Get Fit Neighborhood Walk

I'm so proud to be the lead of the Get Fit ministry at my church, Emmanuel Temple.  Our first Get Fit Neighborhood Walk last Saturday was a success. We talked, laughed, and WALKED our way through the neighborhood. Before we knew it we had walked 2.2 miles. Way to go, ladies! Let's plan to do it again late Spring '15!

 

 

Rest & Routine

To bed when the sun goes down. Rise when the sun comes up. A very basic concept. A concept our ancestors adhered to likely because they didn't have the luxury of electricity. Nonetheless, our biological clocks are wired that way. In this 24-hour, technology driven society, however, rest is dismissed and the importance of sleep often overlooked. We are constantly on-the-go.

Until recently I was guilty of being always on the go, go, go. "I'll sleep when I die," was my motto. Every night I went to bed with my iPhone clutched in hand, feeling the need to answer every text or email right away. Some nights I'd even sleep with the radio on for background noise. I was known to work on projects into the wee hours of the night and I'd proudly update my Facebook status "Burning the midnight oil."

I'm an information junkie. It's the whole journalist thing -- always seeking information. I read lots of magazines, newspapers, browse lots of websites, and I even read pamphlets and brochures that most others wouldn't. Anyway, I've been reading lately about how important sleep is for a number of reasons, but particularly for those trying to lose weight. Hold up. So all these crazy nights of me staying up late "Burning the midnight oil" could be hindering my weight loss efforts? That changes the game. I had to re-evaluate.

As of late, I make it a point to start shutting it down when the sun sets.  I'll admit getting to bed by 9:30 pm no later than 10 o'clock is a little challenging since it's summer and it stays light outside longer. Here's my new way of thinking: If I am unable to complete a task on any given day, it can wait until the next day. That's why there is a next day. Most of my deadlines I've learned are self-imposed. I'm giving myself permission to move the item or items around on my calendar. I've made it a priority, however, to get at least eight hours of sleep a night and a nap during the day when I can.

Since I started my new routine I'm more alert and focused and I've also noticed I get crabby when something interferes with my bedtime. No more of that ridiculous "I'll sleep when I die," mentality. I take sleep seriously. It's the one chance I get to shut my mind and body completely down. Forget about everything. Refresh. Renew. Just as my body needs exercise and proper nutrition it also needs the proper rest and routine.

I'm on a mission to be healthy. My approach to health and wellness is holistic. 

Bitten

I had been warding them off for days. They were coming at me aggressively from all angles. Sadly, one of them happened to be my darling little offspring. Finally, on Sunday they wore me down. I was bitten.

You know the type:  They spread their negativity freely, they are never grateful or thankful, they blame everyone else for everything, they never take onus, they often have an ugly sour look on their face (not always), and when they enter the room they instantly shift the energy (the blood) out of you -- I call them vampires. You know the kind who always has something wrong in their life. They are always the victim in every situation. They prey on the happy, peaceful, loving people. They come in all colors, shapes, sizes, ages and yes, they can even be your family members -- beware. Stay clear.

I hate to admit it, but I use to be a vampire. It has taken a lot of conscious effort to erase the negative thoughts and replace them with positive, peaceful thoughts. When I walk in the room I want people to be happy to see me. I want to radiate and spread my positive energy, my love. Not have folks run the opposite way -- thinking oh, no here she comes. Do I have bad days? Sure. I just try to stay positive and if I have any negative thoughts I certainly don't impose them on others.

Again, my journey to health, weight loss, and wellness is holistic. I'm trying to be a better person. I want all aspects of my life to be better and I realize that it starts within. It starts with my attitude. And, the people I surround myself with. You chose who you friends are. If there's someone in your life who is negative, always complaining, but not changing.  Yes, even if they are friends from the past and you have history. If they are not bringing value to your life then maybe it's time you rethink your friendship. There's nothing wrong with that. You are a direct reflection of the people you hang with. So I chose to surround myself with positive, like-minded people.

Though, I come in contact with all sorts of folks when I'm out in public, business associates, etc. they may not be folks I would normally interact with. In my immediate circle, however, I have a limited amount of people I chose to share my space and self with. Unfortunately, though every now and again a vampire creeps in.

To keep the blood-sucking vampires away when I'm out and about, I've been thinking about wearing garlic around my neck. Seriously, I mean it. I'm trying to live a peaceful, happy life and it does not include negative energy of any kind. As my teenaged daughter tries to find herself she gets a free pass although her time is limited too.

Negativity breeds negativity. Positivity breeds positivity. You chose.

