Healthy Living ~ Day 4 ~ Bring on Thanksgiving...Almost!

Today was a decent day.  I gave into some sweet temptations early on, but then I remained pretty faithful.  I am still in the process of purging some foods such as french fries from my diet.  I know I can do this.  I walked a few minutes and did lunges, not quite ten minutes, but it was something.
Today's journal entry is about health role models you have and what tips have they offered and how helpful were they.  They suggest to call one of them up and tell them about your 21 day project and get some advice.
When I first read the question I was thinking on a grander scale such as "The Biggest Loser," specifically Jillian Michaels.  Jillian's method's may not be typical and proper "bedside" manner, so to speak, but she is not in the business of making friends.  She is in the business of making "losers," "biggest losers" that is.  From watching over the last several years, nearly every season she is on, she coaches the winner.  She is the one that shouted to this season's contestants to find their "why" and the "how" will follow.  That peice of advice allowed me to find my "why" which is to glorify God.  When I make my choices in light of that standard it makes it hard for me to go wrong.  That doesn't mean I won't fail, but when I do, I just get back up again ask for forgiveness and make another choice.
Then I realized the questions were geared to local role models.  As of right now I can think of two.  They are sweet inspirations to me and have encouraged me to continue my journey that I have begun.  Think about the people in your life, any role model, and give them a shout out.  Everyone needs to know they are appreciated once in a while.

Healthy Living ~ Day 3 ~ Overflow

Today was a unique day.  I had a morning appointment. We got turned around a bit and parked in the Overflow parking lot and took the long trek under the street and up the mountain of stairs and counted the parking garages and public parking lots closer to the building on the way.  It was a great way to get some aerobic exercise at the start of the day.

My eating was okayish.  I had good portions, but I ate some sweet stuff again.  I am working on greatly reducing my sweet intake.  Yes, even around the holidays.  It is possible.  I have done it before.
I am still working on incorporation of exercise within my day.  I am attempting 10 minutes a day.  Today I didn't get that in as of yet.  Some progress is better than no progress.  The journal entry for today discusses the temptation of straying from my plan and what I do.  It asks to describe the emotional battle of that temptation.
Personally for me, I am training myself to ask "WHY?" in all things.  The answer to this "why" is "for the glory of God."  So I have no excuse to work the plan.  It is taking a little bit to train myself to think this way, but when I let go and allow myself to do it for the Lord, the frustration dissolves and the joy returns as I eat, exercise, and live for the glory of God.
I have to get completely on board with my plan, whatever the plan, in my mind and heart.  That makes it easier for me to enforce and hold myself accountable to it when I have made a mental commitment, so to speak.
When tempted to sway from the plan, I usually have victory over temptation when I am fully invested in the plan.  At other times, I give in and don't take care of my nutrition and fitness.  The consequences for this have been weight gain, fatigue, and lack of energy.  Additional emotional responses are negative self talk and guilt over allowing myself to let go.
This is why I want a plan that I can turn into a lifestyle.  I believe Bob Harper's 20 Skinny rules will do that for me, but I have yet to mentally commit to them.  I must commit to eating healthy, why? For the glory of God.  I must commit to exercising my body, why? For the glory of God.  When tempted to cheat or go "off plan," I must ask, why?  I then must make the beneficial choice for the glory of God.
I wish all of you the best this Thanksgiving, and I will do my best to adhere to the goals I set forth.  I will do my best to ask "Why?" while filling my plate with the abundance that God has so graciously supplied for my family.  Happy Thanksgiving and remember to count your blessings.