tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34815684926281850112024-02-19T16:50:50.837-08:00Choosing JoyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-85639652537043931562013-11-23T18:01:00.000-08:002013-11-23T18:01:00.207-08:00So....you still haven't gained back your weight? Wish I could say how many times I've had this question, or some version of it, asked to me in the last year. It's a lot.<div>
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And I gotta say a couple of times those questions included some arch tone, as if the person was somewhat surprised that I hadn't. </div>
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I also hear dire warnings about how hard it is to maintain, and of how someone's (mother, brother, best friend's cousin, some random neighbor down the road) lost 100 pounds and then regained it.</div>
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The first few times, this question rocked my world. Really - I saw myself in that scenario and I spend more time than I should have bending the ear of one or all of my closest friends exacting promises from them to keep me from gaining one pound ever and endless scenarios of "what if?what if? what if?"</div>
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There is a stat out there that says "95% of all dieters regain their weight loss." I did a little research into that study and it's unmitigated bull. Not true at all. The study was redone in 1999 under better control and the results then were much different. Actually, MOST dieters kept the weight off for 5 years or more. </div>
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Still, there is that figure of "most" which does mean many, many people worked real hard, the regained. Sure does. And I have a thought on that.</div>
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Take a little side trip for a moment.......it's worth it, trust me.</div>
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Dr. Wayne Dyer has a wonderful philosophy about intentions. His view is that you when a possible outcome can go a negative way or a positive way, believe the positive. Even if the chance is 1% or 10% or 50%, set your intention towards the positive. Always. Why not? If the outcome could go either way, and you decide it's going to go the way you don't want it to go, then you've further diminished your chances!!!</div>
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So, back to weight loss.</div>
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<b>I intend to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits for the rest of my life.</b></div>
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Do I know that this will be hard? Sure do.</div>
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Do I know that others have lost and regained? Sure do</div>
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Do I know that ""I"" have lost and regained? Sure do</div>
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What do I care about?</div>
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I care about making good health decisions today. I get that my weight will fluctuate a few pounds from time to time and my happiness is not dependent on some number on a scale. But I also know that if I start putting my trigger foods on my plate, pretty soon I'll be seeing that number go up to places that I won't be able to do the activities I like, which would be a problem.</div>
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I'm working on what would be a good answer to someone who asks me about my weight loss and how long will it last; haven't come up with a good reply yet. In time, I will. For now, I just set my intentions to the outcome I want.</div>
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Thought to take with me today: Focus on what you want, see it, feel it, taste it, smell it. Intend that it will be yours - and it will be</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-59393488099183269782013-11-20T17:48:00.001-08:002013-11-20T17:48:57.711-08:005kFor years I would watch joggers from my car. Out loud I made fun of them. Inside, I envied their easy stride, swinging pony tails, and sweaty faces. I wanted to be them.<br />
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But running at 200, 220, 240, 250 pounds is problematic to say the least. Especially when walking is challenging. Running? yeah, not so much.<br />
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So when I began losing weight, one of the first things I put as a goal was to run a 5k. My trainer never really understood WHY that was so important and to be fair, it was hard to put into words, that I wanted to be that beautiful woman running along the side of the road, lost in her own world, feeling the pounding pavement and moving so effortlessly through space.<br />
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As I began losing weight, running became more and more of a possibility. Using the C25K program, I would faithfully get out on the track and churn out week 1, then week 2, and then somewhere around week 3, I'd get injured, again. It happened so many times, that eventually I gave up on that goal.<br />
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This June a fellow gym member asked me if I wanted to run with her. Our first mile (as documented on my Nike app) was 14 minutes - a combination of walking and running. We started running 2 - 3 times a week and very gradually our pace dropped to 13, 12:30, 12:00 and then into the 11:00's.<br />
We talked about maybe, possibly doing a race - we were both so nervous. What if we were last? What if we couldn't do it?<br />
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Finally, I said "So what!!!" to all of our questions and signed us up.<br />
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And because you know where this is going....on October 26, I ran my first 5k!<br />
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And then my second on November 2<br />
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And then my third on November 9<br />
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Yeah, 3 in 3 weeks. That's a bit cray-cray I know.<br />
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While I do not for a moment think I look beautiful when I run, I hope that I look like I'm enjoying it, because I am. Moving through space, feeling the air, loving the time outside.<br />
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I run, because I can. </div>
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Thoughts to take with me today: Dream bigAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-28139996743287311732013-11-19T17:04:00.003-08:002013-11-19T17:04:43.315-08:00My journey so farOn July 1, 2011, I began my second life. That date is more important to me than my real birthday, as it is the day I was reborn.<br />
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As every birth of a child is hard, my journey has been no different. It was and is hard. But as every birth of a long waited for child is a reason for celebration, so is mine.<br />
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On July 1, 2011, my weight was 258. </div>
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On November 1, 2013, my weight was 154.</div>
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How did I do it?<br />
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Oh dear ones, I have to use a cliche that I really don't like.<br />
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<b>It was one day at a time.</b></h2>
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But to dig a bit deeper, the process also involved not giving up even when...<br />
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I went to bed in tears from the pain of working out</div>
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The scale refused to budge for weeks and months</div>
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My clothes didn't get bigger</div>
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No one noticed</div>
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I was hungry</div>
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I just kept telling myself "It will work. Everything you are doing will work in time, give it another month, two months, three months. Just please believe, and keep following the plan."<br />
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Another thing I did that was helpful was that I saw a therapist about why I weighed so much in the first place. She became a tremendous support.<br />
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Those of you that have read my blog also know that practicing yoga became vital. It was on my mat that I first found peace and in time I learned how to take that peace off the mat. Trust me, it's still a bitter process at times, but easier every day.<br />
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Would I do anything differently? No, I wouldn't, except I wish I had trusted more and worried less.<br />
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And the process? What did I actually DO?<br />
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This....<br />
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<b>Workout - </b><br />
Cardio that got my heartrate up 5 days a week 45 minutes to an hour<br />
Yoga 3 days a week<br />
Strength training 2 days a week<br />
Rest day 1 day a week (although I didn't do a rest day for months, that took a long time to trust that I wouldn't quit after having a day off)<br />
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<b>Diet - </b><br />
About 1800 calories with 45% carbs, 30% protein, 25% fat. Very few processed foods, with tons of chicken, good starches, fruits, and veggies.<br />
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That's it - no magic combination, no withholding of any food really. I ate and still eat what I want, but in limited portions.<br />
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There is one more thing I did that I don't always give full credit for. There were 3 close friends that knew everything I was going through - including my starting weight, which was hard to admit, but it was good that I did. By being brutally honest with them in the beginning, they were able to remind me of the progress and point out milestones that were easy to forget when when I was depressed.<br />
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Although you most likely never see this, Natalie, Erin, and Denise. I love each of you dearly. You have a piece of me in you and I trust you to hold that piece with care. And you do.<br />
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<b>The payoff -</b><br />
No more medications<br />
My body feels alive<br />
Endorphins kick ass<br />
I am more healthy at 51 than I was at 21<br />
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For those of you struggling with weight, I beg you to not give up.<br />
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You CAN do this</div>
