Hiding behind the Fat or Prisoner in your Body

(blog under construction)

When I am Asked "wow, you lost weight, how did you do it?"

I don't seem to have a Simple answer.

So today I was thinking about how I could answer that question as simple as possible

                  HOW "did" I lose the menopausal weight?

I thought of losing weight being like.... "Wanting to Bake a Cake"!
You need the right Recipe.
 (funny way to think of "how to lose weight"  as "how to bake a cake")

But it's true,

If you wanted a CAKE 

could you just stick a

 Cake pan in the OVEN

 and 

HOPE for a Cake? 

 Of course not!  You need to have the right ingredients and follow a great  recipe

Isn't that true for most of what we want out of life.... it takes gathering the right "Truth"
Using time  and energy as we  measure it out, our energy and commitment to see it through, and  then putting it in the Oven and  having patience's (waiting)  while it takes time for aroma of success to unfold. (well, kind of dumb, but you get the picture, right?)

Oh sure,
people want to just POP a pill in to their body,

like you POP a cake pan in the Oven and HOPE to get results!                                             
W A K E    U P  and Smell the stupidity!

So, I'm going to endeavor to write a type of  recipe  for Losing Weight.  

I think, I think I got it....
Just like any recipe, if you forget an ingredient... it won't turn out right.
Like forgetting  baking powder.... FLAT CAKE!  Or just throwing a bunch of ingredients into a cake pan and sticking that in the oven ... Oh forget it... what a mess!
Seriously,  You need to follow all the steps, not leave out any ingredients and properly prepare the cake batter before putting it in the oven.   Same truth applies here!

(get ready, it may get brutal)

The First steps in the Recipe are as simple as  A B C D

"A"DMIT
  Soul search WHY Are YOU FAT?  - ahhh Admit YOUR FAT

"Hi my name is Dumb-Dumb and I am Fat" 

What? you think you're really hiding the fact that you're fat, or pretending you're ok being a "little overweight"?  Come on... 20 lbs over weight is like carrying around another person (ok, a toddler)

We are a judgmental, critical and may I say hypocritical society.  Don't kid yourself, people DO judge you by how you look.  Ever hear of "first impressions"?  You're look is your first impression.   It shouts out either:
             "I respect myself, therefore I take care of myself"
"I don't respect myself therefore I neglect myself"
        OUCH



THIS IS NUMBER "ONE" to  a weight loss program: Respecting yourself
You heard me..... deal with it!  Yes, it hurts!  That why we avoid admitting the truth.

IF your BMI (body mass index) is:
25 to 29.99 You are OVERWEIGHT
30 to 34.99 You are OBESE (class one)
35 to 39.99 You are OBESE (class two)
40 or Greater... YOU ARE MORBIDLY OBESE!


CLICK HERE TO: Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) Metric BMI Calculator Height ft in Weight lbs Or use our BMI Chart to determine your Body Mass Index.

Abdominal obesity:

 a waist circumference over 102 cm (40 in) in men and over 88 cm (35 inches) in women.

If you don't believe you "really" have a problem (you're in denial) and you will 

fail at any attempts to lose weight.

you can't change something you don't really believe needs to be changed

What so bad about being a little overweight? Are you saying "so what" I'm happy?
Excuse me but I need to say that Overweight people are NOT healthy people because they are at risk for Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease to name the TOP two!

Being FAT IS NOT HEALTHY!   

No one who is FAT is or will ever be considered "healthy"

(activity and exercise is not where you start in this recipe - FOOD is the Number one problem with obesity,  Exercise is the FROSTING on the CAKE)

*Note: although most would like to say "my weight problem is due to a metabolic problem" (thyroid being THE number one EXCUSE), it may be.  

But real excuses or not ....YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM  

Take responsibility for your health, please.  Yes, Menopause is a culprit to weight gain (especially in the waist) BUT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! 

YOU are a victim by choice

STOP being a Prisoner in your BODY!

