Transformational Tuesday

A number of fitness pages I like on Facebook have posted a lot of before and after photos for Transformational Tuesday. I enjoy looking at these photos for inspiration, motivation, and just the sheer pleasure of being happy for another’s journey. As I looked at these photos throughout the day, I realized that despite any physical transformation the biggest transformation happens in the mind and spirit.

This is where I am at on my journey right now. More than being consistent with my food and exercise plan, I need to be consistent with my prayer and meditation. Lent starts tomorrow. For the past few years, instead of giving up something, I have been added something – more prayer and meditation. So, I am going back to the basics with my meditation practice. Staying present is going to help me with my nutrition and fitness goals.

Fitness is Learning - Mind Over Matter

MIND OVER MATTER


If you quit, you've let the matter defeat your mind. Km

According to Wikipedia, mind over matter is explained as followed:

Mind over matter is a phrase popularized during the 1960s and 1970s that was originally used in reference to paranormal phenomena, especially psychokinesis.[1] However, it has also been used in reference to mind-centric spiritual and philosophic doctrines such as responsibility assumption. It is the belief that the mind is more powerful than the body. Specifically, mind over matter refers to controlling pain that you may or may not be experiencing, such as holding your hand under extremely hot water and feeling no pain.

After reading through a few more sites on the philosophy of mind over matter, I ran across a blog entry by fitness guru Eugenie Jones. I like what she had to say about mind over matter in terms of fitness. Her discussion about self-defeating thoughts and other mental barriers really resonated with me. Attitude is everything. I can’t tell you how many times my mind was telling me something it didn’t think my body could do. I can’t tell you how many times my mind was wrong.

In fact, I have been using the mind over matter technique in other areas of my life. I meditate and pray on a daily basis. One of the exercises I have been doing lately is watching my thoughts. Observing the mind has allowed me to gain more control over my overall outlook on life. I’ve also found that it helps me with my eating habits. Just because I have a thought that I want to eat does not mean I have to act on that thought. I observe the thought coming from the mind and see it if it matches what is going on in my body. Often it’s just a thought that I can let pass away.

Soon I hope to begin training for a 5K. I can use the mind over matter technique to help me when I need to push myself and exceed the limitations of my mind. I want to make it clear that this doesn't mean that the mind can tell me I can run a half marathon with proper training. The technique is simply a tool I can use to help me achieve reasonable fitness goals.

Next on the list is powerlifting. This one should be fun. Lol!

Good Morning, Headache, How are You?

Good morning heartache
Here we go again....
~Billie Holiday


I’ve always been a nerd…a square…a goody two shoes…a geek. Last night when a friend was telling me how she used to get high all the time while in high school I sat there trying not to be judgmental but thinking OMG! I was too much of a Jesus freak in high school to ever consider smoking weed.

I remember the first time someone offered me a joint. I was in the 8th grade. Kim asked me to skip gym class with her. I wanted to be cool. I wanted to fit in so I said okay. If skipping class wasn’t bad enough, she then invited me to smoke a joint with her. When she pulled that thing out of her pocket, I looked at it and hauled my butt off to jump gym class as fast as I could. I didn’t care about the tardy I was going to receive. Our friendship was never the same after that incident.

My next encounter with illegal drugs wouldn’t happen until 12th grade. We were on our senior trip in the Bahamas. My roommates decided to try cocaine. To this day I don’t know where they got it and whether or not they went through with trying it. I left the room.

I’m sharing all of this to say I woke up jonesing for an Advil this morning. It’s the strangest feeling. I would give or do anything (well, just about anything) if I could have just one of those blue liquid-gel caps right now. It’s odd because I have a high tolerance for pain. I’ll purchase a bottle of Advil, take two or three, and the rest will expire before I reach for it again. I normally just grin and bear it.




Last time I was in the hospital I remember arguing with a nurse because I didn’t want to take the pain medication she was trying to give me. Sometimes those nurses are like legalized drug dealers.

--Ms. Smith, I’ve been here all day and you haven’t requested any pain medication.

I’m fine. Thank you.

--Well, we want you to be comfortable. On a scale of 1 to 10 where is your pain?

About a 6.

