Maintain and not gain - Everyday trials

Greetings to All,

It is been a long while since I've blogged. Please forgive me.

Like many of us, I have gone through some trials and tribulations regarding my journey. Don't get it twisted, just because I reached my goals back in 2010 does not mean I don't continue to struggle each and every day.

Yes, I have the tools and knowledge available to me to keep my weight where I want it to be, but, I am human. Do you know what that means? It means that each and every day is a trial for me.  Sound familiar?

Look, it is was as easy as pushing the "easy" button, then we all would be claiming the victory of weight loss...but, that is not the case.

There are days when I just want to throw it all in and go for it (pies, cakes, pasta, breads, etc.). Every time I look at food or smell it in my nostrils, I have a discussion with one of my many selves. You know what I mean. The one self that tells you, "no, don't eat that...it's not worth it", and then the other self that says, "gone, Girl...eat it...enjoy it...it won't hurt you".

I fight with these feelings on a very frequent basis. What helps me get through?

Several things:

1. Knowing that Allah(God) is on my side and has equipped me with what I need to get through these trials.
2. Having the knowledge of right and wrong. Having better educated myself on food, portions, the effects of food on my mind, body, and soul, and the short/long term effects on my overall health. (note - I thank The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad for giving us the book series called "How to Eat to Live")
3. Knowing I can accomplish whatever I set my mind to.
4. Realizing I, too, will have my good and bad days...but, that doesn't mean I have to beat myself up each time I slip.
5. Remembering to get back up and restart my journey whenever I find myself falling.
6. Remembering...I AM WORTH IT!!!!
7. Finally, telling myself I have "no excuses!!!"

Why am I sharing this? Well, here is an update on my journey. I've gone up and down in my weight since 2010. Believe it or not, I found/gained 23 pounds back as one point or another. Did I let that defeat me...heck no!!!!

What did I do? I remember who and whose I am. I am mighty, powerful, valuable, strong, and faithful. I know what steps to take to get the weight off and I refused to gain anymore than I already gained.

I got back on my feet, checked myself, readjusted my eating habits, and went for it. YOU can do it, too!!

Look, you are not in this alone. We all have our challenges in one shape, form, or fashion. When you have a bad day, don't linger in pity and completely get off course. Recognize your errors or faults, recalibrate, and resume your journey. Yes, it's not an easy thing to do. Yes, you are going to want to reach your goals overnight, but the reality is..."struggle is ordained and after struggle comes ease" - The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

To date, I am down 13 pounds and plan to work my way back to my goal.

Remember...You Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses!!!

Breaking Habits --- Try It For ONE Week!!!

Often times in life, we make sacrifices on various levels. Sometimes we sacrifice money, time, energy, and so much water. What sacrifices have YOU made for your life and your overall health and well being? Be honest with yourself!!!
One of the first things YOU need to do is recognize and admit to a habit(s) of yours that is not contributing to your overall health. Maybe that habit is frequent trips to restaurants/fast food establishments, soda/pop, snacks at the vending machines, or those sweets that satisfy your sweet tooth. Whatever it is, I'm pretty confident YOU could give up this habit for at least a week.

Don't start doubting yourself right out of the gate. You haven't even started off the week yet and you are already saying what you can't do. Have faith in YOU! Believe that you can handle this challenge with NO problem. After all, it's just ONE week. Come on, YOU can do this!!

Many of us know it takes about 21 days to start and break a habit. Imagine this, WHEN you complete this challenge, you will feel some much better about yourself, your abilities, and YOU, overall.  You will be amazed at what you can do!!!

For the last 28 days, billions of Muslims have been observing the Holy Month of Ramadan. For those that are not aware of what that entails, the observance includes NO eating, drinking, or sexual activity during the daylight hours. Now, you might be saying to yourself, "There is no way in the world that I could go that long without eating or drinking." You know what, you would be amazed at how much strength you really have. Plus, as the month goes on, you really start to appreciate those things that you take for granted, like a simple glass of water or a morsel of food. It puts a whole lot of things in perspective. It has made me more grateful than I have been in awhile.

Try to give up one thing for one week! Get a buddy, partner, neighbor, friend, or family member to do this challenge with you.

When you are done with the challenge, add a comment to this blog and let us know how successful you were. Even if you found it challenging, share that as well. None of us are perfect and masters at this whole health thing. We all struggle at some point or another. It's what you do during those times of struggles that are important to your success.
I wish you the best on your challenge. Take a leap of faith and Just Do It!!!

*** New *** - "You Are Worth It" Consultation Packages, Workshops and Seminars now available...Just for YOU!!

http://findtimeforyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/consultation-packages-and-workshops-now.html


** 588 Days article appears in The Final Call Newspaper

http://findtimeforyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/588-days-appears-in-final-call.html

588 Days appears in The Final Call Newspaper

"I Can't Take It Anymore"... Overcoming the desire to quit

How many times have you looked in the mirror wishing for the clear evidence that all of your hard work, eating right, and exercising have truly paid off? Maybe you are looking for a smaller face in the mirror, thinner arms, a smaller waistline, or some visual sign. What do you do when you don't see that sign?

I know that this is a long and hard journey. DON'T give up. Stay in it for the long haul. Even if you don't see the noticeable differences on the outside, how do you feel on the inside? Do you have more energy, do you feel more confident in yourself?

I encourage everyone to take pictures of yourself along your journey.Those living with you may not notice the difference in you right away but when you and your family members look at your pictures, you should see some differences.

How about those clothes? Have you lost a few inches here and there? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then keep forging forward. Something that you are doing is working for you.

