I do many of these things, but I see I still have a long way to go.

Thank you so much for this article that really covers the most important inspirations for a really healthy lifestyle. ♥ ♥ ♥ &h earts; ♥ 

Thank you. That was a good article.

I love this article. 

Could you imagine what kind of world we could live in if everyone were more self aware and spent time doing for themselves? We would all be more energized to help others.  

That's fine, kinda the 'mind' part of the expression, 'healthy in body and mind'.  Just that for me to keep fit actually takes some pretty strict rules- rules that can be bent but not broken.  (BTW, the link for the  101 Things to Do Besides Eat is broken.)

Original Post by: ron6788

That's fine, kinda the 'mind' part of the expression, 'healthy in body and mind'.  Just that for me to keep fit actually takes some pretty strict rules- rules that can be bent but not broken.  (BTW, the link for the  101 Things to Do Besides Eat is broken.)

Thanks - fixed!

This is a good article.  However, I have a question.  I have been 'stuck' in my weight loss efforts for a few months--two steps forward, two steps back.  I can't seem to get my mind right.  In doing some personal reflection, I realized that I am punishing myself.  I have not forgiven myself for some offenses.  It's nothing really serious.  I have just made a bad choice for marriage partners--twice, I didn't perform the way I would have liked to in a few life situations, and some other things like that.  If it were someone else I would have long ago forgiven them for the things I torture myself over.  These things haunt me and I don't know how to let them go.  How do I begin to forgive myself and love myself again?  I go through the self-care motions, but my subconscious mind hangs on to these things.  I don't feel worthy or lovable.

Great Article. Thank you.

I remind myself of the classic line on airplanes "Before you place the oxygen mask over the face of your children, put your own on first."  So, any time that I feel like I should put off something healthy for myself (like my daily walk) in order to do something for my family instead, I just remind myself to "put on my oxygen mask."  That small moment makes me remember that a more well nourished, exercised and spiritually connected me creates space for me to serve my family, community and business more effectively.  Let's all "put on our oxygen masks!"

I hate this article! It is Lame-O!

I live in Las Vegas and want to lose the weight so i can be a wild party girl and an adult film star!

TONS Of people lose weight every day that are NOT emotionally stable or very spiritual. I don't see what spirituality has to do with the BIOLOGY and mechanics of losing weight!

When I get to my goal weight, I'm going to take stripper pole dance classes, wear a hologram rainbow bikini, and be ANYTHING BUT "spiritual" and calm and boring!!!

Practicing mindfulness is good advice, to taste the food you are eating and not be in a daze or thinking about something else.

I've already been taking long showers and "taking care of myself" as a fat person! Why would you have to be 'dieting' to participate in that?

This article was pretty stupid and seemed pathetic to me!

I think also, that Determination and Stubbornness can aid in sticking with a weight loss plan. Plain old stubbon-ness!

I can't plant a garden in the Nevada desert! jeez.

Original Post by: teresakant

This is a good article.  However, I have a question.  I have been 'stuck' in my weight loss efforts for a few months--two steps forward, two steps back.  I can't seem to get my mind right.  In doing some personal reflection, I realized that I am punishing myself.  I have not forgiven myself for some offenses.  It's nothing really serious.  I have just made a bad choice for marriage partners--twice, I didn't perform the way I would have liked to in a few life situations, and some other things like that.  If it were someone else I would have long ago forgiven them for the things I torture myself over.  These things haunt me and I don't know how to let them go.  How do I begin to forgive myself and love myself again?  I go through the self-care motions, but my subconscious mind hangs on to these things.  I don't feel worthy or lovable.

I think we can all relate to feeling stuck in one area of our lives or another. The fact that you recognize where you are stuck (and the consequences) is half the battle.

I call myself a recovered yo-yo dieter and I realize that a major step in that process was learning to love myself, and by extension, practice self-care. That meant that I needed to first let go of my own perfectionism - the need to get it right every time out of fear of rejection or judgment (usually from myself).

You've made some mistakes; that is a necessary part of our journey. The difference between staying stuck and moving forward is whether you choose to learn the lessons then move forward.

At the simplest level, think about how a child learns to walk. The mistakes (including falling flat on their face) help them discover what they need to do differently. 

teresakant, take a deep breath, express gratitude for the lessons you've learned, then get up and take the next step forward!

