In a battle

Psalm 117: 2

For great is his love toward us,
And the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.

I gave my weight journey to Jesus on January 5th, 2007. It is a battle for me to loose weight and to maintain it. I have to remember daily to have faith in Jesus. We go hand in hand on this path. The Lord will give me strength to endure this and comfort me when I am stress. I just need to ask Him what to do and look for His guidance.

How to Stay Motivated to Keep Exercise Exciting

How to Stay Motivated to Keep Exercise Exciting

So you've done what you thought was the hard part: You started a regular exercise routine to get fit and healthy. But now you're finding out that keeping up with it is as hard as starting out in the first place. You need to keep exercising, but how do you do it without getting bored and losing motivation?



Motivation to Keep Exercise Exciting

Ask yourself what makes fitness fun. What motivates you most and keeps you focused and centered on a workout? These methods can help you stay focused and interested in your exercise routine:

· Find a buddy. Working out is often more enjoyable when you do it with someone else. Find a friend who will exercise with you, and won't let you back out of your gym dates.

· Set goals and a schedule. If you don't plan time for exercise and dedicate yourself to it, it's hard to stay motivated. Schedule times and dates for workouts on your calendar, and jot down what you plan to do and goals you want to accomplish.

· Push yourself. Don't work out to the point of injury, but push yourself during exercise routines — don't give up because you don't feel like it or you're tired. Push yourself to go a little harder or a little longer, and you'll feel great afterward.

· Read or listen to music. If you're walking on a treadmill or using a stair-climbing machine, try reading so you lose track of the minutes while you're burning calories. Or pump yourself up with some favorite music: high-energy, fast-paced songs can give the boost you need to get through your exercise routine. Create a Playlist or CD of songs that motivate you for a workout.

· Cut out the routine from your exercise routine. You're more likely to lose motivation if you stick to the same workout routine, so come up with options so that you don't get bored. Walk one day, run another, hop on a bike, and try different aerobic and weight machines.

· Where to work out. Your environment can have a big impact on how well you focus on your exercise routine. If you prefer being outside, schedule an exercise program around outdoor activities. If you get too distracted by other people in a health club, try investing in videos or exercise equipment and do your workout at home.

· Eat for exercise. Don't exercise on an empty stomach, but don't eat a huge meal right before exercising, either. Stick to a healthy, balanced diet for lots of energy, and have a light, healthy snack before a scheduled workout so that you don't feel hungry.

To make working out a part of your lifestyle, you may need to occasionally come up with new and fun ways to exercise. Just keep your end goal in mind — better health, fitness, and happiness — and find ways to enjoy your workout.

Situations when you are overweight....

Galatians 6:7 (New International Version)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
This verse really makes me think about situations I have been in. I feel it is a verse we need to reflect on everyday. We can sow in so many different ways in our lives; it can be a blessing when we reap or a tremendous trial. One thing that pops into my mind because I am in a weight loss mode is when I went to a graduation. My son in law Andy was graduating from college at Northwest Arkansas. I had to stand during the service because I could not fit in the stadium seats where the ceremony was being held. Because I chose all the wrong things to eat I had to suffer embarrassment in front of 100’s of people. I felt everyone knew why I was standing! Again, I believe we can sow and reap in different ways\with the life choices we make.

The weekends!

1 Chronicles 16:11
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always." So what do I do instead of seeking the Lord?
Sometimes I seek my own will and not Gods. Weekends are commonly hard for dieters. We are in a different mode than we are during the week. When I truly focus on my relationship with God, eating is where it needs to be. I trust His guidance and not my own. He gives me strength in the site and smells of temptations.

Drink up!

LOOKING TO LOSE WEIGHT? DRINK UP



It's safe, it's simple, and it works: Drinking moderate amounts of water really can help you lose weight, new research shows.

In what researchers claim is the first-ever randomized trial of the effect of water consumption on weight loss, scientists from Virginia Tech found that dieters who started each meal with two 8-oz. glasses of water lost nearly five pounds more, on average, than dieters who did not, over the course of 12 weeks. There's no shortage of anecdotal evidence about how water might work to control your appetite. It fills you up so you don't eat so much; it quenches your thirst so that you don't turn to calorie-rich sodas or juices when your body just needs liquid. But until now, the researchers say, there has been no true evidence that water's appetite-suppressing benefits ever translate into actual weight loss. Now there is. In the 12-week study period, dieters instructed to drink water with every meal lost an average of 15.5 pounds; dieters given no instructions lost, on average, just 11 pounds. The research was presented today at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about the finding is how little we still know about healthy water consumption in general. In fact, although doctors and public-health authorities regularly remind us to drink more water, very few studies give any insight into what our ideal quantity may be. You know that conventional wisdom about eight glasses per day?

