I'm not a morning person, or am I?

This morning as I drove to the gym I was thinking, I am not a morning person. Immediately I realized that when I am on vacation, I mysteriously have no problem at all getting up bright and early! I began thinking about Proverbs 18:21 -Death and life are in the power of the tongue. I have been telling myself I am not a morning person, but that theory is easily shattered by my eagerness to get up early on vacation. So really, it is just about my attitude, and my behavior and choices. For example, if I stay up all night, it will be harder to get up early.

What kind of things do you speak into your own life, or those around you? I find it amazing how many people speak negative things into their own life or their family's life. Let's face it, we often treat those around us worse than anyone. If your child isn't doing their work at school don't tell them they are lazy and dumb, tell them they are smart, and you are disappointed they are not applying themselves. Do you know that a large part of prison population had people tell them they would end up in jail? It's a self fulfilling prophecy. Let's talk about spouses and boyfriends girlfriends. Same principal applies here, if you want your husband/boyfriend to be an %^$&^%, keep calling him that! You want your wife/girlfriend to be a "B", keep telling her she is one. If someone is out of control, try telling them, you are so sweet, why are you acting like this? Let's take a time out. This may sound foreign to many of you, weak, and sort of ridiculous, but what is really ridiculous is two people screaming and yelling back and forth, both on the offensive, and only thinking what they are going to say next. It takes a lot more strength to keep your mouth shut, than to argue. It's totally ridiculous, but we have all found ourselves doing it with our kids, family, and friends at some time in our lives. Arguing with someone doesn't do anything but damage your relationship with that person. My pastor at Faith Promise Church tweeted about this while I was working on this blog. Many of us we find ourselves in the moment and forget. So if you are reading this, and you like to duke it out verbally, try something different. It's going to feel weird at first, but suck up your pride and try it. Sometimes you win by losing.

Weight Loss-Some Practical Advice

The weather is warming up, giving us a taste of summer, so many people are beginning to think about weight.
If you have read My Weight Loss Story blog, you already know that I lost 60 pounds by exercising and dieting. For those of you that have begun your weight loss journey, I wanted to pass along some of my experiences.

1) 98 percent of weight loss is dietary related.
2) Do not expect to undo years of weight gain in a few weeks.
3) You do not "deserve" indulgences.
4) Weigh at the same time of day weekly, not daily.
5) Set a schedule for exercising, i.e. 3x week
6) Do not go to the gym and walk 2 MPH on the treadmill and expect results. It takes HARD WORK!

I remember when I started my diet a few months before the summer, I thought that by the time summer rolled around I would be in tip top shape! Fast forward two years, and I am almost there. I guess there is nothing wrong with being optimistic, assuming it does not back fire and become discouraging. I have noticed the closer you get to your optimum weight, the slower the weight comes off! Also, if you are strength training, you will need to eventually switch to checking your body fat percentage because as we all know muscle makes you gain weight, but in a good way. Taylor body fat scales are very accurate.

My last piece of advice is make sure you are losing weight for the right reasons. The reason you eat healthy and exercise is to be a good example of your family, friends and for Christians to be obedient to God. It's a great way to learn self control and discipline. Do it so you have a chance to see your great-grandchildren! Don't do it to impress people or to gain attention or just because you are worried about what other people think. The fact is, more than 1 in 3 people are obese so most people really don't care or notice if you are overweight. Speaking of which, don't worry about what people think at the gym either. Remember many of them were overweight when they started, and the only people that would judge you are too busy looking at themselves in the mirror. :-)


Note: Please consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program, the above is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice, nor is is medical advice, it is my personal experience with weight loss.