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You are stronger than you know</div>
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You are worth the struggle</div>
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Thoughts to take with me today: I am not thin, I am healthy - inside and out - and that's pretty cool.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-35511692152302261322013-08-04T18:16:00.000-07:002013-08-04T18:59:50.614-07:00SavasanaAt the end of every yoga class, there is a time of rest or savasana. These few minutes allow the body and the mind to absorb the work of the class and more importantly, a time of reflection, a time of quiet, a time of peace.<br />
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Savasana is the corpse pose. </div>
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By engaging in this asana at the end of each class, we remind ourselves that life has a beginning, a journey, and an end. It should be a moment of quiet celebration and a gentle acceptance of the passage of yet another piece of our lives. The class is finished, it cannot be repeated, it can only be remembered.<br />
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And not just yoga, but so much of what we do is also a cycle.<br />
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Our child's first day of school - then the proud walk across the stage</div>
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The nervous first date - then the tearful "I do" in front of loved ones</div>
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A smile from a stranger - then the oh-so-sweet hug from your best friend</div>
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The first kiss - then the closing of a lid</div>
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Beginnings and endings - all with tears and smiles and love and sweetness</div>
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I celebrated an ending this week. I wish I coud say it was done with grace and dignity. I cannot claim that. In fact, I cried bitterly that something so very important to me had come full circle. I could not celebrate a single thing, I could only think of the loss. But I was wrong to do that. Very.<br />
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In the moment we forget </div>
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rainbows only come after storms</div>
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pearls are made from grains of sand</div>
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mountains must have valleys to even be mountains</div>
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and mostly - to be human, we must engage in a full range of emotions</div>
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Including tears</div>
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The end always comes - and that's a reason to celebrate - and even more of a reason to love every single minute of what we hold dear.<br />
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Thoughts to take with me today: Do not cry because it's over; smile because it happened. Namaste<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-49675730031814895842013-05-09T17:50:00.002-07:002013-05-09T17:50:45.815-07:00CandlesI'm a teacher. It goes with out saying I have candles. Why? When it's time to give a teacher a present, what is the 'go-to' gift? A candle.<br />
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I have jar candles of all sizes, votives, tapers, shaped, novelty - every color and scent imaginable. In fact, at last count, there are well over a hundred candles in my house right now.<br />
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Tucked away in drawers. Just about every one of them. Except for the few that sit out getting dusty.<br />
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Why do they sit?<br />
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Because I don't burn candles.<br />
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Do I not burn them because I don't like them? Actually, just the opposite. I LOVE candles. I love the flickering flame, the gentle glow, the subtle smells...I adore walking into a dim room lit only by the warmth and richness of a candle. It makes me smile. Every single time.<br />
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I don't burn them, because I don't want to waste them.<br />
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What happens to candles left unburned? Eventually they lose their smell, their color, and fade into a dull lump with a wick. Of little use or interest to anyone.<br />
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Wait...What was my goal again?<br />
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I. Don't. Want. To. Waste. Them.</div>
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As if burning them in my house, for my pleasure, is a waste.<br />
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This truth hit me hard recently as I looked at 5 candles in tall glass votives on a sideboard. At one time each candle was a vibrant color with a vivid smell, nestled in a sparking glass, asking to be used, but instead, over time, slowly fading to a non-descript color with only a hint of the original scent, covered in dust.<br />
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In saving them, I wasted them.<br />
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Now, let's take a deep breath and tuck down a bit further, peel back a couple of layers and see what I'm really saying.<br />
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I'm not worth a candle.<br />
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The pleasure of enlightening my senses, of bringing a smile to my face, of feeling the comfort - all for me? No, I'm just not worth it.<br />
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But I am. I'm worth a candle, and so much more.</div>
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This is what my sideboard looks like right now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChxJ2sIW0KAYRRyo3wPo-uT11vfRbMWQGHnA3SbQJxJ4r1qpeegFpgRGsrTvqYMNRvPhYNwOB4ysEDtFzt9qRFTt98NpSganHYCF-fV1BUTOhu_Ydvv57Dp703liyxEMBIohdVUVQOSwf/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChxJ2sIW0KAYRRyo3wPo-uT11vfRbMWQGHnA3SbQJxJ4r1qpeegFpgRGsrTvqYMNRvPhYNwOB4ysEDtFzt9qRFTt98NpSganHYCF-fV1BUTOhu_Ydvv57Dp703liyxEMBIohdVUVQOSwf/s200/Image.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Candles, lit and in use, not for anyone else, but for me. For no other reason than it makes me smile.<br />
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What do you save for company only? Is there something that you only pull out for 'special' that sits in a drawer or a closet that you wish you could use more often? I challenge you to use it for you, not for company, but for the best person in your life - you.<br />
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You are worth that, and so much more.<br />
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Thoughts to take with me today: Light a candle, feel the love, and smile.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-45403850692014102472013-04-19T11:46:00.000-07:002013-04-19T11:47:13.240-07:00Lessons from a beginnerThere were new people in my yoga class last night. This isn't unusual, except that these were first-timers to yoga - as in, first class, evah. Since this is a mixed levels class, beginners are generally part of any class, but brand new? Not so much.<br />
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One of the ladies was me from two years ago - unsure, uncoordinated, inflexible, but determined to do everything 'right.' I wanted the class to go just so beautifully for her, I wanted her to align her hips, flex forward with ease, and then bend back and open her heart to the heavens and see herself as the radiant soul she most certainly is. <br />
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My wish for her? No struggle, no effort, just joy</div>
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Of course though, she had a typical first timer's class. Nothing came automatically. She needed many adjustments, lots of explanations, and several attempts to do basic poses.<br />
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Thankfully, her first class was under the instruction of a great yogi - one who has marvelously clear instructions and tons of support, all delivered with a spirit of love and humor.<br />
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At the end of the class though, the similarities between her first class and mine ended as she commented to me, "I know I didn't do everything perfect, but I felt like I did a whole lot right! I loved it!"<br />
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The thud you hear is my heart hitting the ground as I realized that even after two years, I still don't always have that attitude. Too often I end class thinking about how much my hip hurt in a stretch, that I needed to be corrected in a back bend, or how someone else's pose soared, while mine...not so much.<br />
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In other words, I focus on what I did wrong, instead of celebrating the journey on my mat that day, respecting where I was at that moment.<br />
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It took a beginner to help me see that. </div>
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Maybe girlfriend isn't such a beginner after all.</div>
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Tomorrow brings another yoga class and another chance to enjoy the movement and feel the love. My goal is to end it with deep belief with her exact statement. <br />
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"I know I didn't do everything perfect, but I felt like I did a whole lot right! I loved it!"</div>
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Thoughts to take with me today: Who are you right now? You are also a radiant soul. Believe nothing less.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-78132078005528439862013-03-04T11:13:00.000-08:002013-03-04T11:48:35.232-08:00It's the pauses that matterThe more I study, practice, learn about yoga the more I'm struck by how much I want my life to actually <em>be</em> yoga. As in, no difference between my behavior on or off my mat. Just seamless, continuous yoga.<br />
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On my mat I can be calm, giggly, exuberant, sad, humble, joyous, inquisitive, or any number of emotions, not always 'pretty' ones, but authentic and respectful of what I am <em>at that moment</em>. <br />
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On my mat I journey from one pose to another and pause when the pose is exactly right for me,<em> </em> Not where I will be in a year, or where I was a year ago. But now - <em>this moment</em>.<br />
