Still Walking

It may not seem like much, but I was walking a little every day. Unfortunately shingles have slowed my progress.

Renewing my Mind

Still Climbing

Walking

Thank God, I was able to walk a half mile yesterday. 


Romans 12: 1-2


¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.


I am trying to follow this guideline and offer my reasonable service to God. 

Climbing in the Fall

Hello Friends, 
I walked a mile yesterday! I had to rest once or twice but there was no shortness of breath, nothing! I lost two pounds this week so I am back on track. God has blessed me in spite of myself. Keep praying for me. I need your help and support. 

Still Climbing in the Heat

Hello friends, 

I just wanted to update you on my progress. First, the heat in Texas and across the country is about to get the best of me. I do not function well in 100 degree weather. Will it never end? You will notice the new background on my blog that represents my innermost desire for rain, rain, rain to cool down the place. I am holding my own with my diet. God has blessed me and I have come through a terrible plateau that actually made me gain weight but I managed to hang in there and am back at the eleven pounds weight loss I announced last month. We have had sickness, death in the family, and other serious issues that interfered with my weight program but I overcame. PTL! Keep me in your prayers, friends and supporters. I am doing well and God and YOU are on my side!

Blessings!

Climbing Faster

My husband snapped this image early one morning as I strolled toward the sunrise on a beach in Freeport, Texas. I could not have known that this image would express so many different feelings about my life. I used it on my book cover,  Walk In The Light and have used it many times since it was taken last year. Now I am using it to give a visual expression of the change that has come into my life. I am literally walking away from my old life and a wonderful new beginning is just ahead of me. I have never been so excited in a very long time. Oh yes...I have lost eleven pounds in the past two and a half weeks...and counting! God is truly a miracle worker. I am running towards the future with my torch in my hand! God is great!

Climbing Higher

A little less than two weeks ago I shared my testimony with you about how God had delivered me from my food addiction. I realize that many of you may doubt. I understand that. I just wanted to update you on what is happening because it is truly marvelous. I have lost 8 pounds during the past 2 weeks and I am NOT on a strict one meal a day diet or anything like that. I am eating between 1200 and 1500 calories per day with a little slip up on the 4th! I have the knowledge to eat properly and with the help of God I am making better choices for my health. Oh...and this afternoon my glucose level was a smashing 109! Yes...God is truly amazing! I have not felt so good in a long time. Stay with me as my journey gets more interesting. I am continuing to add water and mean to make exercise a REGULAR part of my lifestyle. I am excited. TGBTG

Climbing With Purpose

Yes, that is me and my younger sister some time ago! I decided that it is time to look way back into the past when I really did have energy and willpower to control my life. I can honestly say that today is the third day of the rest of my life. It feels good to have made the decision and actually act on that decision in spite of the fact that Brother Neyland had to (figuratively) put a knife to my throat. God has a way of holding you accountable and I really need to be held accountable for controlling my lifestyle. My testimony is that God immediately took away my excessive, impulsive need to eat more than I need. I know that it is not clear sailing but I also know that my God is a deliverer and this is MY time to be delivered. I have backslid many, many times and now the time for change has arrived. Wish me well as I really start my climb. Keep me in your prayers.

Still Climbing

 No bread and water for me... just water ... I am gluten intolerant!

Prayer and a good lecture from the Man of God goes a long way toward building determination to create a new lifestyle. Lifestyle change is not easy and a lifetime of hating exercise cannot be changed over night. As I understand it, denying yourself plays a strong role in the process... duh! Oh...and a public flogging would be better than being reminded publicly that the Bible says to put a knife to your throat if you are a glutton! Now, I do not consider myself a glutton so obviously there is a breakdown in communication somewhere. I must be a glutton... really... WHAT A HORRIBLE THOUGHT! No... change is the order of the day! Pray for me!

Climbing Out of The Darkness

After a thorough review of my habits I realized that I really do not want to manage my weight or health TODAY. That is the real problem. I acquired the foolish idea that I can always work on it tomorrow. Actually, I would love to manage my weight if I did not actually have to exercise. I am not an outdoorsy type of person. I never was. As a child I always managed to injure myself when I became actively involved with other children. In the sixth grade the week before school started I foolishly decided to allow my sister to pump me on the back of her bicycle. That is what we called it back them. It means I was riding on the back of the bicycle. My brother was racing us and I got my foot caught between the wheels. It dug a hole in my foot where I have the scar even today. Rather put me off anything adventurous. This is only one of my misadventures. Even as a young woman who was tall and thin I spent more time flat down on my face than upright walking because I fell down all the time. I blamed it on weak ankles.  Anyway you get the idea...I am not and never will be an active person.