It seems there is never enough room in these articles to say everything I want to...I feel that I need to add:

Just as long term success with eating hinges on balance, variety, and moderation, so does long term success with self-care.

In other words, this article was not intended to be a giant, overwhelming to-do list. Instead, reread it with an open heart and listen for the one or two things that truly speak to you.

What one (or maybe two) things will you practice today? Seek balance, variety, and moderation, not just in your eating but in your living.

Original Post by: discotrash

I hate this article! It is Lame-O!

I live in Las Vegas and want to lose the weight so i can be a wild party girl and an adult film star!

TONS Of people lose weight every day that are NOT emotionally stable or very spiritual. I don't see what spirituality has to do with the BIOLOGY and mechanics of losing weight!

When I get to my goal weight, I'm going to take stripper pole dance classes, wear a hologram rainbow bikini, and be ANYTHING BUT "spiritual" and calm and boring!!!

Practicing mindfulness is good advice, to taste the food you are eating and not be in a daze or thinking about something else.

I've already been taking long showers and "taking care of myself" as a fat person! Why would you have to be 'dieting' to participate in that?

This article was pretty stupid and seemed pathetic to me!

I think also, that Determination and Stubbornness can aid in sticking with a weight loss plan. Plain old stubbon-ness!

I can't plant a garden in the Nevada desert! jeez.

Thanks for your honesty! Your comment cracked me up.

You clearly have a defined goal and purpose. That IS part of spirituality - which should not be confused with religion.

Unfortunately, many people seek weight loss believing that once they reach some arbitrary goal, they will finally be happy and have the life they want. It turns out that having a life you love is possible no matter what your size, economic situation, or any other external measure of success.

Many of the people I work with find that once they embrace and live their life as it is now, the need to use food for happiness, comfort, entertainment, and distraction begins to fall away (usually along with their extra weight).

So my question to you is, why are you waiting until you get to goal to take your stripper pole dancing lessons???

because at 234 pounds, I do not have toned enough thighs to hang upside down, supporting my entire body weight by my thigh muscles alone!

and the lessons cost $80 a piece! You take 5 of those lessons to learn it all.

I don't want to waste my $80 if I can't do a single pull-up... I'm NOT toned enough to do the "air tricks" that I want to learn.

I also think, that I have to lose the POUNDAGE first, before my poor muscles will be able to lift my weight in suspension on a pole. I need to lose 80 pounds to be at a healthy weight. I am working on toning NOW, some... but also, eating healthy and drastic reduction of the amount I'm eating. I was eating like a hog before!

I'm NOT wasting my hard-earned money when I KNOW I can't support my own body weight yet.

Original Post by: discotrash

I hate this article! It is Lame-O!

I live in Las Vegas and want to lose the weight so i can be a wild party girl and an adult film star!

TONS Of people lose weight every day that are NOT emotionally stable or very spiritual. I don't see what spirituality has to do with the BIOLOGY and mechanics of losing weight!

When I get to my goal weight, I'm going to take stripper pole dance classes, wear a hologram rainbow bikini, and be ANYTHING BUT "spiritual" and calm and boring!!!

Practicing mindfulness is good advice, to taste the food you are eating and not be in a daze or thinking about something else.

I've already been taking long showers and "taking care of myself" as a fat person! Why would you have to be 'dieting' to participate in that?

This article was pretty stupid and seemed pathetic to me!

I think also, that Determination and Stubbornness can aid in sticking with a weight loss plan. Plain old stubbon-ness!

I can't plant a garden in the Nevada desert! jeez.

I live in Nevada near my sister and she grows a beautiful garden every year :) I have a black thumb, but I sure do enjoy her produce.

There's nothing better than a spinach salad fresh out of the dirt!

I knit...and knit...and knit...

I can't shove food in my mouth with knitting needles in my hands!

I knit while watching TV because that's when I want to snack. The finished project is much nicer than rolls of fat.

I didn't think garden stuff would grow in our sandy dirt.

does she BUY soil?

I live in North Las Vegas, it is barren,hot, dry, just sand! very unfertile and dusty dirt. NO weeds. no dandelions.

Excellent article Michelle. I find it so inspiring.

I try to keep myself busy during the day especially since I quit smoking. Evenings I reflect on my day and try to improve whatever needs improving the next day.

If I go off tract on my diet I try to get back on track the next day.

Making time for a bit of fun in life is also important so that we don't get stuck in a rut.