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On my mat, I don't ask myself 'why?' and 'when?" and "what the hell are you trying to do?" There is movement and breath and finally a stillness with no past or future. Only present. <em>Only this moment</em>.<br />
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On my mat I breathe in peace and breathe out what little stress is there. It's not that the anxiety melts or dissipates in the yoga room, it's that it doesn't follow me. The stress is somewhere out in the hall, or parking lot, or just away.<br />
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On my mat healing thought patterns form and slowly erase the old tapes. Thought patterns that speak the truth with love and over time I believe those whispered truths just a bit more. <br />
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On my mat, I pause, and feel<em> that moment</em>.<br />
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On my mat, I am home.<br />
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This weekend I made a comment about someone being 'comfortable with having pauses' when they teach yoga. And there was the discovery. How perfect to have pauses in life. How right to be still, how blissful to leave the anxiety in the ether and what a gift to breathe in peace.<br />
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Living the moment - no matter what is happening - exercising, meditating, eating, house cleaning -loving the purpose of<em> the moment.</em><br />
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That's yoga.<br />
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Thoughts to take with me today: I want to live on my mat and I can. It only takes practice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-90139881043188811102013-02-25T11:08:00.000-08:002013-02-25T11:08:06.361-08:00Bashing into wallsToday I accepted a friend's request and went to her 5:30 AM spin class at a nearby gym. It was crazy, stupid fun. Before class she showed me tons of toys I've not seen before - especially the plyometric stuff - including a HUGE black box, about 3 feet high for doing jumps from the floor on. That tiny annoying voice in my head said, "No way! You can't jump that high!" even as my feet lept from the floor, square into the middle - nailing the landing! I wanted to roar like a lion because I DID IT! <br />
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Like I said, stupid, stupid fun.<br />
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During class though, I tweaked my right shoulder a bit by being careless when I came up to a standing run. This is a real problem - my right shoulder is my GOOD shoulder and for it to hurt at all is bad, bad, bad. Then at one point, we transitioned down to a seated climb and I noticed an ache in my back, probably caused by not supporting my core enough and allowing my back to cave in. Again, this is a problem - my back (and core) has always been a strength.<br />
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Great, two separate new pains to contend with, in previously strong areas. I finished the class angry.<br />
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Externally, I looked fine. Internally, I was bashing into walls - furious with myself. Not because I'd injured myself, but rather the same ol' refrain of regrets...<br />
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"Why didn't I start exercising years ago when I was young?"</div>
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"Why didn't I discover how fun this was when I had 20 year old knees?"</div>
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"Do you realize how much harder all of this is at your age?"</div>
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"Why didn't I run and jump and play all along?"</div>
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"Why did I wait so long to move?"</div>
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"Why? Just why?"</div>
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I had this mental vision of myself in a small room hurling into wall after wall, uncaring about any damage I might be doing, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth until finally I came to a complete stop and sat, slumped over, exhausted in the center.</div>
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And there, in the stillness, the author of my life gave me the answer to all the "Whys?" </div>
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"Because, my dear, your time is now."</div>
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No explanations, no apologies, just that one simple statement, spoken with love and kindness and caring.</div>
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I accept. </div>
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I kind of have to accept.</div>
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And in that lovely quiet moment, I had another mental picture of the people I've met on my journey in the last 2 years. If I had picked up exercising 20 years ago, would I have met them at all? Would our paths have intersected? Would I have hurt myself at some point in my youthful foolishness and now be regretting doing too much? What would my life be like now and would I like it? There are no answers to those hypothetical questions, and in a way, those questions are useless. </div>
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My time is now - in my 50's - to exercise and move and play. I give up bashing into walls and asking "why?" I think I'll just laugh it off and love doing what I do - jumping onto 3 foot high blocks, swinging from hammocks in aerial yoga, nailing burpees, blazing through indoor cycling, and discovering the usefulness of ibuprofen! </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Because, my time is now. Right now. No more questions, no more fighting, no more bashing into walls. Acceptance.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thoughts to take with me today: It's my life. I can love it or fight it. I think I'll choose to love it and once again, choose joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-73879660396402348902013-02-23T18:21:00.001-08:002013-02-23T18:21:37.407-08:00Body ImageSo today, I'm on the net and an advertisement catches my eye - "Plus Size Dresses For Spring Now On Sale!"<br />
<br />
I clicked on it thinking I could use a new dress for Spring.<br />
<br />
Then sat back in amazement.<br />
<br />
I'm not a plus-size and haven't been for a very long time.<br />
<br />
This prompted me to go looking around the net wondering if I'm sorta unique and come to find out, nah, not really.<br />
<br />
It's called "Phantom fat." I get it...truly.<br />
<br />
The idea is that just like in losing a limb and the body still feels like it's there, in my case, my body has lost over 85 pounds and still I feel like the fat has never left. Ever.<br />
<br />
How to get over this feeling? Well, apparently, it's pretty simple - time. Just time. Time to adjust to what I see in the mirror, time to feel, look, listen, and believe.<br />
<br />
Believe...<br />
<br />
My life can be different<br />
The weight is gone, forever<br />
What I see is real<br />
I can relax<br />
It's okay<br />
<br />
Maybe next year, I'll see the same ad and smile and know that's not my area any more.<br />
<br />
Maybe the year after<br />
<br />
Either way, it will happen<br />
<br />
Thoughts to take with me today: Who knew there were so many steps to healthy?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-7826363107739503132013-02-11T12:05:00.000-08:002013-02-11T16:22:13.631-08:00"It's not fair...."I teach middle school. I can't tell you the number of times I've heard this phrase. Generally directed at me when I've asked my kiddos to do something that doesn't fit in with their immediate plans. Such as school work. Funny how they seem to be surprised when they are in school and the teacher gives them work to do. Can't figure that one just comes out of the blue to them time after time.<br />
<br />
But then I hear the same phrase come out of my mouth and I blush to hear the "whine-i-ness" of it. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's not fair that ...</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
it's so hard to eat right</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my knee, hip, shoulder hurts</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my body won't do what I want it to do</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
people don't 'get' me<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This attitude is not real attractive to be honest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
On a good day - a day where I have some control over my emotions - I can step back and reflect on what is really REALLY not fair.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's also not fair that I have...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a house and bed to sleep in every night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
food in my fridge and pantry</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a body that moves and runs and plays</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
friends that accept my quirks<br />
children who make me proud<br />
a husband who adores me</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
We aren't guaranteed any of these wonderful things and there are plenty of people around the world missing any and or all of the givens I so blithely take for granted while whining and wishing and moping I had something else. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Attractive? Nope, not so much.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
A while back a friend shared that every night before she goes to bed she records three things she is grateful for in a journal. I pondered that idea, and actually looked for a journal but just didn't see one that spoke to me. Then a few weeks later, another friend, who had no idea of the first conversation handed me the most beautiful bound journal completely out of the blue. That has become my journal of gratitude.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've recorded about 3 weeks worth of statements of "I am grateful for..." and it is eye-opening to go back and re-read and be reminded of how truly blessed my life is. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No, "it's not fair" to be granted so many wonderful daily gifts. Not fair at all. Instead of whining, I think I'll smile and say "Thanks" to the Source that has provided so richly for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Thoughts to take with me today: I am grateful for my life. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-63125903111687679062013-01-05T18:15:00.000-08:002013-01-05T18:35:26.742-08:00Why I practice yoga<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Until
recently, I viewed yoga as a religion or a practice directly in conflict with
my Christian faith. Even when I began attending yoga classes, there were
sayings that the teacher would lead us in that I would quietly just not do. No
drama, just a lack of participation.
