Joyful Third Anniversary ...

December 29 is a celebration day for me.   It has been three years since I reached a 70-pound weight loss.   I have placed a lot of pressure on myself this past year, as I have been “maintaining” a weight about 2 pounds above that 70-pound-weight loss number.  I have been completely and totally hung up on THAT NUMBER!!!  As I start this blog post, I don’t know what the number will be on December 29, because I start writing this memory actually on December 27.  I’m starting now because I really want to focus on the past three years, instead of THAT NUMBER!!!  

I started my wellness journey on April 7, 2014.  I didn’t really have a goal weight in my mind, as the program that I participate with (HMR program) does not assign you a target weight number.   But as I got closer to the end of that year, and also got closer to the 70-pound weight loss number, I thought how nice it would be to hit that mark before the end of the year.  Sure enough, as I weighed in on December 29, 2014,  I hit that 70-pound-weight loss.  I had in my mind that I would lose another 10 pounds, and then I would be content to maintain.

Things can change with what you might have in your mind that you want to accomplish.  I did lose a few more pounds over the next several weeks, and I maintained that weight loss for several months.  However, it became evident that it may not be a “true weight loss.”  In my efforts to concentrate on a particular number, I was exercising a lot, but not keeping the nutrition balance appropriate for the amount of exercise.   Brandon, my health educator worked with me, tirelessly, to add in more lean proteins, more whole grains, and to up my calorie content a bit.  I did so, and even though I hate to admit it, felt better, had more strength, and more energy … but I also “gained” a few pounds over a period of months.  This is terrifying.  Anyone who has battled weight, been on “diets”, etc. will know exactly what my thoughts were … “Here I go again!  I’m going to gain it all back!”   It truly is a mind game.     But I can report that over the past year to year and a half, for the most part, I have been within 1 pound of the same weight, often within a quarter of a pound or half a pound of the same weight.  WOW!!!  Talk about maintaining.  

I’ve learned (almost) that numbers are numbers.   While you may think you want to weigh a certain number, your body will find it’s sweet spot and stay right there, as long as you are doing your part with proper nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management.   To prove this point, I actually went back in Phase 1 of our wellness plan. Phase 1 is “boot camp” so to speak, and this is where everyone starts out initially in our HMR program.  Well, I went back in Phase 1 for a total of 6 weeks!!!  Guess how much weight I lost …  ¼ pound!!!!!!!!   My body absolutely loves where it is right now.   I still have that magical number in my head, but I am slowly, ever so slowly accepting my status quo.  

When I start to regress and fret over THAT NUMBER, I remind myself of this:

·         Off all blood pressure medications

·         Lower cholesterol and medication dropped in ½ of dose prior to my wellness journey

·         My body exercises and does things that it hasn’t done in 40 years

·         I rarely, if ever, have a cold, headache, or seasonal illnesses

·         I shattered a shoulder, but I healed from the surgery in lightning speed time and amazed my doctors and therapists. 

·         I have walked three half marathons, a number of 10 milers, 10K’s, and 5K’s, and actually ran a 5K for the first time in my life this year, at age 64!!

·         I made the commitment to lift heavier weights this year, and working with Brandon, my trainer and health educator, accomplished this commitment.  My claim to fame is 165-pound deadlift.  Not bad for a 4’9”, soon to be,  65-year-old lady!!

·         During one weights workout this year, in 10 minutes I did 10 reps of 7 deadlifts of 95 pounds and 7 chest presses of 65 pounds.  Doing the math that is 70 x 95 and 70 x 65 …. That is 11,200 pounds in 10 minutes.   Seriously ???

·         And, probably the most humbling … when someone tells me they joined the HMR program, joined the gym, and are getting healthy because I inspired them!!!!  Wow!!!! 

So, as I celebrate this third anniversary, on December 29, 2017 of having lost 70 pounds, I’m going to be happy regardless of what THAT NUMBER is on the scale.   I know it will be within 1 to 3 pounds.  Heck that could be muscle weight, and I’m not naïve enough to think it may be a little weight gain with the holiday temptations of the past few weeks.  But, whatever THAT NUMBER is, I’m one happy and blessed girl.   Three years of health, fitness, and maintaining of an awesome amount of weight loss.  

