July 18, 2010 - July 18, 2011 - What a difference a year makes - Maintenance

This time last year, I was in a state of amazement, awe, excitement, grateful, humbled and overjoyed. You see, on July 18, 2010, I achieved my last weight loss goal of reaching 140 pounds by my 40th birthday (September 1st). Not only did I reach my goal, but I did it ahead of schedule.

I had to jot down what I was feeling at on July 18, 2010. These words can be found in my book, 588 Days! Balancing Act of Faith, Family, & Finding Time for ME in Chapter 31:

           On Sunday, July 18, 2010, I celebrated the accomplishment of my final weight loss goal. I’m now 140 pounds and loving it!!!

          On that morning, I stepped up on the scale, as I do each day, and as I secretly prayed that this would be the day I reached my goal, there it was. The number on the scale this particular morning read 140.0!

          You can only imagine what was going through my head and my heart. The words, “Wow!”, “Oh my goodness!”, “All Praises Are Due To Allah (APADTA)!”, and “Thank You!” were just some of the words floating through my head.

          Once again, my family was asleep and I didn’t want to wake them up to tell them the good news quite yet. This accomplishment felt different. Although it was worth the biggest shout and scream I could muster up, this time, I felt a sense of quiet and peace of mind. It was a very surreal and humbling feeling that came over me that morning. It is very hard to explain it in words.

          As I stood there and took pictures of the scale to add to my scrapbook and place on Facebook®, I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There, right before my eyes, was the number I have worked towards for 588 days! I had reached the proverbial mountaintop. I felt like those mountain climbers who strive to climb Mount Everest and actually succeed.

          While standing in the shower and reflecting on the moment, tears started to flow down my cheek and my heart felt very heavy. I predicted I would feel that way all day long. I took a moment to sit, in humbleness, and reflect on my mental, physical, and spiritual health and weight. I remember, so vividly, the day I started this leg of my journey in December 2008 and what has transpired to get me to this special day in July 2010. Others may not see or believe it, but I am a different person in so many ways. All Praises Are Due To Allah!

What has this year been like? Well, I have to be honest and say that it has had its up's and down's. Yes, I reached my goal and I celebrated. I went shopping, got some new clothes, enjoyed the new look and the ability to wear anywhere from a Size 4 to a Size 8. Being able to get into those smaller sizes at one time seemed like just a dream. There were times when I didn't know if I would make it to my desired weight but you know what, I didn't give up. I keep forging forward, not matter how frustrated, discouraged or tired I might have been. I knew that with the help of Allah (God), my determination, and the support of my family and friends, I would reach all of my goals (sooner or later).


During this year, I had my moments of backsliding. I ate some of the foods that I stayed away from for so long. I guess that desire just took over me. :-) Some of my portion sizes grew a little bit, but definitely not back to the old days.

I gained a few pounds here and there. Some times, my clothes that were now a few sizes smaller than they used to be were fitting tight in certain places.


The good thing, for me, about this time around is that I didn't get upset with myself when the scale had a few higher numbers than I desired. Do you know why? It's because I KNEW that I had the strength, will and determination to do what it would take to get back on track. I knew that getting upset over the extra weight would not solve the problem. It just meant that I needed to reel things back in and kick it up a notch.

Don't be deceived in thinking that the maintenance part of the journey is easy. Remember, this is a LIFESTYLE change. If you ever watched the Biggest Loser Show on NBC, you will remember that the contestants and the trainers talk about what life will be like when they leave the ranch. Yes, it may be easier for them to lose the weight and stay focused when they are on the ranch and surrounded by the trainers, support of others, a gym that is open 24 hours, and the ability to only focus on their journey....but what happens when you step back into reality? What happens when you live your day to day life (as busy as it is) and you have to prioritize your journey in with all of the other things going on in your life? It is NOT easy, but it is so worth it!!!

Today is a day of new beginnings in so many ways. We've been given a chance to start over. Many of you will probably be able to bear witness to the grace and mercy that we are given each day to do things right and to start over. Every day that you wake up, take a breath, and let your feet touch the ground, you have been given a chance to start over!

We MUST do something about our health and the health of our family, particularly the youth of today. Start in your own home with your family. Branch out to the community and do what you can to save the life of someone else. Our lives depend on making a change in our mindset, our health, our behaviors, and our physical activities.

Commit yourself to something positive, worthwhile, and healthy. We commit ourselves to everyone and everything else, how about committing YOURself to YOURself.

Ask whatever higher power you believe in for strength, guidance, discipline, and forgiveness. Search deep inside your mind, body, and soul. Take a leap of faith and just go for it.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses!!

Much love,

Sister Lorraine S. Muhammad

www.findtimeforyou.com

October 2008

July 18, 2010 - Reached my goal of 140 lbs.

July 2011 - one year later

Eating on the go -- restaurants, buffets, fast food, etc.

Although our schedules aren't always conducive to eating at home, that doesn't mean that we need to lose our minds at the restaurants, fast food chains, and buffets. Look, you are paying your hard earned money for the food that you order, you have the RIGHT to order your food they way that you want to.

What do I mean? Well, just because you are not in the comfort of your own kitchen doesn't mean that you can't take control of the food that you order. Your food does not have to be buried in butter, oils, sauces, cheeses, etc. just because it was on the restaurant menu. You have every right to ask the waiter/waitress to take off the oils, not tp put butter on your food, or to put your sauces/dressings on the side.

Here's an example. Most of the time when you order a salad, it is drenched with more salad dressing then you really need. It's like you are having dressing with salad versus salad with dressing. Here's a tip... the next time that you order a salad, have them put the dressing on side instead of on top of your salad. This way, YOU control how much dressing you put on YOUR salad. You will probably find that you won't put the entire saucer of dressing on your salad that accompanies your meal.

Another thing that you can do is ask for a box so that you can put up some of your food as soon as it comes to your table. Just because all of that food was on your plate DOESN'T mean that you have to eat it all. Now, I know that many of us were taught and trained to eat whatever was on our plate. Well, that has contributed to our larger than life waistlines, thighs, hips, and stomachs. You can share your meal with your dinner-mate or simply ask the waiter for a box to put half of your food in right away. Again, change your thinking and mindset...it's for your own good.

Now for the buffets...I bear witness that this can be a challenge. It don't know what it is about buffets but we tend to have the mindset that "I need to get my money's worth" when you go to a buffet. :-)

We get in line at the buffet and our eyes become bigger than our stomachs. We start thinking about all that we can eat and drink. We go up for seconds, thirds, and even fourths, right...or is it just me? :-)

Even at the buffet, we have to have some control, otherwise, we will lose control and then our waistlines will expand. I bear witness to it this past weekend. At our Family Reunion, we went to the buffet on two occasions. Man, I had a good time but now, I have the 4 pounds to show for it. It happened over the course of 3 days. Although I had a good time eating, I am paying for it now. I have to hit that gym harder this week to work off the fun that I had this weekend with our family.

With all that I've said above, I hope that you realize that we all have choices. I know that there are times when we want or need to eat out but remember, there is a consequence and reaction for EVERYTHING that we do. It's okay to have fun with your eating and explore new things ONCE in awhile and in MODERATION, but remember, you may have to work a little harder once the fun is done to regain control and get back on track.

Don't be frustrated and quit though. Get back on it quickly and don't beat yourself up.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses!!!