--I’ll go get something for you.

No, it’s okay. I don’t like how that medicine makes me feel. It gives me weird dreams and nightmares.

--I’ll ask the doctor to give you something else.

I’m okay.

--I’ll be right back.

Now, to me a “6” is nothing. It’s doable. A little discomfort lets you know you’re alive and all your nerves and stuff are working. If it gets to be too much for me, I just fall asleep. I can’t tolerate anything above an “8.” It’s really not the pain that bothers me….it’s the nausea and possibility of vomiting that accompanies it that I don’t like. I will do just about anything to avoid throwing up. So, this is where I am this morning--headache, cramps, nausea…fiending for Advil. I’ll be okay after a large glass of ginger ale.

I wonder if the fact that I watched four episodes of Nurse Jackie before going to bed last night has anything to do with this craving. Hmmmm……

Happy Easter!

Easter is my favorite holiday. This is the first year I haven't had any jelly beans during Easter. I can't wait to get these braces removed.

I walked in Piedmont Park today. This is where my next 5K event will be held. It was nice to walk in a different venue today. The words for today have been reflection and renewal. It's pretty fitting not only due to the Spring season and Easter holiday, but also due to my spiritual and fitness journey.

I do a lot of reflection on my walks and in this blogs. I also do a lot of renewal of my spirit, my outlook on life and my body.

I think the best part of my walk today was being able to see how strong my body is becoming, how my endurance is increasing. This brings a great big smile to my face.

Now, if I could just get my eating under control.

Yesterday while cleaning off my bed, I found a piece of paper that has my measurements dated 4/13/08. This was a few days after I purchased my weight set. I am taking my measurements tomorrow to see how much progress I have made in a year.

Whine and Wine

Today has just been one of those days. I feel so overwhelmed. I had a stack of papers to grade and my filthy office to clean. I wanted to get this out of the way so I could have the rest of the day to walk, shampoo my hair, then relax, and watch movies. Instead I spent over two hours trying to get online. Something was up with my wireless connections. Anyhow, it's now 8:19 pm and I just finished my work. I haven't walked. I did take a break and do my hair. Now, all I want to do is curl up with a bottle of wine and whine!

I know I shouldn't complain. Why am I feeling sorry for myself? There are so many people who wished they were working right now. I am grateful to have a job. However, just spent the last six hours resenting the fact that I've been working during this long holiday weekend instead of relaxing. Oh well....tomorrow is a new day.

Salud!

Mind and Body

The scriptures say, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

This was not the case with me today. The flesh was willing and my mind started giving out on me. I did not feel like walking today. My head hurt. My neck was stiff. My back ached. I did my stretching but I didn't feel any better. I spent a few minutes meditating quietly. I then put on my sneakers, grabbed my iPod and shades, and hit the road.

I started feeling pretty good after the first half mile. Then, my mind started....okay, at least you got out here turn around. Okay, go back after you get to this stop sign. This is enough. I ignored the thoughts and kept going. I told myself my body could do this.

It's so funny because I knew if I turned around I would be so disappointed in myself. I wasn't in the mood to deal with those thoughts later. I just kept pushing through and before I knew it I was done.

You Look Marvelous

The mind. Tonight I ran into someone I haven't seen in years. She noticed my weight loss and for a moment I felt uncomfortable. What was that all about?

Is it because my health issues, my weight issues, my eating issues have been my "private" issues that I feel my fitness journey and lifestyle change are also my "private" issues?

This reminds me of something I haven't written about yet. My 5K pics. On some of my pictures I notice I avoided looking straight into the camera. I also didn't even turn fully in front of the camera. It made me think that I am constantly hiding.

One of my aims with this blog is transparency. I'll keep plugging along with this goal.

I was uncomfortable for a moment when Hattie noticed my weight loss. I noticed it and moved on to pride. I have worked hard. It felt good to be recognized. It also reinforced my efforts. There are days I think all this effort is in vain. I look in the mirror and I don't see it. I come across other blogs and see that others have lost far more weight. I am excited for them yet I think why is it taking me so long. Then I have to put myself in check. Stop comparing, Sheila! This is not a race. This is a journey. Enjoy the experience.