As I started this past year, I knew I was just one year shy of hitting the big age of 65!!!  I made a commitment to myself that I would live boldly in 2017.   I’m happy to say I accomplished that goal.   I’ve learned a lot this year, exercised a lot this year, maintained healthy habits a lot this year, travelled to different parts of the world this year, and have thoroughly enjoyed life a lot this year.    I want to continue that  “a lot“ into 2018.  So my goal in 2018, and I’ll turn 65 on February 9, is to build from that live boldly to stating the fact that I am  65 and joyfully bold!!!!   I will continue to live boldly, building on what I’ve learned this past year, and carrying that knowledge into my 65^th year!!!!!!  You are never to old, never to big, never to small, never to anything to not LIVE BOLDLY and go for your dreams.  Dreams do become reality.  I know it!!!!

God placed me in the right place, at the right time, with the right people.  I am forever grateful and blessed!

Translations ... (Part One as I am sure there will be more!!)

I would think that any of us that have been on a health journey may be able to identify with this particular blog post.  Please notice that I did not say “diet”.  I refuse, I absolutely refuse.   I saw a quote on our board at my wellness center this week that read, “It is not a short term diet.  It is a long term lifestyle change.”     That is true, oh so true.

I have found that the first stage of my journey, although I did not realize it at the time, was actually the easiest part of my journey.  Again, note that I didn’t say “easy”, but rather “easiest.”  Easiest of a journey that is difficult at every stage along the way. 

I am proud to say that, during my journey, I have lost 70 pounds.   But, I am prouder to say, that I have maintained that 70 pound loss, within 3 to 4 pounds, for the past 2 ½ years.  That has been the hardest part!

When I first started out, the particular plan I used, was very cut and dry in terms of what I could and could not have … or should and should not have.  I will say that I stayed the course, and I never strayed “outside the box.”   Since it was pre-determined what I could and should be doing, I found it very easy to stay on course, and I continuously, if slowly, lost weight.  

Then along came  maintenance, and what my particular plan calls Phase 2.  This is the part where you start to put things back into your diet from the “real world” of eating.  The “real world” that I’ll call sabotage outright.   Our society is not meant to promote health.  Oh yes, we think we do a great job of promoting health.  All of our food industries have their fat-free, carb-free, calorie-free, sugar-free marketing tools. They market this stuff exquisitely well.  Always with the right verbiage, the pretty packaging, and all the endorsements from the American Heart Association, The Cancer Institute, etc.  But before you are quick to make these choices, first take a good class in label reading, so you can read that label and know exactly what you are putting in your body.  I have been blessed to have my personal trainer and health educator mentor myself and my support group, along the way, with proper label reading. We have found that these so-called “healthy” foods have so much more sodium and additives in order to make them taste better, that “healthy” may go right out the door.  Are all of them bad?  Of course not!  But beware, beware, and choose wisely.  Make an educated choice!

For this particular blog, the topic I really want to discuss and share is the other part of maintenance and ongoing healthy choices.    I have now been on my journey since April 7, 2014.   I am a very social person, enjoying my friends, my social life, and being out and about.   I never realized how much “entertainment by mouth” permeated our social gatherings.   In the early days of my journey, I was quick to say “no, thank you”, bring along healthy choices for myself and others to share, and admittedly my friends knew I was “dieting” as they called it, so they would try to be sensitive.  But their tries often only resulted in questions like, “can you have this?” And then, “You can’t? Why not?”  Then of course, there was always their lesson in what they had read, and why I should be able to eat one thing or the other.  We finally got beyond all that, as I would often say, “that’s great for others.  But not for me right now.”  I think it was finally understood that I was on a particular journey, and I was not going to deviate.

But as maintenance has moved along, and I can incorporate other things within my eating habits, we are slowly getting back to the “sky’s the limit.”   I have found myself having to say “no” too many times, and while I realize I am probably more sensitive than others, I bet all of us along our journey have heard the same comments, and defended the same answers.  I’ll share now, and I’ll also add my personal translation of said comments …

Scene 1 …

Comment:  “There is a group of us going out tonight to a happy hour by the river.  There are drinks and appetizers, and there is a good musical group playing.  We are leaving about 4:30 and will be home about 10:00 or 10:30.  Please come with us.”

Me:  “Thank you so much for the invitation, but I’m going to decline this time.”  Then deciding that I needed to be 100% transparent, so it would not  be interpreted that I wouldn’t enjoy their company, I added, “It’s really hard for me to go to some of these functions and watch others drink and eat, when I really don’t have that in my food plan so much anymore.”

