ENCOURAGED IN HEART

(If you’re interested in knowing about the joy campaign, click here!)

As you well know, I’m feeling frustrated because I’ve gained a couple of pounds back; which after losing and keeping off 65 lbs is obnoxious. I’m off to my Weight Watcher meeting right now…where I know I’ll still not be at my Lifetime Membership goal. How do I know this?

Lucy says so.

And, Lucy is my joy today.

When I was “dating” this healthy lifestyle, I felt all good and gooey…like the way I felt when the Finkster and I were dating. All the fan fare, attention and doting from others as the pounds dropped, “Wow, looks like you’ve lost weight – way to go!”.

Then we got married.

The comfort level from our commitment helped me take the gift I’ve been given for granted…so I avoided maintenance. I’m committed. I’ll take both the high and low points in my marriage to both the Finkster and my healthy lifestyle. I’ll continue to do the maintenance.

So I’m off…

Lucy’s my friend, and my joy for today. She doesn’t make me feel bad about myself, she helps me get to where I want to go. While I’m not feeling full joy about the power food still has over me, I won’t quit because I find joy in the journey and the process, not just the results. FINALLY!

I have joy knowing God cares about my honest pursuit of Him…which is why I again, will continue striding at my Weight Watchers meeting. Seems head diving into the cookie plate and shaking what the good Lord gave me in Zumba class are all part of my week’s activities. God’s with me and for me, so while I am not content with my weight gain or the power food still has on me, I am content that as I stride, joy comes in the journey. I’ve seen Him knit joy out of my messes many times before that I’m (oddly) feeling more comfortable about writing about it this morning. Catch me at 9am when I step back on their scale…I pray I’m singing the same song!

Wondering, where do you find joy today?

I’d much rather be showing off my new bling in this post…but there’s no bling. Nope, no bling.

Last week, I went to my Weight Watchers meeting and missed my Lifetime goal by 2.2 pounds. Lucy’s been telling me that I’m over my goal weight for some time, but I kept telling myself, “I’ll shake these few pounds and then go…”

Well, I didn’t shake the pounds.

If my friend told me that she gained 2.2 pounds, I’d most likely say something like, “It’s only 2.2 pounds…you can do it, just keep at it and show up at your next meeting!”

So I took my own advice. Bling or no bling, I just showed up.

The most powerless position to be is alone, thinking I have it all figured out. So I showed up. This is my journey and I want to capture all of it. Not just the high moments.

I pray this poem touches you smack dab in the middle of your heart as it did mine.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY

Birth is a beginning
and death a destination
And life is a journey:

From childhood to maturity
and youth to age;

From innocence to awareness
and ignorance to knowing;

From foolishness to desecration
and then perhaps to wisdom.

From weakness to strength or
from strength to weakness
and often back again;

From health to sickness
and we pray to health again.

From offense to forgiveness
from loneliness to love

from joy to gratitude
from pain to compassion

from grief to understanding
from fear to faith.

From defeat to defeat to defeat
until looking backwards or ahead

We see that victory lies not
at some high point along the way

but in having made the journey
step by step
a sacred pilgrimage.

Birth is a beginning
and death a destination

And life is a journey;

A sacred journey to life everlasting.

~~ Author Unknown ~~

What did this poem speak to your heart?

It’s been far too long since I’ve mentioned my home girl, Lucy.  I didn’t want you to think I’ve been ignoring her or anything like that.  I still meet her every day prior to my morning caffeination.  (Yes, it’s a word…I just typed it, so that makes it a word, right?!?)

Stepping all over Lucy each day is helping me stay the course.  She holds me accountable and away from “having no idea where these extra pounds come from?”.   Holy cow.  How many times have I said that one?  I dunno, I lost count. Then I walk over to my, (unnamed) weight journal, and write the number down.  It feels more official that way.  I’m able to watch trends and patterns.  Like in the beginning of the spring, I’m usually a couple of pounds lighter -(must have something to do with the thought of me baring myself in my tankini)…at the end of the summer I’m a couple of pounds heavier.  That’s a trend I’ve seen since journaling my weight since 2002.

Last month, I hit a signficant weight goal;  I become a Weight Watcher Lifetime member. Since I’m a cheap skate, um, since I’m “thrifty”, if I weigh in monthly and maintain my goal weight, then my membership is free.

I like “free”.

I weighed in today and was delighted to have maintained my goal weight, even if just by the hair on my chinny chin chin.  Okay, no more chin hair talk, we’ve already covered that one before! While I’m happy to report that I’ve maintained both my goal weight and free membership, I’m not happy to report is that it’s been WAY TOO HARD.  Somehow in my thinking I thought this whole food business would be easier to maintain once at goal weight.  Well, some weeks and some parts have been easier so it’s not all doom and gloom  

The idealist in me envisioned more frolicking through lavender fields as I crunched apple slices while the realist in me is irritated to be still low crawling away from the  Cheez-It box.

(pic from here)

I’m not sure about this, but I think those things are laced with crack.

Well, sometimes…okay, a lot of the time, I need an extra boost of motivation.  Rewards.  Well, non food related rewards.

Last spring, I was feeling really down that I needed to join Weight Watchers as I faced that I needed help.  It’s tough for a “tough girl” like me to admit when I need help.  After one meeting, I walked over to Kmart and bought a cheap $12 orange watch.  Which is not like me.  I’m a dependable silver watch wearer.  It’s practical and goes with everything.

Since I check my watch ump-teen times during the day, this one little orange watch has brought me so much joy.  Now that the dust has settled on my “Lifetime Membership” card, I want to set a new goal and establish rewards along the way to keep me motivated.

So with no further ado, my next goal is maintain my Weight Watchers goal weight for one year.

As for a reward, every month I maintain my goal weight, I’m buying a new fun watch.  I’ve decided to have fun while I “watch” my weight.  My new addition this month is an $18 bling-a-licious aquamarine dazzler, compliments of Ross.

I’m diggin’ it!

If you think for one second that having 12 additional watches is excessive, you’re right…it is.  But so is carrying an extra 65 extra pounds!   I’m going to do what I have to do to not just keep healthy, but have fun while I’m watching my weight!

My former Boot Camp instructor, Kelly, said one reward she gives herself, when she’s hit her exercise goals for the week, is to allow herself to watch a TV show without folding laundry.  The gal has four kids…that is a real luxury!

Wondering, how’s your weight watching going and what are some non food related rewards that motivate you?