However, if I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle something has to change. I read an article written by another weight challenged person with a unique perspective. She made the point that one would never even think about not brushing your teeth in the morning...combing your hair...washing your face, and so on. Yet it is so easy to indulge yourself with that double portion of food, or sit on the sofa in front of the television, or even read a book while lying on the couch. This struck a chord within me as I realized that I must make drastic and immediate lifestyle changes or suffer the consequences. I really...REALLY... do not want to suffer the consequences. God has kept my body functioning in spite of my disobedience and I am truly grateful for it! TODAY I change. No more talking, wishing, hoping.

 Oh, yes... this morning I got out of bed early, snuck up on the scales, braced myself for the shock, and walked across the street to the school track and walked for twenty minutes. It is not much but it is a start. I mean to do this every day from now on. Life is too short to live in the future. TODAY IS MINE.
Thanks to everyone for listening to my unique story.

Psalms 118: 24
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Climb Day 78 Free Fall

In spite of the water drinking and push ups I can't seem to get it under control. What is wrong with me? I feel like I am looking up through a dark hole when I think about my weight and health. I am not particularly depressed about my life as a whole but my weight management is dragging me down. I am in free fall. Things will be better tomorrow. How to make a clean start? I am not getting ahead.

Climb Day 67 Water and Exercise

Water is my new best friend! In spite of the gag reflex ( hahahahaha) I continue to force the stuff down my throat! I am impressed that I no longer have the horrible caffeine headache I suffered at first because I naturally limited my caffeine intake. Oh, and I am exercising, too! I am quite proud of myself. I am doing modified pushups using the kitchen counter. I am sooo... sore! I am doing thirty pushups every day and hope to increase to fifty by next week. I am also walking  more. I walked twenty minutes in a department store today. It was huge! I know that is not supposed to count but I walked fast from one end of the store to the other for twenty minutes and that should count for something.  As you see I am trying to milk every bit of my exercise for your  compassion! LOL Anyway I am pleased with my work. I am beginning to lose pounds and will see inches come off soon.  Thanks to everyone for your support. I am changing my habits so I will begin seeing weight loss soon!

Climb Day 58: Water, Water, Water

I am drinking a lot more water. This is a good thing. As the temp rises out side I keep drinking more water. The inside of my body has never been so clean! Again! This is a good thing. I am ahead of the game.

Climb Day 53 Reflection

I am reflecting on my climb so far and although I have not lost many pounds I find that I am doing things differently. I am drinking more water, and very conscious of everything I am eating. I have cut my sugar intake by half. By that I mean that every other day is sugar free. That is a good change. If sugary treats did not wander into my home there would be less flops... oh well!

I am exercising a little more and am thoughtful about the foods I eat. There are still failures but not so many as before. Thanks everyone for your support!

Climb Day 48 Almost Sugar Free

This one I resisted but it was Easter at Glenda Marshall's home. Well... two days with sugar out of six is not bad for a beginner. I managed to stay sugar free for two-thirds of the week so I am ahead. I am continuing to boycott sugar as long as I can. It is bound to make a difference in my life as I move forward. It was the mini chocolate donuts that wandered into the house without my permission that brought me down! Today I am sugar free and that is something!

Climb Day 44: Still Sugar Free

I may dream of chocolate but I am still sugar free!  Yesterday was ok without sugar, today is not as easy but is half over and I am still sugar free! My mind is made up and I am fighting one battle at a time and this week is the battle for control over sugar in my life.  No More Sugar! No More Sugar... at least until I have it under control! 

This picture is of the groom's cake at the wedding of my son and daughter-in-law  Derek and Janice Mireles who were married in... well I can't remember but I think it was 2006. Help me out here kids!

Climb Day 43: Starting Over

I have been thinking a lot about this climb and have reached some conclusions. My approach has been wrong. Obviously, I will never be able to do this on my own. If I could do it by myself I would have made changes years ago. I went to the Bible for my source and I found the answer.
Luke 9: 23
²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. NKJV

I have been self indulgent for a long time but today I begin a new way of living. I know I cannot make big changes so this week there will be no more sugar for me. No treats, no cookies, gluten free or not, no candy, nada. I know it will take a few days to get the craving out of my system, but I start today.  One day at a time.

It feels good to make this decision and God is with me.

Climb Day 41: Me

Sometimes you wonder why you cannot get your act together. It is normal to be a little depressed at times and I know that. I do not have the answers to my dilemma.  God is my refuge and my portion.