The new results today suggest that many Americans could indeed stand to drink a little more water than they do -- especially if that water comes as a substitute for other, high-calorie drinks. But if you're looking to lose weight, be aware that it is actually possible to drink too much water, and you probably won't help matters any by drinking gallons at a time. In extreme cases, excessive water consumption can even be fatal, if it causes your blood concentration of sodium to fall too low. A couple of glasses with each meal, however, should be no problem at all for a healthy person.

Been so tempted to overeat......

The last couple of days I have been so tempted to overeat. My belly has been on a food hunger war path. By looking at my journals I have had enough to eat so I figured I would just write about it instead of eating!
Ruthie

You know that old devil is going to temp you to eat when you are not hungry. You need to believe you can beat him. You may think you have already lost but you have not! Call on Jesus, your champion. Think of all the battles in the old testament. They won with God! They didn't have much of the worldly stuff to fight with,but they had God! Let Him fight for you! He is the way to fight this battle of overeating!

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want!

Show me

Show Me the Path

Dear God,
I admit that I have come to both love
and hate the word "diet."
On the one hand, it represents hope for change.
On the other, it's like a sign flashing "Failure ahead!"
I don't want to embark on another faulty plan, Lord.
I want to embark on a journey with You
that is led by You and depends on Your power.
I can do nothing on my own!
Show me the path that will enable me to change.
Show me, as only You can,
what works for me, what is healthy for me.
I want to think of this venture in positive terms, Lord--
not that I am signing up to be miserable or in want.
I want to learn to feed my body what it truly needs when it truly needs it.
And to feed my soul with the Bread of Life--You!
Today I place my future, my failures, my setbacks,
all of my hopes and plans into Your hands.
There alone will I find meaning
and true success in my life.
Amen.

Pulling Your Sweet Tooth

Pulling Your Sweet Tooth

I am not sure that I have the easy, cure-all answer, but here are a few tips that might help you pull your own sweet tooth.

* Try to find a substitute. Generally, you tend to crave sweets after a meal or in the late afternoon. It might be helpful to have something else there and ready to fight off those cravings. For example, peppermint tea might work in the evening, a box of raisins in the afternoon, a piece of fruit, or anything else that you can think of that would be somewhat nutritious and easy to keep with you.
* Wait out the craving. Most experts say the cravings you experience will only last a couple of minutes and if you can wait it out, they will pass and you will be better for it. Try to occupy yourself for a good 10 minutes when you get a craving and if it lasts longer, then it might be time to indulge in something.
* Set daily goals and reward yourself for meeting them. To a sugar addict, nothing is tougher than getting through the day without any type of sugary treat. The longer you can hold out, the easier it will become, so try to find a reward that would be worth holding out for.
* Recruit someone to do it with you. If you are married or have a family, this would be a healthy habit for everyone to adopt. Clean out the cupboards and refrigerator of all bad foods and make the effort a team effort. Hold each other accountable and support one another through the tough times.
* Put yourself in good situations. If you are one who loves to use the vending machines at work or will drive through the local gas station to fill up on snacks, try to do things to prevent you from continuing on with these habits. Clean out all of the change and single dollar bills in your wallet. Go groceries shopping after a meal, so you don’t load up on bad food.

The Snack Food Hall of Shame

The Snack Food Hall of Shame





Maintaining a healthy diet doesn't mean you have to give up delicious snacks, but watch what you reach for!

When Snacks Attack

If you buy a snack at a fast-food restaurant or other convenience outlet, beware. Most takeout foods are much higher in fat and calories than you might think. For instance, a Carrot Walnut Spice Muffin at Au Bon Pain packs in nearly one-third the calories you need in a day and half the fat. To avoid these calorie traps when you're on the go, take healthy low-fat snacks such as fruits and vegetables with you. If you've got a healthy snack in the car, you won't be as tempted to purchase one of these.