Franny

I like this great article!

Looking forward to see more of this article from you.

Thank you.

Melody

Original Post by: discotrash

because at 234 pounds, I do not have toned enough thighs to hang upside down, supporting my entire body weight by my thigh muscles alone!

and the lessons cost $80 a piece! You take 5 of those lessons to learn it all.

I don't want to waste my $80 if I can't do a single pull-up... I'm NOT toned enough to do the "air tricks" that I want to learn.

I also think, that I have to lose the POUNDAGE first, before my poor muscles will be able to lift my weight in suspension on a pole. I need to lose 80 pounds to be at a healthy weight. I am working on toning NOW, some... but also, eating healthy and drastic reduction of the amount I'm eating. I was eating like a hog before!

I'm NOT wasting my hard-earned money when I KNOW I can't support my own body weight yet.

Hey Disco! They have dvd's you can learn from for now. So of them are VERY awesome. And no matter how "toned" you are, you are not going to be able to do certain things until you practice, practice, practice them. You won't magically be able to do something just because you lose weight.

I was doing the p90x dvds when I was twenty pounds heavier.. haven't touched them for months, went to do one last night and barely made it ten minutes into it. UGH! Now I am starting all over with them even though I'm twenty pounds lighter. Bummer.

BTW.. I live in Nevada also. Gardens grow just fine here. But yes, you have to get some top soil or treat the dirt and it is a LOT of work. But soooo worth it if you like your food as fresh as possible.

I love the site...it is so inspiring and encouraging!

Original Post by: smallerjenn

I knit...and knit...and knit...

I can't shove food in my mouth with knitting needles in my hands!

I knit while watching TV because that's when I want to snack. The finished project is much nicer than rolls of fat.

We call that an "eating incompatible activity!" The more of those you have on your list of things to do besides eat, the better because they serve double duty.

Other examples: playing the piano, scrapbooking, swimming, woodworking, and gardening.

Original Post by: discotrash

I didn't think garden stuff would grow in our sandy dirt.

does she BUY soil?

I live in North Las Vegas, it is barren,hot, dry, just sand! very unfertile and dusty dirt. NO weeds. no dandelions.

 

Somehow I can't help but feel there is a great metaphor here. At the extreme risk of sounding lame-o again:)

My whole point in this article is that caring for your body, mind, heart, and spirit is like adding soil to barren dirt, planting the seeds for what you want, then watering regularly. That is the only way you can truly expect something beautiful to grow there.

Definitely lame-o, but hopefully makes it easier to see why these things really are important.

Original Post by: teresakant

This is a good article.  However, I have a question.  I have been 'stuck' in my weight loss efforts for a few months--two steps forward, two steps back.  I can't seem to get my mind right.  In doing some personal reflection, I realized that I am punishing myself.  I have not forgiven myself for some offenses.  It's nothing really serious.  I have just made a bad choice for marriage partners--twice, I didn't perform the way I would have liked to in a few life situations, and some other things like that.  If it were someone else I would have long ago forgiven them for the things I torture myself over.  These things haunt me and I don't know how to let them go.  How do I begin to forgive myself and love myself again?  I go through the self-care motions, but my subconscious mind hangs on to these things.  I don't feel worthy or lovable.

I, too, get stuck sometimes, and I think you are asking good questions. The answers of course are different for each of us. I found that working The Twelve Steps, attending Al-Anon meetings, talking with a sponsor, and using a therapist or counselor are very helpful to clearing out the rubbish and making my focus more positive.

It has not been a fast or easy journey, but I consistently make spiritual progress and continue to learn to forgive myself. The mistakes you cite, and all mistakes, really, are just part of being human. Accepting my own humanity means making mistakes is not the end of the world, it's the beginning of change.

Good luck. I hope it gets better for you whatever method you choose.

This article is great

It reminds us that we should be able to go beyond weight loss and be preoccupied mostly for our health rather the number on the scale.

This article speaks to any challenge we can face in life. Positive focus, caring, healthy choices, and determination will always overcome. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. You just have to be open to the possibilities. And for me, sharing here isn't about dieting, its about my life, living that life, and the journey thru that life. 

I appreciated the open insight the article offered.   It's like the military slogan "Be All that You Can Be"! and take these steps to help foster that .......

Thanks.      

How is it possible that she grows these vegetables in sand? She must be buying soil for this