Inspiration for achieving


The new year is right around the corner and I have very specific goals for myself in the coming year. One is to, no excuses allowed, reach 134 lbs. In order for me to reach that goal I need to set things up for myself. Motivation needs to be nurtured, maintained, and cultivated. I know what it takes for me and I know in the past year, with all that went on with Melanie and Mei-Ling, their needs took priority as it should have, but now, I need to work on myself. In the past year I can probably count on my fingers and toes how many times I really had a good run. I went to the gym sporadically at best and the treadmill got dusty once or twice. My eating was not well planned and certainly did not receive the attention it needed. Lovely meals in settings conducive to pleasurable eating were just not the norm.
The holidays are over and I feel like my body is made of sweets. Its not a feeling I like any more. I find myself anxious for my hot water and lemon in the morning, and a nice fresh salad as if these things will chase away the over indulgence of the holidays and believe me, we did not even have the amount usually made for Christmas time. But still, it seemed we over indulged.
Today, the first steps of inspiration were taken. A new hair style. Feels good. Tomorrow I will try to have someone take a picture for you all to see. I started wearing my jeans that are just a tad tight in the waist. Not painfully so, or requiring me to lay on the bed to zip them, but just tight enough that eating more than I should results in less comfort than I am willing to put up with. So I don't overeat when I am wearing them. Next, my wonderful amazing husband handed me the checkbook to buy new clothes to make me feel good about myself. Being the bargain hunter that I am, my dear gentle man could relax knowing I would not clean out the checkbook. I headed to Goodwill and as if providence was smiling down on me, there was a new rack waiting to be put out that had all my size clothes, good names, Lauren, Liz, Lands End and more. All things that I liked, it was as if they were meant for me. I came home with two huge shopping bags filled with clothes for under $60. Complete with a new suit for a new years party ! All the clothes were so gently used, I wondered if they were ever worn at all.
So now, the sloppy tee shirts and elastic waist pants/skirts that crept back into my closet will be passed on.
I took out my "French Women Don't Get Fat" books and have been pouring over the pages. I want to be inspired to get out of the dumpy slump that sneaked in while I wasn't watching.
The stereo is playing wonderful Turkish music, transporting me back to my days of youth where I frequented a Turkish Coffee House in Harvard Square, solving world problems over tiny cups filled with thick black coffee. The music makes me feel more alive, a touch of youth from decades ago stirring my blood with idealism and no thought of things being beyond my reach.
This weekend I will dress up, put on a touch of make-up, and go on a date to a tiny cafe with the love of my life. We will whisper to one another while sipping frothy cappuccino, unaware that any one else exists. Inspiration.... all inspirations to fulfil my aspirations for the new year. We all need a nudge once in a while to motivate us. For me, its stepping into that place where the quote I love so well, becomes my reality.
""You have to live Spherically, in many directions and never loose your childish enthusiasm and then things will come your way"
Staying true to living simply, but always peppered with a bit of fun !
a good goal setting page Personal Goal Setting

Comments

~Bren~ said…
You can not hear my heavy sigh...I am right there with you. I too have somehow allowed a sloppy form of myself to creep in when I was not looking. I have always had my focus on all the needy people in my home...boy did I create needy people! This is my year. I want to drop 50 pounds and feel good again!
You must be very little Patty...I will never see the 130's again!
Good post, Patty, and something I need to think about too....But I am confused. Wasn't there another entry this morning, one that came after the town lights and before this one? I hope you won't delete too many entries, because I like what you write.
Patty said…
Not little per say, but not big boned ! I like how I feel when my weight is in the 130-140 range
I will be right along with you! I am trying so hard to lose more weight. i have a long way to go and got off track with stress eating when we thought we would have to move. Enjoy your date with your wonderful, beloved hubby!
Patty said…
I haven't deleted any posts today. Only ones I deleted are the ones about a certain other blogger : )and that was before Christmas
R. Aastrup said…
Good luck, Patty! I have similar goals...
Mimi said…
this sounds like a plan... and I think I will have to work out a like plan for myself...
thanks for the inspiration!!
Mimi
~Babychaser~ said…
This all sounds great! You have a plan... so many of us fail because we fail to plan! :) And what a blessing to have the support of your husband. I know I accomplish so much of what I do because my husband is supportive! :)
Anonymous said…
What a great reminder for me to enjoy the things in life that I love... those little cafe's, moments with my sweet husband and to never forget those words of wisdom you quoted "never loose your childish enthusiasm" that I am afraid I let go of so often! I needed your post, I thank you!
Tracy said…
Good for you! I wear dresses and skirts each day, and I can't tell you how many times I am asked what I'm so dressed up for. I don't feel "dressed up", but I do know that if I don't feel like I look nice, then I don't feel good. I'm not talking fancy. Jumpers. Denim skirts paired with a cute t-shirt. That's all. I've been losing weight, too. Feels so good!
nancyr said…
Good luck! I,m certain you can reach your goals, if you remain focused.

We probably all gained a few pounds over the holidays. It starts around Halloween and is a challenge until January, when many of us decide that enough is enough!

Some of the tops you purchased look like they could "transport" you to a little French cafe! Nice choices! Goodwill is my boutique too! In fact, I jokingly refer to it as the "GW Boutique".