Au Bon Pain Carrot Walnut Spice Muffin

550 calories, 27 grams of fat

The Everyday Health Swap: You may be seduced by the sweet spice of this carrot muffin, but are the double-digit fat grams really worth it? Instead, try one of these alternatives:

Carrot Raisin Bread
99 calories, 3 grams of fat

Oatmeal Carrot Muffins
151 calories, 3 grams of fat



Dunkin' Donuts Chocolate Chip Muffin

590 calories, 24 grams of fat

The Everyday Health Swap: You can have your cake and eat it too — if it's not high in fat! Indulge in these mouth-watering cupcakes or delicate soufflés:

Chocolate-Cream Cheese Cupcakes
166 calories, 5 grams of fat

Chocolate Soufflés
109 calories, 2 grams of fat



Jamba Juice Peanut Butter Moo'd

860 calories, 21 grams of fat

The Everyday Health Swap: Frozen, creamy drinks can be tasty and low-fat!

Mango-Strawberry Smoothie
142 calories, 1 gram of fat

Root Beer Frosty
49 calories, no fat

Chocolate-Banana Sipper
122 calories, 1 gram of fat



Cinnabon Classic Roll

730 calories, 24 grams of fat

The Everyday Health Swap: Serve these delicious desserts warm and enjoy without any guilt!

Apple Coffee Cake
196 calories, 8 grams of fat

Apple Cinnamon Cobbler
258 calories, 10 grams of fat



Starbucks Grande White Chocolate Mocha

480 calories, 20 grams of fat (with whole milk)

The Everyday Health Swap: Try this low-fat, low-calorie coffee drink so you can grab it on the go.

Iced Mocha
46 calories, 1 gram of fat

It is hard to loose those pounds but you can!

Romans 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

There will be those days when we feel we're never going to lose any weight. No matter what we do, the pounds stick with us, and we begin to feel foolish for ever supposing we could lose weight. We find ourselves ashamed for believing that we can lose weight and ashamed at having such defeatist thoughts. It's a very hard position to be in. Luckily, we never really have to feel ashamed of the things we try to do that are good and right. Even though we sometimes lose heart, we still have the love and support of the Lord, who will strengthen us and guide us through His Spirit.

Today's thought: I'm proud of what I'm trying to do!

Weight Loss Style

Creating a Weight-Loss Lifestyle
Pick up healthy eating and exercise habits for an effective weight-loss program


If you're looking into weight-loss programs, the best one is both the easiest and the hardest: Change your lifestyle.

People should not go on a weight-loss program. They should develop healthy eating habits. The problem with a program is people feel they can go off at any time. If you instead change your lifestyle and how you approach food, then you're looking at a long-term plan for health.



The Best Weight-Loss Programs

It all comes down to calories. If you eat 100 more food calories than you burn each day, you'll gain about a pound a month. If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you slowly but surely will lose weight.

Figure out how many calories you should be taking in to maintain your current weight. The number can range from 1,400 calories a day for a sedentary older woman to 3,000 calories a day for an active young man.

Next, increase your physical activity to match or outburn the calories you take in every day. Also, plan your diet carefully to maximize nutrition while minimizing calories.



Lifestyle Obstacles to Weight Loss
Finally, begin your weight-loss program by carefully re-examining your life and recognizing some of the habits that can block weight loss. These include:



· Skipping meals. Are you eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, or are you skipping meals and having long gaps between meals? That only makes you hungrier, and you'll tend to overeat at your next meal.

· Eating out without thought. Do you dine out all the time and use that as an excuse not to make healthy choices at a restaurant? Even when you're dining out, you can make healthier choices. Order broiled food, not fried. Say no to desserts. Have a bowl of berries instead of pie. Order sauces on the side.

· Keeping unhealthy foods in your house. As part of a smart weight-loss program, you should clear out all the junk food and make sure you have a wealth of healthy options available for snacking and dining. You need to keep fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy in the house so it's there for you to make meals out of. Simply limiting some foods, such as soft drinks, that are high in sugars may help you significantly reduce calories.

· Keep your portions small. One quick way to control weight is to cut back on the size of your portions. Many personal weight-loss programs fail because people ladle out way too much food for themselves and then feel compelled to clean their plates.



