It's Monday and I am off of work. I have a few things I need to accomplish today, but thought I would share a some thoughts before I get going.
God showed me a few things about food and the way the world is more and more regarding it - Americans especially.
God gave us our bodys that require nutrition. He provided nutrition on this earth in many different varieties: vegetables, berries, fruit that grows on trees, meat, and etc. As a gift to us, He gave us tastebuds so we can enjoy our nutrition. I mean lets face it, if you couldn't taste the food and it was just another chore to do, would we do it as often as needed or how bland would life be? So to be able to savor the different flavors and textures of our food and drink is truly a gift. Yet, as we humans have done with most things, we have now turned our focus onto the flavor and enjoyment of the food and have forgotten about the nutritional side. We now eat to satisfy our tastebuds and have disregarded the important nutrients that are needed to keep our bodies in good health. In doing so, we have perverted the wonderful gift God has given us. He wanted us to have enjoyment as we nourish our bodies, but we are no longer nourishing them as we should. Instead, we have given our tastebuds control of what we eat and drink and that is why we find ourselves in the condition that we are in. It is time to get our priorities in check. It is time to get our bodies healthy and strong and not let our tastebuds rule our thoughts and eating habits. We gave them the control- it is time to take it back!
It is time to put our health and nutrition in proper perspective. AND it is time for us to whip our bodies into shape so we can do what He has called us to do!
~Judi
Monday, April 8, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Fear will stop forward motion!
I am 94 pounds down...I have been on a plateau for 6 month now. My trainer is trying different things and exercises. I guess my body is adjusting to the new size and level. God is teaching me new things about myself. For instance, I have now come to realize, I have had a lot of fears: Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of the dark, fear of heights, fear of not being important, fear of being too pretty (vanity I know - keep reading, I will explain), fear of being not pretty enough, fear of not being smart enough, fear of not sounding smart enough, fear of the unknown, fear of older two story houses (they could burn down and I would get stuck up there!) and many more ridiculous, irrational fears.
God is teaching me that these fears - as insane and irrational as they are- are stopping me from going forward in my weightloss and that to go forward and sustain my weightloss I need to get rid of them. For example, my fear of being too pretty - I know right!!- is a true fear for me because...well, okay I am about to make a confession here - while I love and adore my husband, he is not the most - {deep breath} - affectionate. He doesn't necessarily think it important to tell me - out loud, with words - that I am attractive to him. But boy does he love to receive it! AND if you have ever read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts By: Gary Chapman - a book I highly recommend - you will know the that one of the love languages is "Words of Affirmation". That is my #1 love language and it is the one language my husband refuses - yes refuses, not just being stubborn, but absolutely resolved never to do.
I am a moderately attractive woman and the thinner I become, the better I look - in my overly confident, not so humble opinion. Which is where the fear comes from. You see, others are telling me how great and pretty I look...not just women. It is hard for me for two reasons.
First, when it comes from a handsome man, -to be honest - I am tempted and wonder why my husband doesn't say those kind words. I mean really, would it kill him? or I think 'he just doesn't love me enough to actually feel those words are true.' You know what I mean? Does he think it, but not enough to let me know? While another man feels so strongly that he tells me...Not that I think every man who tells me 'is in love with me!" I don't, but why doesn't my husband when he knows how important to my psyche it is. It is a dark place I hate to be in, and I don't like it! But God is working on my husband and me.
Secondly, what if I fall back into the trap I was in before when I was thin. It was a dangerous, dark pit! Basically, my thought process was 'All I have are my looks; I am not smart, I am not athletic, all I have to get by is my cute figure and good looks'. AND boy did I use them. I can admit that shamefully I did use my cute blonde hair/blue-eyes look to manipulate situations to get what I wanted...and it worked 99% of the time - and still does. Because lets face it - the world loves a pretty face and favors them! God brought me out of that stinkin' thinkin' and showed me I was more than just my looks. I am smart and I don't have to be fearful or intimidated by others I view as intelligent or successful. However, it is so easy to go back to that thought process, when I am around highly educated people. It doesn't help that I work at a college, where there are many who have much more education than I.
I guess really, that this is the biggest fear that I need to get rid of. However, a close second would be the fear of failure. I don't want to fail at this. I give all glory of this weightloss to God who has been my strength and help. I don't want to disappoint Him. Even worse have others think that God just wasn't enough for me, so He won't be enough for them. HE is enough! Wow! Just typing that really helped me see how ridiculous that is! Hahahaha! He is enough! ALWAYS!!! I am victorious in Him! AND you are too!
