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!!!

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!!!

At This Very Moment!

You Are Worth It….At This Very Moment!!!

Thank YOU for taking time out of your busy schedule to start making a difference in your life at this very moment.

As you view read through the 588 Days! book or hear my testimonial regarding my weight loss / health journey, keep one thing in mind. My life, situation, and circumstances that contributed to the start of this leg of my journey were not much different than yours. See, at that very moment in my life, I knew that I needed to make a change in order to save my life. At that very moment, I knew that I had some decisions to make in order to be present in the lives of my family and children. I knew, at that very moment, that enough was enough!

There is not a whole lot that separates what I did from where you are headed. It all comes down to decisions that we make in our life at this very moment. You’ve already made a key decision at this very moment when you decided to take this handout.

At this very moment, you may be struggling with some decisions of your very own. At this very moment, you may have been given a medical evaluation from your physician indicating that your health is not ideal. Maybe, you’ve had a reality check moment where you’ve looked in the mirror and are disgusted with what you see on the other side.

No matter what made you seek assistance, at this very moment, it’s all about the decisions that YOU are going to make for YOU in the future. YOU have everything that you need inside of YOU!

At this very moment, stop making excuses. Stop saying what you can’t do. Stop putting others and their needs in front of your own health and well-being. That’s not to say that others are not important, but often times we do so much for others that we often neglect our own selves and our needs.

At this very moment, what are you willing to commit to? What steps are you prepared to take to regain control of your health? Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. We often over analyze, ponder excessively, and over complicate things that should be so simple.

Make up in your mind, at this very moment, that you are going to bring the New YOU to fruition. At this very moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and envision the New YOU. Did a smile come on your face? Do you feel more confident?  Do you like the way that you look?

Well then, what are you waiting for? At this very moment, don’t make any more excuses.  Just do it!!! Commit and don’t quit!!!

Call on whatever higher power that you believe in for strength and spiritual connection to get you through this very moment.

YOU Are Worth It…at this very moment and in all of the moments you have left on this earth. Seize the moment!!!!

I wish you continued blessings on your journey. Believe in YOU and say to yourself, “I am making the right decision for my life at this very moment.”

Peace and Blessings from your sister,

Lorraine S. Muhammad

“Remember…YOU Are Worth It…Just Do It…NO Excuses!!!” * http://www.findtimeforyou.com/

For The Family Productions *Lorraine S. Muhammad – Founder, Author, and Inspirational Speaker
* P.O. Box 877, Bloomington, IL 61702-0877 * 309-531-0032 *

©Copyright 2011 Lorraine S. Muhammad. All Rights Reserved

Tips for the summer and holidays

It's the beginning of summer. School is out, graduation commencements/parties have begun, the family reunions are planned, the weddings will start soon, and the grilling season is on and poppin'. What does this mean for your health journey?

Hold on...don't give up. YOU can still work on your journey in the midst of temptations of summer and its festivities.

Here are some tips from 588 Days! Balancing Act of Faith, Family, and Finding Time for ME" in Chapter 17 entitled "Let's Hit the Road":

Let’s say you aren’t going to eat out at a restaurant but rather you are going to eat all of the lovely food prepared for the family reunion, wedding, or somebody’s bbq. How do you handle this? Here are some tips that might come in handy:

1.    Eat before you go to the event. If you find foods you know you can eat and are the right portion size BEFORE you go to the event, then you might not be so tempted to eat the spread that will be laid out in front of you.

2.    Bring your own food with you. If are able to stop at the grocery store or maybe go to a place like Subway® to buy yourself a sandwich, you can bring your sandwich or food with you to the gathering. That way, you are still in attendance at the gathering and can still control what and how much you eat.

3.    If you find yourself indulging in the food that is being served at the event, monitor your portions! You don’t have to sit there and starve, but you can partake in the delicious food, within reason!

Stay focused but yet have fun. Time spent with family, friends, and co-workers can be enjoyable. You don't have to overindulge to have a good time. Think before you eat!!!!

For your own copy of the 588 Days! book, visit http://www.findtimeforyou.com/.