Make Smart Food Choices
Your food choices can also help determine the success of your weight-loss programs. Healthy and nutritious eating will include:

· Fruits and vegetables. Low in calories and rich in nutrients, fruits and vegetables can build your meal and help fill you up. Orange and dark-green vegetables contain some of the best nutrition around.

· Whole grains. At least half the grains you eat should be whole. They contain loads of fiber and will help you feel full.

· Low-fat milk and milk products. They fill you up and ensure you get enough calcium to stay healthy.

· Lean meats, poultry, and fish. Everyone needs protein, which satisfies hunger like no other food group. So choose lean meats, poultry, and fish and prepare them by baking, broiling, or grilling — no frying.





Last but not least, remember that lifestyle-based weight loss will occur more slowly than with fad diets, melting off only one or two pounds a month. But because you've changed the way you eat, you'll be glad to hear that those pounds are far more likely to stay off.

When it comes to your weight, do you feel frustrated when it feels like you've failed? Hey, you didn't "fail." You just quit for that one meal. But the bad news is that when you quit for one meal, your frustration can lead to your repeating the same mistake for the next meal...and the next! So, what knocks you off program?

STAYING MOTIVATED

STAYING MOTIVATED

One way to stay motivated is to constantly remind yourself that a worth-while pay-off lies ahead; a new, healthy, strong you is emerging. Effective, consistent exercise will not only improve your overall health and fitness, but will also improve your appearance, energy level, and social interactions. Also, look forward to the many psychological benefits as well: confidence, self-esteem, and relief from depression, anxiety and stress.
If you are serious about your health and well-being, you will take action and begin an exercise program, and you will benefit in all these ways. Once you see the results, you will become even more motivated. Action creates motivation!
Set Goals
Goal-setting is another great way of staying motivated. Goals focus your workout program and clarify what you are trying to achieve. As you attain each goal, you gain encouragement and further motivation. Here is how to achieve the goals you set and obtain the results you deserve.
1. Make sure your goals are measurable: A vague goal, such as "I want to be fit," gives you nothing to shoot for. Decide when and what you are going to achieve, such as "I want to lose 2 percent of my body fat by August 1st."
2. Be realistic: Make sure your goals are attainable. If you set your expectations too high, you will get frustrated and will be more likely to quit. Make sure, however, that your goals are not too easy; they should be challenging. When you achieve a challenging goal, your pride and satisfaction will create more motivation.
3. Set short-term goals as stepping stones to your "ultimate" (long-term) goals: If your long-term goal is to bench press 200 pounds in one year, then set short-term weekly or monthly goals of the weight you will need to bench press to achieve your long term goal--develop a plan. It is a lot easier to accomplish a goal one day or week at a time, such as increasing 2.5 or 5 pounds a week, than it is to think that you need to increase your bench press by 50 pounds.
Make It Fun
Another way of assuring that you stay motivated is to make exercise fun. If you perceive your workout as a chore, you more than likely will not stick with it. Here are some techniques for making your workout something to look forward to.

What's Your Diet Personality?

There are many things that can keep you from reaching your weight-loss goals, but the most surprising of all is you. Without realizing it, your diet personality could be sabotaging your own efforts.

The way you approach dieting could very well set the stage for failure even before you begin. However, if you take an objective look at the way you've been approaching weight loss, you can turn your pattern around. That's the first step toward meeting your goal.



Diet Personality: Bad Attitude Bunch

If you've tried diets before and failed, you need to understand what you may be doing wrong before you can hope to be successful. Here are some of the most common diet personality flaws. Learn what they are and how to overcome them.

· Ms. Quick Fix. There's the quick-fix mentality that you have to get there really quickly for it to be successful. You might think you have to lose a lot of weight in a hurry, you have to do everything perfectly, you have to do everything structured, which often leads to a diet derailment.

Personality adjustment: The 'it's a process mentality' can be much more helpful for a lot of people.

· Mr. I Don't Need to Exercise. One of the things that really trips people up is the 'I can do it with diet and not exercise' mentality, adding that this is a pretty common diet type that just won't be successful in the long run. That is one of the biggest contributors to people's short-term success and long-term failure with dieting. They don't adopt a sense of being an active person.