Happy New Year!
Kim said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Synchronicity said…
awww how wonderful...i hope you enjoy your cafe time with hubby. and i do think you are beautiful just the way you are. i have had my battles with weight in the past. at my heaviest i weighed 170 and i am only five foot two (am i really admitting this?) so...you can do this. do it for you.
Patricia said…
"The holidays are over and I feel like my body is made of sweets"
Oh I ditto this!! I was thinking this same thing yesterday! Patty, I am there with you wanting to not feel so bloated and full of sweets. I will be right there with you being a better servant to the Lord by taking care of myself.


Patricia
Kim said…
PS: Your new GW Boutique finds are fab! You are a lucky girl!
JacquiG said…
Wow, what a wonderful shopping trip you had!

I know how you feel about weight. A few years ago I lost 35lbs with still more to lose. I've gained almost all back now. Once again I'm on the "new year, new me" track. It's the same every year, I just can't seem to stick to it. Well, I guess I'll be trying again this year. Wish me luck!!
Irene said…
Patty, please, do your self a BIG FAVOR check this book out. You will be surprised how easy it is to loose weight and keep it that way.
Read the comments.
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Fat-Lose-Delicious-Science-based/dp/1594630054
Patty said…
Hi Kim, I am up for the walking challange. Emery and I hike almost every weekend, getting in around 8 miles, wonder if that can count for the whole week ; )
Seriously though I try to walk every day
Patty said…
Hi Irene, thanks for the book recommendation but one of the promises I made myself is NO MORE diets, just cut calories and attend W.W. Simple stuff.
Kim said…
Hi Patty,
What is W.W.Simple Stuff?
Patty said…
Hi Kim,
W.W. = Weight Watchers, which I joined a while back and then just saying, I need to keep it simple, just simple stuff
Irene said…
Patty, it is not the book about diet, it is about back to traditions, the food your grandma was eating. Butter, fat milk, cream, unprocessed food, organ meat, free range chicken omega 3 oil rich eggs, fish, fish oil. Sweden bitters, pre soaked grains, so people won't have allergies on enzymes inhibitor) fermented food. Remember French do not gain weight , They do eat a lot of butter & cream and such (I use to leave in France in a French family. So the women of the house was cooking, lots of fat) I’m getting back to the right eating, I force my self to eat 3 times a day. I lost a lot of weight, just eating my favourite food.
It is sais if you have cravings for food or sweets between the meals, then your body undernourished. Never count calories, eat fat, but MEDIUM-CHAIN fat.
Book Description
Based on more than two decades of research, Eat Fat, Lose Fat flouts conventional wisdom by revealing that so-called healthy vegetable oils (such as corn and soybean) are in large part responsible for our national obesity and health crisis, while the saturated fats traditionally considered “harmful” (from such foods as coconut, butter, and meat) are essential to weight loss and health.
Just in time for the FDA’s new mandatory trans fats labeling, the three programs in this book, which features delicious recipes, show that eating healthy fats is the answer to losing weight and achieving good health for a lifetime.

“If permanently losing weight while improving your health is a real goal, I highly recommend Eat Fat, Lose Fat.”—Dr. Joseph Mercola, bestselling author of The No-Grain Diet

“Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon are two of the most important voices in the wellness revolution. Eat Fat, Lose Fat is a must read.”
—Jordan S. Rubin, author of The New York Times’ bestselling The Maker’s Diet --This text refers to the Paperback edition.


http://www.eatfatlosefat.com/author.html
Medium-chain fatty acids are oxidized (used for energy) more readily than long-chain fatty acids and
hold potential as weight loss agents.
Obese men consuming medium-chain triglycerides had greater weight loss than those consuming olive oil.
Read for your self, get this book in the library. Your whole approach to eating and cooking will be different. By eating low fat food, I got my self in health problem. Read the reviews what people saying about getting problems with health with low fat diet. Never follow the diets, they are very harmful to the health )I’m not talking about original sin, which brought curse of distraction upon human race) but those diets and pills, vitamins have negative effects and make more obese and seek people and make rich doctors & drugs & chemical companies.
I’m not trying to sell you anything. I just want to see more informed people, that can distinguish (think for them self what is good food is) Those big corporations only want to sell their products, they do not think about your health, quit opposite.

I have another book “Nourishing traditions”by the same authors. Amazone.com has --252 newies,on this book, it does tell something.
Book DescriptionA full-spectrum nutritional cookbook with a startling message--animal fats and cholesterol are vital factors in the human diet, necessary for reproduction and normal growth, proper function of the brain and nervous system, protection from disease and optimum energy levels. Includes information on how to prepare grains, health benefits of bone broths and enzyme-rich lacto-fermented foods.
the Back Cover
The Diet Dictocrats don't want you to know that...
1. Your body needs old-fashioned animal fats New-fangled polyunsaturated oils can be bad for you Modern whole grain products can cause health problems Traditional sauces promote digestion and assimilation Modern food processing denatures our foods but Ancient preservation methods actually increase nutrients in fruits, nuts vegetables, meats and milk products!
At last a successful challenge to Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats!
Recalling the culinary customs of our ancestors, and looking ahead to a future of robust good health for young and old, Nourishing Traditions offers modern families a fascinating guide to wise food choices and proper preparation techniques. Sally Fallon unites the wisdom of the ancients with the latest independent and accurate scientific research in over 700 delicious recipes that will please both exacting gourmets and busy parents. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Check this one also in the library.


http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735
Patty said…
Hi Irene,
I purchased the book Nurishing traditions but gave it away, not the kind of foods I eat. I consume very little meat. I eat nearly all organic, in my past posts you will see that I eat natural foods, and take swedish bitters every single day and have for decades ! Just not into eating meat, never have been.

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