It's no surprise to folks who know me when I acknowledge that I'm overweight and out of shape. And I typically choose the wrong approach to these unpleasant truths.
When clothes grow too tight, I get the next larger size... and make sure the waistband is elastic and the tops are baggy. (After all, it's "smart" to leave myself "room to grow", right?) Wrong. The smarter thing to do is to change the way I eat.
When I notice that I get short of breath with certain activities, I decide to be "kind" to my body and avoid things that are taxing. The smarter thing to do, of course, is to increase my activity so that I can better handle activity.
You may not believe it now - I know I didn't - but the time may well come when you say, "I wish I'd have taken better care of myself". And when that thought occurs to you, it's too late to go back.
But it's not too late to go forward. And fortunately for me, a Facebook friend of mine shared something that has been working for her. And now it's working for me, too.It's not a miracle. No "fat-burning pills. My progress has been slow. But it's been progress. I've been changing the way I eat, fixing healthier foods, and gradually becoming more active. I've found a website that offers a wide range of information: about common health conditions (some of which I'm familiar with personally), healthy eating, exercises for people with pain or mobility issues (as well as exercises for people who are "fitter" than I ever hope to be), recipes, videos, and more. There are "communities" for people with a wide range of interests or with a variety of health conditions. These communities provide both a support and healthy competition. There are easy-to-use "trackers" for participants to keep track of what they eat, and at the end of the day, the website will analyze what you've eaten to help you gauge whether your caloric and nutritional intakes are in a healthy range. There are also "trackers" for cardio and strength exercises.
And it's completely free.
If you'd like to check it out, go to this website. And if you decide to join up, tell 'em I sent you and look me up under my SparkPeople user name, ncsue0514. I hope to see you there!
I've heard a lot of good things about Spark People. Good for you! That's the way to do it - slowly but steady! Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI’m a new follower from the blog hop. I hope you’ll stop by my blog too! Have a fantastic week!
Musings From a SAHM
I love Spark People! Welcome! I'm so glad it's working for you!
ReplyDeleteLove you blog title!
ReplyDeleteI followed you from the Monday Mingle Blog hop.
God Bless!
Pam
http://pmaynardwrites.blogspot.com/
I understand how you feel. I found Spark people 2 years ago after he birth of my first child and it helped me so well. It took a year of hard work but with the things that I learned and keeping track of what I eat. I am still using it t help me lose the weight I gained during my second pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
I like your site. I'm a new follower. Found you on the blog hop.
Lacie,
www.IdahoAtHeart.blogspot.com
I've heard great things about the site too. I'm a new follower (GFC) from Monday Mingle. Hope you'll follow my blog. Donna
ReplyDeletehttp://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
I am a new follower via GFC, from the Monday Mingle. Stopping by from http://couponingfromfl2mi.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI am a member of Spark, but I havent used it. I am going to check back into it. I know I need to lose around 40lbs.
ReplyDeleteI found you through the Tuesday Blog Trail, and followed via GFC.
Thank you for the information I am going to check out the spark site I just bookmarked it for later when I am done blogging tonight.
ReplyDeleteNew follower stopping by from Take Three Tuesday. Hope you stop by for a visit. Have a great week. http://grandmabonniescloset.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for reminding us of this. I am already far from what I was, or what I need to be. Yet it is easy to look at those heavier and more out of shape to make myself look good. Yet, I will be like that too if I don't take action.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the information about "Spark." I am one who needs a nudge or perhaps as Spark to do something real about loosing weight.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check that out now. Thanks.
ReplyDeletewww.rebeccabany.com
Sue I was so successful with Spark People last year. Then I fell, no I crashed off the wagon and not with any royal grace whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteI have been contemplating restarting. I never stopped their emails though I do delete them quite easily. Maybe just maybe you're adding volume to that little voice in my head
Thanks so much for dropping by the Monday Mingle Blog Hop! I'm a follower and I hope you'll stop by
ReplyDeleteagain soon! Have a great day! :)
P.S. I would love to connect on Facebook too, if we haven't already. http://facebook.com/toughcookiemommy
Like they say you loose in inches.
ReplyDeleteIts a good way to the right start.
Thanks again for linking up for FL and FF:)
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused by your blog, so I'm trying to navigate through it a bit...
ReplyDeleteI had to stop at this point to share something with you. It won't be eloquent! You say you're overweight and what to do something about it, other that purchase bigger clothes.
I am proud of you.
Both my parents were obese and had great health problems because of it. My mom died at 59, and I miss her to this day. (Almost 20 years later.)
In church, gays are hit hard as sinner. But all of us sin. Some of us sin in the area of food and overindulgence. There are never messages from the pulpit about that, and I don't understand why. Perhaps it's they kick in the pants overweight believers need to let them know God wants us to cherish the temple in which he lives?
Keep up turning healthy. I'm slender (my sins are plenty but elsewhere), but I'm working to be a healthier slender person.
Hugs.
Spark People is a great site for information and tracking. I wish you success.
ReplyDeleteComing from the Fitness Friday Blog Hop.
I see references to Spark People all the time. Must be a great resource. Off to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHelp me spread the word for Fitness Friday. Please include the blog hop button in your FF post or on your sidebar. Thanks a bunch!
Great work! Awesome that sparkpeople is working for you.
ReplyDeleteWishing you continued Good luck and I think it's great you have found the right support! Well Done!
ReplyDelete~ Meredith From A Mother Seeking
http://www.amotherseeking.com
A Mother Seeking...
P.S. Found you through Wednesday's Window
I love Sparkspeople!
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating in last week’s Wednesday Window @ Frugality Is Free. I hope you’ll stop by to link up your favorite blog post this week as well.
Hi. I am a new GFC follower from the blog hop. Hope you can stop by my blog and follow me back. http://www.freeebooksdaily.com/
ReplyDelete