Gayle, I am like you. I hate exercise. However, I have managed to get over to the Wellness Center 2 or 3 times a week and put in 40 minutes. Getting out the door is the hard part for me. I have let my daily morning routine control my life. Get up, check emails and Facebook, do my morning devotions, shower and get ready for the day. I don't want to go over to the Wellness Center until I do my hair and all that stuff. By the time I feel ready to step out of the house, I don't want to go. So last night I thought I would just set aside the clothes I wore yesterday and jump into them. Forget the shower and hair until I get back. I live in a very small town on an Indian reservation where no one cares what I look like at that time of the morning anyway. We have a beautiful Wellness Center run by the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe. It is fully equipped and right across the street from my home. I have observed how all my neighbors look at that time of day. I couldn't be any worse!! Besides, if I should actually start sweating, I'd have to do my hair over again anyway. So I need to quit being a slave to my schedule and just do the exercise thing.

Woke up this morning and suddenly started thinking of all the blessings in my life. For my health even though I am significantly over weight and have SOME health issues, they are not serious. Realize that if I don't make my weight loss a priority , things could change drastically. I am grateful for the abundance of healthy good food I can chose to eat, that I can be full on it and that tomorrow there will be another abundance. I need not try to eat it all in one day.
My birthday is tomorrow so I guess that is the reason I am thinking about how the years have flown by and the eating choices I had all my life just don't work any more. I can't eat like that 20 year old girl that was always on the go, but I can eat like a 66 year old that has plenty of good food at her disposal . I can't stay up day and night playing with friends , but I can get a peaceful night of sleep and wake up rested. I can do exercises that keep my body strong and prevent muscle loss. I have been thinking just how much life changes and sometimes I wish I could go back in time, but mostly I'm very grateful that I can't. I want to keep in mind for today how much closer to that 20 year old I will be without all this weight. I will be able to tie my shoes with less trouble, like she did. I will be able to wear cute clothes, like she did, I will not be ashamed to see old friends, she never gave it a thought. I will make new friends like she did. Moving around will be easier, not quit as easy as it was for her.
Planning a day of moderation in all things. Looking forward to being closer to that 20 year old than I am now, after all I am still her.
Health and happiness to all.

Woke up this morning and suddenly started thinking of all the blessings in my life. For my health even though I am significantly over weight and have SOME health issues, they are not serious. Realize that if I don't make my weight loss a priority , things could change drastically. I am grateful for the abundance of healthy good food I can chose to eat, that I can be full on it and that tomorrow there will be another abundance. I need not try to eat it all in one day.
My birthday is tomorrow so I guess that is the reason I am thinking about how the years have flown by and the eating choices I had all my life just don't work any more. I can't eat like that 20 year old girl that was always on the go, but I can eat like a 66 year old that has plenty of good food at her disposal . I can't stay up day and night playing with friends , but I can get a peaceful night of sleep and wake up rested. I can do exercises that keep my body strong and prevent muscle loss. I have been thinking just how much life changes and sometimes I wish I could go back in time, but mostly I'm very grateful that I can't. I want to keep in mind for today how much closer to that 20 year old I will be without all this weight. I will be able to tie my shoes with less trouble, like she did. I will be able to wear cute clothes, like she did, I will not be ashamed to see old friends, she never gave it a thought. I will make new friends like she did. Moving around will be easier, not quit as easy as it was for her.
Planning a day of moderation in all things. Looking forward to being closer to that 20 year old than I am now, after all I am still her.
Health and happiness to all.

Love this post Mary and Happy Birthday! I am grateful for abundance too and for being able to live into "old" age. I know what you mean about the 20 year old. I used to bake bread and sweets and eat a ton and never see the difference. Sometimes I feel angry that it seems I gain weight even from thinking about making a batch of cookies. But time passes and things change. One thing is that I become less active, which I am working on changing. Another is that the way I neglected my body, in some ways, back then just doesn't work anymore. I feel rotten immediately (and later) when I make bad choices (sleep, food, movement).

I love the last part of what you said as well. I am looking forward to looking better in my clothes and looking like I am at least related to that smiling 20 year old in the picture. Hope your birthday is rewarding! My last birthday was in July and that was the day I decided to address my health so I could have more birthdays to celebrate!

