Monday, May 2, 2016

Countdown to 50

Today is my birthday but not just any birthday. Today is my 49th birthday and I have mixed feelings about that though overall, 49 doesn't really bother me too much. What it does, however, is remind me that this time next year, I'll turn 50! Now THAT number does something for me. It motivates me. I have found myself over the last year or so actually looking forward to 50. I really want to be the best 50 I can be. I want to be healthier; I want to look good and I want to be more active. I'd like to be able to go for a hike or a bike ride with my family and not be so out of breath that I can't keep up. I live in beautiful Florida where there's so many wonderful outdoor activities to take advantage of and I'm so out-of-shape that I just can't participate and I want to change that.

So here's what I'm doing. Like the title of the post says, this, my 49th year, begins my countdown to 50 where I plan to continue to work hard on losing 40 more pounds - I've already lost 10 over the last few months. I've been working on changing habits. I'm getting off my butt and going outside to walk. When I started I could only go 20 minutes but now I'm up to 30 nearly everyday. I'm eating healthier and learning a completely different dietary lifestyle than I've ever known. I'm eating lots more fruits and veggies, cutting way back on refined sugars and trying "weird" foods like legumes and quinua. In addition to walking, I'm toying with idea of trying yoga and little by little I'm incorporating strength training. I'm taking it slow since so much of this is new to me, especially where the food is concerned but so far, it's been fun and challenging and frustrating and hopeful. In a perfect world, I'd lose a pound a week but I've been on this rollercoaster ride waaay too long to truly expect that to happen every single week but it's still something to work toward.

I'm excited but I know feelings like this can ebb and flow as well, especially when I'm tired or stressed so I would appreciate any prayers you'd care to pray on my behalf in this area. I have asked God to change my "want-to's" and I can see Him answering that prayer even in silly ways. Like, I crave broccoli at times the way I'd crave ice cream or something cake-like. Weird, right? But I speak the truth. Writing it all down like this helps keep me accountable in a way and gives me an outlet so I'll post updates on occasion and maybe even a pic once in a while that I hope will show my progress. So that's the deal. To the two or three people who might actually see this, thanks for checking in and reading.

Be blessed.

Friday, November 14, 2014

I am so looking forward to this new study by Kelly Minter. Check out the link before for a preview.

#WhatLoveIs
"Life is not a career path or an attentive husband or a new home...Life is Jesus. #WhatLoveIs

Friday, November 7, 2014

Same ol' Story

If you've ever struggled with weight loss, maybe you'll understand this little rant. It feels maddening to keep repeating this same cycle over and over again. Perhaps my story is similar to yours. I find my motivation from any number of sources - someone's inspirational story or maybe from the scale or the way my clothes fit or simply how awful I feel - and decide I'm going to get back on track. I start exercising and eating better. It's hard to get started but soon enough I find my rhythm and I do great for a while. Then something happens. I get injured - I've suffered through multiple shin splints, back problems, a bulging disk in my neck just to name a few. Or I get sick and am laid up for while. Then there's the holidays; they're always a lovely bump in the road and before I know it, I'm derailed, discouraged and defeated. Some time passes and the cycle begins again.

I hate this cycle. The beginning part is great. Who doesn't love feeling all gung-ho, like you can conquer the world and if not the world, certainly the excess weight that's been hanging on you like an albatross threatening to drag you down into the abyss of ill-health. The middle and end of this cycle, however, just plain sucks. I try so hard to avoid the middle part. I stretch before exercising, get the right shoes, take my vitamins but life just has a way of happening no matter how careful one is.

I realize so much of this is a matter of mind-set. Motivation is great and necessary but it can burn out quickly. I very much identify with the "instant gratification" society that's all around us so I've got to dig deep and find more than just motivation if I'm going to finally succeed in my journey to good health. With God's help and strength, I know I've got it in me to do it.
      
Yes, the cycle is maddening but it would be madder still to give up completely. I know the consequences of not taking care of this body God's given me. I want to make a different future for myself and leave a far better example to my kids of what's possible. So, here I go again. I'm back on track, walking and eating right or trying to anyway. No matter what, one thing I know is that this WILL be part of my success story. How 'bout you?

Be Blessed
Melanie

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

What Love Is

I am so very much looking forward to doing this new study by Kelly Minter! Check out this clip.
WhatLoveIs

Be Blessed!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

What Love Is

God's love for us grants us the capacity to love others." - Kelly Minter #WhatLoveIs

Thursday, October 16, 2014

What Love Is






"Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God's children." - 1 John 3:1 #WhatLoveIs