Climb Day 35

 

You are looking at my nemesis. I cannot do without bread and it is not easy getting my hands on a slice of gluten free bread. I am still trying to climb out of this hole I dug for myself but it is not easy. I fell on my face today in a big way. Yes...there I admit it. 

Climb Day31: Water

I 

I know there are a lot of you who love your water! I am not one of you! My husband drinks what seems like gallons every day. I wish I was able to drink water like that. Unfortunately, I hate the stuff. But...since this is the week my diabetes has decided to grab my attention I am adding water to my agenda. I am trying to drink about 60 ounces a day. I know that is a bit less than I should be drinking, but, hey...you have to start somewhere! 

One important thing about writing about my climb is that it makes me accountable in ways I never thought I could be accountable. The public nature of my climb appears to be a real motivator and offers me a need for follow through that I have not enjoyed (or suffered through) in the past. lol So I beg you...my loyal followers to hold my feet to the fire. I am totally unable to maintain discipline without it!

Climb Day 29 Diabetes

This blue circle is the symbol for diabetes. It means unity because we need a unified effort to get this disease under control. Not an easy thing to do. My fasting blood sugar this morning wad 158... I know that some of you think that was not too bad...considering... but it is not good for me. I have been feeling bad and now I know why. I have not been measuring my levels and this is the result. I am positive that after eating my levels are in the high two hundreds to over three hundred. Change must happen today. I am working very hard on it but feel really terrible. Keep me in your prayers because I am quite, quite determined to change this situation.

Climb Day 27 Sandra's Crawl

Here I am friends, crawling but still in the game. It is hard to maintain discipline and sometimes completely overwhelming to organize all the dietary requirements in one meal. Low carb, gluten free, low calorie, low cholesterol, low salt!  I am stressed! Keep me in your prayers. I need it!

Climb Day 25 Resources for Diabetes Sufferers

It is hard to imagine that this first month of my climb is coming to an end. So far I have documented a four pound weight loss and am afraid to venture near the scales again! It is an uphill battle. Today I am thinking about my diabetes so I did a bit of research for an article I published on HubPages. I hope you find it helpful.

Resources for Diabetes Sufferers

Climb Day 23 Problem With the Bread

The gluten free bread is totally awesome, but I forgot that I found it in the store in the freezer. It began to mold within a couple of days. I had to throw away three slices this morning. Not pleased! I am recovering from Easter. Did not over eat, but there is always something that should have been avoided. Am getting slowly back on track.

Climb Day 21 Family at Easter

Chocolate cream pie has been a favorite with me since my mother made them on Christmas Eve when I was a child. Glenda made a wonderful homemade pie today from scratch and it was totally awesome! I had a small slice. I admit it. I forgot that there is flour in the filling, and of course the crust is made of wheat. I had difficulty breathing for a while but I am better now. My intolerance to gluten must be getting worse. I was able to leave the rest of the treats alone, though. There was a beautiful coconut cake and cherry cheese pie as well as lemon cream pie! So, I did very well but I need more discipline. It is a miracle that I didn't eat more.  I am getting up tomorrow and starting over!

Climb Day 20 Prayer

 This is me in a moment of reflection. Prayer is a part of my life. I pray every day and talk to God regularly throughout the day. It was during one of these intimate conversations with my God that I became aware of the need and consequences of self indulgence in the area of food. God wants me to have self control in all areas of my life. It is easy to believe that a little over indulgence is only human and not an issue. While this is true, over indulgence can become a mountain that is unconquerable if one allows that to happen. Real change happens when you raise your personal awareness of just how bad your personal self indulgence is viewed by God, others, and in the end yourself. When real understanding comes. Change follows if you truly want to do what is right. Understanding comes slowly but if you make your mind up to change you will find bits and pieces along the way.  Blessings to all at this Glorious celebration of the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Lord! I pray for all of you and myself to receive enlightenment and understanding! Praise the Lord!

Climb Day 18 Gluten Free Foods

Today I thought I would share with you the bread I found that is Gluten Free. This is a dark brown bread that resembles dark pumpernickel bread. I must share with you that I have tried several GF breads and they are crumbly, dry and have no taste whatsoever.  This one was different. I toasted the two slices and used them to make the first hamburger I have enjoyed that I did not need to worry about suffering from severe respiratory and other issues that I do not want to talk about. I was impressed with this bread. My climb just got better!  The bread has 70 calories per slice so that is much better than any of the previous breads I tried.  Oh, yes...I thought you might like to see the price tag on this bundle of joy! $5.99 and the loaf is about half the size of a small loaf of wheat bread! I put the Amazon adds here so you could see the real cost of ordering these products. GF living is not cheap!