The phrases seemed uncomfortable and created a dissonance within and
made me think that they were questioning of my Christianity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But if
the truth be told, I wasn’t that great of a Christian. And I was unhappy. Something was
missing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I
started asking questions of my teacher, and very wisely, she fed me tidbits –
not enough to spook me - but enough to make me think. One of the first
principles of yoga I learned were the Yamas and Niyamas. Although the names were foreign and didn’t
sit well in my mouth, there was nothing to fight against.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yamas</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Ahimsa</b>
– Compassion for all living things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Satya</b> –
Truthfulness<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Asteya</b>
– Do not steal<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Bramacharya</b>
– Self control<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Aparigraha</b>
– Lack of greed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Niyamas</span></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Sauca</b> –
Purity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Santosha</b>
– Contentment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Tapas</b> –
Discipline<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Svadhyaya</b>
– Study of sacred scriptures<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>Isvara-pranidhana</b>
– Devotion to God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nothing
objectionable. Just a way to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Many yogis put emphasis on Ahimsa or Satya – do
not harm and tell the truth. Good concepts, but for some reason the one that
caught my eye was Svadhyaya – the study of sacred scriptures. Nothing in yoga
said what to study, just to study. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For the
first time in years, I picked up my Bible and began reading. Although I grew up
in a church, attended a Christian high school and university, and am still a
member, at 50 something clicked inside and a door opened. The connection
between what was on the pages and what my life should look like became clear; I
began to live what I was reading every morning. The unhappiness and discontent slowly peeled away. What was left was peace and acceptance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yoga
made me a better Christian<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This
morning, I turned to Ephesians 4 and 5. A short way in, I read the words “Put away
falsehood” and I whispered the word, “Satya.” In a few short verses, I realized that every Yama and Niyma
was there. <i>Every one of them</i>. Oh sure, some are a bit more oblique than others,
but the thought, the idea, the <i>feeling</i> is there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">5 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Therefore,
putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we
are members one of another. (SATYA) </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">26 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Be angry but
do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">27 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">and give no opportunity to the devil. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">28 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him
labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those
in need. (ASTEYA) (APARIGRAHA). </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">29 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but
only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart
grace to those who hear (BRAMACHARYA) </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">30 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">31 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Let all
bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you,
with all malice (SAUCA), </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">32 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">and be kind
to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave
you. (AHIMSA)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">1Therefore be imitators of God (TAPAS)(SVADHYAYA)
as beloved children. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">2 </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And walk in
love (SANTOSHA), as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant
offering and sacrifice to God (ISVARA PRANIDHANA).</span></i><i><span style="color: #1f5011; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">My worlds intersected and I smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
Thoughts to take with me today: Anything that brings me closer to God can only
be good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-61980259656076407312013-01-04T11:28:00.000-08:002013-01-04T15:55:53.622-08:00How to lose weight safely and 'easily'Most TV talk shows, radio programs, and even some Internet sites have information about losing weight.<br />
<br />
Saw one yesterday about losing weight WHILE eating pizza and french fries - as much as you want apparently - <em>and still lose weight!</em><br />
<br />
<em>Color me skeptical.</em> <br />
<br />
But let's be real, people DO want to lose weight, get healthy, look better - all of those things - and the reason these ads/shows are out there is because it brings eyes and viewers.<br />
<br />
There is a pretty easy way to lose weight, but it doesn't sell a lot of books or advertising time. I'm going to share what took me about 18 months to learn. Remember I'm not a registered dietician, personal trainer, nurse, doctor, or television journalist. I'm just a chick that lost 80 pounds and is willing to share my secrets.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eat right, move more.</div>
<br />
That's really about it. <br />
<br />
If you need to lose 40, 50 (or in my case 90) or more pounds, there aren't a whole lot of tricks that are sustainable over the long haul. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eat right, move more.</div>
<br />
How does that look in real life? How do you get started?<br />
<br />
Take one week and write down everything that goes in your mouth. Don't worry about a bunch of changes, just write it down. Also, take note of how many minutes you got yourself moving. <br />
<br />
Then go through the whole week and start tallies of your food groups on a daily basis. How many servings of dairy, protein, grains, fruits, veggies, fats. Count them up honestly, and KNOW what a serving size is. For example a bagel at Paneras/Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts is about 2 servings, not one.<br />
<br />
After you have your totals, look at where the adjustments need to come in.<br />
<br />
According to the USDA, this is what you are shooting for every day: <br />
<br />
Grains - 6 - 11 servings <br />
Protein 3 - 4<br />
Dairy - 3<br />
Fruits 2 - 3<br />
Veggies 3 - 4<br />
Fats 1 - 2<br />
<br />
Those are your goals. DO NOT worry about calories so much as aligning with those figures. The calories will naturally drop. <br />
<br />
Now look at your exercise. You need 30 minutes every day. Walk, climb stairs, elliptical, bike, go to a mall and just move from one end to another. It may be hard the first time. Good. That will make your successes all that much sweeter.<br />
<br />
(If you are a diabetic and/or under a doctor's care for any reason, ignore me and do whatever he/she says. They know a helluva lot more than I do.)<br />
<br />
That's the plan in a nutshell.<br />
<br />
Questions I know some of you have (and I know these are real questions because I actually asked every single stinkin' one of these over the last two years)<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>"What about the diet plans out there - Atkins, Paleo, low-fat, etc?"</strong> I think there's a place for them, but instead of getting caught up in a complicated, involved plan, how about starting simple? Start with what is easy, and get some weeks and months behind you with disciplined eating, then if you need something extra or something that seems like it might work, then try it.<br />
<br />
<strong>"How do I time my meals? Do I want to eat everything early in the day?</strong> In my experience, the timing doesn't matter. I went on a cruise in October and wondered if I would gain weight because our dinner was 8:15 every night. Not only did I NOT gain weight, I lost. <br />
<br />
<strong>"I don't like breakfast foods."</strong> Fine, eat what you want - your body does not care if you eat 4 oz of ground beef with a bun at 6 AM or 6 PM. But do eat something for breakfast. Your body needs the fuel.<br />
<br />
<strong>"I can't live without my coffee."</strong> Me either, so be aware of how much milk you are putting in each cup and count that in your totals. Coffee happens to be my last, lone vice. I like having a vice. The guys at Starbucks know my name. All good :)<br />
<br />
<strong>"I don't want to be hungry."</strong> Make sure your grains are as complex as you can, and spread your meals out during the day. Other than that, accept there will be a little hunger until your stomach shrinks. And on some days, the hunger will be bigger than others. Eat a bit more on those days, just don't go crazy.<br />
<br />
<strong>"I'd go on a diet but I can't live without my (candy bar, chips, french fries, pizza, burgers, soda, whatever)."</strong> Can you live with your current weight for the rest of your life? Then do so, but otherwise, something has to go. Cut your special item back to 1/2 of what it is now and see if that is sustainable. But honestly, if your afternoon candy bar is more important than losing 50 pounds, then have the candy bar and be happy. Otherwise, choose.<br />
<br />
<strong>"This is going to make me miserable!"</strong> If that is your first thought, then yes, you will be miserable because you've already decided you will be. Turn that thought around and think of what you will be able to do - walk, climb stairs, play with your kids, run a 5K, buy clothes in the regular size department. I guarantee you that you will NOT be miserable doing any of those things.<br />
<br />
<strong>"You don't understand, I will have so much loose skin."</strong> Yeah, I actually DO understand. Been there, done that, own the T Shirt. This is my approach - my skin can either be smooth and filled out with flesh, or it can sag because there is just less of me. I choose "Door B" every time.<br />
<br />
<strong>"I'll start tomorrow, next week, next month."</strong> Sure you will. Instead - start the next meal. Write down what you eat, <em>inform yourself. </em>Remember you aren't even dieting at the beginning, you are just gathering information. You don't need a special day for that. Your body does not care what when it is. <br />
<br />
<strong>"It's too hard to diet."</strong> Wanna know what's hard? Hard is figuring out how to get food in your body every day, not just when you are dieting. Somehow we figure out what to eat when we want to consume 3,000+ calories a day, but when asked to cut back, that seems harder. <br />
<br />
<strong>"I don't have the willpower."</strong> Again, you are right, you don't because you've already set your intentions that you don't. Try this. Tell yourself over and over and over, until you believe it, "I can do this, I can eat right, I can move more." After enough days of hearing that mantra, eventually it becomes part of your mind set and before long, your life has changed and you become someone with willpower.<br />
<br />
<strong>"What about lifting weights?"</strong> I love lifting, it's fun. But don't worry about it at the beginning. Worry about 30 minutes of movement. Get some weight off, enjoy what you are doing, then decide if putting in strength training is the next step.<br />
<br />
<strong>"I come home too tired to work out."</strong> Then work out in the AM.<br />
<br />
<strong>"It's too early to work out in the morning."</strong> Then work out in the PM.<br />
<br />
<strong>"I'm tired."</strong> Of course you are, so what difference will a little more tired make? Seriously, just do it.<br />
<br />
That's about it for my advice. Any questions I missed, feel free to ask, I'll be happy to share my experience. Maybe you can do it better than I did with less stress and less anxiety about losing weight exactly 'right.' There are so many 'right' ways. Yours will come to you when you sent your intentions to eat right, move more.<br />
<br />
Thoughts to take with me today: The journey begins with one step and continues with love and joy. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-72845776591537971442013-01-01T14:02:00.000-08:002013-01-01T16:51:29.885-08:00My 2013 resolution<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first day of 2012 found me running </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first day of 2013 found me sitting </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Both represented victories </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My resolution for 2012 was to learn to move. My resolution for 2013 is to learn to say no. Therefore, I say no to myself and officially give up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I give up on fighting with myself about overtraining</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I give up on fighting with myself about running</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I give up on fighting with myself about rest days</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Done, over, <i>finis.</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As much as I want to run, to be a runner, just let it cut
loose and fly, the hamstrings say no, the knees say no, and even the low back
has decided to speak up for no. Okay you guys, I’m listening – can you <i>please</i> shut up?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I figure my heart is one vote and other body parts provide at least three votes – so the heart is overruled on this one. At least for now. Maybe in
the Spring after a long spell of two rests every week, we can readdress the
running, but for now, the answer is no.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
After months of overtraining, I cut back from 12 – 14
workouts a week to around 9</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
After months of working day after day, I allowed myself a permanent rest day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
After only a few weeks of one rest day, apparently I’m a
quicker learner so…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I’m building in a second rest day to allow my muscles to truly recover<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To be honest, there is some anxiety about this decision, but
it is coupled with INTENSE relief that I finally trust myself to do this. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the longest time I was afraid to not work out every day.
