desires to do.
And it is GOD that will accomplish what He wants to do. Recently, I set out to save a local, historical chapel. Everyone else had given up, but I was moved to do it. I prayed about what I could do. There was no money in our own budget to save the building. I committed to God that I would write fundraising letters and send out news releases, and I would trust Him to do the rest. No one stepped up and offered to pay. Only one newspaper even gave the story print time. I pushed on, speaking to groups and government officials, trying to find a way to save the building.
After a particularly long weekend, I got an email that said the church had been saved. Because of the article that was printed in just one paper, a new church (that had asked for the building four years before and had been turned down) had asked to move the building. We worked with them, they secured the funding, and the building is already on wheels and getting ready to roll.
It wasn’t how I would have done it, but it was exactly how God did it. He doesn’t ask us to understand it all. He just asks us to respond with obedience and to trust Him to do the rest.
Being able to hear from God is a gift that we have all received. If I can get beyond all my predetermined ideals and habits and focus on His word, then I open up the conduit for communication.
Pray. Watch. Listen. Respond. Trust.
God wants to use you. What’s your next step?
December 14th, 2007
Today is a very good day. I jumped right out of bed when the alarm clock went off (my husband’s that is. I didn’t even hear mine). My husband had the coffee maker already set, so coffee was magically waiting for me when I got up. The dishes were done and most of them put away, so I walked into a clean kitchen. Today would be a perfect day if there was just a fire crackling in the fireplace.
The amazing feat comes when you can keep the day good – all day. It’s easy to have a good day when you are the only one awake in the house (possibly in the neighborhood). Having a good day in the midst of normal life is where the magic comes in.
1. Take some time to be alone with God. The early morning (before dawn hours) is about as quiet and alone as you will ever see. In the end, you get to enjoy the sunrise.
2. Put together a plan. I have schedules and lists for everything we are going to do, should do, and could do. Even then, I get up most mornings (when there is a lot going on) and make a to-do list. That way it is all together in front of me and no one has to ask, “What do are we doing?” It’s all in black and white.
3. Plan a family breakfast. Even if it’s just cereal and fruit, make some time to be together before you face the world apart.
4. Have a quick devotional during or just after breakfast. That way everyone starts off on a positive note.
5. Go with the flow. If you can get all your to-do’s done then more power to you. Most of us have to make the list according to importance and hope we make it through the essentials. There is usually a forgotten practice, an unexpected visitor, or a change of plans (most likely instituted by a spouse who didn’t read the list). These are the times when you must breathe in and then breathe out slowly. Let it go! Just enjoy the times instead of trying to control them.
Every day starts off as a good day. Where, when, and if it goes wrong usually depends on your own attitude. More than once, I have made ornery children get back in their pajamas and get back in bed in order to start the day over. How you choose to see the day could be the difference between joy and existence.
December 7th, 2007
Circumstances are usually the only reason we tighten our financial belt around here. This time is not exception. As I was digging deep into the budget to see where we could purge, I got a rude awakening. If we had just done this earlier, we would have been able to save enough money to build that nest egg we have always been talking about.
1. Turn off the cable. Even if you just do it for one year, you will be able to save around $50 per month (more for most people). If you HAVE to watch the game or that special show, make it a night with friends or family. Other wise, find some new interests besides the television. Totals saved in our family will be $600.
2. Stop eating out. Take the time to pack your lunch or pack a picnic if you have late practices or games. Fast food for a family adds up quickly. Doing it every week (or twice a week for most of us) will break your bank. Savings for our family will be $1000.
3. Make your own coffee. Stopping at the local coffee shop is more expensive than you might realize. At $3 a day, you could save $750 just drinking home brew.
4. Cut the cars – especially if you don’t need them. There was a time when having more than one car was important for our family, but not anymore. If we can bite the bullet and only have one car we will be able to save $1000 in insurance and $350 in car expenses.
5. Ditch the clothes. If you’ve never purchased clothes at a thrift store then you are truly missing our on an adventure. Even in our small town, the second hand shops offer great selections of quality cloths at incredible prices. Instead of spending $50 on a pair of jeans, stop by the second hand shop and get some for $5. The savings for our family is $550.
6. Make it from scratch. If you don’t know your way around the kitchen then it is high time you learned. Pre-made and pre-packaged meals will cost you 10 times what a scratch meal would cost. Another benefit of scratch cooking means you can double the recipe and give some away (instead of buying expensive gifts). Savings for our family is around $1200.
