There are always things that we want to change in our lives.

Here we are, almost at the end of January already!  Unbelievable!  It's been a long and WAY TO BUSY month for me so far.  I put in 60 hours at work last week.  It's too much.  Not entirely my fault, trying to catch up work that someone else should have done.  But I need a new plan.  I have part of it, and I'll start using it on Monday.  We'll see how well that works.  

I also need a new plan for my health.  I did so well last year.  I lost over 35 pounds from November 2012  to march of 2013, and slowly, I've gained back 10 of those pounds!!!!  UNACCEPTABLE!!!   As I've said before I want to lose weight for my health.  not to be skinny or sexy or please anyone except my self.   If those other things happen as a result of my getting healthy, that's ok of course.   So, I'm not morbidly obese or anything like that, but I'm uncomfortably over weight,  by about 60 pounds.  For some that wouldn't seem like much.  and some people say I don't look that much overweight.  But I can feel it and I don't like it.   There are always things that we want to change in our lives.  My weight is only one of the things I want to change.  But it's major for me.   

Do I expect it to happen overnight?  of course not.  I didn't gain it overnight, why would or should I lose it overnight?   It's going to take some effort, but I'm determined to get down to at least 130 pounds, AND get in shape!  You know, build some muscles!  build some cardio strength!   As I said, this is not just about losing weight to get skinny or sexy.   I WANT TO BE HEALTHY!!   I'm tired of not being healthy.    

NO, this is not a new years resolution.  If you have read some of my other posts you know I DON'T do new years resolutions.   But, I do set goals and of course with setting goals comes making plans to meet those goals.   

So, what are my plans?  Well, to start with, to eat healthier of course.  I don't eat a lot of junk food most of the time, but due to lack of planning over the last month or two, (& some lack of will power, I confess),  I have found myself stopping at mcd's and sonic at least once a week, and sometimes stopping here or there for hot chocolate, and an occasional hot fudge, caramel sunday. 

After a talk with YAHUAH, with my friend Gloria and with myself, I think I know why.   Sad to say but I think I was turning to sweets again because of frustration, loneliness, anxiety, and yes, even perhaps some fear.   All things I need to deal with and "fix".  That's going to take a little work.  But I'll get there.

So, why am I sharing this with all of you?   Because, unless I miss my guess, every single one of you reading this (and I know you are out there, even if you don't comment, which I wish you would), has something in your life that you want to improve.  Maybe it's family related, finances, health, career, but there is something.  How do I know?  Because none of us is perfect.  And if none of us is perfect then we all have something to work on.   Maybe it's something really serious, maybe it's just something you want to do better, or maybe it's something new you want to learn to do.   But we all have something.

That's why I'm sharing this.  To encourage myself and encourage YOU!!  To let you know, you are not alone!!   So pick something you want to work on, and find at least one thing you can do to start achieving that goal.   

What am I going to do to get 60 pounds lighter and get healthy and stronger again?  Well, for one thing, starting right now, today.  I'm going to spend at least 10 minutes every day, walking in place, and every day I'm going to add 2 minutes.   I have an app on my phone that will help me to start adding push ups & sit ups gradually, every day.   I'm going to start getting more sleep and drinking more water.  And I am going to start planning my menu's again.  It's hard.  I need to take something healthy with me to work each day, but I don't have time to eat a whole meal.  I don't want to use the microwave, (I'm trying to not use it so much, I personally don't think it is healthy for us).   So, I have to start planning menu's so I can eat healthier.   That seems like a lot to do.  But it's really not.   And it's all 'doable'.   

But, I've left out the most important part.   Prayer & time with YAHUAH.  at the start and end of every day.   This part is NOT NEGOTIABLE!!   The rest I will try my very best to do, but I know there might be some days when I fail at the walking, the sleep, the water, the eating.   But the prayer and the time with YAHUAH, is NOT NEGOTIABLE!!  2 Scriptures come to mind.

Ne emyah 8:10  (from the Scriptures) Then he said to them, "go, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom none is prepared.  For this day is set-apart to our Elohim.  Do not be sad for the Joy of YAHUAH is your strength."

(Nehemiah if you are reading kjv or niv, etc) 

Isaiah 40: 28-31 (from the Scriptures) "Did you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting Elohim, YAHUAH, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men stumble and fall,   but those who wait on YAHUAH renew their strength, they raise up the wing like eagles, they run and are not weary, they walk and do not faint."

Well that's it for me now.   If you find it possible, I'd love to hear from some of you, all of you, any of you, what your goal(s) and plans are?    And how well you do?   It would be encouraging to me.   But if not, then I hope you will allow me to continue to encourage you.   

At any rate, I pray a BLESSED AND PEACEFUL week for all of you!