Give yourself some time to get it all together. As I've said several times before...it didn't take you a day to gain that extra weight and it won't take you a day to get it off.

Take the small victories as they come and wait for the big ones. One day, you will have people stopping you in the hallway or on the street asking you, "What have you been doing? You look good! You've lost a lot of weight!".  Even if NO ONE ever says those words to you, you have to answer to yourself and God as to what you have done to get your mind, body, and spirit back on the right track.

Here are some quotes from 588 Days! Balancing Act of Faith, Family, & Finding Time for ME in the chapter called "I Can't Take It Anymore":

"I encourage you and I to keep forging forward, particularly during those times when you just want to throw in the towel. Those should be the times when you dig deep into your inner strength and call about your faith to get you through. Those should be the times when you recognize all of the hard work you’ve done so far and congratulate yourself for coming this far. Those should be the times when you reassess your eating and exercise regimen to determine where improvements could/should be made that would yield you your desired results.

Below you will find some quotes from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan that reaffirm to me that the struggles, trials, and tribulations I was experiencing on this journey were ordained and I was not alone.

“Brothers and Sisters, each time we turn away from the struggle to overcome difficulty, there then is deterioration of character and there is destruction of the Will---and the Will is that within you is God’s gift. It is His Essence that He gives to man and anything that deteriorates your Will destroys you ability to cope with the problems of life. Struggle is ordained.” ~  Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan – page 3

“Struggle is ordained by God. God is not a vicious God. He is a Loving, a Beneficent and Merciful God, but He ordains struggle. Because without struggle, you cannot bring out of yourself that which God has deposited within you. It is something that has to be brought out and it is a struggle overcoming difficulties that manifest your own gifts and your own sublime qualities.” ~  Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan – page 3

“’Impatience’ is defined as an ‘eager desire for relief or change; intolerance of anything that thwarts or hinders.’ Thus we see that it is a force which is natural and which is characterized as a desire. Desire feeds the Will, therefore, the desire to be relieved from the irritation of waiting over a protracted period of time comes into conflict with the desire for any goal which requires patience to obtain. One force must win over the other.” - Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan –  Building the Will, Part III Study Guide #7

“Impatience, or the desire for relief or change, may be removed from us, not by yielding to this natural force, but by seeking refuge in Allah (God). Whenever impatience threatens to cause us to turn away from a desired goal, we must go to Allah (God), the Lord of the ways of Ascent, in prayer. Prayer will give us the security and peace of mind that will relieve our irritation. It is that frame of mind that we then must re-identify with our desired goal. The desire (and the willingness to be patient in order to obtain it) will then return.” Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan –  Building the Will, Part III Study Guide #7

“It is written in the Holy Qur’an, which is the Book of Scripture for the Muslims, that Allah created man to face difficulties. God has brought us all onto this Earth to face one difficulty after another and it is the facing of these difficulties and the overcoming of these difficulties that helps us to improve our character and improve ourselves” ~ Self-Improvement: The Basis for Community Development by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan – page 2

Although these times seem frustrating, disappointing, filled with anxiety and doubt, these should be the times when you kick it into gear and press on. You’ll be amazed at yourself when you do!"

"Remember...You Are Worth It...Just Do It...No Excuses"

588 Days! Video Tidbits - Reality Check, Goal Setting, Being a Mommy, Busy Lives, Support System, and Why I Eat the Way that I Do

Greetings,

Attaced you will find some video tidbits that will help you on your journey toward better health and weight loss.

Video #1 - "Reality Check" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG6YX8OoKgk
Video #2 - "Goal Setting" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4jENrUUzac
Video #3 - "Busy Lives! - Finding Time for YOU!!!" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dngIFLjzbSA
Video #4 - "Being a Mommy / Getting My Body Back" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za2WNAMiYSY
Video #5 - "Support System on Your Journey" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPz-dzh9gSc
Video #6 - "Why do I/We Eat the Way We Do?" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhKGj2Iys3Y
Video #7 - "Reward Yourself -- You've Worked Hard For It" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6k6ObJZqs


After viewing the videos, let me know what you think. Also, share them with a family member, friend, or co-worker...anyone that is struggling to start or maintain their own journey.

It's my prayer that something that I've experienced over my journey will help you on your journey toward better health.

"Remember...YOU Are Worth It!!!"

Video for 588 Days! - How to lose weight the healthy way

Want to know more about the 588 Days! program and how you can lose weight in a healthy manner? Watch this video and get started today!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbGOm26tXsA

Visit http://www.findtimeforyou.com/ TODAY and get started right now!!!

What was your "reality check" about your health and the need to make improvements?

As I sit back and reflect on my health journey, I remember those moments in time when I had several "reality checks". Those "reality checks" made me realize that I was not satisfied with my health and that I needed to make a change. My life depended on it.

One "reality check" occurred when I had our last child and was getting ready to return to work. The clothes that I used to be able to fit into no longer fit. I remember being in my closet and  I just started crying .

Another check for me was looking in a family photo album and seeing old photos of me when I was smaller. I compared them to how I looked at the beginning of this leg of my journey and just started crying. I couldn't believe how I had lost control of my health and weight. What happened to me? When and how did I lose myself?

Let's talk...what was your "reality check" moment?

Why do I eat the way that I do?

Root Cause-I had an epiphany that many do on their journey. It's about facing your thoughts/fears/emotions/feeling in order to get to the root cause of your circumstance.

Without facing your situation, you are bound to repeat your habits & tools for coping. So many of us turn to food to help us cope but look at where we are now. Did you think that you would have gained all of this "extra" weight?

Figure out how to not turn back to your old habits of coping. Find a new, healthier way!