Afraid that one day off would turn into two, then three, and before long, I’d
wake up and years would have gone by and there I would be, back on the couch,
eating French fries. But my body
was tired, achy, and sore, much more than it should have been. After months of long spells of no
breaks, there was not a major joint that didn’t hurt, and it was time to face
facts – I was overworking my body, badly.
With much internal kicking and screaming, I took off Sundays, and
discovered that Mondays came with me eager to work out (and no French fries). Now, I’m going to take off Wednesdays –
nothing more strenuous than some gentle yoga – and see what happens. If history
repeats itself, I’m gonna bet I
come back roaring on Thursdays with energy and enthusiasm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To reiterate an earlier post, trust, trust the process. It
will be okay. Promise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Happy 2013</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Just say no to excess <i>(even with exercise).</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thoughts to take with me today: I think this is what yoga
looks like in real life, not executing pretty postures, but living the precepts
behind them - non-harmfulness, kindness, and contentment - especially to myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-65000549097720868742012-12-22T10:50:00.001-08:002012-12-22T10:50:55.022-08:00What would you say to the 'you' of 2010?
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I want to reach back into time and talk to the 'me' of two
years ago. I want to take that beautiful person, hug her, and then peel back some of the mystery of 2011 and 2012. Maybe I could talk some sense into her and tone down the anxiety and fear. Just to see her breathe in peace and breathe out stress--even for a moment--that right there would be worth the effort.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, I so wish I could....</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what would I say?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One word</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Trust</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trust that you’ve made the right decision to lose weight and
get healthy</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trust the people you’ve allowed into your life</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trust that for every friend that doesn't work out, two will</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trust that for every down day, there will be 20 up days</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>Trust that while this process won’t be easy, it will be
worth it</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Trust that your Divine Source holds you in the palm of His
hand at all times</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Trust</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The me of two years ago wasn’t sure she was<i> </i>ready to make that
change – there was so much risk, but she was thinking of it. She knew that things had reached a
critical mass and pictured being at a crossroads. Option one was to
continue on the current path and accept that her weight and emotional place
would limit her joy of life, but would stay on a familiar road. Option two was
to change everything and step into the unknown, and HOPE that life would be
better, with no guarantees, no promises, no certainties.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
She was a brave one; I’ll give her that. It was a helluva big step</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, fast forward to today, and I can almost see the ‘me’ of
2014 sitting here with a message for right now. I think she would say…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nothing has changed. Trust the process. Enjoy each moment
of the journey, the ups and the downs. Give unconditional love to others and
mostly, to yourself. You are so worth the effort.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'd like that to be true; so I'll set my intentions in that direction and watch it all unfold. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Trust </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s my “Merry Christmas” message. Not terribly traditional, but authentic to where I am. To my friends. I hope that you will remember no matter what
unfolds in 2013, just approach it with a calm assurance that... </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>You are
valuable </b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>You are loved </b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>You are worth the effort</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thoughts to take with me today: Breathe in peace; hold it, breathe out stress. Then do it again and again and again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Namaste</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-15735081971645457132012-12-13T05:48:00.000-08:002012-12-13T05:48:09.066-08:00Practice<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Practice</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Over the past 18 months, I’ve discovered an inner athlete I didn’t know existed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contrary to my entire adult life, now I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LIKE to sweat and I LIKE to work and waking up sore in the morning makes me chuckle more than groan. The inner conversation involves a lot of ‘mock complaining’ as I take inventory of what hurts and compare it to the activities of the day before. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Almost everything I’ve tried was hard the first time. Cardio kickboxing? Oh dear, epic, epic fail. Hated it so much. Felt uncoordinated, awkward, and just plain dumb. After a few more practices, the beauty of the moves came through, the arms and legs figured out the routine, and now I like it – a lot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Agility drills forced me to jump over planks and cones and while trying to get over the dumb things with my knees drawn to my chest, I also had to think about landing softly. Oh and breathe, yeah, that too. Months later, agility is a favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week in training, I was somewhat disappointed when the cones didn’t make an appearance. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Never would have thought that would have happened. But when the muscles are strong, previous challenges just look easier.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">My first yoga class couldn’t have been worse. The teacher introduced herself as ‘your torturer for the next 75 minutes’ and she was pretty close to the mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with other activities, the first time, I thought everyone else looked marvelous, I felt like a lump. It was months before I tried yoga again. And while I’ll never win any award for gracefulness, that matters so little. What matters is that on my mat, I can breathe and sink into a pose and just love being. Peaceful, accepting, and happy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">What do all of those things have in common? To have any type of command, I had to practice, over and over, until the movements gained some automaticity, until the body grew strong, until I gained confidence and said to myself, “Yes, I CAN do this.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Now it’s time to practice something else, maybe the most important thing yet. I can practice being happy. Physical muscles can become strong, and I’m betting emotional ones can also. I can practice positive thoughts, controlled reactions, loving prayers. I can practice all of these things until the habits gain some automaticity, until the heart grows strong, until I gain confidence and say, ‘Yes, I CAN do this. ‘</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Growing the physical muscles took time, patience, and a steady bridging from one mastered move to the next step of that move. The emotional ones will form the same way. But the key will be consistency. Consistency with writing, breathing, and meditation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yoga. I don’t think there is anything I do in my life that yoga does not touch in some way. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">But even when the muscles are strong, not everything goes to plan. I stumbled over a jump the other day in training. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No real reason, just a miscalculation. As I self-righted, my trainer remarked, “Do you know how many muscles you just had to use to save that? Good job.” It was the practicing for months that allowed me to correct and stay upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanna bet the same thing can happen when someone unloads a boat-load of undeserved negativity right in my lap? Or when everything I try goes wrong? That’s when it’s time to reflect on what builds resiliency – just breath, stretch, shake, then let it go. Make a choice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose to step off the roller coaster. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Choose to react with love. Choose joy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">So, there it is. Time to practice positivity; time to practice loving reactions; time to practice being happy. It won’t always be smooth, but let’s see if I can keep from stumbling with new muscles that can also learn how to work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria;">Thoughts to take with me today: Grow strong; it only takes practice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-4872459207528777752012-11-20T10:28:00.000-08:002012-11-20T10:28:04.834-08:00What's special on your plate?One kind of cool thing about having a blog I'm finding is the more or less permanance of my thoughts. I'm 'searchable' now. <br />
<br />
So, going back through some of my posts the other day I noticed a theme I was on for a while, but then backed away from. <br />
<br />
In light of the upcoming holidays, I think it's time to revisit the concept of...<br />
<br />
<h2>
MODERATION</h2>
<br />
Had an awesome conversation with someone from my gym recently about food, weight gain, holidays, and the interconnectedness of it all. She had a great point. "EAT what is special, leave the day-to-day stuff to the side." Love it! In my case, I never ever get cranberry sauce or dressing, but oh my do I love the combination of turkey, cranberry sauce, and dressing sandwiches. I mean, just roll-in-it-good-food! My favorite. <br />
<br />
All righty then. So with my friend's thoughts in mind, why not forgo the mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and bread, which I'm not that crazy about any way, and double down on the stuff that makes me smile AND is a true treat. <br />
<br />
I like this plan... a whole lot. <br />
<br />
The upside of this is that my weight stays more in control and my diet stays balanced. I look at my plate with thankfulness instead of guilt; I eat because the food pleases me; I ENJOY the meal and the family that is at the table.<br />
<br />
That my friends, is the way to go. <br />
<br />
We all have special foods that evoke sweet memories; instead of denying those feelings, embrace them and feel good about creating new ones. <br />
