The formula for weight loss isn’t in the latest diet fads. It isn’t in a pill, or drink. It isn’t doing the “crash” diet thing, where you eat cabbage soup and water for “x” number of days. You can lose weight that way, sure. But as soon as you go back to normal eating, you will gain it back.
The best formula for weight loss is eat less, sweat more. It’s really pretty simple. You shouldn’t have to buy expensive meals, just eat less of your usual meals. Try to prepare healthy foods for everyone, and that can simplify your life greatly! Although, you may have some frowns at the broccoli and cauliflower that you serve! I sure get plenty of disapproval from the peanut gang in our house. By the way, I still prepare desserts for the family (and yes, for me too Dixie! ;] ). I enjoy eating desserts! The Bible says “do everything in moderation”, I’m including desserts there too! 😀 I figure it’s only wrong to eat the whole package of Oreos, not two!
I’m making very slow progress in my fitness efforts. I don’t look like Denise Austin, but I’m seeing some improvement in my toning due to using hand weights. I can’t boast a ten pound weight loss, but I’ve lost 7 (SINCE JANUARY). I’m not a skinny-mini, but I have more energy than I did in March. All of this gives me the encouragement I need to keep going.
As I was checking out of Wal-Mart in Texarkana recently (Arkansas side, in case you’re wondering), I visited with Faye, my cashier. She was probably in her late 50s or so. She told the lady in front of me that she had lost 70 pounds, but it took her four years to do it. She said she had 30 more to go. (I thought she probably only needed to lose about 15 more, she looked good!) I had to know how she did it. “Did you follow a plan or program?” I asked her. “No.” she said. “I just cut the fat out of my diet and began exercising.” It took her four years, but that is great! That means her chances of gaining it back are very low, because her new habits are just that, habits! She went on to tell me that her doctor told her that her cholesterol numbers were high, and she was at risk for diabetes. This scared her into a new eating/exercise lifestyle. I applaud this lady for her hard work! It helps me to get going, and keep going.
I know, blogging about exercise and fitness isn’t popular. My flesh doesn’t like it any more than yours does. But it’s good for me, so I do it. Blogging about it helps to keep me accountable in my efforts. My husband told me about a preacher who had to lose a lot of weight. His health was failing. He said “I finally decided I love preaching more than I love a Big Mac.” That really convicted me. I love my family, and serving God, more than I love a Big Mac, and I do love Big Macs. And singles from Wendy’s. And Olive Garden’s chicken parmigiana. And pizza. And cake…okay you get the idea. But hey, moderation, right? So I can still have my cake and eat it too, just not as often! ;]

Here’s a little something funny for you. Have a fantastic week!

~Valerie

When it comes to fitness, for me anyway, it can be a “three steps forward, two steps backward” kind of thing. I was making nice strides in being consistent in my workouts and eating a balanced diet before our move to Hope. Pausing home school, packing, loading, moving, unloading, unpacking, resuming home school, and setting up a new household has definitely taken its toll on my workout routine. In fact, there has been no routine! As I type this, I am surrounded by a cluttered desk and home office. Why haven’t I put these things away? Because there is nowhere to put them! In Burnet, we had a desk in the parsonage, but it was not ours. Therefore, we are “deskless” here. This can be frustrating for someone who lives by the adage “A place for everything and everything in its place”. The rest of the house is coming along nicely, but this room…well, it isn’t. As for homeschooling, it’s basically done. We have few loose ends to tie up yet, but considering we took two unscheduled weeks off, we’re doing well. Now, I can focus on my workouts.
I’d like to quit. I want to say “Forget it!” But, I can’t. I did manage to eek out two workouts this week. I did tapes of Denise Austin’s old show Daily Workout. It is good. She is cheerful and balanced. Two things I love! Today, while we were working out, and I was sweating profusely, she said “Life isn’t a dress rehearsal, it’s the real thing. You gotta give it your all.” What a nice reminder! It applies to everything. Our spiritual life, and our physical. By maintaining the physical side, we can do more with the spiritual side. Taking just a five minute walk reduces stress and helps to lower blood pressure, according to Leslie Sansone. By eating right and moving a little, we can keep ourselves in the kind of shape we need to be in to serve the Lord to the fullest. We’ll ward off diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and increase energy and strength. But it won’t happen overnight. It all begins with the first step.
And I’m officially taking the first step, for the second time.

Here’s something fun that may make you smile! 🙂

Have a great week!