Giving Thanks ~ Week 5

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. Psalm 95.2-3

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone but the spirit of gratitude lives on. It was a lovely celebration for us, a gathering of sweet family and relaxing times of reconnecting, sharing, laughter and love. The days preceding were busy but relaxed.  Rather than listing my daily thanks I am going to just bullet point the highlights. 

A lovely stroll along the boardwalk with my sweetie; 

a coffee date on the waterfront. Life is good.

Boulevard Park on a Sunday Afternoon

Taylor Street Dock, Bellingham Bay

Seeing the Lord provide for us in unexpected ways.

Strengthening our faith, even as we felt stretched and tested....

Plans coming together for my birthday celebration next month...

I was born the same year the Hula Hoop was invented... wonder where we're going with this.... hmmm

Road trip! Just a short one this time. 

Bruce and I with my sister and her husband. 

First thanksgiving spent with my sister in DECADES. 

We think the last time we might have spent this holiday 

together was maybe 1983? 

photo credit to my sister Anita, who isn't in the picture. phooey.

Spending the day with extended family.

A walk around the block with our grandson.

three generations of goodness.

 Love spilling over.

 Laughter.

JOY

did I say JOY? I mean, PURE JOY.

 Food.

Games. 

Phone calls. 

Skyping.

A hike for Bruce and I to work off that turkey dinner.

a hike above our town to the overlook

chocolate!

Sunny skies for the most part...

from the Deming Overlook,.

All woven together with God's grace, love and mercy. 

I am so thankful. 

Let's Do This Thing

If you have been following the posts here on Embracing Change, we are at Step FOUR which is Implementing the Plan.

To be honest, this one is a toughie for me right now. I want to follow the plan in my Curves Fitness & Weight Management book but it does require following a special food plan. Of course there are adaptions that can be made; exchange options. This will require me to be even more deliberate and thoughtful. And that can get old for me real quick. BUT -- and this is an important BUT-- I DO want to make this change and I do want success.

Regardless of what diet plan we decide to follow, there is always one fundamental step. Replacing the bad foods with healthier choices. It is suggested that we clean out our cupboards of everything processed and sweet. This can be a toughie when your budget will not allow you to purchase foods needed for following the program. (why is Top Ramen so cheap and things like fresh fruit and veggies so expensive?? Grrrr)

Still, I need to make this month my own: Stick to the plan and don't make a new decision after I begin. Each day I might be tempted to reconsider my decision. Don't reconsider-- recommit!

I said I would walk for 30 minutes every day. I said I would work out at Curves 3 x a week. I said I would follow the food plan to the best of my ability. For one month I will do this.

The magic of this month is the change that happens. This is where process kicks in!

 
Gaining weight happened gradually. It is estimated that the average woman gains about 2 lbs a year. It sneaks up on you till one morning you no longer can zip that sweet little skirt shut or carrying your toddler up the stairs strains your knees more than you care to admit. Excess weight chips away at our quality of life so gradually that we don't notice it till it's significant.

Losing weight happens the same way but in reverse. When you are feeding your body right and exercising it well you can see progress but it may feel small and inconsequential. Take heart! No progress is insignificant!

I'm STARVING

 ok, not really but I must be revving up my metabolism (I walked for 30 minutes this morning) because I am ready to eat again!!

I am following a high protein low carb diet and drinking my water but wow, I am hungry.

choosing wisely, thinking things through, following my plan......