Before Summer Ends...More Pool Time!!!

I can't believe school starts on Tuesday. This summer really flew by, but I can at least say that I enjoyed every moment of it so far. I haven't let anything stop me from getting out there and having fun, and I continue to live each day to the fullest.

The picture above is an actual photo of Splash Zone, the local pool/waterpark that we have summer passes for. The outdoor section will close for the season at the end of this month, so this weekend we are cramming in a lot of swim time. With school starting there won't be as much time to use the pool, and we don't want to miss any chance we have to use it before they pack everything up for the fall/winter. Not only will we have gotten our money's worth out of it, but also our souls' worth. Time in the water is so good for our bodies, minds, and spirits. You can't even think about putting a dollar amount on that!

So...what have you wanted to do this summer, that you haven't done yet? There's still time to get out there and do it. Make the most of the rest of your summer...don't let it pass you by!

In Memory of Carla...

It's been a week since my friend Carla passed away...but I didn't know about it until Sunday. You see, I hadn't talked to her in a few years. I used to see her all the time when I was an office manager at my old job, but it's been 5 years since I worked there. I saw her a few times at first after I left the office, but then we all got busy with life and other things and it was way too long.

She had lung cancer, and by the time she found out it was too late for the treatments to work. She found out in June and passed away last week. She was only 50 years old and leaves behind a wonderful family, including an adorable little granddaughter. By the time I found out, I wasn't even able to attend her funeral and see her one last time...but I've been thinking about her ever since. I remember the times we were at events together and when she helped us run the bowling tournaments, and it makes me laugh when I think about all of the places we visited together as part of the group that went to the convention every March. Carla had the best sense of humor, and she was one of the kindest people I ever met. We had so much fun togther, and I wish all that time hadn't gone by without seeing her. I especially wish I'd known about her cancer so I could visit her while she was still alive.

Carla's death has only driven this point home further for me...do not waste your time here on earth. None of us know exactly how long we will be here, so we have to make the most of it. Although Carla should have taken better care of herself (she was a heavy smoker), she definitely lived the time she had to the fullest. Don't take time with your family and friends for granted, enjoy every single moment. This also reminds me...I heard Brad Paisley's song "Letter to Me" yesterday, and the line "Go and hug Aunt Rita every chance you can" really hit me. I haven't visited MY Aunt Rita in quite a while, and I need to go see her while it's still possible. Please my friends, don't dwell on the superficial things in life...live out what really matters!

Pull Away From The Dock And Set Sail!

Do you ever feel like you just need to retreat from the world? Do you stay in your house and hole up in your room, dreaming and wishing for a better life?

A lot of us do this or have done it in the past, while also possibly filling up on junk food or watching endless television to pass the time so we don't have to think about our feelings. Going into this dream mode on occasion is good for us. Sometimes it leads to figuring out what we want to do with our lives or how to deal with a sticky situation. The problem comes when we do this all the time. If this is what you do day after day, you are only numbing yourself...you are not really living.

I speak from experience. I've had periods of time in my life when I stared at the screen and ate candy or ice cream to make myself feel better. Most of the time I barely tasted the food, I just ate it as fast as I could, trying to fill up an empty hole inside of me. I didn't go out of the house very often to do anything. I felt like I couldn't go out and do certain things until I reached my "dream weight". It took a long time, but I finally discovered that food was not going to fill that hole, and neither was TV. I needed to work through my emotions and figure out what I needed to do to make my life better. I started by being conscious of what I was putting into my mouth, and now when I do decide to have a sweet treat I concentrate on actually tasting and enjoying it. I find that when I'm actually present while eating, I no longer feel the need to go overboard with food because I'm enjoying the portion that I have.

Also, when I do my thinking and dreaming now, I make it a constructive time. During this time I get ideas for my writing and set plans in motion to get things done. It's no longer just wishful thinking...I use my thoughts to propel my life forward instead of just dreaming it away. You do have to stop and think about where you're headed sometimes, but you also have to balance that with actually DOING. And I no longer feel that I have to be a certain weight or size to get out and do stuff. What joy and freedom there is in this!

Here is my advice for anyone who is still out there sitting around and letting life pass them by: Take the time to think through what you want to do with your life. Write down the things you are good at, and also those things that you've always wanted to try but haven't yet. Make a plan around this list, and get out there and try something new. Figure out the first steps that you need to make something happen and then GO DO IT. Get off the couch or out of bed and start actually living. Those first steps will lead to further steps and before you know it, you will be enjoying your life. Just like a ship is not meant to stay tied to the dock, you are not meant to stay attached to your sofa. Unhitch yourself now and set sail on a fulfilling life!

Scale Tales Part 2 - No Obsessing!

I am SO over the new scale blues. I told you on Monday what happened when I used my new scale and discovered my old one was defective. Luckily I only freaked out for a moment, because I realized that I am not a number...I am a person.

We place too much emphasis on what the scale tells us. If we are exercising regularly, eating mostly healthy foods with an occasional treat, and drinking plenty of water, we are on the right path. What size our dresses or jeans are is NOT important. What is important is that we regain our health. Getting off of medications, having more energy, and feeling better are what really matters.

I have decided that I will no longer obsess over the number on the scale. I know I'm doing the right things for my body, and that it will settle into the size it's supposed to be. I will not be fixated on a certain size...I will let my body decide that. I will not expect giant losses on the scale; that is TV reality, not REAL reality. When you lose weight at a normal rate, you are more likely to keep it off, and not endanger your internal organs. I recall a gentleman who was on the board of directors where I used to work years ago...he wanted to lose weight quickly because he and his wife were going on a cruise. He lost 30 pounds in a month and looked great for his vacation, but two months later he dropped dead of a heart attack while he was driving. This man was only in his forties, and it was found that the rapid weight loss most likely did damage to his heart. I don't know about you, but I'd rather lose weight slowly, still have a few extra pounds on me for my trip...and still live a long life after I got back.

Not obsessing over the scale is not license to eat anything and everything. It just means that I am focusing on getting and being healthy instead of the numbers game. As I keep doing the right things, more weight will come off. I will not go to extremes in either direction.

I am changing the title of my blog slightly...to Getting Healthy, No More Excuses. There is no excuse for not taking care of yourself...that's the part that matters. It's going to be all about being stronger and more confident, and what I can do instead of being a certain weight. Don't put off your life until you reach that "special" number...live it now!!!