Personality adjustment: Simply making moderate activity a part of your life. No ifs, ands, or buts. It requires being active to make the diet work over the long term. It also helps moderate hunger and boredom, and helps people stick with it.

· The Biggest Loser. The flip side is the biggest loser mentality — people who start off the first day and exercise to the point of collapse. These dieters over-restrict their calories and then over-exercise, and wind up experiencing burnout.

Personality adjustment: You need good balance in exercise and good balance in nutrition.

· Miss Emotional Eater. This is the person who eats instead of dealing with her feelings. We're so afraid as a society to feel our feelings. But we need to feel them, rather than turn to all the things that we turn to. When people avoid dealing with emotions, they turn to drugs, alcohol, smoking — and food. Emotional eaters abuse food instead of other substances when they're experiencing emotions they don't know how to deal with.

Personality adjustment: It's important for people to understand their feelings, and separate them from hunger. Once you can recognize sadness, anger, or happiness, what you thought was hunger becomes something else, and you won't need to eat to appease the emotion any more.

· Sir I'm Just Hungry All the Time. Sometimes, people just love to eat, and they truly feel hungry all the time. People will have different hunger levels. Physiologically, they will have different hormonal responses. It's hard to diet when you're constantly hungry, so you need to learn the right way to eat.

Personality adjustment: The person who always feels really hungry needs to fill up on foods that aren't as caloric, that have more water in them. That means having a salad or clear broth before dinner, and eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, and other foods with a high fiber content and bulk to get full without too many calories.

· Mr. I Don't Have Time to Diet. Some people just feel like they don't have the time to eat healthy food or exercise. And many people truly don't — which is why they have to make time to do it.

Personality adjustment: Motivation (and time) not only to diet but make lifestyle changes. Losing weight is simple, but not easy. You just need to take in fewer calories than you burn. You can do that by eating a low-calorie diet and exercising daily.



Diet Personality: What's Your Line?

Do any of these diet personalities sound familiar to you? If you recognize your pattern in any of them, take a step back, read about how to correct your approach, then start fresh on your new diet lifestyle. Once you adopt a broader view of losing and keeping weight off, you'll easily say goodbye to the old you.

Tips for Weight Loss

Tips, Hints & Ideas



I always like to give as much tips as I can to help others who are struggling or need advice.

1.) Drink your water!!! It's so vital to drink atleast 64oz of water. If you drink coffee, then add in another 12oz for every cup you drink. You may have to run to the bathroom every 2 minutes, but that means all the water you've been holding in your body is coming out! Did you know that a 12oz can of caffiene free diet soda can go towards your water? I like the flavored waters also if you just can't seem to handle plain water.

2.) Eat low in point snacks if you're hungry or don't want to use alot of points. There's a variety of delicious low point snack out there that are really great and filling! You can go to this website for everything you could possibly need for snacks/food. Go to Dottie's Weight Loss Zone. This is a wonderful site!

3.) Want to get in some extra activity? Park your car at the farthest end of the grocery store parking lot so you'll have to walk. Use the stairs at the mall or stores instead of using the elevators.

4.) I like to add in strength training to my exercises. I love doing The FIRM. I also combine my FIRM exercises with Walk Away The Pounds or WATP for short.

5.) Did you know that a 1lb of fat only burns 2 calories a day when 1lb of mucles burns 50 calories a day?!? I would rather want the 50 cal/day, wouldn't you?? So what's stopping you from getting in that strength training. What a little sore muscle going to stop you? When you do workout with weights, you need to drink your water to replenish your muscles so they heal faster!!

6.) Keep a food journal/diary. You need to write down your current weight, current points, how much water you've gotten in that particular day and how many APs (Activity Points) you've earned that day! Remember, if you bite it, write it! Keeping a food journal will help you understand what you're eating in a day and you'll be able to keep track of your points.

7.) Set realistic workout or weightloss goals. If you want to lose 20 pounds in 6 months, that's a very realistic goal. But if you want to lose 20lbs in 2 months, you might not be able to reach it, and you might feel like you didn't accomplish anything, so keep it real!

8.) Make up a workout calender and put it on your fridge. When you workout or stay OP (on program) Put a smiley face and at the end of the month you can relish on how much you've accomplished!!