Climb Day 17 Helpful People

This is my brother Clark. It is an old picture but he still looks the same. He blessed me today by bringing lunch...fifty chicken nuggets from MacDonalds!!!! I love my brother who is big hearted, but I told him he had horns for bringing all those nuggets to me! I did NOT eat them all, Thank God! Oh well, just another day on my Climb out of Obesity! Pray for me , friends! I need it!  LOL!

Climb Day 16 Unexpected Stress

STRESS REDUCTION KIT

Unexpected stress. Just as you think everything is under control something comes along to knock you back a few steps. I guess it is necessary for growth. Surprisingly enough, I do not feel the urge to eat. I learned in Wellness Coaching that I am a comfort eater. Such a shock! Had no idea that I turn to food to calm myself! I know about it now and try to control it.  Really difficult day!  It is good to know that God is still in control.

Climb Day 15 Scales

I admit I felt pretty bad last week when I got on the scales and found I had gained two pounds. It was a real bummer. Today things are looking better and the changes I am making every day are working. I found today I lost a little over 4 pounds so my 15 day Climb is on track. I am jumping for joy!!!!!!!!! Those are not my feet but they could be. hahahahaha! Need to walk again today!

Climb Day 14 Walking

I promised I would walk and I did!!!!!!!   I walked down the street to the track and managed one lap before I had to walk back home. Painfully embarrassing that I had to leave so fast but I did it and that is a start. Maybe I can walk two laps tomorrow. I might walk one lap every day and build up if I can. I am very happy I did this walk. Good start for a sedentary woman. On to tomorrow!

Climb Day 13 My Helpers

What would I do without my three sisters who support me in everything I do? These girls are movers and shakers who ALWAYS have a project! Guess what...I am their LATEST project! If you need something done Glenda, Cindy, or Sissy is the one you need. They have different talents but together with Paula Mitchell, Laura T. Rone, and Becky Serras (Glenda's BF) they make a powerful team who can do just about anything.  They are holding my feet to the fire on this Climb and I appreciate it very much. Glenda is my walking partner so there will be no excuse for me to stay in the house!  My habits are changing a little bit every day and that is progress.  Thank you sisters, and well wishers. I will try my best not to let you down!

Climb Day 12 Discipline

Maintaining discipline when you can think about nothing but a chocolate brownie is not easy. The need for discipline is compounded by the need to eat gluten free! Managing portion control and remembering leave the bread alone is not fun. I am exploring cook books and recipes for gluten free bread that will taste good enough for me to have a sandwich again. I never thought it possible to long for a ham and cheese sandwich! Amazing.
I have a confession to make...I have not begun exercising. I had no idea that my life was so full around 5 -6 in the evening! Suddenly I look up and it is dark. I cannot go to the track during school hours so I must go before dark. I am still working on this one.  I need to change everything about myself!   I keep repeating,  I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!

Climb Day 11

I got on the scales today. Of course I had to sneak up on them. The news was not good. Not bad, but not good. Before I started my climb I was eating really badly so I am having to catch up. I understand that everyone's weight fluctuates but it is not encouraging all the same.

In spite of my disappointment with my weight loss, I am using portion control and discipline to control my eating habits. Living gluten free is harder than managing my portions! I have more or less given up eating any bread other than corn bread and that is difficult as I live with people who love toast and jelly! Time was that I never really noticed the smell of bread toasting in this house. Now it screams at me when one of them makes the toast.  For you who live gluten free  here are a couple of links.
Live Gluten Free
The Gluten Free Culinary Summit
Living Without

Climb Day 10

Grapes and berries are really good for you. I have been eating salads and snacking on grapes in between meals to help keep my glucose levels balanced. This is new for me and I am truly surprised that the temptation to stray is not stronger. I guess putting my business in the street for the world to observe has its advantages. Still determined to make sensible changes to my eating habits one day at a time.

Climb Day 9

This was me when I was nineteen years old. I did gain a few pounds through the years but this was me for a great many years of my life. Yes, I see the big hair...I still have it! I am managing my food pretty good although I have not got it totally under control. I see that things are changing and that is a good thing. Still working on getting my exercise in. Time is against me but I will get it together.

Climb Day 8

Today I get serious about healthy eating. First stop is the grocery store. I love salads so I should be eating them instead of the unhealthy options I have been choosing. Grapes are a healthy snack as long as I do not eat too much at one time (diabetes). I have a plan, shopped, recorded my foods in my food journal (www.fitday.com), planned my afternoon exercise, and located my tennis shoes! What could go wrong? hahahahah! Everything! There is an old saying, there is many a slip, twixt the cup and the lip. I have to make sure that does not happen to me.