Okay, thats enough for today. I have walked 5 miles and posted on my blog, so now its time to spend some time cleaning my house! lol, it is messy and it doesn't look like anyone else is willing to clean it - so its up to me. I hope you have a great day and that just maybe I have helped you in some small way.
~Judi
God is teaching me that these fears - as insane and irrational as they are- are stopping me from going forward in my weightloss and that to go forward and sustain my weightloss I need to get rid of them. For example, my fear of being too pretty - I know right!!- is a true fear for me because...well, okay I am about to make a confession here - while I love and adore my husband, he is not the most - {deep breath} - affectionate. He doesn't necessarily think it important to tell me - out loud, with words - that I am attractive to him. But boy does he love to receive it! AND if you have ever read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts By: Gary Chapman - a book I highly recommend - you will know the that one of the love languages is "Words of Affirmation". That is my #1 love language and it is the one language my husband refuses - yes refuses, not just being stubborn, but absolutely resolved never to do.
I am a moderately attractive woman and the thinner I become, the better I look - in my overly confident, not so humble opinion. Which is where the fear comes from. You see, others are telling me how great and pretty I look...not just women. It is hard for me for two reasons.
First, when it comes from a handsome man, -to be honest - I am tempted and wonder why my husband doesn't say those kind words. I mean really, would it kill him? or I think 'he just doesn't love me enough to actually feel those words are true.' You know what I mean? Does he think it, but not enough to let me know? While another man feels so strongly that he tells me...Not that I think every man who tells me 'is in love with me!" I don't, but why doesn't my husband when he knows how important to my psyche it is. It is a dark place I hate to be in, and I don't like it! But God is working on my husband and me.
Secondly, what if I fall back into the trap I was in before when I was thin. It was a dangerous, dark pit! Basically, my thought process was 'All I have are my looks; I am not smart, I am not athletic, all I have to get by is my cute figure and good looks'. AND boy did I use them. I can admit that shamefully I did use my cute blonde hair/blue-eyes look to manipulate situations to get what I wanted...and it worked 99% of the time - and still does. Because lets face it - the world loves a pretty face and favors them! God brought me out of that stinkin' thinkin' and showed me I was more than just my looks. I am smart and I don't have to be fearful or intimidated by others I view as intelligent or successful. However, it is so easy to go back to that thought process, when I am around highly educated people. It doesn't help that I work at a college, where there are many who have much more education than I.
I guess really, that this is the biggest fear that I need to get rid of. However, a close second would be the fear of failure. I don't want to fail at this. I give all glory of this weightloss to God who has been my strength and help. I don't want to disappoint Him. Even worse have others think that God just wasn't enough for me, so He won't be enough for them. HE is enough! Wow! Just typing that really helped me see how ridiculous that is! Hahahaha! He is enough! ALWAYS!!! I am victorious in Him! AND you are too!
Okay, thats enough for today. I have walked 5 miles and posted on my blog, so now its time to spend some time cleaning my house! lol, it is messy and it doesn't look like anyone else is willing to clean it - so its up to me. I hope you have a great day and that just maybe I have helped you in some small way.
~Judi
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Along the Way
I have had many pitfalls along the path to getting healthy; some hurdles to jump over. None more challenging as laziness. I could also say that I got too comfortable in where I am. I got to the halfway mark (86 pounds) and thought, I can just coast from here. Truth of the matter is I just now realized I was going up hill, not down. I also came to realization, that I am only halfway up. I can't stall now, or I will slide back down.
I have been walking for exercise. I was challenged by my cousins to walk a Half Marathon. I accepted their proposition with a joyous, child-like gusto! I was so excited and made a goal to be down in the 210s before I had to do it. October 7, 2012 was the race. I was not down in the 210s. I was 8 pounds away. I could blame it on the fact that it took four rounds of antibiotics and numerous trips to the doctor. I could blame it on the months of being very weak and sick. But the truth is, I was comfortable in my new size. I also went on auto-pilot. I stopped focusing on my diet and lied to myself that I was in control. I started not posting my food on MFP (MyFitnessPal.com). I would calculate the morning calories and wing-it on the rest of the day. I didn't gain weight, so I thought I was doing okay. Oh how easy it was to fall back into the lies I was living before I started this journey. Old habits were quickly returning. Old thoughts and feelings were inundating me!