9.) Make a paper clip chain. For every pound you lose, add on a big clip. For every .5 pound you lose, add on a small clip. When you get to a personal goal, add on a colored clip. Put it in your kitchen so it's a constant reminder to stay OP and lose that weight so you can see that chain grow!

Success Is A Matter Of Expectation

When you believe something good can happen, it does.
In order to succeed, you must first expect to succeed.
If you want to succeed beyond your wildest expectations,
begin with some wild expectations.

Set your goals high.
When you expect things to happen, strangely enough, they do happen.
Expectation energizes your goals and gives them momentum.
The dreams you choose to believe in come to be.

Red Light! Green Light!
This week our focus was on Eating Triggers.

Green Light foods: These foods can be handled easily and generally do not trigger overeating. Make sure your fridge and pantry is stocked with these foods.

Yellow Light foods: These foods can be controlled in some circumstances. (I will only eat one brownie at a friend's house, but may eat them all if at home) Know what will work for you and steer clear of an abundance of yellow light foods at home.

Red Light foods: Generally means "Don't go there" as they cannot be controlled. (yet!) It is best to avoid these foods until you can learn how to manage them.

Identifying which foods trigger you to eat inappropriately can help you manage them better.

Coca Cola

Just when you thought you knew everything....


1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.

2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of coke and it will be gone in two days.

3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl... Let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean.

4. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

5. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

6. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away corrosion.

7. To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

8. To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of coke into a load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.

9.The active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid. Its pH is 2.8. It will dissolve a nail in about 4 days.

10.To carry Coca Cola syrup (the concentrate) the commercial truck must use the Hazardous material place cards reserved for Highly Corrosive materials.

11.The distributors of coke have been using it to clean the engines of their trucks for about 20 years!

AND DIET COKE IS EVEN WORSE!

What is aspartame?

Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener. It is used to sweeten a variety of foods and beverages and as a tabletop sweetener.

Why is aspartame used?
Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, tastes good, enhances citrus and other fruit flavors, saves calories and does not contribute to tooth decay.

What is aspartame made of?
Aspartame is made by joining two protein components, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and a small amount of methanol. Aspartic acid and phenylalanine are building blocks of protein and are found naturally in all protein-containing foods, including meats, grains and dairy products. Methanol is found naturally in the body and in many foods such as fruit and vegetable juices.


Aspartame is dangerous

Symptoms of claimed aspartame poisoning include:
Headaches/Migraines, Dizziness, Seizures, Nausea, Numbness, Muscle spasms, Weight gain, Rashes, Depression, Fatigue, Irritability, Tachycardia, Insomnia, Vision Problems, Hearing Loss, Heart palpitations, Breathing difficulties, Anxiety attacks, Slurred Speech, Loss of taste, Tinnitus, Vertigo, Memory loss, Joint Pain

Aspartame metabolizes into a poison and other dangerous chemicals (despite the claims of the manufacturer to the contrary), and therefore, it can trigger or worsen the following conditions:


Brain tumors, Arthritis, Multiple sclerosis, Epilepsy, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Mental retardation, Lymphoma, Birth defects, Fibromyalgia, Diabetes, Thyroid Disorders

Many people report that if they regular consume products containing aspartame, such as Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi, over time the symptoms, especially headaches, become progressively worse, often beginning within an hour of consuming the aspartame. At the office here, several people have commented that they have noted these same symptoms. Since aspartame is combine with caffeine, it is difficult to know which (or both, or neither) are related to the symptoms.

Studies are showing people who consume Diet sodas are NOT losing weight any faster than those who drink pure water.

Do you want to put poision in your body?

AM I HUNGRY OR JUST EATING

AM I HUNGRY OR JUST EATING
The first thing that came to my mind was going out to eat.

Why do we like to do this - Well, first of all we sit and relax while we are eating. No getting up to get something we forgot or something someone else wants. We sit, we relax and we enjoy our food - after all we are paying for it! When we get up from the table we usually say - that was really good.
Let's think about when we eat at home. We don't always set the table nicely because after all we don't have company - it's only us. Sometimes we eat on the run - no time to sit down because I need to be somewhere. Maybe I just microwave whatever and eat it standing up. No wonder a couple of hours later I forgot I ate at all!
This week I would like you to try eating like you are company. Use the good dishes, sit and relax at dinner. Think about the food and how good it is. Plan to eat some of your favorite meals. Aren't we more satisfied when we are eating foods we really like. Try a new recipe. Take the time to plan!!! You can do it!
What are You Really Hungry For?
Do you ever find yourself looking for food when you know you aren't hungry? Well, chances are you are looking to fill an emotional need.