Comment:  “You can go with us and drink water.”

Translation:  Yes,  we are going to a great amusement park.  You can come with us, but you can only look at the rides, but not ride any of them.

Scene 2 …

Comment:  “You can have a piece of this salted caramel cheesecake.  You’ve earned it.”

Me:  “That’s 990 calories!!!”

Comment: “Just exercise it off.”

Translation:  I deserve to eat a piece of cheesecake, that may take me 5 minutes to eat, but then walk for 4 hours and 42 minutes, swim laps for 2 hours and 4 minutes, or do general aerobics for 2 hours and 49 minutes, to try to burn off those calories.

Scene 3 …

A group of us are sitting together and two of us are talking about eating and exercising and a recent Wellness Class that I attended.

Comment:  “How long are you going to go to these classes and keep this up?”

Me:  “I need the support, and I love the information I get from the classes.”

Comment:  “Don’t you know by now what you can and can’t eat?  And, what will make you gain weight?”

Me:  “Well, considering that I ate and lived fairly unhealthy for over 40 years, I think two years into this process is still in the very early stages.  Things don’t become habit overnight.”

Comment:  *silence*

Translation:  This is just another “fad”, we’ll all move onto another discussion in 6 months, and she’ll be trying to lose weight again with yet another “program.”

Scene 4 …

Comment:  “How much more weight do you want to lose?  When are you going to start eating normal again?”

Me:  “I would love to have a few pounds to play with, but I’m thrilled with where I am right now.  This is my new normal, and I don’t see myself ever eating differently.  It’s what I like and what I want to eat.”

Translation:  “Diets” are not sustainable, and we are destined to returning to our previous unhealthy ways, and of course, you will gain your weight back!”

Scene 5 …

A group sitting together, socializing. A table full of snacks, including my contribution of fresh veggies and fruit.

Comment:  “Can you have almonds?  Can you have some of these Pringles, they are low fat?  Can you have some of this dip?  I made it with low fat cream cheese?  These crackers are lower in fat than the regular ones. They are a healthy snack.”

Me: “No thanks, I’m good!  I have been munching on these veggies and this fruit, and I’m actually pretty full.”

Comment:  “Don’t you ever want good stuff again?”

Translation:  The crackers are “healthy.”  They say less fat, but don’t mind the sodium and the fact that they are 200 calories for THIRTEEN crackers.    Thirteen little bitty crackers!!!!!!!!!!!

Scene 6 …

Having dinner with a group. 

Comment:  While looking at my plain baked potato with just a bit of steak sauce on top for flavoring.  “Do you really like that?  Don’t you ever wish you could eat good stuff again?”

Me:  “I love steak sauce on my baked potato.  I ate my potatoes this way even before I was eating healthy.”

Translation:  YOU ARE WEIRD!!!!!!!!

The above are real events.  I will state vehemently that none of these comments were made out of malice, unkindness, or to make me feel bad.  I think they are comments that just really do seem normal, and admittedly was my normal before this journey.   Lifestyles can be changed, habits can be changed, and new habits become new lifestyles.  That’s why I love the quote at my wellness center that reads, “It is not a short term diet.  It is a long term lifestyle change."    The sooner those of us on this journey GET THAT, the easier the new habits become our new lifestyle.

TO HEALTH!!!!!!!!!!!

A Heart Gone ...

I guess it is normal that sometimes it takes years to put words to paper and then others times they flow like Niagara Falls.   I’m suspicious it is all related to the content, the depth of the words, and simply the right timing to capture the thoughts.

This is a journey that starts at age seventeen.   Christmas season of age seventeen.   It’s funny how certain dates are molded into your heart and mind, while other dates get erased before they can even become a memory.  

A few weeks before the holidays, this 17-year-old girl found herself pulling into the Clark Gas Station to get her oil checked.  Were there issues with the car?  Of course not!  There happened to be a 17-year-old, quite handsome, young man that worked at said gas station.   What better way for a young lady to meet someone than to feign possible car trouble?  It was perfectly logical.    Handsome young man checked the oil, and not surprisingly, found absolutely nothing wrong.   But hopefully it was an ice breaker.  However, after a few weeks when there was no change in action, it seemed all was in vain.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s, the young lady excitingly joined other friends from her high school and headed to New York City with a theatre group from another local high school.   Her first time away from home without her parents!   And, to New York City!   Handsome young man was not even thought about.  Oh, the fickleness of a 17-year-old!