Climb Day 7 Walking

It would be nice if walking on the beach would give me exercise, but the truth is that I just wander around in circles and never get any exercise at all. There is a walking track across the street from my house so I really have no excuse for not walking. I must pull myself out of this ridiculous funk and get my body and my mind in shape.

Unfortunately, I never liked exercise and now I have no one to walk with. Oh well, I will have to walk alone. I can't keep up with anyone who might show me some kindness. I am getting out my tennis shoes today!

Climb Day 6

My plan today was to walk the track across the street from my house. A rain storm with a drop in temperature stopped that plan so I am working and researching. I found a really good video that made me think about my diabetes and made me feel guilty about my horrible eating habits. Of course I never liked exercise so that is a given. Change is coming...slowly.

Preventing and Reversing Diabetes Naturally

Climb Day 5...Breakfast

Breakfast is an important meal to me. I really do not care about my food for the rest of the day but I need a hearty breakfast to get me started. So should it be bacon and eggs which I love...or cereal which I do NOT love?  I know this is about choices and I have already given up the toast, biscuits, english muffins, etc. Compromise is not easy!!!!!
I really need to start thinking about exercise. I already know I need to walk...duh!  Water!!!!!

Climb Day 4

Getting a handle on the right foods is not easy. There is a balancing act that must be maintained. I am a diabetic. You never get to take a break from being a diabetic. Most people think diabetics should not eat sugar. They do not know that fried breaded foods are absolute destroyers for a person with diabetes! Eating sugar causes spikes in your glucose levels that are dangerous but can be controlled. Fried foods with flour stay in the system longer and keep your glucose levels higher longer.

Add to this gluten intolerance and you now have two strikes against wheat flour and of course, fried foods. Gluten intolerance is serious. My pharmacist friend and brother in the church, Don Apple, told me that one in four people have gluten intolerance and do not know it! How is that for a silent sickness?

My brain does not compute the notion that eating bread or breaded foods( wheat, barley, rye) will cause respiratory problems, constipation, diarrhea, itching skin, runny nose, and so many more problems! I WANT to believe it! I REALLY do, but I have difficulty accepting it. Therefore I stay sick a lot. I have got to change now! I mean now!  From this moment forward it is low carb for me! I am journaling at www.fitday.com.

Climb Day 3

Finding a decent picture is a nightmare. You keep looking for something to make you look good...or at least not so fat! The truth is that I work hard but people cannot see me for the extra pounds I carry around. The sad part about it is that I did not have this problem or this look when I was young. The first thirty years of my life was lived as an average size person with a mild problem with my weight!

How did this happen? My children and their spouses never met the real me. This is going to change now. Life is to short to surrender to my lack of discipline. The word gluttony comes to mind. To me it is a dirty word. I do not know that woman in the picture. God is my refuge and Strength!

Climb Day 2

 Christmas 2009 with my beautiful granddaughter Brittany

My feature picture was taken at Christmas 2008. At that time my weight was at an all time high. After seeing this picture and some others I decided to make another attempt at weight loss.  During the following year I watched my intake diligently and managed to lose 15 pounds. Unfortunately, I lost my focus but I kept the fifteen  pounds off.

I feel good about changing my habits but I found out in the past year that I am gluten intolerant so I am also trying to live gluten free. I battled pizza last night and Shipley's donuts this morning... It is not easy with guests and all kinds of food in the house. 

Still, today is a good day and I feel good about myself for getting off to a moderately good start! On to tomorrow!

A Long Climb

My sister suggested that I begin a journal to record my climb out of the cycle of diet, lack of exercise, and over eating that has overwhelmed my attempts to bring my weight under control for half of my life. I can never remember a time when I was not on a diet,  but I was never morbidly obese until a life crisis of death in the family and divorce with the ensuing problems sent me plummeting into  the depths of despair. All this happened many years ago during my late thirties.  My family issues were resolved but the weight problems lingered until today.

Words are hard to find to explain the aggravation and self loathing that accompanies the failure of controlling one's own self. I cannot claim ignorance. I am a reader and researcher, and a professional woman. I understand everything I need to know about calorie counting, portion control, counting carbs for my diabetes, and the need for exercise and drinking adequate amounts of water. I feel that should be stated right up front. 

As a prayer minister it is especially distressful that I seemingly cannot bring my body under control. This has to stop. It stops today!

These words will be my watchword!  Philippians 4: 13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I promise to keep my maunderings short and to the point in the hope that we will learn and be successful together.