Glow

Sometimes I write a blog post that stays in my head. Yesterday's post, "Inside Out" is still on my mind. I have more I would like to add. Again, my journey of self-transformation and weight loss has been a process where I really had to take a look within. I spent, spend a lot of time sitting still with myself: Reflecting, thinking, and coming up with new ways to tackle issues. My journey has taught me that food is only half the issue. My reaction to my emotions, led me to food. If I hadn't taken the approach of looking inward I would have never been able to tap into this portion of myself. My whole self.

From time-to-time, I receive compliments from people saying that I glow, that I look radiant. I was thinking about it and I think the reason I glow is because I eat good wholesome food, exercise, and drink plenty of water. But, beyond those things I  believe I glow because of the process I've went through to shed the layers and the pounds started from within. Not sure if you can get this radiant glow by taking supplements, drinking shakes, or eating dietary food from a box. I know, I go hard on supplements, but I just think they are a quick fix, expensive solution for a deeper issue that requires a deeper more inward approach. I glow because as I searched within I found happiness, belief, pleasure beyond food, and everything else just came together. My glow is inside out. My glow is holistic.

Inside Out

My self-transformation and weight loss journey began with a walk. For weeks, prior, I was drowning my sorrows and escaping from my fears by sleeping the days and nights away. But, during the brief waking moments there was a nagging voice within telling me to lace up my tennis shoes and go outside and take a walk. Obeying that nagging voice saved my life and is the reason I'm able to write this blog post today.

In the late fall of 2009 I was in a dark, miserable place. No job, no car, no boyfriend - all these losses happened within six weeks. I felt like I had no reason to go on. I felt like such a failure, loser. I couldn't imagine there was any reason to continue on. There were a number of things that required my attention. From my attitude to my finances. Losing everything forced me or I should say gave me the opportunity to sit still and figure out what was causing me to keep finding myself in dark situations.

The first walk (which by the way took every ounce of strength I had) was only ten minutes, but it opened my eyes and gave me a glimpse of light -- desperately needed light. After I strung together several days of walking I saw more light. I decided that maybe, just maybe I lost my job so that I could take the necessary time I needed to look within. I decided not to squander my gift and so I laced up my tennis shoes in the rain and sometimes in the snow. I used the walks outside to get fresh air, reflect, and get in touch with my inner self. Soon I began enjoying the walks they were cathartic for me and I was getting exercise. After a few months, I had even lost a few pounds.

In retrospect, I believe looking inward is the first step in starting a journey of this magnitude. I suspect (I know this was true for me) many of us who are struggling with weight and especially obesity have a myriad of other issues going on that lead us to food. Like I told the TOPS weight loss group I spoke with last week, I won't come out later and say I was raped or abused. I had a pretty normal childhood it's just that I found comfort, solace in food. Once I sat still with myself I found there were other things that brought me pleasure.  .

I started those walks just to save myself, but I ended up finding the whole me. Wellness and health aren't just about the physical state, quite the contrary, it's holistic. Once I started feeling better about myself, everything else just started coming together.When I started walking, I lost 8 pounds without really trying. The light was shining brighter and I started trying different things, surrounded myself with like-minded people, and became more social.

My self-transformation and weight loss journey has been from the inside out. I feel people should take time to look within and the rest will all come together. Today, I'm blinded by light: 170 pounds lighter, happier, and healthier -- it's a holistic approach. Might I suggest, if you are struggling with your weight, your health, spirituality, maybe it's time you look inward. Really, really look inward. Don't just make a plan, let the plan manifest in you. Inside out.

Everything I've Gained

Last night as part of my Wellness Coaching assignment, I completed a "Well-Being Assessment." The assessment addressed the importance, readiness, and confidence in each of the following categories:

• Energy
• Sleep and Stress Management
• Life Satisfaction
• Life Balance 
• Weight
• Exercise
• Nutrition 
• Health Issues
  

I was pleased with my answers to most of the questions. I  seem to have a solid grasp on most areas in my life. I was particularly pleased with the "Weight" category.  It asked you to record: Current weight, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years. As I wrote the decreasing numbers on each line I relished how much hard work and dedication I have put into losing weight and maintaining my weight loss. The weight loss directly correlates to me feeling better about myself, gives me a brighter prospective, and enhances my overall livelihood. I'm so very happy that I made the decision to confront my weight. Taking the assessment helped me put into prospective all that I've really achieved by losing the weight and taking a holistic approach to my health. I've said this many times before,  "It's not what I've lost, but everything I've gained."