I became discouraged, down and tired. Very tired. I knew I wasn't eating correctly. But didn't want to have to stop and think about it.
Anyway, the day of the race came. I was going to walk with my sister, Sara. She and I have the same pace when we walk, and we kept each other going. Three weeks prior we walked eleven miles to practice. We were confident we could do it. We learned what we needed along the way to keep us going, and what miles we would start to wain in speed. I personally, had two goals. One, to walk it under 3h45m and two, maintain a 16 min mile. I accomplished both goals! I finished in 3h33mins. and maintained a 16.18 min mile.
However, at mile 12, my legs wanted to quit. My calves started twitching and burning. My knees started to buckle under me. I had to truly focus on every step. Sara was skipping next to me...So I sent her on. I knew I was holding her back. She finished in 3h29mins (my secret wish to be under 3:30!). I was so proud of her for finishing so strong. God had to carry me over the finish line. However, I healed/recovered very quickly and she didn't.
Here's a help if you ever walk a half marathon, take the Gatorade as often as possible and bring protein and Shock Blocks with you for along the way. Walk at least 11 miles three weeks before the event to learn when and where to expect certain things, like when to eat carbs, protein and when to rest, jog or maintain. Also I used a anti-friction cream on my feet so they didn't get blisters.
I will do another one. I figure one a year is good! lol, no more than that. I will stick with the 5K and 10Ks.
God is good and life is much better when I walk in His strength.
I have been walking for exercise. I was challenged by my cousins to walk a Half Marathon. I accepted their proposition with a joyous, child-like gusto! I was so excited and made a goal to be down in the 210s before I had to do it. October 7, 2012 was the race. I was not down in the 210s. I was 8 pounds away. I could blame it on the fact that it took four rounds of antibiotics and numerous trips to the doctor. I could blame it on the months of being very weak and sick. But the truth is, I was comfortable in my new size. I also went on auto-pilot. I stopped focusing on my diet and lied to myself that I was in control. I started not posting my food on MFP (MyFitnessPal.com). I would calculate the morning calories and wing-it on the rest of the day. I didn't gain weight, so I thought I was doing okay. Oh how easy it was to fall back into the lies I was living before I started this journey. Old habits were quickly returning. Old thoughts and feelings were inundating me!
I became discouraged, down and tired. Very tired. I knew I wasn't eating correctly. But didn't want to have to stop and think about it.
Anyway, the day of the race came. I was going to walk with my sister, Sara. She and I have the same pace when we walk, and we kept each other going. Three weeks prior we walked eleven miles to practice. We were confident we could do it. We learned what we needed along the way to keep us going, and what miles we would start to wain in speed. I personally, had two goals. One, to walk it under 3h45m and two, maintain a 16 min mile. I accomplished both goals! I finished in 3h33mins. and maintained a 16.18 min mile.
However, at mile 12, my legs wanted to quit. My calves started twitching and burning. My knees started to buckle under me. I had to truly focus on every step. Sara was skipping next to me...So I sent her on. I knew I was holding her back. She finished in 3h29mins (my secret wish to be under 3:30!). I was so proud of her for finishing so strong. God had to carry me over the finish line. However, I healed/recovered very quickly and she didn't.
Here's a help if you ever walk a half marathon, take the Gatorade as often as possible and bring protein and Shock Blocks with you for along the way. Walk at least 11 miles three weeks before the event to learn when and where to expect certain things, like when to eat carbs, protein and when to rest, jog or maintain. Also I used a anti-friction cream on my feet so they didn't get blisters.
I will do another one. I figure one a year is good! lol, no more than that. I will stick with the 5K and 10Ks.
God is good and life is much better when I walk in His strength.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Sorry for the delay...It's been a long road
I truly sat down with the intent to write down everything I have been going through emotionally and physically, and now that I have taken the time, nothing is coming to mind...nothing. But I shall try.
Okay, I might as well start where I left off last time. I said I felt a cold coming on...HA! It was no cold. It was my long neglected leg wound from the motorcycle (large honking "scooter") that we got and I tried to ride, and fell when I came to a stop. By the way, that was before Mothers Day. My leg was severely infected and the next day caused me great pain and was horribly hot, red and oozing puss. Yuck! I know! Since then I have been on four different antibiotics (which require me to eat lots of greek yogurt and eat everytime I take them!!!!!) Someone who is trying to avoid food is now told to eat it. I know that it wasn't a free pass to eat whatever. So I didn't. But it did make me go over on calories a lot. So I have been battling that. Plus I really wasn't to do strenuous exercise and keep off my leg to let it heal...So eat more, move less...not a good combo. However, God is faithful and I didn't gain weight and even managed to lose a few more pounds.