<br />
Just don't go crazy :)<br />
<br />
Mad love for all you - have a splendid Thanksgiving.<br />
<br />
Thoughts to take with me today: Look at food with kindness; let it nourish and heal.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-88928866001737458692012-11-08T10:08:00.000-08:002012-11-08T10:27:41.162-08:00I Can Be Me NOW<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't get to 50 without baggage. </div>
<br />
I got to 50 laden down with the goals and dreams of other people that I claimed as my own. From life changing decisions all the way down to every day stuff - almost every move was checked, okayed, and approved by someone else. <br />
<br />
I got to 50 laden down with the expectations of society. I was fat, therefore, I needed to act "fat." Big movements and loud voice, intense, and yes, God help me, 'jolly.' <br />
<br />
I got to 50 laden down. <br />
<br />
Still asking for the approval of others. I made small changes in my diet and exercise, but always with a watchful eye for those affirming nods to continue tentatively on my path. Always. <br />
<br />
As my weight dropped, my confidence grew. My self-image shifted to looking at myself in a negative light to a positive one and I began to see what I could do, instead of what I was always told I couldn't do.<br />
<br />
Finally, I had to take all the old beliefs from the past and put them side to side with the facts of today. No one has to tell me I can do these things. I watch myself do them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm so clumsy....how come I can do side to side grapevines, agility drills, and balance?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm so lazy....how come I can cycle, elliptical, or row up to an hour at a time?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm so weak....how come I can chest press over 100 pounds?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm so stiff....how come I can do a backbend?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I'm so loud and brash....how come I can go into stillness on my mat?</div>
<br />
Maybe, just maybe, it's because all of those things were true of the old me, not the new me <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can be me NOW</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And if I can be me, then the burdens of 50 years need to be set down, put aside, just let go. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can move in space in this body, not trying to find the old body and move like that person.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can decide my own goals, without fretting that someone will think I'm too old or too fat</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can use my voice to quietly say what I like/don't like and not worry that the other person will be upset.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't have to always move, I can be still.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
All of these things are the new me. And whether anyone else in the whole world agrees, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I like me. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
51 soon. Without the baggage of the past, without needing the approval of others, with my own goals. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just me. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not good, not bad</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just me. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Thoughts to take with me today: Did I just take yoga off my mat and into my real life? Yup. Sure did. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-9071620775120480172012-10-21T16:30:00.001-07:002012-10-21T16:30:34.864-07:00She Let Go<br />
<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16pt; margin: 12pt 0in 3pt; page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;">
She let go<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of the fear. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of the judgments. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of the committee of indecision within her. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;">
She just let go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
She didn’t ask anyone for advice. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t read a book on how to let go. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t search the scriptures.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;">
She just let go. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of all of the memories that held her back. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t promise to let go.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t journal about it. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;">
She just let go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t call the prayer line. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
She didn’t utter one word. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;">
She just let go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
No one was around when it happened. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
There was no applause or congratulations. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
No one thanked her or praised her.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
No one noticed a thing. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: left;">
Like a leaf falling from a tree</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: center;">
She just let go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
There was no effort. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
There was no struggle.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
It was what it was, and it is just that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
In the space of letting go, she let it all be. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
A small smile came over her face. </div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
-----Rev. Safire Rose</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-80412055966771495432012-10-06T16:39:00.002-07:002012-10-06T17:57:15.921-07:00How do I celebrate a yoga 'victory'?For over a year I've been wanting to do a certain yoga move - Salamba Sirsasana - supported headstand. This move more than any other represents yoga to me, in every possible way. It's beautiful to look at, and I was sure it would be beautiful to do.<br />
<br />
However, at first, I approached this move with the mindset "I WILL CONQUER YOU!" Once again, I'm lucky I didn't hurt myself much worse than I did - as I mentioned back in <a href="http://joyfullnation.blogspot.com/2012/02/practicing-yoga.html" target="_blank">February</a> and then again in <a href="http://joyfullnation.blogspot.com/2012_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">May</a>.<br />
<br />
Truly, I learned my lesson and decided to take it slowly, allow my body to adjust to each step, and to be happy where I was at that moment.<br />
<br />
Here is my journey, as documented in pictures! Yes, it is me in each picture, and in each pose, that is just as far as I can go on that day.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0AQkPi9MyDQd2Wp8Gwjt6JyzteFmPeLUZiaWlNFjBM2nV9LQebn4ltvwBUrjqPLzwqp3yaHwz7AfaoBXnkXNajb9S3Hzw4knWSRqB3i9YhAEGS5iy40GPIfpiEdMoHfTiBIkBcPaGu6a/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0AQkPi9MyDQd2Wp8Gwjt6JyzteFmPeLUZiaWlNFjBM2nV9LQebn4ltvwBUrjqPLzwqp3yaHwz7AfaoBXnkXNajb9S3Hzw4knWSRqB3i9YhAEGS5iy40GPIfpiEdMoHfTiBIkBcPaGu6a/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(3/12) Partial weight on shoulders</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA2r3ytYXo6O8ZD9tl6vOwoxhqnyLZhkGUOhFhJVOaSfMbaJ9yz6sPC7RTWfiAkQorIBFnC6ZNr_9GKNj8_wYNFaqiSAq2Zt5bJ5vRZboSgHcXeWMdxPSHQ4wWl6glH_MgJj9QVSQTfEt/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA2r3ytYXo6O8ZD9tl6vOwoxhqnyLZhkGUOhFhJVOaSfMbaJ9yz6sPC7RTWfiAkQorIBFnC6ZNr_9GKNj8_wYNFaqiSAq2Zt5bJ5vRZboSgHcXeWMdxPSHQ4wWl6glH_MgJj9QVSQTfEt/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(5/12) Full weight on shoulders, knees pulled up</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGiuC7mRI47Lb5r79QrJuswxARX5zLCNyvq3sc8Ai_L35vzuMsNeosnWS-uNbQ-aWW5pTkv9HIGAAuoO-NIfW-Q7_fCX5UHTKTm-auU8tTwdU7fO3t_nJ7_V7Pp2xJ8nYjVwPa-x6SJsq/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGiuC7mRI47Lb5r79QrJuswxARX5zLCNyvq3sc8Ai_L35vzuMsNeosnWS-uNbQ-aWW5pTkv9HIGAAuoO-NIfW-Q7_fCX5UHTKTm-auU8tTwdU7fO3t_nJ7_V7Pp2xJ8nYjVwPa-x6SJsq/s320/IMG_0072.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(7/12) Full weight on shoulders, knees parallel to the floor</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4X3w5Razziyg3f8fD3W8qvq0VzuyeTMfBmKg2P9t5KBS8BJUz2b7K-lWm-oVvqBliPc3zoANQhFhXsb1EyKPNoN6jBmXfG2SEHp5fakOLrnqnyeGreqq5pFfy-xOKHjeERe_RZcebqAV/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4X3w5Razziyg3f8fD3W8qvq0VzuyeTMfBmKg2P9t5KBS8BJUz2b7K-lWm-oVvqBliPc3zoANQhFhXsb1EyKPNoN6jBmXfG2SEHp5fakOLrnqnyeGreqq5pFfy-xOKHjeERe_RZcebqAV/s320/IMG_0249.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(8/12) Full weight on shoulders, legs as far up as they will go and still balance.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SQLvhc07im9zLAss1SMzSRNOMean0d0zqDtslN_rg0_DyABFPrCUsWsa4vaH83Q0uPHxEODbM5tHOuNlEdtnaq6nl8LjEe4S4xJzdmfx9hAl_QfwZTGmaqIIBSMRocE87pTblXXES3Z3/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SQLvhc07im9zLAss1SMzSRNOMean0d0zqDtslN_rg0_DyABFPrCUsWsa4vaH83Q0uPHxEODbM5tHOuNlEdtnaq6nl8LjEe4S4xJzdmfx9hAl_QfwZTGmaqIIBSMRocE87pTblXXES3Z3/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(9/12) Up, but barely balanced</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H7uVx6t8XgGVfzx271YoIKQFenuWNcgW6uHH70KIWHgYwaf0-jeNhunupXuzOVtSGjW3gkXbThl5Z7T_CWo6gtE0jmXOTI-Z-42hgt22q7ilM_aS186IrleJYxau-4mtYfqSewwltS0e/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_H7uVx6t8XgGVfzx271YoIKQFenuWNcgW6uHH70KIWHgYwaf0-jeNhunupXuzOVtSGjW3gkXbThl5Z7T_CWo6gtE0jmXOTI-Z-42hgt22q7ilM_aS186IrleJYxau-4mtYfqSewwltS0e/s320/IMG_0388.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>(10/12) Balanced, still, toes spread. Full expression of the pose</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, is it everything I thought it would be back in February? Yes and no. The first time I actually achieved the pose, I didn't even notice for about 45 seconds. But it was a slice of heaven. The world around settled into the background, my breath came in long, slow waves, and I actually went into a semi-meditative state. But not a "HOORAY!" moment at all.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What I'm most proud about is not the pose itself, but that it developed slowly - at my inner teacher's speed, not my inner drill sergeant's speed. Such a difference.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I learned so much about myself by learning how to do this pose in this way. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I discovered I can be:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
patient</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
loving</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
kind</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
