“What’s on My Mind? ”

There’s a lot of brain/body connection or in some cases disconnect, that makes the difference in my current success. Setting a goal of being fit and healthy needed to start in my mind and settle in my heart and start working on my emotions. Without that process it would never have reached the point of action that could be reflected in my body.  “As a person thinks in their heart, so are they”(The Bible) My heart and my mind were on their way to being transformed—to changing in the area of fitness and health!

What had been for so long in my life a preference to be fit and healthy was now becoming a choice.  For years I had mistaken my preferences as choices. A preference is something that one does until the going gets rough. Whereas a choice is backed up by determination and a 'can-do' attitude that comes from the gut—from deep within. No matter what the challenges or obstacle I will choose to push through, to continue, to progress.  

I was in the process of making that choice to be fit and healthy. To do whatever it took to reach my goal; To be in it for the long run.  No ‘quick fix’ had worked in the past. The fact I had injured myself early on could have ended my journey if it had just been a preference. But having made a choice for fitness, I was going to find a way to do it no matter what!  And I was blessed to have a trainer in Luka with the knowledge to help me work through some of those obstacles.

As I have been progressing in my choice for fitness and health, I’ve also been learning how to maintain it once I do reach my goals. My focus is not just losing weight. I’ve done that many times before. Losing weight can be achieved relatively easy by unhealthy means to just come right back with a vengeance and bring along a few extra like minded roommates!  So losing weight, while part of the goal has to go hand in hand with regaining my health and developing my fitness and strength.

When I started transferring fat into muscle, the number on the scales were not going to give me weekly ‘big loser’ results. Some weeks it seems like there is hardly any progress on the scales.  However, one look in the mirror and a reminder of the “pre-weight loss” photos is enough to tell me this IS working! I can sit down and not feel like my thighs are spreading all across the bench!  I don’t feel the need to cover up my belly with big tops. I even consider tucking in a top once in a while!  I’m learning that eating frequently and drinking LOTS of water is a big key!

Mind you, this is hot an over night transformation. Just as my strength increases a bit each boot camp, so too my body is changing and my mind along with it. When the scales don’t show as much progress as I had hoped, the tape measure will give me some encouraging news! That was certainly the case when after the first 9 weeks of boot camp I lost 10” from my belly alone! 

I celebrate the small accomplishments. One more full body push up, the watch that now fits around my wrist, the size large top down from an XL and even the large is getting too big.  The first days of boot camp I had to take joy in what now seems very ordinary.  The fact that I could hold a plank from the knees, that I could get up off the mat, that I didn’t get tired quite as fast, that I made it through the entire boot camp even though I had to do the easier version of the exercise. You better believe I am looking for improvement every day to celebrate and you know what?  I find it every day—a bit of improvement to take hold of and encourage myself.



Its good to look at how far
you've come during the
prosess of this journey!

 I took my version of "Biggest Loser" pictures along the way! I am thrilled to tell you that I do not fear gaining back the weight I have lost and will continue to lose until I reach my goal.  I am becoming more equipped each day with the tools and knowledge that makes it very achievable. Food and fat no longer rule me. I’m smarter than they are! I have more understanding of how my body works in relationship to food. It's not difficult to understand AND it  is liberating to be free from the bondage of appetite and food cravings! Hallelujah!!

Well on my way to health & fitness!!

 

Even though I gave you a double blogging day, this journey is still in its infancy! Thanks again for visiting with this 'baby boomer grandma gettin' fit and healthy'.  And Until next time--probably tomorrow,  may God richly bless YOU!