Body For Life

I have been on You Tube looking for videos and came across this for anyone who has no idea what the program I am on is about, Body For Life. Click on the link and it will take you to a snapshot in video format. Pretty simple, huh?

Body For Life

Pushing Past the Comfort Zone

When you overcome resistance, you create the power to continually reach higher

We decieded that after dinner we would go for a walk because it was incredibly hot inside our home and I didn't have an opportunity to get any exercise into today other then the 12,000 steps I put in at work.

Many times we had talked about going down the path along Blue Quill that had been recently cemented into biking trails but like many things, it was just talk. Instead we opted many times to do other things instead that would take less effort. We are fortunate to live in an area lush with trees, wildflowers, flowing water, birdlife and only a ten minute walk from our home.  How lucky am I!

The walk started off at 8:30 PM when the sun began setting. As the sun began on its slow decent, the air cooled and a light breeze came in. As we walked and took the time to drink in the trees, the flowers, the lushness that the rain had brought, the blue sky with its hints of pink and were surprized at how quiet it was this Saturday night in July.

How many times have I taken myself out of situations because I told myself it would take too much effort physically or because I told myself I couldn't do it! I was moving my body, it felt great and guess what.. I enjoyed it!

It had been two years since I had walked that path and at that time, I was more out of breath, more tired and bailed early on in. This time was very different. We walked along the path through steep inclines and at one point on an upward climb I thought to myself.. OMG! My heart pounded in my throat and I had a strong feeling of discomfort. Discomfort is something as a society we are told we need not endure but at that moment I realized that in life there will be some discomfort and in order to acheive my goals it must come. It will come and then it will go. Its that simple.

Comfort zones are often explanded through discomfort

Two years ago I had to have my inhaler with me and had to take many breaks. This time, as I looked up towards Mike who was well ahead of me, I was determined to make it to the top and rest on the fence ahead of me and I can do this I told myself. I made it to the top, no inhaler in hand and rested as I got to the top. I took several deep breaths and I saw the wooden sign. I made it. I did it!

The hill took us to the Rabbit Hill Road where we decided to walk along the pathway back to the condo. I was very tired by that point but pushed myself to make it back. I told Mike that I will keep going but be prepared to come back and pick me up in the car if I collapse. Just as I said that we saw two Ambulances drive by. If I continued to live my life the way I was, then was this not a message the Universe was sending me at that very moment?

Food - Doctor "Feelgood"

Yesterday and most of the week was crazy busy at work. Everyone in my immediate circle seemed to be stressed and anxious. The reason for this, CHANGE.

Normally, that's when things like chocolate, cheese, pizza or wine would beckon. Comfort. The euphoric, you are fine. Its ok. It is good. This time I stood my ground and stopped the process.

In the past, I have allowed myself to become a like a large sponge and absorb all around me which included nervous energies, anxiety, etc. This time I stepped back to observe and then asked myself, "What's going on here. Why do I have these cravings and where are these cravings coming from?" Also, I reminded myself that the stressors I was trying hard to detach myself from will too pass and just as they entered, they left.  I chose not to give them the power and to take my personal power away. The power to choose the best fuel for my body, the power to make decisions, and the power to think about the situations that arise instead of acting impulsively.

I am learning that the keeping of one's agreements, the changes my body is going through, the results, a healthy body that is strong feels much more incredible then the over indulgence and dissappointment of eating off plan would.

My lesson today is to not allow the stresses that come to me to keep me from my course.

Focus on progress not perfection

One day at a time...

Broken Agreements.

Isn't it interesting how we won't break agreements to others but suddenly we are breaking agreements to ourselves. In my case, the gym is one of those agreements.

Too busy. Too tired. I don't enjoy exercise. It hurts when I exercise. Sound familiar? Yep, sounds just like some of the excuses I have used or some of the stories I was telling! So instead of going to the gym which strengthened by body, I allowed myself to break promises to myself about.. exercising throughout the week and it didn't happen.

While reading  Body For Life, there are pages about Honouring Self Promises. This is a biggie for me! I would never tell someone I would be, do or help them if I wasn't going to do it! So, quite honestly, I developed a pattern of not honoring self promises. If I can't trust on my own personal word then perhaps this is why I have had and admitidly continue to have some challenges in my life. I have the tools to succeed, I have the rules, and I have the ability but I choose not to succeed by not honoring
my own word.

Do I keep my own word to myself? Answer this honestly.

Notice how differently you feel when you keep your word to yourself then when you do not. When you don't you suddenly become filled with uncertainty, anxiety, anger and your self confidence is lacking. When you honour the promises you made, you feel confident, satisfied, light and happy.

Today was an example of this for me. My personal agreement was to workout twice this week and when I made it to the gym I realized I hadn't been there since June! That certainly didn't support my goals.