gentle</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>to myself.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's a good thing. So very, very good. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Why not apply this to my whole life? What would that look like? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What if I were: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
patient with my weight loss</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
loving when it's time to fuel the body </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
kind when I make yet another mistake </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
gentle when I'm tired.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>to myself.</i></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just do it. And then find the peace that comes every day by being in the moment.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Namaste.</div>
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Thoughts to take with me today: Yoga = life, every time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-37878352707669178822012-10-04T10:05:00.002-07:002012-10-04T10:28:22.622-07:00We are all fearfully and wonderfully madeAges ago I remarked that ordinary people say extraordinary things all the time - if you are willing to just listen. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I found that to be true again today.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://poonapalooza.blogspot.com/2012/10/invisible-me.html?showComment=1349365884380#c1171492738939333155" target="_blank">Invisible Me</a> on the blog <a href="http://poonapalooza.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Poonapalooza</a> is a 'new-to-me' blog that I find utterly wonderful. She describes how she felt 'invisible' her whole life, regardless of the fact she was overweight. Yet, she could be quite vocal when she needed to advocate for someone else.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
See myself in that? Sure do.</div>
<br />
At my heaviest, I was 258 pounds and although I was able to stand up for my students, standing up for myself was out of the question. My self-esteem was so fragile that the idea of making someone mad at me was the source of tremendous anxiety. If I made someone mad, maybe<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
they wouldn't like me any more<br />
they wouldn't be my friend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they might leave me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
Let's get real</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because I didn't think I was worthy of love<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That same ol' bugaboo of self worth creeps back to the surface whispering sweet words of deception of how everyone in the world is more valuable than I am. Everyone. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Food though....oh wow....food was always there and always non-judgemental. French fries don't give a shit how fat you are, they just want you to eat them in all their yummy, crispy goodness. With catsup. And mayonnaise. And tons and tons of salt. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What we love becomes what we are. True stuff.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because food was my best friend, I became fat</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I was fat, it was hard to move, and I moved even less<br />
Because I couldn't do anything but sit and eat, I hated myself </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I hated myself just a bit more every day, I turned to my best friend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because food was my best friend, I became fatter</div>
<br />
That's a tough cycle to break. It can be broken though - the exact same way it was created.<br />
<br />
Check this...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
If I consistently make wise food choices, my body becomes healthier</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I am healthy, I enjoy running and cycling and lifting</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I spend so much time developing my body, I value me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I am valuable, I love myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because I love myself, I make healthy food choices</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>That's a cycle I can support with my whole heart.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And back to my initial thought, <em>because I am valuable, I no longer define myself by other's opinions</em> and all of a sudden, those advocating skills can be used to protect me. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The cycle doesn't break easily, and as I've said before, it's always hard. Every damn day. Hard. But now, I have a taste of the 'other side' of life. Not the thin side, but the SELF-WORTH side. <br />
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<strong><em>Dammit....</em></strong></div>
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I WAS ALWAYS VALUABLE ... ALWAYS..,.</div>
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It's just now, I see it. Most importantly, <em>I believe it.</em></div>
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<br /></div>
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What about you? Do you value yourself? If not? Why not? We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. We all have a Source that leads and guides and treasures every fiber of our being. All of us. </div>
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Including you my friend.</div>
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Thoughts to take with me today: Weight is a just a number; love is a gift I give myself. Choose the gift, every day. Namaste</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-49419255350845159482012-10-03T09:44:00.001-07:002012-10-03T09:44:43.597-07:00If you want to be great, act great<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m reading an awesome book called <u>Meditations from the Mat</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a ‘daily reader’ based on the yoga sutras. Fascinating and stunning how often it perfectly aligns with what I’m thinking and feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s topic began with this line from a poem by 14th century poet Hafez.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>“What is the key to untie the knot of your mind’s sufferings?<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Act great. My dear, always act great”<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>Act great</strong></em> – whether I’m energetic or tired<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>Act great</strong></em> – whether I’m sick or well<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>Act great</strong></em> – whether I’m upbeat or depressed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Just do what needs to be done every day</em>.</strong> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">I’m convinced that my emotional health is made up of muscles just like the physical ones. When I reflect on how I've earned my muscles, it's pretty basic. I work out consistently, even when I'm tired, even when I'm overwhelmed, even when I just don't want to. Now when there's an injury, that's a different story. On those days, I take it a bit easy and respect my body.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">In the very same way, my spirit and heart need to be exercised and made stronger also. When my day gets off track with my plans not going the way I want, that's the time to buckle down and 'be great' and not come unglued. (Oh wow...so easy to say, so hard to do. We all want perfection, all the time.) But maybe the key is to make a choice to be consistent and choose to be even-keeled, even when it's hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Sometimes though, things are just going to legitimately rock my world. That's when I need to step back for restorative time - with books, music, and food that uplifts and heals. In other words, respect my heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">And what is the reward? The 'untieing of my mind's suffering.' Relaxation. Acceptance. Peace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What more could anyone want? </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thoughts to take with me today: Work those emotional muscles too; act great, be great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-69207040351981710482012-09-28T10:03:00.001-07:002012-09-28T11:45:10.753-07:00I'm too busy...really?<br />
Each day seems to be endless in its demands - my 'to do' list seems to grow with the minutia of life. A friend asked me recently if I could get a mani/pedi with her soon and my mind instantly shot to my mental calender where all my activities are planned out in 15 minute increments and wondered where I could find a spare hour to be with her.<br />
<br />
It's not looking real good to be honest. <br />
<br />
Then I started thinking (which is what I seem to do best some days.) Every morning my feet swing around from the bed and the treadmill of my day begins. God forbid something get in the way, a glitch in the schedule, or an extra demand on my time. That's a near catastrophe! Heads will roll! <br />
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Each day stretches out with some measure of anxiety and worry in "Can I really get all this done?"<br />
<br />
The days seem to be so long.<br />
<br />
The years though, especially those behind me seem to have gone by in a blink. It's amazing to think that a year ago I weighed over 200 pounds and that really, really one-day-at-a-time, one-step-at-a-time the weight came off. It just doesn't feel possible.<br />
<br />
I know how it happened though; it happened by pushing aside that little voice that said, "you're too busy to eat right, you're too busy to work out, you're too busy to keep track of your calories," and just did it. <br />
<br />
While my schedule is packed to the gills now, that's not a new situation from five years ago. I was just as busy then, and five years from now, God willing, I'll be just as packed with a variety of things that just need to be done. <br />
<br />
The, 'I'm too busy,' mantra needs to be set aside in favor of another thought, "If it is important, I will find the time." And what is important? My family, my friends, my diet/exercise- those are all huge priorities - and vital to a healthy 'me'<br />
<br />
I'm thinking I do indeed have time to spend with her. Something minor will have to give and I'll bet in the long run, I'll not even notice that a small, trivial matter wasn't attended to. I'll also bet that in the long run, the experience with someone I deeply love will sustain me through that day, giving me strength for the next.<br />
