Here I go again - and a BMI to you too!

Yes, I know that I start my 21 days to Health and Wellness on the 1st of the month but I had an awaking today.


I've not had the opportunity due to travel to be on the "Wii" fitness program.  Ok, ok.... kind of an excuse.  No, really... it is an excuse.  I need to STOP THAT now.


To many days had passed since I last step on the Wii Fitness board  and the Little guy who welcomes me when I turn on the Wii fitness program  reminded me by asking "where have you been?".  I'm thankful they didn't allow the guy to say what he was really thinking ... "where the heck have you been lady...."  Thank Godness I've maintained my wieght and fitness level since I last stepped on the board.  Unfortunately, I hadn't met my Goal. 


Any whooo,  (guilt acknowledged ... now MOVE ON) 


 The little guy said that I had to reset my goal.  
Yes, I'm  talking that I still need to lose about 8-10 lbs.  
 I have lost 18 lbs since starting this blog.  But, I need my BMI to  be 22 to be healthy.  
Side note to ME: This reminds me about my Calcium and Vit D intake, cuz if I get shorter due to bone loss then I'll have to re calculate my BMI!  YIKES... it never ends!


Although,  I do like to start on the 1st day of the month so I know by the date what day I'm on... TOO BAD, so Sad... I'm starting NOW.    


Actually, when I think about it....... it works out fine since I am  going to a Health Resort  on the 23rd until the 27th.  Perfect.  I'll end the 21 days there.  Right,  Math genius that I am   6 + 21 is 27!  Yahoo  -  It was meant to be.  (yes, I'm so very very blessed to have the opportunity to go to this resort)

So, tomorrow I'll start my Day One of the 21 day blog

 to Health and Wellness and lowering my BMI   

I'm going to stand on the stage for a moment and give my testimony:
This blog has been an amazing encouragement for me.  It has reinforce my goal every morning.  It has given me new insight and a new strength to make healthy choices for my body, mind and spirit.  It has made me accountable "to me".  I have found a new freedom in expressing myself and LISTENING to myself talk (ask my sister's....  I've always had conversations with myself... it just use take place in front of the mirror  with the bathroom door locked).


The 21 day thing is something that takes doing several times over.  Let's face it.... I've had 50+ years developing  lifestyle habits that will take more than just 21 days session to break.  Each of the 21 day journey's have centered on reinforcing  new lifestyle habits. 


I tella you the truth (as my Sicilian Grand ma would say)  It has worked. 


 I still have NO desire to take  a piece of "See's Candy" when offered.  I still have no war inside me as I stand in front of the pastry counter at Starbucks.   I still look for opportunities to "MOVE"  exercise, walk..... stretch.  I'm seeking spiritual food!! and a closer relationship with my creator each day. 
I'm happier and more physically in shape than I've been in a long time.  
I've discovered what God created - Me!

I am His Temple and I want to honor Him by Respecting ME!  

Yes,  I am committed and ready to GET HEALTIER!  Kick up the Heat! 

Psalms 37:5

Commit everything you do to the LORD. 

Trust him, and he will help you.

Here I go!

Salute!  To Your Health and Wellness


PS
 Notice I have removed negative words like "diet"and replaced it with positive words like: lowering my BMI, Getting Healthier, becoming more Strong & Fit.

So you just want to be Happy

Are you smiling?

Do you know that when you smile your body receives the message that your happy.  

The body then say 

"Hey, she's happy.... oooo oh  I better release the happy juices (endorphins) through her body" ... Then the mind say's "hey wait.... We're happy... better get myself in sync with the body and be happy".... then the Spirit  catches on and is soothed and at peace as it sails in  the happiness that's happening in the body and mind.

Sound crazy?   It's been researched that a smile can "turn IT around"

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. 
We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. 
Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them

 Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. 
A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. 
Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. 
When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. 
The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. 
When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. 
Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. 
Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. 
Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. 
Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling.
  

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. 
Together these three make us feel good. 
Smiling is a natural drug.

 8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. 
Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better. 

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. 
Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. 
When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" 
Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

I know, You don't want to be FAKE  - 

Well, have you heard the saying "fake it till you make it"?  

I want to go just a step further - 

DO THESE THREE THINGS TODAY (ahhh, just try it) 

1. Yes, plaster a big smile on your face!    

                            Then engage your mind and spirit (as I keep saying) with your body.

2. Your Mind then thinks of THREE things to be grateful for

3. Your Spirit then Thanks God for the THREE things you are grateful for 

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

 ¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

 ² Worship the LORD with gladness; 

       come before him with joyful songs.

 ³ Know that the LORD is God. 

       It is he who made us, and we are his ^[a] ; 

       we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 ⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

       and his courts with praise; 

       give thanks to him and praise his name.

 ⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

       his faithfulness continues through all generations.

I don't want to belabor this but here is  a story:

As I was drifting off to sleep I was awaken and asked for help.  Of course my first thought was  "ahhh, for crying out loud...  I just closed my eye's and was almost a sleep".  But, then knowing I loved this person and want to take care and please them I got out of bed to assist them.  My desire to assist was as small as a mustard seed. 

As I stepped out of bed, (trying to be funny), and said  "thank God I have two legs to get up for you... thank God I can see to walk across the room... thank God I can find my way to the kitchen... thank God I have the strength to get you a glass of water... thank God we have water... thank God that I have you to get water for...."

You got the picture?  Instead of resenting and grumbling at my task... I CHOOSE to have a Grateful heart.  

My antic's  actually made me smile and created a loving lighthearted moment for me and the one I love.

Turn it around  S M I L E!

Do it for your Health and Well being

Do it for You  (other's will be blessed)

Salute!  To your Health and Wellness

PS  For those trying to lose weight 
"when you're unbalanced you fall"  

Balance your Spirit, Mind and Body   

For  

His Love makes us Beautiful

1 Thessalonians 5:17  

Pray without ceasing

Two things:  Our relationship with our Creator, our Father God  

Who sent his only Son, Jesus. (John 3:16)

Jesus who came and humbled himself so that he could   bring us power over sin and death.  

Power

Power

Power

The Power of Love

The Power of Hope

The Power of Faith

What does God want in return 

Our Love

Our Hope in Him

Our Faith in Him

Why do we fight this?

I believe we fight it each day just as Eve did in the garden.  We believe a lie from the Devil.  We choose to be our own God.  We choose to rely on ourself.  We choose to be in control.

When we face our decisions..... do we STOP and THINK .  What are our choices?

What choice will demonstrate our Love for God, our Hope in Him, Our Faith in Him?

When we feel weak, disappointed, sad... hopeless

Do we give audience to these "feelings"... swim in them until our finger's get all wrinkled ( a line from the movie French Kiss)

WHY oh WHY do we as humans gravitate towards self flagellation?  

I'll tell you that the devil wants us defeated.  We are bombarded by statements that make us weak and vulnerable and we accept it when we "are in ourselves".  We accept it when we rely and trust ourselves.  We speak words of defeat....

Sometimes I think we choose defeat as if it makes us feel..... well, Yes..... it brings the attention to ourselves.

The scripture:  Pray without ceasing is all about our MIND's and Thoughts being centered on HIM!  Praying is nothing more or less than TALKING to our Creator.

Talking with the God of the Universe who loves and cares about us. 

Matthew 10:29

²⁹For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father's consent.

³⁰As for you even the hairs of tour head have all been counted. 

³¹So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows!

Why do I lose sight of this when I fight a battle? (battle with food and exercise)

Why do I lose sight of this..... because I'm not continually praying.... constantly talking with the Lord all day, every minute.

He is there beside me!  

He is walking the path with me.  

He at times wants desperately to hold my hand.  

He is ready to give me a hug.  

He is next to me ready to catch me and carry me.  

He is there to give me a pat on the shoulder to encourage me.  

He is there beside me for me to call on for STRENGTH, Wisdom, guidance.

He is there protecting me.

Why do we ignore him?  Again, I think each day we have the opportunity to "bite the apple" like eve.  And we do!  We desire to be our own God.  We want to rely on ourselves.  

Proverbs 3: 5,6 

 .... then trust the Lord completely; 

don't ever trust yourself. 

In everything you do, put God first, 

and he will direct you 

and crown your efforts with success.

So today when I make a choice of what to say, what to eat, where to go, what to do... 

I will turn to the Lord next to me, look into his eyes  take his hands and ASK HIM!  Talk with HIM.  

Pray without ceasing!

I remember what it feels like to fall in love with someone.  You want that person by your side as you watch a sunset.  You want that person by your side when your scared.  You want that person by your side as you sip a cup of coffee.  You just want that person by your side.... because you want them to be a part of everything you do.  When they're not with you, still you have them in your mind.  That, my friend is being IN LOVE.

I want to fall in love with my Savior, that is my prayer today.  To walk and talk with him all day long and into the night.

In this I will make healthy choices of what I'll eat, think and do.  I'll embrace the world today as a women in love with life.
(There is no life with out Jesus at our core being)  

The truth is:

It's not about being the perfect size 6 (although I desire that)

It's not about being free from wrinkles (although I desire that too)

It's not about what I wear (although I think about that)

  When we  desire to walk and talk and listen to Jesus    

we then become beautiful INSIDE and OUT 

as become filled with His love

His love makes me beautiful 

(song from the movie Funny Girl)

 

3 John 1:2  

 ²Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Salute!  