I made it another year. The beginning of another year for me and I am happy to report that I woke up feeling good. Maybe it's just that I am expecting a special day with my sons. We are going out for a late breakfast, then to the opening of the new Nordstroms store. They are having a big blowout, free give aways, new makeup ideas, etc etc. I am secretly hoping my sons will buy me a birthday gift from the new store. I have recently become interested in brooches. I joke with my sons that heavy people can only buy shoes and get hair cuts, but I am starting to plan for the day when I will be able to buy nice fitting clothes. I want to buy some nice accessories to go with them staring now as an incentive to continue my weight loss.

I am still thinking about "all the things I will gain when I lose" and it seems like an endless list. I have recommitted today, on my birthday, to my weight loss goal, have set mini goals, and rewards for reaching each goal. I want to start envisioning myself at a healthy weight, dressing nicely, moving around easily, and enjoying life once again. I am to young to give in to old age. I am truly sorry for abusing my body by over eating and am committed to healthy eating and exercise in the years to come, should God chose to grant me the time. Looking forward and not behind to a better new me. I'm sure there are many new adventure left for my life, but I have to be healthy enough to enjoy them.

Gayle-we sure want many more birthdays and healthy one too.

Health and happiness to all.

I woke up earlier than usual this morning (not sure exactly why), fixed myself a cup of hot coffee and sat in my favorite chair. I noticed the peace of the morning immediately. I heard a bird singing and a train somewhere far away.
There is a school down the street from my house and every morning I hear birds sing, but it is usually accompanied by sounds of the city (cars with loud engines/mufflers, screeching tires, honking horns, etc). Today though I imagine it will stay quite until the people start congregating at the church across the street. I consider myself a somewhat spiritual person, but do not belong to any organized religion. I know that people bond over like beliefs and activities, but I have let all those bonds slip away from me.
I realized that for the past 2 1/2 years, since my husband died, I have basically lived in seclusion. I have created a shell of weight to keep me from meeting new people and getting involved in activities. I have decided It is time to remove that shell and get on with my life. I am ready to see what life has left in store for me. It's certainly not being so out of shape that I can't do things. I will lose this weight with diet and exercise and prepare myself to face the challenge of meeting new people. It is scary. Do any of you belong to churches or volunteer? Please share your experiences.
Gayle- I know you go to workshops. Is it hard to meet new people there? Please share your stories and experiences.
Dasher--Do you and your husband, belong to any groups? I know you teach exercise.
Mary-Do you and your sister have any social groups, take any classes?
Anyone else-please give advise and direction.
I have problems making myself go to Curves, because I feel fat and out of shape. Isn't that stupid. That's why people go. I won't go shopping. I make a grocery list and my sons will get it. It is really time for a change. I'm to young to be this old.
Thanks for the encouragement
Health and happiness to all.

Sitting in my library looking out the window and noticing there seems to be a change in the air, the look about the trees and just a feeling of fall coming soon. I noticed this morning the change in the morning light as I woke up. Time sure is passing and this year as in the past few seem to be passing faster and faster. I remember “old folks” talking about how the time was flying by and as a child, I remember thinking how long it had been since Thanksgiving and Christmas. I know you can all relate. Anyway, it won’t be long until Halloween with candy sells going out the roof in every store and Thanksgiving with turkey and dressing and all the trimmings, Christmas with homemade gifts of candy, pies and cakes and family gatherings centered around holiday meals. How are we going to deal with not giving in to every temptation in the months to come? I think planning ahead is a great strategy but my biggest problem is making a snap decision to eat something, before I even have a chance to think it through. Just a taste, just a bite, just this one time and before you know it, one lb. on the scale and all my discipline, out the window . I think that starting now I am making an agreement with myself to let JUST THIS ONE holiday season pass by without indulging in ALL of the food and just relax, breath deep and enjoy the company of friends and family. Having moderation in all things is the key to success, they say, and I truly believe this is true. Would love to hear your thoughts on dealing with the upcoming holidays and success stories from those of you who have dealt with this in the past.

Health and happiness to all.