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Thoughts to take with me: May I never overvalue activities and undervalue people.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-8107706000866463342012-09-20T06:52:00.000-07:002012-09-20T08:54:07.317-07:00Choices<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday’s are generally somewhat darker emotional days for me. I’m physically tired from hard training the day before, generally pretty sore and when I’m that exhausted and hurting, it’s hard to keep a leash on my thoughts. However, that’s not a completely negative thing. When my thoughts go a-wandering, they go places – places that might just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need </i>to be explored.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On my way home yesterday, yes, blue funk and all, I started thinking about a friend who recently went back on Lexapro. Lexapro is a great med for anti-depression and anxiety – on me though, it WILL cause weight gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even as it regulates my moods and keeps me a bit more stable, yeah, the weight shoots up quickly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thought occurred me: “I wish I didn’t have these ups and downs. I wish I could go back on Lexapro. Yes, I’d gain back some weight, but really, who cares? 20, 25, 30 pounds. Eh. At least I’d enjoy the trip back up.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wait....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where in the hell did my thoughts just go? <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Who cares?!?</i></b> Only the most important person in my life – ME! I’d care. I'd care a whole lot! 20 pounds is almost 6 months of work. How could I be so casual about that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Then the second part of my thought slammed into me, “<em>At least I’d enjoy the trip back up.”</em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does that mean I’m not enjoying the trip down? Or does it mean something darker? A thought lurking in the back corner? A secret wish?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yeah, I think there's something there actually. A dark place that needs some light before it's allowed to grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'm pushing in on losing 100 pounds. That's a whole lot of weight and a whole lot of work.80 – 95% of people who lose that much weight regain it. Plus some extra. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I get it now. I totally get it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A flash of insight hit me right there in my car, while driving down Rte 17. I know how I could regain all of my weight and then some. It could completely happen. One pound at a time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In a way, it’s easy to be fat, and in some ways, it’s not so bad. Being fat gives me a ready excuse for everything. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone doesn’t call me back? It’s my weight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t get a job I wanted? It’s my weight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I screw up? It’s my weight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every possible bad thing in my life could be pinned to my weight. And when that happens, *I* don’t have to take responsibility for my actions. *I* get to whine and moan and complain, but <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>I don’t have to change</u></i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, with the weight down to what is a normal level, anything that I do wrong is on me. Just me. Not my weight, not my size, me. <u><em><strong>Now I have to change.<o:p></o:p></strong></em></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s hard. Do.Not.Want. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I know the truth. If and when I decide to start eating cheeseburgers and French fries and chips and sweets, I will have to admit I do it with full knowledge I am CHOOSING to regain weight. It’s not ‘out of my control’ or ‘my metabolism’ or ‘my genetics.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope. It would be a conscious choice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve long established that moderation is not my strength – I cannot eat ‘just one’ of most things. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no need to pick up the first cheeseburger, the first fry, the first chocolate bar. Because right behind the first will be a second, a third, a fourth, and so on. Probably not right away, but it will come. I know me too well. <em>It will come.<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lose</i> 100 pounds without first losing 5, or 10, or 20.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I cannot <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">regain</i> 100 pounds without first regaining 5, or 10, or 20.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s a hard fact of life. But it’s the truth. And truth is better than any platitude, any cliché, any feel-good-ism. The truth is what I need, always.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So that’s the upside of letting my thoughts wander much like a naughty child exploring an abandoned cave. When the parent goes in for a rescue, sometimes, discoveries are made and mysteries are solved.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thoughts to take with me today: Choices – I choose to be healthy. I choose to eat right. I choose this life. I choose joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-56545590083427090212012-09-14T06:23:00.000-07:002012-09-14T06:23:08.161-07:00FoodI didn't get to 258 pounds by having a healthy relationship with food. <br />
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Go figure</div>
<br />
Two years ago, my typical evening meal was a cheeseburger with french fries. If I was feeling especially healthy, it would be a salad. With cheese. And bacon. Topped with high-fat dressing. And fried onion strips. <br />
<br />
Looking back, the cheeseburger may have actually been better.<br />
<br />
Then, I started on a weight loss journey and at the age of 49, I had to re-learn how to eat a balanced diet - no tricks, no gimmicks. Back to the basics with of the four food groups. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, two snacks.<br />
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Boring, I know. None of the 'wow' factor of so many of the fads out there.<br />
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Not satisfied with the basics, I decided to get creative. What if I pushed all of my meals into the front of the day? What about cutting calories down to 1400? and if 1400 is good, why not 1200? or 1000? or 700? Maybe just fast for a day or two? Or, decide that certain foods are okay to eat and eat only those. Then, start taking things off that list, until the number of safe foods dwindles down to 7 - and 2 of those are looking iffy. <br />
<br />
Oh, yeah, totally don't worry about that diabetes issue. <br />
<br />
That whole experience didn't work out so well. The over-thinking, the constant analysis, and second guessing may have created the beginnings of an eating disorder. <br />
<br />
Something snapped into place in the beginning of the summer. I realized I'd gone pretty far from the advice of every expert out there, and started adding back foods and calories. Slowly, incrementally, mindfully. Even though a part of my mind screamed "NO! you will gain back weight!! DON'T DO IT!" I took a leap of faith and added until now, my diet is fairly normal, and my attitude towards food healthy.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Or so I thought. Until this week.</div>
<br />
A grown woman should not be standing in a quiet corner trying to get control of her breathing when in an unfamiliar restaurant because she is overwhelmed with too many choices. <br />
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Yep, nearly full blown anxiety/panic attack because I couldn't decide what to eat. The prevailing thought was, "What was safe?" <br />
<br />
<br />
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The 'beginnings' of an eating disorder? Really? The <em>beginning?</em></div>
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<br /></div>
<em></em>Oh wow. This is hard. Hard to eat right, hard to remember the basics, hard to make good choices one after another, hard to let myself live and not let the thoughts of food take over my life.<br />
<br />
I completely understand why people lose a lot of weight, then regain it. It's the mind games. It's the thinking that the ways that got us here were temporary, and not accepting that the entire process is a journey, not a race. Accepting that eating healthy is the new normal. Accepting that there is just no need to look at the pizza, fries, blue cheese dressing, because those things are only healthy in moderation, and if you get to 250+ pounds, moderation is not a strength.<br />
<br />
But hard is not a reason to stop. It is, however, a HUGE reminder to respect the progress already made and to take a deep breath when things get a little tense, and let the mind relax into what it knows is right. <br />
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The basics == good stuff.</div>
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Thoughts to take with me today: The words from one of my favorite songs..."Breathe, stretch, shake, let it go."</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481568492628185011.post-43857967311090663142012-09-06T08:55:00.000-07:002012-09-06T09:50:47.940-07:00And this is how my day began<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wake up at 5:27 - this is a problem since my spinning class, the one I'm TEACHING, starts at 5:30<br />No time for anything, including bathroom, and w</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">hatever clothes are on the floor are good enough as I dress running down the stairs</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can't call the gym, don't have the phone number<br />5 minutes late<br />Put on wrong playlist<br />Grab wrong profile<br />Doesn't matter anyway, since I can't see because I didn't put in contacts</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">No water <br />Shirt feels funny, of course it does - it's on backwards, and inside out<br />So are the shorts</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look down, see that I have on two different shoes and two different socks</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Teach class, which actually goes better than it deserved to go</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Class ends<br />Manager on duty yells at me for not calling <br />Home, door is open, dog and cat are outside<br />Find dog and cat, in the rain<br />Shower, makeup, dress (clothes are all oriented correctly this time)<br />Leave for work and realize I've left my iphone at home<br />Turn around<br />Starts to rain again, turn on wipers<br />iPhone was on the windshield and I watch it fly into the next lane of traffic</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Park car SAFELY </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Run out to the middle of the road as cars honk</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grab phone (phone is okay - Otter Box, FTW)<br />5 minutes late to school</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Write about my morning</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at list of woes<br />Then sort of laugh<br />And figure my day can only go up from here</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 36pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: +mj-cs; mso-color-index: 3; mso-fareast-font-family: +mj-ea;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thought to take with me today: Breathe, stretch, shake, let it go</span></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00223706150385807676noreply@blogger.com2