Upon returning to the airport from the New York trip, the family was waiting at the gate.  Yes, this is back before all the security issues at the airports when friends and family could actually come directly to the gate, and when you walked off the plane, you could see loved ones smiling and awaiting your return.   Mother, father, sister waiting at the gate … and best friend, best friend’s boyfriend, and handsome young man!  Now that was a happy surprise.

For the next four years, handsome young man and young lady were inseparable. To say that this union changed the course of both of their lives would be an understatement.  Planning their life together, the children they would have, the careers they would choose were normal conversations.  Never, never in the conversations was there any discussion of IF they would marry, it was only WHEN they would marry.  Months turned to years, and years turned into changes as each of them matured.

There seems to be more changes in people from their teen years into their early adulthood years, or so it seemed with handsome young man and young lady.   What was once clear anticipation of a life together, became a question each day, and for some reason, unknown to this day, a drawing apart of their hearts and minds.    When handsome young man stated one evening that he thought he would “go out to California for a while and just hang out”,  young lady decided it was time for a break.  Handsome young man would never have suggested this split, but his actions progressed in a manner that forced young lady to make that suggestion and decision.   Funny how this decision making reared its ugly head many years later as mature adults.

Handsome young man met another lady, shortly after split and probably during if truth were known, and married very quickly.   He moved on with his life with his wife and two daughters, and young lady moved on with her life, friends, career, but no husband, no children.   Young lady acknowledges the feelings she knew she had before with handsome young man, and quite honestly never felt that same puttering with anyone else that came into her life.  Not that there were very many at all that came into her life.

When young lady’s father passed away, handsome young man walked into the funeral home. Their visit time seeing each other in over 12 years.   His comment, “I had to come.  That man offered to put me through college.”   Young lady never knew her father and handsome young man had these discussions.  She did know her father often said, “if I had to hand pick a son, I couldn’t pick one any finer.”  Cordial condolences followed, and handsome young man left the funeral home.

At age forty, handsome young man contacts young lady.   There is a discussion of a potential medical issue with handsome young man, and young lady works in health care.   He pays a visit to the physician she works with, and then chooses to wait in the reception room all afternoon, so he and young lady can have dinner together when her work shift is complete. 

Handsome young man relays the message that he and his wife are separated and getting a divorce.  Young lady responds that she is sorry to hear that they are going through this, and his reply, “that’s OK.  Marriage is not a bad thing, I just married the wrong person many years ago.”   Then when dinner is over, handsome young man states that he has to have a hug.

For the next several years, handsome young man randomly pops up on young lady’s door. Always when there is something “going on” in each other’s lives.  It is uncanny how it is almost intuitive of needing to share a thought, an event, a need.  

Then at age 60 or so, handsome young man and young lady start the new technology of texting.  Handsome young man sends young lady beautiful and tender texts. Texts of memories, texts of kind thoughts, sweet compliments. First text in the morning at 5:30 a.m. wishing her a sweet day, texts at the end of the day wishing her a restful night.   Young lady asks him for dinner, for walks, but he is ever so busy with his grandchildren and children.  Seems there are a lot of issues with family needs, and he is the glue to his family.  Young lady is warmed by this, as she remembers since age seventeen, his tenderness and care for others.   He would often put his time on hold while assisting others.  

The young lady learns that handsome young man is living with someone!   That’s a quick sentence to this story, isn’t it?  Well, it was a quick sentence in real life as well.  Young lady learns that handsome young man has been living with someone for the past twelve years or so.   It is explained to her (not by handsome young man) that the relationship is “not that kind of relationship.”  Living with someone is living with someone.  Young lady realizes that if it is “not that kind of relationship” that there would be no reason for handsome young man to hide this information.   Young lady remembers all the times she tried to give him an opportunity to just tell her what was doing on with him.   It was always the grandchildren and his children.   Young lady realizes that when handsome young man decided to move in with lady, it was during the same times that he was talking with young lady, stopping by young lady’s home, and young lady was more than available for a relationship.

Lies through omission are lies all the same. Young lady was made into the “other woman” under no knowledge of this herself, and young lady knows that she would have never been in that role, if the choice had been hers.  Handsome young man had again made another choice, that forced young lady to make a decision.  History does repeat itself, it so repeats itself.