"B"ackground Work
Take a  SERIOUS look at your relationship with FOOD
Yes, you may not know this but you have a RELATIONSHIP with food.
It can be a love, hate or addictive relationship, but I guarantee it is a Relationship.
It started when you were born, bottle fed, breast fed.... how you were brought up,
culture ........... ah, the Italian mother... "eat something.... manga"

Reason you're fat:   C O U L D    I T    B E? 

Is it because you have a unhealthy relationship with food?

Is it because you have poor habits?

Is it because you have NO respect for your body?

Is it because you're feeding the demons inside you, trying to sooth them?

    * demons: unforgiveness, anger, FEAR

"C"heck your Habits

   HABITS!   Eating is a habitual event in our lives.  

We eat without giving much thought to 

why, 

when 

or 

where 

we are eating.... 

if it's there ....WE EAT.  

If we're bored, we eat  

If we're stressed, we eat  

If we're celebrating we eat  

If we're socializing, having a business meeting.... 

If it looks good, we eat it

WE freak'n Eat just because ... we have a relationship with food

It's obvious food has become an indulgent passion... cooking shows, TV commercials, advertisements.                                                                                                      FLIP, even our beauty products smell so good we wish we could   eat them!  

Creamy  Sugar Sweet Vanilla scrubs for our face  and body
 Gingerbread hand lotion! 

****************

ok, maybe sometimes we do eat once in a while because we ARE hungry.

Did you know that thirst is many times mistaken as hunger?  True

Seriously,  if you wrote down every time you ate and noted how you felt when you choose to eat something, 

how often would you write :

"I had hunger pangs?" 

 "I felt hungry"

There is a difference between actually being hungry and feeling hungry

"FEELINGS" are not always our friend

Have you ever found yourself walking to the kitchen while muttering to yourself 

"I really don't WANT to eat... 

but  HUMMMMM what shall I eat?"

THE Next part of the Recipe

"D"iscover yourself  (yes, Self Discovery)

  Start a Journal or a Blog as your first ACTION 

This is  all about a Journey  

You will write down your feelings about food and about eating.  How you feel when you eat, when you desire to eat, how you eat 

(shovel it in, or take your time)  

Journalize anything and everything about who you are and how you feel in life

this is about "self discovery"                                                                                 (you  probably have been hiding the real you behind the "fat")

I told you it may be brutal

It causes stress for us, when  we try to believe we're ok being heavy.  Our body's stress's when we see someone "thinner than us".... right?

There isn't a women alive that wouldn't admit she "hates trying on bathing suits"

So stop lying to yourself.... discover what you really want for yourself.

Let me cut to the Quick here:  

It's REALLY not about LOSING WEIGHT!  

(negative word: losing)

It's about Gaining HEALTH!  

(positive word:  gaining)

this is very important!

Two things here:   It is human nature to want MORE  

So when we say to ourselves:  

"I want to GAIN"   

we can't help but move into a winning attitude with 

this positive word

When we say 

"I want to Lose"

We have sabotage our efforts because we've  used a negative word

 Attitude is what determines success

This leads me into what I believe is the Key that unlocks the door to weight loss

BALANCE! 

ALL my blogs for the past 2 years have been about BALANCE

Physically

Mentally

Spiritually

I have discovered that in order to "lose weight" 

I had to choose to GET HEALTHY as my objective... the weight loss followed!

The battle of Weight loss is truly a battle  of our Physical , Mental  and Spiritual being

When we are "overweight" it is a systemic problem.  

This means it "STEMS" from our unhealthy Mental, Spiritual and Physical choices and is woven into every part of our being until it takes over

Yes,  it is our choice

if we spent as much time dressing up for the day "spiritually" as we do physically... WOW  that would be powerful

if we spent as much energy seeking "mental" food that nourishes us and helps our minds to grow strong, as we do physically seeking "where and what we're going to eat"... WOW that would be powerful

Balancing our world

Balancing our lives

Balancing our thoughts

Balancing our BEING

......  that is when we will have what we really need 

 "Health and Wellness"

Yap.... there is the NITTY gritty of "GAINING Health" and (losing weight as the benefit)

Most of my blogs have bit's and pieces... I'm going to try to put them in ONE easy step by step order

Tomorrow

Ciao!