Tonight, once I made it to the gym I was proud I made the effort and fufilled my personal agreement. After working out, I felt satisfied that I had fulfilled my agreement and happy with my results. So much so that after dinner we went for a walk..

Body For Life

Two weeks ago, a friend who I trust and who has experience in weight loss once again suggested I pick up the book Body For Life. Actually, he suggested it previous to that but because I was in resistance, I chose not to. I told myself stories that I didn't want to bulk up or that's for body builders! He suggested I pick it up for the exercises and strategies within. So, you can have things suggested to you that are for your own benefit but its you who CHOOSE whether or not do then, eh?

I had chosen to change my course of action because after nine months of being on another program it didn't provide my body with what it needed and I was not happy with the results. I wanted to lose more but wasn't there quite yet. Looking back at it now, it was my intention to lose the 25 pounds and I got what I believed I could get! Eighty pounds in my mind at that time was a very lofty target and seemed unreachable. I am very happy that I released 25 pounds and along the way learned more about my body, who I am, what I believe and learned lessons along the way. As I reflect back, it did benefit me.

No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively have the power to change

This is my new mantra. It can apply to any facet of your life. I am creating mental and physical strength. This means, that along the way I will in fact be releasing old beliefs, thought process and open myself up for change. Kinda scary but also exciting at the same time!

I never want to hear myself say or think that I wouldn't do something because it took too much (physcial) effort or I was "too tired". The last two years were the first time in my adult life that I hadn't checked out of social situations, events, etc. because of those (excuses) reasons. Don't get me wrong, I certainly am not perfect but when this situation arises I ask myself why I really do not want to go out or be there.

There is a world of difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it.

After one month of deciding my course of action and getting back on the horse, I did indeed take his advice and buy the book, "Body for Life. 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength". After only three days of implementing the food plan/eating plan I have released almost five pounds without special pills, high cost, and without altering my life! It is indeed early days but I am optimistic, happy and inspired.

You Can't Change What You Don't Acknowledge

September 15, 2009 I joined U Weight Loss and to date I am pleased with my results. I have not gotten the results that I had wanted but upon reflection I realize that it was my own doing that prevented me from achieving the results I had originally set down.

I was on track with the plan and getting results. Then, along came Christmas and New Year's. Life got busy and old habits resurfaced. Ie, Christmas goodies, wine, champagne, dining out.

My action plan is to journal my food 100% and not only food that I admit to eating. That is being completely honest and no deception. Accountability. Secondly, I need to get my body moving. So, today was my first day back at the gym after not being at the gym since summer! I wear a pedometer daily and can easily do 10,000 steps per day but it is important now that I get my heart rate increased.

2009 Health Changes

*Eating three times a day and two snacks. There was a time I made every excuse not to do it and that I couldn't but now this is becoming regular routine and I eat breakfast every day. No excuses.

*Prepping. I prep the night before for lunches and snacks. I have them ready to go and in case of emergencies. It saves me from slipping or using an excuse that there is nothing to eat!

* Eating right. Honestly, nothing was more apparent to me this year over the holidays then ever before. If I eat too much, drink too much or eat crap, I feel like crap! I don't feel good. My energy is zapped. It does not support me to eat badly!

*Vitamin D. I am taking 1,000 units of Vitamin D. This was suggested to me by my doctor and I have definitely seen the benefits since I have been taking it.

http://www.alternative-medicine-digest.com/benefits-of-vitamin-d.html

*Accountability. My body is my own. I have no one to blame and I make my own choices.

Eating During the Holidays

This weekend we celebrated Thanksgiving with our family out of town so I have to admit I had to think about how I was going to handle the food issues and do some preplanning.

*Turkey. The size of the palm of my hand and deck of cards. White meat.
*No mashed potatoes. I chose to bring a sweet potato and turnip puree which my Dad, myself and my husband enjoyed. My sister's family loves their white mashed potatoes!
*Eating a regular breakfast. I knew we would be eating at 2 so that my parents wouldn't have to drive home in the dark. (2 hours drive)
*Maintaining my water drinking and opting out of sugary pop, juice and drank some green tea as my treat.
*Tossed green salad with balsamic vinegar.
*Brussel sprouts.
*Dessert was pumpkin pudding that I made as well and brough along for everyone to try. The majority of the group chose pumpkin pie with loads of whipped cream.

While eating dinner I noticed that everyone was more interested in the food then in each other so it was nice that I was able to have conversations and not worry about shovelling food into my belly. Yes I enjoyed my meal! It was great to see everyone and not have a food hangover the next day or sit that evening with my pants loosened because I have stuffed myself.

Results to date: Down 19.5 inches and down 15 pounds.

Onesmartcookie