Handsome young man never said a word to young lady, tried to explain anything, or acknowledged why?    Why the charade?  Why the lies through omission?  Why did he feel the need to go down this road?  Why in their 60’s, this was a necessary path?  He continued to send texts of “good morning”, “happy birthday”, “Merry Christmas”, and young lady never responded.  The hardest thing in her life was to delete those texts with no reply.  Friends have told her that sometimes it is clear why you said goodbye in the first place.  Is it ever really clear?

So for the first time since age seventeen, handsome young man and young lady are no longer parts of each other’s lives.   It is all so strange to know that someone that has been a kindred spirit, a love of your life, a friend, and someone that knew you as well as you knew yourself will never be a part of your life again.   It was always known before, that at some point, some time, there would be communication.  That familiarity that just existed.   That’s gone … it’s gone.  And, so is a part of young lady's heart.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
                                                                                                                          Psalm 139

 

 

Mirrored Reflections ...

A face of no confidence

A face of no self esteem

A face of inappropriate appearance

A face of a sinner

A face of a failure

How these images reflect. Another sees differently … yet the mirror reflects …

Is the mirror a friend of honesty, or a foe of reality?

How can some see so vividly, but the mirror dispel that assumption? 

Truth or perception?  

Words say and tell a story, yet the mirror reflects …

Day by day actions validate, yet the mirror reflects …

Joyful spirits encourage, yet the mirror reflects …

Each day a new hope, this might be the day, and then the mirror reflects …

Victory received, failure perceived, the mirror reflects …

Take it down, turn it around, peer into it and challenge it?

Happy Third Birthday ...

So today is my third healthy birthday!!  Three years ago today, April 7, 2014, I started on my Wellness Journey.  As I have said before, I absolutely refuse to call it the “D” word … Diet !!!!  Never, ever will you hear that word course through my lips. 

It has truly been and continues to be my Wellness Journey!   Our Health Educator asks just about every week, “How long are we doing this?”   The reply is always a resounding, “Forever!!”   In the previous two years, when I’ve spoken of this journey, I have shared information about eating healthy with lean proteins, veggies, fruits, and whole grains.   I have also shared information about PA (physical activity) numbers, Fitbit steps, and exercising my body.    

One blogpost shared my fear of the scale and how difficult it is for me to be accountable to the scale, especially when I have this “magic” number that I want reflected on said scale.   To this end, the scale continues to be a complete brat!  While I’m not cured of this demon, I am much better, and react in a healthier way to my disappointments with the bratty scale.  On a recent evening encounter with the bratty scale, I expressed my disappointment to our Health Educator.   In his wisdom, his response to me was that I set myself up for disappointment.   He reiterated to me that with the success I have had, that I should not “need” the scale to do any particular thing on any particular weigh in.  As long as I am eating healthy, exercising healthy, and living my healthy habits … that should be my goal.    I know this to be true!  While this is still a work in progress for me, I know that the victory is a healthy journey.  There is never an end to the destination, just a continued healthy path.    I know that I continue to live true to my journey.     That elusive number on the scale continues to elude me, but I know that I am doing my part.   I am learning how to quit trying to do it perfectly. Then I can do it joyfully!!

My celebration for my Third Healthy Birthday is to share the non-scale related victories.  One word sums this up the most … FRIENDS!!!   Wow, my special friends.  I have met so many folks along the way, and all have had an impact on me in ways immeasurable.  The friends that I now have, that I would have never known without this journey, are soulmates and have found a spot in my heart, which I have grown to believe, had to have been reserved just for them!  From the one that has mentored us all with his knowledge, insight, and such dear kindness, to everyone that sits in class, shares their stories, and to the incredible women that have been with me since day one, thank you!!  We laugh together, cry together, celebrate victories together, travel together, lunch together, exercise together, walk miles together in road races, and exist daily in each other hearts.  How can that ever be topped?  

It’s odd when I think back over the past 3 years, and I realize that, what rests in my heart today, is sometimes so disconnected yet connected to the actual 70 pound weight loss.   I am often told that I am an inspiration to other.    I’ve never felt that I am worthy of inspiring anyone.   I don’t think I will ever get used to this compliment.   To be honest, it brings me to tears when anyone says this to me.   I have so much joy when I see others follow the same wellness plan, work with our same training group, start to feel better in body, mind, and soul, and form such special friendships.  This is a victory that is God given in every way possible.   The heart speaks to me in ways about this journey, in such a changed manner, with each ongoing year. 

