Dear God,

I give this day to You.

May my mind stay centered on the things of spirit.

May I not be tempted to stray from love.

As I begin this day, I open to receive You.

Please enter where You already abide.

May my mind and heart be pure and true, and may I not deviate from the things of goodness.

May I see the love and innocence in all mankind, behind the masks we all wear and the illusions of this worldly plane.

I surrender to You my doings this day.

I ask only that they serve You and the healing of the world.

May I bring Your love and goodness with me, to give unto others wherever I go.

Make me the person You would have me be.

Direct my footsteps, and show me what You would have me do.

Make the world a safer, more beautiful place.

Bless all Your creatures.

Heal us all, and use me, dear Lord, that I might know the joy of being used by You.

Amen.

From

The Best Life Diet Revised and Updated

Bob Greene

Renovations 10 Mile Walk for the Cure

I was recently reminded that I never blogged about the Renovations Salon & Day Spa Walk for the Cure and Awareness....it was a beautiful event!!  We raised $2000 for the cause.  We had a wonderful day.  There was a total threat of rain but it never happened we had blue skies and warm weather.  It was AWESOME!!!

I walked the whole ten miles!!! I wasn't even very sore afterwards.  Those are the benefits I enjoy most about my weight loss.  I am able to do things that I haven't been able to do in years! 

Currently, I am back to walking 2 miles a day even though it is freezing outside.  I still have a weight goal of 140 although with my winter hormone's kicking in, it seems like an impossibility!!!  However, I know better!!!

Australia Hillsongs - All Things Are Possible

Almighty God my redeemer
My hiding place my safe refuge, no other name like Jesus
No power can stand against You.

My feet are planted on this rock
And I will not be shaken
My hope it comes from You alone
My Lord and my salvation

Your praise is always on my lips
Your word is living in my heart
And I will praise You with a new song, My soul will bless You Lord

You fill my life with greater joy
Yes I delight myself in You
And I will praise You with a new song, My soul will bless You, Lord

When I am weak, you make me strong
When I'm poor, I know I'm rich for in the power of Your name
All things are possible
All things are possible
All things are possible
All things are possible

Lifestyle changes require:

• Changing Thoughts
• Changing Actions
• Creating New Habits

POSITIVE THOUGHTS
DAILY ACTIVITY
NUTRITION KNOWLEDGE            =   IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE
QUIET TIME

Plan on improvement and act on it...evaluate and increase or change your plan!!!

From: "It's Not About the Scale - It's About the Journey" class at FMH 7/16/08

I have successfully maintained my weight for 2 weeks at 163 even though I still need to loose 28 pounds.  I am trying to maintain a positive attitude....I mean I have not gained any.  So I think I need to own the responsibility of setting a new goal.  Ultimately, my goal is to change.  To eat different, exercise, and make really good choices.  My new goal is to learn how to set a goal and then achieve it.  I think I will start with, "I will walk 2 miles every day from June 28 to July 3 and loose four pounds."  So I will check back in on the 3rd!! We leave on vacation the 4th.  I really wanted to see the 150's before I left.....we'll see!!

7 steps to achieving a goal:

working, loving, giving, learning, playing, living, and seeking.

I lost 2 pounds again this week.  On the Outlook program that is what is expected.  Stefan and I are heading to Rehoboth Beach to see my Dad.  He is sick so I am nervous about going.  At FMH I talked to the Behaviorist, Tammy, and she had some wonderful encouraging words and she reminded me that it is ok to eat just make some good choices or decide to take a walk. She is sweet and I was so thankful that she pulled my chart for weigh in.  So I went to our local Asian bistro and had egg foo young (no rice, gravy on the side) and it made me sick later on.  I am not used to fried foods at all.  It did taste good but I realize that food really doesn't pamper.  It's not like a good talk with a behaviorist and so next time I'm just sticking with that!!!  and taking a walk.  So about "stress eating"...