THE ONE who really knows if your throwing a bunch of Baloney!

Quick blog this morning:

We are so great at giving advise, right? We're so SMART!

  It's easy to step back and evaluate someone else's situation.  Why, because we can logically and non emotionally (most of the time) see the bigger picture.

Do we give ourselves Great Advise?  really.... So what's the Struggle?


 ....  Take it to the MAN.  He can give GREAT advise and directions and dispense the power we all need to "Take advise and LIVE IT!"!

Who's the MAN?

The One who knows you since you were conceived 
          in your mothers womb (unless you were hatched!).  


The One who knows where you've been, what you've been through


The One who knows every bump, bruise and heartache 
        you have experienced in your life.


The One who knows what lies you tell yourself every day.


The One who knows what is your heart desires.


The One desires to not only hold your hand but carry you through the darkest of times.


The One who desires to lead you to a place of Peace, Joy and Love.

THE ONE  is The Lord Jesus Christ!   Seriously, why do we ignore the ONE who Died for us.  We we're born into Sin (not our fault).  But it is our choice to live in that Sin.

HE is the ONE that can give GREAT advise and directions to US.

No appointment needed.  Just Start a Conversation and Read HIS ADVISE (The Bible) Today.


So when you find yourself struggling, 

mad at yourself for what you didn't do, should have done... making excuses for yourself.... 

when you need Real Advise! 

go to the ONE who can give you ADVISE ....

"the real truth" 

and let healing and  forgiveness begin

Luke 12:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

   ⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.

Good Morning and Salute to your Health and Wellness

(Health and Wellness is completely dependent on your choice(s)  today. Your Health and Wellness is also a Gift..... think about it, cuz I am)

Stretch YOURSELF - Just DO IT

Stretch yourself   W  H  Y?

The primary purpose of stretching is to make the muscles longer to provide a greater range of motion at the joint, or joints, over which the muscle crosses. Stretching can, in fact, has the opposite effect of warming-up, by promoting relaxation instead of increased activity. The Purpose of Stretching Web Link

Think of that! The benefit of Stretching is RELAXATION!

Like when your neck and shoulders are tense almost to the point they hurt.  You  shrug your shoulders and rotate you head from side to side.... may be stretch your arms over your head... all in attempts to loosen and relax the tense muscles.

You have to STRETCH Muscles to RELAX  Muscles









Let's get down to it.  

PHYSICAL

SPIRITUALLY

MENTALLY

I just explained why PHYSICALLY we need to Stretch !!!  Apply this to your SPIRITUAL BEING.   Oh, That's right.... we would never on our own attempt to "stretch our Spiritual being", No need.   

God made the provision that our DAILY LIFE attempts to Stretch us spiritually.

We face challenges and stressors with our health,  with Family, Friends, Work, Finances  and Life in General....

"NO, I won't get out of BED..... I'm not ready to face the DAY "
what your really saying is "I CAN'T FACE LIFE"

Instead of stretching ourselves Spiritually, by lifting high our thoughts towards heaven and stretching our being to reach out for our Creator, we shrivel up in a corner, retracted and Afraid. 


So why all the resistance to "stretching" ourselves spiritually?  

why do we do that when, IT is GOOD FOR US!  

It will Strengthen our spiritual walk, 

 Through stretching spiritually our hearts will less likely be "broken" and well less likely be " emotionally fragile" because we are more flexible and strong.

 when Life's insults, drama and heartache's come our way 
(whether we attempt to doge it.... it's mostly smacks us in the face on a daily basis). 

MENTALLY stretching our selves?  THAT my dear friend is something we attempt to avoid!
We turn on the BOOB TUBE and use the "excuse"  I just want to relax and take my mind off things.  Really?   Do you know your mind is still engaged and working while watching TV?
The difference is that you've given your mind to be directed and influenced by whatever is on the TV.  Maybe, you choose stimulating shows, informative shows.... whatever.  But the Point is
how are you "STRETCHING" your mind .... challenging your thinking?  Ahhhh think about it, cause I am.