This celebration of my third healthy birthday is a celebration of gratefulness to my friends.   I am blessed beyond reason with your friendship, your amazing impact on my life, and our continued journey together.   You have enriched me in so many ways, and I will be forever grateful.   Your power, determination, motivation, and kindred souls are inspiring in every way possible.  You are strong, so very strong.

So again I say, to all with me on this journey, you know who you are …  you are so greatly loved!

God certainly placed me in the right place, at the right time, with the most incredible people I could ever imagine.    Blessed, so blessed!

 

Let's Go!!!!

So, at the age of almost 64, I formally attended my first rally and protest last evening.   Make no bones about it though, this does not mean that I have not cared, been passive, or have had my head in the sand for the other 63 years of my life.  On the contrary, I am quite outspoken about my beliefs, will share conversation with others, and have never been afraid of my beliefs. 

The recent ban on immigration is disturbing on so many fronts.  It has repercussions that most of us cannot even imagine yet or wrap our arms around.   However, I attended the rally for so many other reasons.    I have said so many times, and will continue to state, that this environment has awakened the “silence” of many.  By “silence” I don’t just mean folks not stating their mind in words or action, but “silence” in not truly being aware of how others have lived, been marginalized, while others have been so privileged. As a white woman, I cannot fathom, let alone understand what our African American friends and neighbors have lived.   I have never considered myself a racist, a bigot, or thought of myself as better than someone else.   I hope I am learning just how misinformed I have been, the rose colored glasses or off!!!!  Nothing can be corrected until we truly understand. I don’t think any of us truly understand. It is impossible, as so, so many of us have not “lived” it!  It is heart breaking.

As I returned home last night, I was contemplative in my car, alone with just my thoughts.  Just how far am I willing to go, what am I willing to do, and do I even know what I can do?   It is overwhelming in every capacity. 

What I do know, is that I stood with thousands last night, male, female, black, brown, yellow, white, gay, straight, adult, children, leaders, followers, every nationality, descendants of immigrants, Christian, Muslim, Jew, and other religions and beliefs that I may be totally unaware or comprehend.   But, we stood together, often shoulder touching shoulder. We listened, we replied, we sang, and yes, I cried.  I cried for all the times I could have done more. I cried for all the folks that are marginalized.  I cried because of my privilege in direct contrast to someone else’s plight.    

For the past few weeks I have felt ready to implode.   I need to do something!  I went to bed last night, feeling that I had taken the first step.  Now the real challenge begins.  How do I put into action assistance and resistance?  Assistance to make a difference to a few or many.  Resistance in never accepting what I know to be less than my beliefs. Resistance to acts that cause further anquish to the marginalized and more privilege to others.   This is the question many ask ourselves. What can I,  or we do?   I don’t have those answers. I wish I did,  because I would sleep better each night knowing that I was active with action.  

Maybe the answer is truly in baby steps.  It may be a phone call to our legislators.  It may be serving lunch to the hungry on the weekend.  It may be donating extra clothes to the poor.  It may be volunteering at services that assist refugees.  It may be donating teaching hours to a poor school that needs mentors after hours.  Volunteer at Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  The opportunities are endless. The fact that our country has so many ways to assist is amazing.     Make that first call. Ask that first question that may lead to a more definitive way.    Yes, awaken, the “silent” activist in yourself.

Somehow I know this won’t be my last rally, my last protest, my last time to stand with so many in diversity,  yet in strength.  I can’t do them all, it is impossible. That does not mean I care more about one cause than the other …  it only means that there is much to do, I am only one person, so I can do what I can do, and I can share with others how they may be able to join in as well.  

Regardless of our religion, our Baptism, our beliefs, we truly are all one race of humanity.  We are strong in our diversity, and we have strength in our differences.  Embrace it and let’s go!!!!

Active With Action

One of my Christmas presents this year, and probably my favorite, was a book called “A Call To Mercy” of Mother Teresa’s.  It is page after page of her words, others testimonies, and prayer and reflection.  It is humbling on each and every single page.  It is indescribable her love of the poorest of the poor, and her faith and love in Jesus Christ.

