Health Trekker Day 16, 10/02/09

I imagine you are all waiting with baited breath to find out whether I gained or lost last night. I had to cover the weight room because our weight recorder was unable to attend. I find it so interesting how people allow their mood to be affected by the scale. They come in frowning, apprehensive, apologetic, and all manner of attitudes, some even bordering on defiance. I keep telling people that the scale is just one means of measurement and merely a tool to help keep us on track. In my opinion if you just gain a fraction, then congratulations, you are at least maintaining your weight. If those fractions are going incrementally upwards, then that tells you that you need to adjust your plan. Eat less, exercise more. Look at all the other things you are doing and use those tools in addition to the scale. I had a very slight gain last night. 0.4 of a pound. The fact that I know I had a few days that I was careless about my diet, does not erase the fact that I have been exercising every day, planning my meals and getting more conscious about what I eat. I am on track and I know that next week I will see the results. I will probably still be apprehensive, apologetic, defiant and downright terrified of that stupid scale, but I will try to keep it all in perspective. I do know that I am already feeling a difference in my activity level and the benefits of exercising are evident. I get an early start and then achieve a lot more during the day.
I am a true believer in the power of positive thinking. I know that if you start your day in a negative mood, then your day will go downhill from there and it seems like everyone you meet is a nasty, ignorant, pigheaded #^%*&*! But what many people do not realize is what they are seeing is a mirror image of themselves. When I am negative about life, I pass those feelings on to my children, peers and even the dog! So when I wake up feeling grouchy and aching, I try to find something positive I can focus on. One thing that really helps me is singing. Singing not only makes you feel better because of the music or lyrics, but singing opens up your lungs and abdomen and helps you breath better. Yoga can accomplish the same thing if you don't like to sing or think your voice is terrible, or put on some music and sing along with it. Who cares what you sound like! (Unless you are in a room full of people, then you may find out who cares). Exercise also helps to get your endorphins activated and make you feel better. For some a cup of coffee does the trick. Whatever triggers your positive energy, do it and start your day off with a smile. You will get every smile you give out back tenfold and your day will be much better. Plus you will accomplish more than you can imagine. We all give off an aura of energy. Let ours be positive today and our goals will be surmountable.

This weekend, Mark and I are going to NH to a campground and use the new camper. We will be visiting an old and dear friend. I am looking forward to it and trying very hard to plan some healthy meals and exercise so I don't backslide. The weather is predicted to be kind of iffy so am not sure how much walking we will get in so I am taking my Yoga DVD with me. If one tries, one can find a way to exercise and eat healthy. I will do this!
Rock On, everyone! Have a fun-filled, relaxing weekend.

Poem for today (dedicated to all the mothers who inspire their children with their positive energy:

Ten Feet Tall
When I was small and you tucked me in bed
I knew for certain I had nothing to dread
You were all that I knew of the big wide world
A catalyst to all the dreams yet unfurled
I believed you could do anything at all
You were a giant...You were ten feet tall!
When I was in school and you helped me to read
You began to plant a very small seed
I can't, I can't in fear I would cry
But this is a word you said to deny
You can be and can do anything at all
Try and you soon will be ten feet tall
When I was a teen, and Oh so bright
I seldom thought that you could be right
Still you worked so hard every day
And continued to try and show me the way
I was busy listening to a distant call
Of a future that seemed to be ten feet tall
Now when I put my Grandkids to bed
I tell them that they have nothing to dread
You can do anything that you want to try
Make all your dreams reach up to the sky
Then I remember when I was so small
And remember my Mom who is still ten feet tall!

Judy Patt Hall
December 18, 2000

My Plan for today:
Breakfast: muffin on my way to the Gym
Snack: apple
Lunch: soup, crackers (6), water
Snack: pretzels
Dinner: Leftover casserole

Exercise: The gym at 4:30 a.m., I did it!
Yoga, and last but not least, The List!