The Second Half of 2009

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:19

As Gloria emailed and reminded all of us "Bigger Loser" contestants, we are approaching the beginning of the second half of 2009. I, for one, have not been dedicated to my goal of healthy living. I thought I would include my Bible verse today. I have left it off several blogs recently because I simply tried to do what needed to be done within myself and not depending on the Lord for my strength. Of course, as always, when we try to accomplishment anything without the Lord we are setting ourselves up for failure.

That is my "lesson" for today!! NOW, I am back on track and lost 7.4 of the 13 or so pounds that I gained. I stuck faithfully to my P90X program and as you can see when it is done right it works!!! This has been a real eye opener in that I know I must day by day, meal by meal keep control of my eating with the Lord's help. The exercise and/or cardio I pretty much have in line as I go to Body Dimensions Fitness every morning. I seldom miss and when I do I do cardio at home. I did get off course with the sickness of my Dad and all that needed to be done. But mostly I get the cardio and weight training done.

My diet was another matter. For whatever reason (which I do not know) I decided to eat on my own during the most stressful time of my life. It did not work as you can tell from the 13 pound gain! So back to Living Lean meals I go. When I was so stressed and it was meal time I would eat whatever was handy and you can bet that was not healthy or weight loss friendly. So my frig is now packed weekly with Living Lean meals. Lorin has many new recipes and they are delicious.

So I am back at it. In the next two weeks I plan to lose the other weight I gained and soon to be below 270 and work real hard toward the 251 and my 100 pounds lost!!!!!

Before I go I want to thank Gloria for staying on my butt (pardon my language) about my eating and exercise!! I feel I need to pay her therapist fees for her advise and wisdom!!! She is great and has been an especially great blessing. I also want to thank those fellow gymsters who have "been there" for me since my dad's diagnosis of cancer. I appreciate ever shoulder I have cried on and every word of encouragement and support. You are all very special blessings!!!!

Thanks to all of you for coming along on my journey to a healthy life. Email me at healthierfaith@yahoo.com. Love, Faith

Stress---My Worst Enemy

Stress---My Worst Enemy

Hello everyone,

Yes I am still around!! I have put off blogging because I truly did not know what to write!! I have come to an obstacle in the path of my journey that seems insurmountable!!! I have not really tried since October. That was hard for me to confess. I have no excuses!!! I have however enjoyed my new 71 pounds lighter self and been on a roller coaster of gains and losses for the past few months. I have sold all my larger size clothes and just "cleaned up" my closet and dresser drawers. Not only did I need new clothes but I also needed new "unmentionables." So I have enjoyed shopping, shopping, shopping!! I have also enjoyed not taking so many meds and getting good reports from my doctor.

You may be asking where is the stress in that. Well let me tell you I have always thought I have handled stress pretty well. My job is somewhat stressful at times but it keeps the job and days interesting and I have a most capable administrative assistant and we help each other with the stress at work. We all have stressful days and I handle those pretty well. But since the middle of April I have really been leaning on the Lord for strength and help in my time of need. My Dad was diagnosed with colon cancer and the cancer was found in nine lymph nodes and his lungs.. Now this is an 81 year old man who has been sick very little in his lifetime. He has not been in the hospital except when he fell off a scaffolding on the job and hurt his back some 40 years ago. I was devastated and it has been colon surgery and a whirlwind of doctor appointments since mid April!!

My life has been blessed beyond what I am worthy and this was really hard for me. Even though I finally got through the crying and crying and fear that my Dad was gonna die and finally turned it all over to the Lord the stress has been hard on my system and me!!! I know now that I am a emotional eater. I am hungry all the time. Nothing I seem to do satisfies that "need" for food!!! I have found myself dreading going to the gym. The desire is not there anymore. I know I am probably disappointing many of you including Gloria and that is why I have put off blogging for so long.

Take this morning for instance! I got up and got ready for the gym but just could not go. I sent Gloria a text and told her I was not coming. Now it was a cardio day for me and I can do cardio at home but I have always looked forward to going to the gym.

So, I know that the Lord will take care of my Dad. I have turned my Dad over to HIM. I am praying for the help I need with this stress. This is something I have not dealt with since starting on the journey. My Dad's younger brother died while my Dad was in the hospital and another family member had a heart attack. Sometimes our bodies are not in sink with our minds. Mentally (with the Lord's help and many wonderful friends) I believe I have cleared this obstacle but physically I have not. I have been to the doctor because,per the DOC, the stress has gotten my resistance down and I have now been dealing with an upper respiratory infection. I am just tired!!!!!

Now this is not a blog for pity but prayers!! There will always be obstacles in our lives. I have not handled mine very well. I hope this may help someone else who encounters what they may think is an insurmountable obstacle in their lives. I am determined to get back on track and gain control of my eating!!

Of course our Lord is wonderful!!! My Dad had a PET Scan and the cancer has not spread to any new areas. We knew it had metastasized to his lungs but only one lymph node in is neck showed cancer in the scan. He is beginning chemo on Friday June 5th. Please pray for my Dad!!

Thank you so much for patiently and continually staying with me on this somewhat rocky journey to a healthier me. Love, Faith