One of her concepts that makes me pause is her concept and reaction of “Christ in the distressing disguise.”   By this she means the mentally ill among us, the poor among us, the physically sick among us, the unloved among us, in essence the marginalized among us.   She sees Christ in each and every single circumstance, and calls it “Christ in the distressing disguise.”   With this thought in her every moment, every thought, she ministered unconditionally to the poorest of the poor.  She ministered to the Christ, and held the Christ in her hands, every time she touched, serviced, prayed, and cradled someone in her arms.  Just imagine the feeling of knowing that you are cradling Christ in your arms.  Certainly makes one look upon situations in a totally different light.

In our current environment of so much distress, concern, disappointment, worry, and outright hate, the one thing that we can continue to do is stay the course with our beliefs, never accept through silence, and never get “used to” circumstances that we have no control over.   The control we do have relates directly to our hearts, our actions, and our interactions.   I share one of Mother Teresa’s passages, as I feel it relates to action: 

“Love is for today; programs are for the future. We are for today; when tomorrow will come, we shall see what we can do. Somebody is thirsty for water for today, hungry for food for today.  Tomorrow we will not have them if we don’t feed them today. So be concerned with what you can do today.”   … Mother Teresa

To me, this is a call to take action today.  Nothing can be “fixed” totally today.  Not with the magnitude of changes being forced through at the rate they are being forced.   But today react with love; take care of the marginalized, for if they aren’t helped today, tomorrow may not matter.

Should we channel our strengths and finances in building a wall?  Is a wall what Christ would call us to do for our brothers and sisters?   Or would Christ call us to reach across a wall to offer help?   Would He call us to reach across a wall to welcome the marginalized?  Would He call us to reach across a wall and offer our hand to render aid?    Would He even tell us to build a wall?   Again another one of Mother Teresa’s passages:

“You see, we have a wrong idea that only hunger for bread is hunger. There is much greater hunger and much more painful hunger:  hunger for love, for the feeling of being wanted, to be somebody to somebody. A feeling of being unwanted, unloved, rejected.  I think that’s a very great hunger and very great poverty.”  … Mother Teresa

So what do we do?   I, for one, feel helpless in trying to prevent the country I know and love into building any kind of wall or barrier to our neighbors.  Let alone have to pay a dime for said wall.   Yes, I can call or write my Congressman or Senator, or whoever.   But do I feel that will make a difference … no!!!!   But what I can do is in my neighborhood, my city, my region … I can reach out and offer a hand to the marginalized.  I can get involved with Catholic Charities, who service the refugees in our areas, I can work at our lunch program in my church, that services the homeless, the hungry, refugees among them, I’m sure.   It’s the starfish proverb … throwing one starfish back into the ocean from a beach full of starfish may not make a difference to the hundreds left on the beach, but it makes a difference to the one, or the few,  that  were assisted.

I read an article recently on how to be an activist without losing your mind.   It was an interesting read.  I’ve lived my entire life, through the Vietnam War era, and I’ve never actively protested anything. Yes, I have strong feelings, and I’m not afraid to share them with others during conversations.  But I’ve never really protested or even considered myself an activist.   But maybe so now!   The article suggests that it really is impossible to react to everything you feel is wrong.   It would be exhausting and almost impossible to do so.  But rather, it suggested, that you pick the ones closest to your heart.  That doesn’t mean that you care less about the others, or don’t see the validity in the others, but that you simply choose the ones you want to become active with action!!  I like that … active with action!!!   In this manner, you can channel your energies, your time, your commitment to your cause.   I’m sure I will have more than one, more than two, maybe more than whatever.  

I think there is a silver lining to every tragedy.  The silver lining for all of us now, is that “silent” activists may have just been awakened.  Can you imagine what a difference we can all make, when we channel our energies into positive action for the marginalized?   What a glorious magnitude we may have on the future of many.   They are “Christ in the distressing disguise.”    I feel the need to be physically and prayerfully active with action.

Linebacker Snacks ... NO!!!!!!

Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us.  We have weathered so far, in the past 12 weeks, Halloween, Thanksgiving, four weeks of Christmas/Holiday celebrations,  New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.   One more major eating frenzy, at least until we get ready for Valentine’s Day … Super Bowl!!

We love to celebrate all of our happy occasions with food. My health educator and personal trainer refers to these past few weeks as National Eating Season.  True, ever, so true!!!   I like to call it “entertainment by mouth.”  It is not an exaggeration to think, that on any given day or days, during this period of time, we could eat as many as 8,000 to 10,000 calories per day!!!    And, let’s face it, on those days that we may consume that many calories, do we really feel like exercising?   My guess would be a resounding, No!!!!!   So couple the excess calories with the loss of any physical movement (other than the exertion of propping our feet up on the couch), and is there any doubt at all, why it is so easy, and almost expected to gain weight?  