New total for weight loss is (drum roll please!) .... .... .... 84 pounds!
I am enjoying my new size, but am fighting getting too comfortable here. I have that much more +2 pounds to lose. I know this, but it is easy and OH so tempting to go out and buy new clothes.
I am struggling right now. With a lot of things. I am upset, stressed, aggravated, and so not in the mood to write this. I also have a lot of thoughts going through my mind and don't know exactly how to say them. I am going to stop right now and write them down on paper to organize my thoughts.
Okay, I might as well start where I left off last time. I said I felt a cold coming on...HA! It was no cold. It was my long neglected leg wound from the motorcycle (large honking "scooter") that we got and I tried to ride, and fell when I came to a stop. By the way, that was before Mothers Day. My leg was severely infected and the next day caused me great pain and was horribly hot, red and oozing puss. Yuck! I know! Since then I have been on four different antibiotics (which require me to eat lots of greek yogurt and eat everytime I take them!!!!!) Someone who is trying to avoid food is now told to eat it. I know that it wasn't a free pass to eat whatever. So I didn't. But it did make me go over on calories a lot. So I have been battling that. Plus I really wasn't to do strenuous exercise and keep off my leg to let it heal...So eat more, move less...not a good combo. However, God is faithful and I didn't gain weight and even managed to lose a few more pounds.
New total for weight loss is (drum roll please!) .... .... .... 84 pounds!
I am enjoying my new size, but am fighting getting too comfortable here. I have that much more +2 pounds to lose. I know this, but it is easy and OH so tempting to go out and buy new clothes.
I am struggling right now. With a lot of things. I am upset, stressed, aggravated, and so not in the mood to write this. I also have a lot of thoughts going through my mind and don't know exactly how to say them. I am going to stop right now and write them down on paper to organize my thoughts.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
God is Working in Me!
Just a quick update. I have lost 76 pounds as of yesterday. I am still working out with my trainer Ryan at Hammer Bodies and eating as best as I can. I have attached before and after photos, if you care to look.
I have a headache and dizzy feeling today, so I think I might be getting a cold, but I hope it will pass soon. It is almost the 4th of July and I don't want to miss out on all the fun.
Have a great holiday everyone...
What a difference 45 pounds can make!!
I have a headache and dizzy feeling today, so I think I might be getting a cold, but I hope it will pass soon. It is almost the 4th of July and I don't want to miss out on all the fun.
Have a great holiday everyone...
Friday, April 20, 2012
Been a while
Well, to God be the glory, I am down 62 lbs! That is right. If this chocaholic, food addict can change her ways, by the grace of God, anyone can! I feel like I have been set free. And I have been. Today I went to eat a cookie that someone set out in the breakroom at work. I took a bite and thought this isn't satisfying, but I took another and knew, it wasn't worth losing my peace of mind over. I threw it away! Me, Judi Neeley, threw a chocolate chip candied cook in the trash can! A year ago I don't think I would have had the will or the power to do such a thing. God is stronger, when I am weak. God is stronger than any addiction I have. He is my light and my salvation and my STRONGHOLD! I love the transformation my body is making. Slowly but surely the weight is coming off. My muscles are getting stronger, and my appetite is getting weaker and surprisingly my tastebuds are changing towards the healthier, "greener" foods.
Also I am training for my first half marathon in October. I won't be running it, but I want to finish under 3.5 hours. I plan on keeping a 16 min. mile. I have been able to maintain a 17 min. mile for 5 miles. I know I will do it. I hope to be down in the 210's by then and that will help tremendously!
Also I am training for my first half marathon in October. I won't be running it, but I want to finish under 3.5 hours. I plan on keeping a 16 min. mile. I have been able to maintain a 17 min. mile for 5 miles. I know I will do it. I hope to be down in the 210's by then and that will help tremendously!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
53 lbs down!
As the title states I am 53 pounds down! I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father for all the wonderful things he has taught me over the past few months. I have learned so much about myself and my relationship with food while taking this journey to better health. I still have a long way to go to get were I need to be, but I am that much closer to the prize.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)