When you feel insecure you may need confidence.
When you feel sad or depressed you may be looking for happiness.
When you feel worried or anxious you may need to feel calm or in control.
When you feel bored you may need stimulation.
When you feel frustrated you may need to feel in control.
When you feel hurt you may be looking for healing.
When you feel trapped you may be looking for freedom.
When you feel overlooked you may be looking for respect.
When you feel lonely you may need contact with your friends.

The first thing we need to do is figure out which emotion is pulling us toward the unwanted behavior of overeating when we aren't hungry. Keep a journal in the kitchen or your purse and write down the emotions that seem to be predominating.

What non food behaviors will give you what you are looking for?

Here is a list of ideas.
Do a craft or hobby
Walk the dog.
Teach your dog a new trick.
Start a blog about your weight loss journey.
Add songs to your i pod.
Take a walk.
Do a little yard work.
Go to the library or coffee shop and read.
Call a friend.
Watch a funny movie.
Sign up for a community college class.
Put on clothes that make you feel good. (get outta your sweats!)
Give yourself a pedicure.
Try a new look with your hair or make up.
Play a game.
Start a journal.
Draw or paint.
Pray.
Go take some outdoor photos.
Learn how to play the piano or an instrument.
Take a bubble bath or a hot jacuzzi.
Clean out a junk drawer.
Volunteer at a local hospital, animal shelter, or homeless shelter.

This list could be never ending. Find something that works for you and keep moving forward with your weight loss success.

"If hunger is not the problem, then eating is not the solution."

1 Corinthians 6:20 For God has bought you with a great price. So use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it


There is no doubt that being in shape spiritually is the most important kind of fitness. But being in shape physically is very important as well. There are four parts of your being - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual – all should be healthy and in sync for you to function most productively. Your body is the temple of God, and you must honor Him with the care you take of it. Seek a balance, and try to be healthy and God-honoring in every part of your life.

Looking back over what happened along the way in our weight loss journey can give us some insight into how to handle situations which will surely come around again. We all have a personal library of experiences to build on - Feedback not Failure.

Here are a few questions to ponder - fill in the blanks:

I am most successful in my weight loss journey when I _______________.

The biggest obstacle to my weight loss success is ________________.

I really feel proud of myself when I _______________.


AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN FIVE SHORT CHAPTERS

I WALK DOWN THE STREET.
THERE IS A DEEP HOLE IN THE SIDEWALK.
I FALL IN.
I AM LOST....I AM HELPLESS.
IT ISN'T MY FAULT.
IT TAKES FOREVER TO FIND A WAY OUT.

I WALK DOWN THE SAME STREET.
THERE IS A DEEP HOLE IN THE SIDEWALK.
I PRETEND I DON'T SEE IT.
I FALL IN AGAIN.
I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM IN THE SAME PLACE.
BUT IT ISN'T MY FAULT.
IT STILL TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET OUT.

I WALK DOWN THE SAME STREET.
THERE IS A DEEP HOLE IN THE SIDEWALK.
I SEE IT IS THERE.
I STILL FALL IN...IT'S A HABIT.
MY EYES ARE OPEN.
I KNOW WHERE I AM.
IT IS MY FAULT.
I GET OUT IMMEDIATELY.

I WALK DOWN THE SAME STREET.
THERE IS A DEEP HOLE IN THE SIDEWALK.
I WALK AROUND IT.

I WALK DOWN ANOTHER STREET

Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

I really loss sight of my goals and have gain some back but I gave it all back to Jesus last Tuesday and so far have taken off 8 pounds. I just don’t know what happen but some how I lost me!! I am so happy to be back and loosing again. I am so on fire to do this and try to maintain again! I don’t have as much to loose this time and so far doing it solo with no weight watchers but if I get in a bind I will go back. I have to remember I am not alone, I have Jesus. I have not a hungry spell either! He is so amazing. I feel like I let Him down by gaining some back but He is showing me that He is all I need to do this. Weight Watchers or any support group is a way to help us learn. I am so blessed to have Jesus with me on this journey!