With the assistance of my health educator, the support of my friends in my wellness class, and hard thoughtful processing and planning, I was able to absolutely maintain my healthy habits, my normal exercise routine, and most importantly my weight during these past many weeks. 

Now I need to stay focused and continue through Super Bowl parties and fun!   I LOVE football.   I’ll be watching the game and cheering on my team of choice …  (NOT THE PATRIOTS!!!!)    What I won’t be doing is eating like a linebacker.   It’s just not necessary.   There is plenty of good food, plenty of fun appetizers, and yes, even a little alcohol, in moderation, should you choose.    How about instead of a table full of fried wings with blue cheese dip, taco chips with queso, cheese and crackers, Swedish meatballs, and processed turkey and lunch meats … what about these healthy alternatives?

Instead of fried buffalo wings with blue cheese dip:  How about crockpot buffalo chicken, made with chicken tenderloins with Frank’s hot sauce and low sodium dry ranch dressing mix.     Delicious!!!  Low fat, low calorie, and can easily be eaten by itself, or use celery, jicama sticks, or carrots for dipping.     The calories in one fried buffalo wing, (and who eats just one) is 89 calories.  There are 144 calories in 4 ounces of shredded chicken tenderloins.   This goes a long way when being used for a dip, or even eating plain.  You have probably already saved yourself 100’s of calories.

Instead of taco chips and queso:  How about salsa and fresh veggies.    Of course, the queso and chips are awesome.  I’m not saying otherwise, but again look at the calories.   One cup of chips is 293 calories, and again, are we only eating one cup?   One cup of queso is 263 calories.  That may sound like a lot of queso, but all night, dip after dip after dip after dip … maybe not!!!   Fresh veggies and salsa, at the most are probably 200 calories, and you can munch all night.  Add some hummus to the mix as well. Delicious, tasty, and healthy.

Instead of cheese and crackers:  How about string cheese?   There is about 113 calories in one ounce (one slice) of cheddar cheese.                And looking at calorie content in “generic” crackers, there are 81 calories in 5 crackers.  Unless you are taking one teeny tiny slice of cheese, and breaking it into tiny squares to share with 5 crackers, again you are looking at adding on a lot of calories to your evening.  String cheese, which takes a little longer to eat, especially if you are like me and have to pull it apart in strings, is 80 calories for one stick.  Again, you are saving a lot of calories.

Instead of Swedish meatballs:  How about crockpot London Broil.  Made with very, very lean protein flank steak, low sodium tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup, and dried onion soup.  It slices into the most delicious bits of steak!!   It is only 219 calories for 4 ounces!  Swedish meatballs are 284 calories for a cup, and again who is stopping with a cup???

Instead of processed turkey and lunch meats:  How about a tray of boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce.   Processed turkey and lunch meats are not only high in calorie, but they are excessively high in sodium.  Boiled shrimp are low sodium, low calorie, and look exquisite on your table!!!

Then top it all off with a big pot of what I call “Sharon’s Not Quite Chili”.   Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb Laura’s Lean Ground Beef

1 or 2 cans of rotel tomatoes

1 can Kroger Red Beans (rinsed and drained)

Onion

Sweet Potato

3 small cans of Hunts No Salt Added Natural Tomato Sauce

Low sodium/fat free chicken broth (enough for consistency you like)

Cumin

Chili Powder

Cinnamon

 Directions:   In a soup pot sauté chopped onion and peeled/chopped sweet potato for a few minutes.  Then add ground beef and continue to brown until beef is cooked.  Drain in a colander to discard any extra fat.   Return mixture to pot and add in tomato sauce, rotel tomatoes, chicken broth, red beans, cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon (to taste).    Bring to a boil and then simmer for a bit.   About 100 calories per bowl and depending on how much beef is in each bowl, equals a lean protein and vegetables.

So there you have it!   A party table that all will enjoy, will not have excessive calories, you can enjoy the game, party with friends, and when you go to bed you experience the best feeling ever …

The survival again, of a challenging event, that you were able to keep healthy, delicious, fun, and you have not derailed the hard work you have done for months both with your food plan and  your exercise plan.

We’ve got this!!!   We do not have to eat like a Linebacker!!!!!     And more importantly, we don’t have to look like one either!!!