Monday Menu Planning

How is it that I let the weekend pass by and I am still not organized with my menu planning.
Why do I miss out on the opportunity to have all my meals ready to be served up at just the right time.

I know there are sites out there that help with menu planning. In fact there are sites that help with just about any kind of organization one is looking for...

For example there is 'flylady' who gives you tips on things you never thought about, and actually enjoys doing things in 15 minute increments.

There is a whole host of sites that help with menu planning and strategies to end all.

I just wanted to be able to pick up on Monday, knowing that my lunches were prepared for the whole week.  Did I get there...NO!

I am too distracted with all my geeky stuff to do what could be done, should I actually put my mind to it!

Friends who pickup as if there had been no distance

I enjoyed an evening with friends this weekend. It was as if no time had passed, although it had been almost 10 years since we last talked.

It is such a rare thing to have a relationship with someone who allows you to pick up where you are with no feelings of discomfort or fear.  Such is how I feel about Lynne, a very dear friend, who spent many days, nights and weekends in our home.  We were kindred spirits in so many ways.

Our lives take place in two different counties in OHIO, but we are always a just an hour's drive away.
Bless you my friend, Lynne.

5 Strategies for success at a healthier me...

"Have a positive attitude."  How many times have we heard that one?  While our emotions can not cause some of physical issues I have, they no doubt affect my symptoms. How can I maintain good thoughts when my body feels lousy?  This challenge, of course, does not pertain exclusively to physical issues, but to any time when things do not go as I wish. So how do I find strength to climb back on the health and fitness regimen? I am listing 5 strategies, ideas, or thoughts for maintaining a positive attitude:

1. Expect Bumps! As much as I don't want to admit this, I am at this point right now. I have seen bumps and now I am frustrated with my response to what seems to be yet another failure.  The point is, I need to allow my 'shoulda, woulda, coulda' mentality not sabatoge my over all efforts to be healthy.
2. Track Changes.  Keeping track of my numbers helps to remind me that I am still going down on the weight.  It tells the 'bigger picture' story. Although I hate the process of tracking everything that goes into my mouth or the points value of the foods, it surely teaches me that I do not always tell myself the truth about how much I am eating or if what I am eating is the best choice of foods.
3. Distractions are a must! We all need to keep lists handy of the things that make us happy.  Evidence shows that people who are in physical pain can become engrossed in a beautiful movie, talking to a good friend, or even listening to music - while the pain receptors in our brain are being tricked into leaving us alone for the moment. Why does this happen, because physiologically our brains can process only so much input at a time.  So I have refreshed my list!
4. Shape Perspective.  Is the glass half empty or half full? Am I a loser at weight watching or am I getting it done through persistence. This thought process can be most destructive if given free will to reign on our parade day in and day out.  Be willing to fight through the tough times instead of letting them define you. Don't forget the good stuff. By focusing on the positives in our lives we can be more aware of how many blessings are there and the motivation to be healthy is ever present. I will call someone the next time I am struggling through a decision that seems impossible.
5. Create a new self.  If we hang on to our old self and the attitudes and perspectives that have placed us in this situation, it will be increasingly difficult to be successful. This does not mean we should totally discard our previous conception of self; rather, we need to find a way to integrate the two. In other words, we should seek to find in our new bodies new ways to enjoy and experience the things that we had done before.  Consider all the aspects of yourself that you like, and the things that you most want to do; then step by step, find ways to achieve as many of these as you can.  At the same time, recognize that our expectations must shift so that we can once again meet them. Believe that I can be exactly what I want to become!

Why do I do what I don't want to do?

Over a month ago I decided to try weight watchers as a way to get a handle on healthy eating and healthy living. The problem is this, I can't seem to stick to it.  I love the biggest loser show and watch it faithfully.  It is so highly encouraging.  So how does one get motivated. There seems to be no excuse, especially with all the support systems around me. It can be so frustrating.  So what is the problem.  Is it the lack of energy? Is it the fact that I have soreness in my muscles on every level and I ache most of the time. Or is it that I am just so good at excuses.  I would suspect the latter.

But, here I sit in a chair with my macbook typing away. Maybe I should get busy moving. Today I wore my pedometer and sat in meetings all day.  At the end of the day I had walked 1456 steps.  I should be walking 6000 to 10,000 steps per day.

I think I must have did most of the walking before I even got to work, because there is no way I walked that much just going from meeting to meeting.

Tomorrow is another day, and Weight Watchers is a great program for teaching lifestyle eating vs dieting and deprivation.

2009 a year that changed us all!

So, where to begin. There are so many things that happened this year not only to our country but to the Myers' family.  Let's start with Politics and the new President.  Now let's stop there!

Moving on to Brayden and his surgery at the beginning of the year. He was just 4 months old when they went into his chest to create a pathway for blood to flow correctly from his heart to his lower body and back and then from his heart to his lungs and back.  What a trooper and faith building situation we experienced.  Our hearts are forever molded to this little guy and it is as it should be that he will grow and thrive for several years before needing additional surgery.

Now, life comes at you fast, but this one we didn't expect, the death of the Patriarch of the Myers.  David Myers, Sr.  Absolutely the most influential man in my life and in countless others.  We love you and miss you.  As the seasons of this year come to an end, it will be sad to not have you celebrating with us. But you are always there in our MEMORIES.

Then came the liver transplant for David Myers JR.  Yes, another experience in life that has changed us tremendously.  Although we are privilege to have Dave with us for more years, it did not come to us with out him having to pay such a terrible cost.  His life since May has been hospital bound and now he has moved into rehab.  What a story to tell by both Dave, Linda and there children. They are all the most amazing family of strength and resilience.  I have no room to complain about my life, when I think of how much this family has had to endure over the last 18 months.  God continues to rain down many great witnesses to the power of prayer and faith.

As I start up this blog, again after a long hiatus, I am challenged to continue to use this as a format for much of what I am feeling and thinking about events in my life, friends and family and yes, even random thoughts.

Thanks for all who will read and comment...