7. Shop in bulk – when you need it. I even buy children’s gifts in bulk through Oriental Trader. It means that I have gifts for unexpected parties or last minute projects (limit your self to one bin or shelf). I also use these gifts for treats when the kids are extra helpful. Savings for bulk buying is about $300.
8. Learn to freeze. IF you package food right you will be able to buy large quantities and use them through out the year. This is great when you stumble on a meat sale at your grocery store (or your neighbor, who hunts, offers you some of his kill). I have also discovered that many vegetables freeze great – for use in cooking. So does cheese and butter. I even freeze sandwich fillings (meat and cheese together) when I can find good deals on those items. Savings for our family is $500.
9. Turn down the heat/ turn up the air. These bills alone (especially during extreme weather) can be overwhelming. Saving just $10 per week (by adjusting by two degrees) will make a HUGE long term difference. Savings for our family $520.
10. Give the gift of creativity. When our money was so tight we couldn’t afford an idea, much less actual items, we gave our son a rope for his birthday. It was to be used to make a rope swing for him on his playground. Something we did together. Five years later, it is still being used. He has also used pieces to make several other swings in the same tree. All the great remote control cars and gadgets have been broken or discarded, but this $10 rope has lived a long and joyful life! Savings for out family is $300.
Saving money doesn’t have to be something you do during a crisis. If it becomes a way of life then you can do things that you would never have dreamed possible. What would you be able to do with $7,000 each year? Odds are pretty good that you already have that money available; you are just choosing to spend it in different ways.
Start today making choices that will give you and your family the life you have been dreaming about.
December 2nd, 2007
Christmas is quickly closing in on me. I’ve put off shopping as long as I can. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and the crowds will expand exponentially when the sales hit the floor. With our monetary situation tighter than expected, I’m looking to make a few cuts in budget. I still want to be a blessing, but I’m going to have to do it at a discount.
1. No Christmas cards this year. Even when I make my own, the postage is rough (I usually send out about 70). Instead, I’ll aim for Easter – no one expects a card then.
2. Let’s talk turkey. Most years, I cook and prepare the Christmas bird. This year, I may bow out and let someone else take the lead. The sides or desserts can be done with things already stocked in my pantry and frig, so my contributions won’t have to cost any additional money.
3. Check Your Stash. I have always kept a gift chest (for those unexpected occasions) so this year I will hit it before I hit the stores. I know I can find some great stocking stuffers hiding away. There are probably even some gifts for the family that I have forgot all about (like I’m the only one who bought something months ahead and then completely forgot I bought it).
4. Bake and freeze. There are now four full weeks before I have to package and send out Christmas gifts. This year I foresee lots of baked goods. By starting now (and freezing for packaging later) I will not be overwhelmed at the end of December).
5. One per customer. Normally, we do three main gifts for each of the kids, but this year we will probably stick with one. This will leave plenty of room for all the stuff the grandparents pour over them.
6. Keep it all natural. This means not electronics. First, they tend to loose interest in these toys the fastest. Second, the accessories (batteries, remotes, etc) could break any bank. Third, they are just not as durable. We’ll stick with the Legos, Lincoln logs, and K-nex.
7. Cut down on the travel. If you are going to do in-store shopping, then make it all in one trip. The same goes for delivering gifts (even better, have a central home that everyone can drop of and pick up gifts – if there is lots of extended family involved). Gas is getting too expense not to figure into the Christmas budget.
8. Make a list and stick to it. This is a time that impulse buying must be avoided at all costs. Have an idea of what you are getting for each person, where it can be purchased, and stick to that plan.
9. Creative Wrapping. If you don’t buy your Christmas wrapping in January then now is the time to get creative. For children’s gifts, you can use the funny papers – most of them are thrilled by this. For others, use paper bags and let the kids decorate the “wrapping.” (Along the same note – if you do need to send a card to then make it yourself or let the kids do it. Cards from some places can be as expensive as the gift).
Looking back over this list I realized that many of the ideas are great all year through. They are also tried and true methods we have used in the past. Some have even become traditions (no matter what our budget was). The key to a success gift giving season is to keep in mind that it is the thought, not the gift or the price, that truly counts.
November 21st, 2007
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