Could it be because you're NOT in SHAPE to HANDLE LIFE??????

Point of today's blog.... Stretching our bodies is  all about moving our muscles slightly beyond their comfort level.  Becoming more F L E X I B LE 


Stretching our self physically, MENTALLY, and SPIRITUALLY too! will make us more Flexible in life to handle what comes our way!

Optimal HEALTH and WELLNESS in our lives "demands" us to not resist   

STRETCHING ourselves  daily .....  

PHYSICAL

SPIRITUALLY

MENTALLY

God Bless you today in your pursuit for Health and Wellness

"God is faithful, 

and he will not let you be tested (STRETCHED) 

beyond your strength 

but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it" 

1 Corinthians 10:13

CIAO and SALUTE! 

I want it NOW or Jumping off the Train

STORY:

You have purchase a  train ticket for the destination:

The "Land of Health and Wellness"!

You invest in work out clothes,  gym equipment or better yet, a gym membership.
As well as  Health and Diet books, expensive vitamins, ....etc etc etc

Your ready.... "tomorrow" you get on board to the "land of Health and Wellness".

Let's just say, YOU  DO get on board.  (that's a miracle in it self since most of us put off boarding that train for days, and days, and days.....)

 You're doing great 
(for the first few hours of this trip.... hahaha! Maybe even a few days ).  


Your excited, pump up at getting to your destination.

But wait.... you look out the window and see a landscape full of  See's Lollipop Trees, and Marshmallow clouds
....  
Over stuffed lounge chairs by a stream... A BIG FAT TV in the Sky with your favorite Show... 



Your favorite Fast Food Restaurant! 

(whatever.... make up your own picture of what your weaknesses are) 

YOU JUMP OFF THE TRAIN 

in your delirious "I need" 

"self gratification" 

desires

Ouch!  You got the picture.

How difficult is it to get back on that train?

Especially since..... "hey stupid" you didn't jump off near the next train stop. And you wonder why it's so hard to get back on "the Track".

You got it!  

Our self serving, need for  instant gratification, 

never say no to yourself 

L I F E 

You see the "cookie, candy, ice cream" and or  You see the "Rest, no effort, relax... I deserve it attitude"

and after months of carefully choosing to "stay on the train" jump off just for a lousy,
not even that good  "moment of pleasure".

Ahhh....the price we pay for acting like Veruca 

( from Willy Wonka) 

 impulsive  behavior.

Wanting every thing N O W ! 

This blog was started and developed to discover W H Y  I  am reluctant to
"Get on the Train" and  Stay on the "TRAIN" . ("Train" of thought!)

It isn't any wonder why people who "exercise and diet" with others or in a group, or with a trainer/coach are more successful.  You NEED that support to keep you focused and engaged with GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION.... staying on the Train.

That's it!  It just hit me (epiphany).

B A L A N C E

I AM my own support and coach and cheer leader
I CAN  do it when I decided I WILL do it.

Get it :  I "WILL" to do it.  It is my Will 

My "will" 

is

my MIND 

in sync with my SPIRIT 

in sync with my BODY.  
*****
When it's out of sync
  we are "unhealthy"
un-balanced
unsuccessful
fearful
sad
Living in defeat
*****
so.... Reverse that:
When it is in Sync
we are "Healthy"
successful
Loving
Joyful
Living in  "accomplishments"

So, when I jump off the Train (as I have this past week) I need to ask question and then seek the Answer.

WHAT is out of sync?   for me ..... If I eat a box of cookies 

(which I did and knew  it was not a healthy choice)

Why didn't I have the MIND to say NO? 

Why didn't I have the SPIRIT to say NO?

Why did my BODY (appetite) Say YES?

One of these Three is Not being feed/exercised/challenged/nurtured :

1. Body 

2. Mind 

3. Spirit

OR Two of the Three 


OR all three are being neglected

So, I have my ticket and I'm headed for the Train Station.  


I'm getting on board tomorrow morning: whooo hoo, TOOT TOOT!  BYE   the Whistle is blowing! 

