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

Consultation Packages and Workshops Now Available - How Can I Help You?

Announcement -- now I have a Consultation Package JUST FOR YOU!!!

Price: $75 ($63 if already own a copy of the 588 Days! book)

Duration: 3 months from receipt of payment

Includes:

·         Autographed copy of 588 Days! book

·         Weekly consultation sessions and monitoring

·         Weekly inspirational messages

·         Access to Lorraine via email, phone, Facebook, or Skype

·         Response to inquiries within 24-48 hours

·         Accountability contract

·         Monthly support group conference call

·         Tips on cooking, recipes, eating, fitness and planning

See the flyers below for more information, including Workshops/Seminars. They would be great for your organization, church, mosque/study group, classroom, or other gatherings.

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"

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!!!

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
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