This is the Plan
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 11:24AM I have an idea.
This was actually inspired by my sister who sent an email to me regarding my “Motivation” post. She was hoping I could join her in a weight loss challenge she heard about but I told her that there is no way I could help. I am in such a state that I would fail trying to motivate anyone. I declined since I knew I would let her down.
She knew if I was in a better place that I would love to help motivate her but right now is not the time for me.
My sister mentioned how a few years ago she gave up “unhealthy habits” during Lent and made God her inspiration since she felt she was letting Him down by not taking care of herself.
I remembered back when I gave up smoking for Lent and how incredibly easy it was for me. Even though I started smoking again on Easter. When I finally decided to quit I looked back on that time and really drew on that motivation to help finally quit once and for all.
Now this is the plan. During Lent, from February 17th until Easter Sunday, April 4th, I will exercise 30 minutes a day (probably using Wii Fit) and eat better.
This may seem like a small feat but for someone who does not exercise at all and who eats whatever he sees, this is huge.
What makes it better is that I am actually excited about this and truly think I can do it.
Drawing on my spirituality and using it as my motivation is a positive way for me to change my life. I like that.
My hope is that come April, I will have created a habit I will want to continue with and hopefully drop some LBS’s in the process!
Let me know what you think and if you want to join me. Even if you are not religious or don’t give up stuff for “Lent.” Your reasons are your own but if a few of us are doing it together then we can help hold each other up if we get down.
Reader Comments (15)
I love your sister! Please hug her for me. I'm in! Please send me a friendly text message to remind me! I am so proud of you! Baby steps!
You can do it!!
You'll do great, I'm sure! I am so excited for you and keep us posted on how you're doing on Twitter! #sweatabetes.
Why wait?
I had a cathartic moment this weekend, where I felt that my obsession with food is coming between me and God -- keeping me from having the best relationship possible with Him. I felt the need to "surrender" my food. That can be a hard thing, because we have to eat every day, several times a day, to survive. But the idea of surrender became a little clearer to me as I realized that my obsession with food involves the choices I make. I find myself thinking about food a lot and when I'm thinking about food, I'm not thinking of anything else (like God and my relationship with Him).
My plan? To eat food that glorifies God (obviously, not junk food). The food He made -- natural and healthy. I just don't want to be in bondage to food. I know that when I eat a lot of junk food, I don't think clearly and I don't feel good. My goal is to be as good as I can be (with what I have to work with :-) )
So -- count me in! Let's support each other in whatever plan we choose!
Hey George
I think this happens to be a great idea for a stepping stone into an effective diabetes management techniques. and hopefully you can be motivated to keep it going to the end, my thought however would be that why not use this as a springboard. Make the small necessary changes to the diet, start with the 30 minute fitness plan and after 40 days you will find that you have found a streamlined process but completely different from what you are doing now, to make it easier to forward with the good living from there hence.
Cherise - I love her too! She wants to do this as much as I do so you joining in will help a lot! Thanks!
Traci - I will definitely keep you in the loop and all my Tweeps. ;)
"D" and in "D" - I know with quitting smoking I planned weeks ahead to prepare myself and seeing a date on my calendar makes it easier to make the switch. It's strange but I know it will help to have a day a few weeks away and then do it!
the poor diabetic - that is what I am hoping for. I am saying thru Lent now but i think by the end I will want to continue and up the time and all that. That is my hope and prayer.
Count me in. I struggle being an overweight mom of two diabetic kids. I feel like I preach, do what I say more than do what I do....waaaaay to often. I'm in.
Renata - Let's do it!!!!
That is a GREAT idea! And don't belittle it by saying that it's not much. The best ideas and best success come from starting small and making it a life habit. You make too many changes at once, it'll be harder to stick to it and keep it going.
What a great idea- LOVE YOUR SISTER, & YOU!
A priest once told me that instead of giving up something for LEnt, we should DO SOMETHING for Lent!
George- I will be cheering you both on!
Angie - You are right. It takes those baby steps to get to the leaps and bounds.
k2 - My pastor told me that too which is why this works well! Your cheers are much appreciated!!!
yay! I'm proud of you! I don't know what I'll be doing for lent this year, but maybe ill jump on board!!
You'll have to lay off the bacon, at least until Easter!! But it may be a good thing! I should join a gym myself, but until I know when (and where) my office is moving, I can't afford a commitment to a gym I might not go to in 2 months, and they require 12 month memberships around here. But maybe a walk each evening would be a start!
Go G, go G!! What a great way to get started on healthier habits. I've started my baby steps too & it all means a lot! You can do it! And SO many people got your back :)
George this is going to be great and after the day I had, this blog post and all the wonderful comments have made my day!! Thank you and love you, your sis Anna
you know I'm in! Let's go! =)