I KNOW WHERE I WANT TO GO!  The land of Health and Wellness

I know that I have to fortify  

 my MIND and SPIRIT 

Which will direct my BODY (actions) 

to make the right choices tomorrow.

James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 ***************

Blogging HELPS me!  (I see the difference when I am not blogging)


It helps Because it Reinforces my thinking!  It's more than just  thoughts.

It's my thinking in Black and White (ok, I like color too).

It's me Thinking, Typing, Reading what I know I need and WANT to do. REINFORCING!

Tomorrow, I will wake up and FEED my Spirit 

(a plate full of thanksgiving and praise)

To my Creator and God

before I feed my face.  

Tomorrow, I will wake up and FEED my MIND 

(a plate full of the powerful words of God ... Bible) 

to Strength and Focus my thoughts.  

"my train of thoughts for the day".

Tomorrow, I will tell my BODY  what my Mind and Spirit wants it to do!

This will bring me into BALANCE and cause me to be in sync!  


So my actions match my thoughts, and my Spirit controls my Being and I will Stay on the  TRAIN!

Ciao and Salute! to Your Health and Wellness. 

HUG Yourself....

Give Yourself a Hug

There is a scientific explanation for the seemingly magical qualities of a hug that researchers uncovered. Each time we hug, we increase the level of oxytocin in the blood.

A daily dose of oxytocin from hugging can help protect us from heart disease.

 Give Yourself a Hug

               

Rhomboid Rattling and Posturing

The rhomboids are the very thin muscles located in your upper back between the shoulder blades. Since the rhomboids connect the shoulder blade (or scapula) to the spinal column, the relatively small muscles are responsible for a heavy burden that includes pulling your shoulders back for correct posture. 

Weakness or tightness (or both) in the rhomboids 

not only causes bad posture, but also eventually leads to  back pain.

Daily stretching is the first step for stronger, looser rhomboids and eventually a healthier, stronger and potentially pain free back. 

One simple stretch entails holding your left tricep with your right hand and pulling your left arm across the front of your body so, in effect, you hug yourself. Repeat the stretch on the opposite side. If you want a dynamic stretch for the rhomboids try swinging your arms open and closed and try to touch your shoulder blades with your fingers each time you make the closing motion (THAT WOULD BE A HUG!)

Keeping in "synch"   with my "soap box preaching" on 

BALANCING our lives 

Physically, Mentally & Spiritually...

 You answer these questions:

Do you enjoy giving hugs?

Do you enjoy receiving hugs?

Hummmmm......  Question number 3

     Have you ever given a hug to some one who feels like a "Mannequin"?

Hugging can be quiet intimate.... so when someone resist a hug there is a message! 

But the "Therapy of a Hug" is so complex and deep and profound.

                    If you need a hug (and I bet you do!)  

GIVE YOURSELF A HUG.

I know it sounds weird, but try it.   Really hug yourself and tell yourself  "I care about me"

wow..... do you?  Do you really care about yourself?  

Then take a moment to think about all the "good things" you do for YOURSELF.  

Like....  Eating healthy life giving foods (or not)

Like....  Walking or Exercising or indulge in a sport activity OUTSIDE in the Sunshine! 

 

Like..... Telling yourself  Positive affirmations throughout the day  complimenting yourself in your accomplishments, giving yourself a BREAK when you mess up!  Forgiving yourself ... 

SAY three nice things about yourself.... Come on you can think of 3 things!

Seriously,  you should be your best friend and your own cheerleader! 

It's ok.... HUG YOURSELF!   (ok, really don't do it in public... seriously, that's weird)

But Try it... You may do it more often when your sad or 

WANTING TO EAT CHIPS AT  11 o'clock at NIGHT!   

Stop and Say... 

"it's ok, I don't want to eat...I just need a hug... and I'm going to give myself one".

Ok,  GOOD NIGHT... it's now 11:48 pm  the Chips are gone and I'm going to bed.

CIAO! and Salute....To Your Health and Wellness

PS

a picture worth a million words

1

Give all your worries and cares to God for,                    he cares about you! 1 Peter 5:7