PS
For those wanting to lose weight
"see Jesus standing besides you ALL day long"
when your reaching for food/snack that isn't a healthy choice look next to you!
SEE Him standing there next to you.... he's watching you .... he want to help you.
 He knows if your making excuse why an un healthy choice is ok  

TALK TO HIM!  He's there waiting to be a part of all you do

Mind Body CONNECTION

By Gérard de Lairesse

The senses are represented as women and children engaged in some typical activity and with attributes.

Hearing is associated with music.

Sight holds a mirror.

Taste has a fruit  

Smell a bunch of flowers.

Touch has a bird perching on her raised hand.

What an amazing Creator!  When we stop and appreciate what we have been given as a gift.  Joy should  fill us up and satisfy our souls.

Key word "stop"

Key word "appreciate"

Key word "gift"

I'm sure you've heard, growing up, as I did ...."you take it for granted".

ahhh so true.  

This isn't about appreciating and or acknowledging your senses - all though that could be said.

This is again about "the connection" between our senses and our being.

I've been saying over and over again.  We are body, mind and spirit.

Yet we (maybe just me.... but I doubt that) forget to acknowledge that we are a SPIRIT!

The mind body connection seem to leave out the part about the Spirit.  That, I believe is because the Spirit is weaved into our body, and weaved into our mind. So easy to overlook.  We only deal with the tangible.

Yet, it really can't be separated or ignored.   Nor should it.

I hear often (in my profession)  so many physical complaints.... illness, aches, pains... worries and concerns about sensations or lack of sensations of the body.

Oh, how I would love to discuss the connection between the Body and the Spirit.

The Mind and the Spirit.

I've gave this a lot of thought.  Certainly there are illness and disease that occur NOT because of some spiritual or mental weakness.   Consider the baby or child that develops a rare cancer or a congenital defect.  I'm quite aware of the fact that about 20% of illness do not stem from the connection of the mind and the body.

I truly respect and want to be sensitive to this fact.

I address the 80% of illness, disease, and or complaints that stem from unhealthy thoughts.

Take for instance when you smell a flower. 

   The fragrance may envelop you and bring a smile to your face.  You may close your eye's and feel the fragrance waif through your body, causing you to relax or feel invigorated.  It's cathartic, healing.... soothing. You physically have a chemical reaction in your body when your senses are stimulated.

Yet, you may smell a flower and develop  tension, sadness....loss of energy, maybe a headache!

How?

Well,  a fragrance   may remind you of something that invokes a 

sweet memories. 

 (like tonight  my smelling  the sweet jasmine as I walked in the moon light with the still cool breeze besides me in my old neighborhood)   

Or, for someone else, the fragrance of some flowers  may trigger the recall of a funeral home filled with flowers ... reminder of the loss of a loved one.

And don't you know there are some flowers that do that!  

Yes, we have these amazing senses- touch, taste, smell, hearing, sight!  

BUT it is our mind that takes these senses and creates thoughts that are pleasant or distressful.  Healthy or Toxic.

So, here it is:

Your senses take in a touch, smell, taste, sound, sight

Your mind processes this sense with previous thoughts that are associated with this sense.

You then have a CHOICE to STOP and Think.  If this brings me peace.... all is well and healthy.

If this brings me negative feelings (toxic)... I need to explore this.

Toxic feelings are rooted in Fear.  

Healthy feelings are rooted in Love.

                                                    Ok,  getting toooo deep and it's late!  .....

gotta go to bed and dream sweet dreams....  Fill my mind with "gardenia's"

Yes,  I like that.... pure white petals full of sweet aroma's to swirl around my mind.

Yes,  FILL my MIND with flowers for ME!  (see recent blog on this)

And when I wake in the morning

Then I'll have to go for a "fabulous walk"  

I    W I L L   "still" my mind and use all my  senses to fill my mind, body and spirit with  choose thoughts that bring me HEALTH and WELLNESS.

Salute!  

Time Spent

Thought for the day

How much time does the average person spend thinking about food and eating?
How much energy is taken up by what and when to eat?
How much money is spent on food?

Isn't it true a great percentage of our thoughts are about:
What should I eat
When should I eat
Where shall I eat

True or not true.  We spend A LOT of time, energy and money on food for our Body.

If we spent as much time, energy and money on food for our Spirit  ... Powerful!

If we spent as much time energy and money on food for our MIND.... Amazing !

Ok, back up..... is the food we choose really for our body our for our lust to please our senses.

Ahhh HA!

Think about it today.

Gotta go lace up!  Time to feed my body some life giving oxygen by a brisk walk/jog.


Salute!  To Your Health and Wellness