From the Blog Roll ... And a Video

image courtesy of Vintage Collective

Hello everyone! I am going to share some of the good stuff I've read this week from my blog roll. Maybe you will discover something new. Let me know what you think!

First of all, from A Newer Tammy: My Journey to Lose 250 Lbs, a post about what she calls "the hump." She says that she tends to get off track after about 6-8 weeks of good weight loss habits. Me too, Tammy! Her post was great and the comments were very helpful, too.

Ready and needing to be totally motivated this week? Check out this dynamic post called, "You Never Know Unless You Try" from Diane at fit to the finish. She is someone who's made it in the weight loss challenge and still sharing her wisdom with those of us still enroute.

I also read a story from a fellow SparkPeople member that left me outraged. Do you ever find people are rude about your weight and you're not sure what to say? Read how VintageMIssy handled the situation: with grace and aplomb!  Better than I could have done!

And for something unrelated but hilarious! Have you seen this video about what it would be like if we acted in real life, like we do on Facebook and Twitter? Just a hint: what if we "followed" people in real life? Check it out!

 

Hope you're having a good weekend. Take care!

Monday Moves: Needing a Push to Exercise

Photo by d'n'c

First of all, the bad news. I did not reach my movement goal for this week, which was to walk five hours. I only walked for four hours. The reason that I did not reach it is that I was lazy. Plain and simple. I'm not being hard on myself but just honest.

Couldn't seem to get my myself out there and there is no excuse, really. I am just used to being sedentary, after a year off doing almost no exercise and it's hard for my mind and body to adjust. Ever heard of resistance? Well, I got it big time and I realize that a huge part of this battle is in my mind. I resist exercising, even though I KNOW it will help me in the end, and make me feel better.

I have been trying to figure out why I am so resistant and I think it has to do with the concept of homeostasis.  Remember this concept from Science class? That living things always try to stay in a stable state? Well, I think my body has been in the homeostatic state of not moving and eating whatever it wants. Now I have disturbed the balance and mind and body do not want to cooperate.

And I have to disturb this homeostatic state again and again, until I reach a new homeostatic state where I love movement and walking. I used to absolutely love walking and I will get there again. Right now, I enjoy it when I go but have a really hard time getting motivated.

Truth be told, if my gorgeous husband had not pushed me this week, I would  have had even less exercise to report: almost none, actually.

Bless his heart, he biked with me twice this week while I walked. (And he was the one that suggested it both times.) That was a lot of fun and we spent some time together doing something active. And then yesterday he gave me a little lecture about how I was not doing what I said I would do. This kicked me out the door, so to speak and I had a two hour walk that day.

photo by RWTurenne

So I am very glad that I did do the four hours. I did part of the walk in this little tiny park by the river that I found and the breeze blowing off the river was wonderful! I really do enjoy walking once I start but I have a hard time getting out the door.

As well, I am happy to report that my new shoes are amazing! It honestly feels like I am walking on pillows. Yay!

So, that is my report: the good, the bad and the ugly. What's great is that God always gives us new weeks! This week, my goal is to walk five hours, without my husband having to push me! I  have to do this! 

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Movement Minutes This Week ----->>>>

(From SparkPeople)

Setting a Foundation

This morning, I had to remind myself of why I have undertaken this journey: the journey to lose weight. I have taken this journey because I am laying a foundation for the future. I do have other dreams and aspirations, but without a healthy me, these will not happen. Taking care of my body and my home are the foundations of building a life.

image -- foundation by Samdogs (Flickr)

From these basics, flow anything else that comes from  a life. My life has been always lived the other way. I focused on career, and the outside world, at the expense of my body. It's not that I didn't try, but I unintentionally neglected my physical body and home, at the expense of serving others and the community. This was a form of self-abuse, and has eventually led to me being a hundred pounds overweight.

I want to take care of this body, because this body is the thing that takes me from place to place, that houses my soul, my spirit, and dreams.