Tips for Coping with Stress-Related Eating

Try to wait. Tell yourself to wait 15 or 30 minutes to eat. The craving to eat may pass or you may become distracted and forget about food.
Keep track of what you eat. Looking at the day's list of what you have already eaten may convince you not to have that extra helping or that sweet. Plus you will get in the good habit of thinking before you eat.
If you have a pattern of snacking at a certain time of day, change your routine to keep yourself occupied during that period.
Make it a habit to eat only when seated and when not otherwise occupied by a task. You will focus more on eating and tend to eat less.
Eat regularly. If you wait until you are 'starving,' you may lose discretion over what you eat and how much.
Put a Post-It note on your bathroom mirror or on your office computer or in your car reminding you to think before you eat. Examples might be "Are you really hungry?" or "Think about why you're eating."
Know thyself - and your weakest times and places. Don't go there.
Remove trouble. Throw out tempting foods from your home or desk. Never grocery shop when hungry; bring home only food that you feel good about eating.
Make time for physical activity. Exercise is a natural stress-reducer.
Sometimes nothing works. If you cannot stop obsessing about food, then indulge yourself. Tomorrow is a new day in which to excel.
Psychologists are frequently contacted to assist people who need either basic behavioral weight loss treatment while others suffering from depression and low self-esteem may require more specialized treatment.
Remember. When you need to talk to someone who can help, you need an experienced, licensed psychologist. 

(from the American Psychological Association)

I downloaded Journey off Amazon and burned some CD's for the trip.  Tammy told me that things like that are so rewarding -- much more rewarding than food.  Check this out...

Food

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Food is any substance, usually composed primarily of carbohydrates, fats, water and/or proteins, that can be eaten or drunk by a human or an animal for nutrition or pleasure.

Most human food substances are derived from plants and animals, but fungi are also eaten, and yeasts and bacteria are used to ferment many foods.

Although many human cultures traditionally sought food items through hunting and gathering, today most cultures use farming, ranching, and fishing; hunting, foraging and other such methods of a local nature are included, but often play a minor role.

Most traditions have a recognizable cuisine, a specific set of cooking traditions, preferences, and practices, the study of which is known as gastronomy. Many cultures have diversified their foods by means of preparation, cooking methods and manufacturing. This also includes a complex food trade which helps the cultures to economically survive by-way-of food, not just by consumption.

Different cultures can have very different food habits. While humans are technically omnivores, religious rules and social constructs such as morality can often affect which foods people will consume. Food safety can also be a concern, since foodborne illness claim many lives each year.

In many languages, the word for food is often used metaphorically or figuratively, as in "food for thought".

Here's food for thought....nothing in that definition is appetizing.  Thank God!!!  I mean it does say "pleasure" well, duh I'll find it some other way - Journey rocks!!!!

Today's Weight: 164

Total Weight Lost: 44 pounds

My friend and colleague Dr. Mindy Rouzer sells a line of whole foods supplements that are awesome.  I just replaced my yogurt and diet bar snacks with a shake from this company and am also incorporating a purification program (detoxification or cleansing) into my weight loss program.  I am proud to say that I was maintaining 166 to 167 and in just two days dropped to 164.  I feel better than I have ever felt since starting my weight loss!!  So check it out at www.standardprocess.com or feel free to call Mindy's office (717) 794-3399.

I have been asked to give my regime, so here goes:

Mind:  I am always trying to read a book or two about motivation or dieting and I listen to subliminal tapes about weight loss.

Body:

7am   FMH Shake
         Supplements:    500 mg Green Tea Complex with 125 mg EGCG
                                  2 g Congugated Lineolic Acid (CLA)
                                  1 Dr. Ohhira's Probiotic 12 Plus

10am   SP Complete shake with 4 strawberries and one tablespoon olive oil

1pm   FMH Shake
          Supplements:   1 g CLA

4pm   SP Complete shake with 4 strawberries and one tablespoon olive oi;

7pm   Dinner = 4 to 6 oz. chicken, turkey or fish and unlimited green vegetables

Monday:    30 Minutes at Curves/30 Minutes at WellFit (gym) doing weights & 10 minutes cardio/2 Mile Walk
Tues:        30 Minutes at Curves/2 Mile Walk
Wednes:   30 Minutes at Curves/30 Minutes at WellFit (gym) doing weights & 10 minutes cardio/2 Mile Walk
Thurs:       30 Minutes at Curves/2 Mile Walk
Friday:      30 Minutes at Curves/30 Minutes at WellFit (gym) doing weights & 10 minutes cardio/2 Mile Walk
Saturday & Sunday: Recovery or walking

Soul:  Joy and victory come from allowing Christ to do “the hard thing” with us.