I have to admit that in the back of my mind I think about those people who have been told they changed when they lose weight. I don't want to be like that. Although, I know I will be different because I feel the shift already. Is there a way to lose a tremendous amount of weight and remain the same person? I don't think so. Yes, the essence of who you are remains intact. However, all the layers, literally, that you have used to hide and cover yourself are peeled away. There's a certain level of confidence that builds. There's also the energy level.

For instance, I was feeling pretty bad earlier. Most of this is due to the meds from dental surgery. Anyhow, now that I have exercised, I feel so much better. As much as I dreaded moving today, it was the best thing I could have done for myself.

My initial point was that I have a lot of mental stuff to work on as well.

Flexibility

One of the most important things I learned from my Yoga instructor is honoring my body.

I had oral surgery today. I'm not feeling so great. So, I am taking today off instead of Friday. Truthfully, this is a huge mental struggle for me. I am so afraid of altering my training schedule. I am so afraid I will slip back into my old habit of inactivity. I am determined for this not to happen.

I had a chiropractic adjustment today. Today Dr. Gellman told me he noticed more tightness on my right side. Overall, he says I'm doing fine. This is a good feeling. It's such a big switch to hear positive things from my doctors over the past few months. It's also a big switch not to be asked to come back so frequently.

One thing I know I can do no matter how I feel is stretch. This has become a daily practice for me. Regular stretching provides so many benefits--flexibility, reduced stress, increased circulation.

During this training cycle I will focus on learning more stretching exercises. I think I'll pick a new exercise each week to practice. With that said, I'm off to pick my stretching exercise of the week.

Becoming Whole

As I was walking yesterday, I thought about something I shared with my Dean during my first year in seminary. I told her how I was beginning to realize I was not truly a whole person. Why?

Because I focused on mind and spirit and ignored my body. Well, I didn't ignore my body, yet I did not give my body the same love and attention my mind and spirit received.

Anyhow, when I was walking yesterday, I thought about this exchange. I have finally arrived at a place where I can nurture my body. It feels great to work towards the balance and vitality I have desired for so long.

Week Two Wrap Up

Today was I scheduled to walk 30 mins. I was so nervous about it. Again, I was allowing my mind to get me so worked up about it. Am I going to be able to walk that long? Why did you start this crazy venture?

It was the first thing I thought about when I woke up this morning. I have to walk 30 minutes today. I had to yell at myself to quit worrying about it Are you ready to go out walking now? No! Then, shut up about it, I told my mind.

After a very cold week, the weather was beautiful. I decided to go walking along "the professional path" as I call it. It's a path where people walk, jog, and cycle. I like it because there are quarter mile markers along the way. I was nervous. 30 minutes is the longest duration I've had to walk since beginning my training. I had a little trouble during the last 10 minutes. My hands starting getting cold, and my lower back started to spasm a bit. I was so tempted to stop. I refused to let my mind tell me my body couldn't to it. I ignored all that fear and kept on walking. I focused on my breathing and my stride and completed my session like a champ. I walked a little over 1.25 miles! I couldn't believe it.

I stood along the river for a while and stretched and gave thanks. Then, I went to my favorite little spot, meditated and watched the ducks for a while. It was a beautiful ending to a rather stressful week.

***

I attended a nutrition class this morning. A lot of the stuff I already knew. For the most part, I am disappointed in the class. I like what she said about being in tune with your body, listening to your body, and asking it what it needs.

Saturday Afternoon Post

I went shopping for running gloves today. Apparently, cotton is the enemy when you're working out. I also purchased a t-shirt that supposedly keeps moisture away from your skin. We'll see.

Today was challenging for me. Most of it was mental. I started focusing on how far I was walking, thinking about how I never thought I could walk this far, I then saw my old self, in pain, remembering how I could barely make it out of the Jeep and into the Chiropractor's office. Then, I heard myself huffing and puffing. I needed to quickly get out of my head. Once I did, I was fine.

Today's Shopping List

1. Tilipia

2. Red grapes

3. Red pepper

4. Eggs

5. Cheese

6. Tomatoes (I already have lettuce)

7. Low Carb Fuze

8. Cauliflower

9. Gala apples (my favorite)