JTH9: Great Weight Off Wrap Up

As my mentor John C. Maxwell says, “Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.” I learned a lot during the 90 day Great Weight Off Challenge:

Don't do a weight loss Challenge during a record-breaking frigid winter because I'm not going to go outside for a walk or go to the gym when it's 20 below. I just wanted to hibernate and eat comfort food!

90 Days is a long time to stay engaged with a Challenge. If you have a hard time hanging in there with long Challenges, a series of 30 Day or 21 Day Challenges may be the solution. Check out the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine at pcrm.org for a 21 Day Challenge that is effective and free.

People you think will support you may not for reasons that have nothing to do with you. Do not let that stop you or slow you down. Keep on doing you.

A number on a scale does not define me. Numbers that mean more to me are how many minutes a day do I spend quality time with my family, how many times do I smile and laugh during the day, how much time do I invest in strengthening my mind and spirit, how often do I encourage and help others, how many minutes do I spend moving my body, how many fruits and veggies do I eat, how many ounces of water do I drink... By taking care of these numbers, the number on the scales will take care of itself.

The Biggest Loser type progress is unrealistic unless you are willing to take extreme actions which are rarely sustainable. 1-2 lbs a week weight loss is realistic and sustainable.

Be patient. Be persistent. Expect success!

This is not the end of my wellness journey, it is just the beginning. Julie and I have made a one year commitment to helping others on their wellness journey by sharing our successes, struggles, and resources via our blog, podcast, and community events.

Our next wellness adventure will be a group study of The Daniel Plan – 40 Days to a Healthier Life. The study starts April 8th and meets Tuesdays 4:15-5:30 p.m. at The Optimist Store, 428 S. Washington Street, Marion, IN 46952. Not in the area? That's OK. You can join via phone conference call or listen to the recording. It's FREE to attend. For more information and to sign up, email us at juliehkathyg@gmail.com.

 The WINNER of the Great Weight Off Challenge is Judy Buroker. Judy won not for the most weight lost, but for consistent participation. She attended all the meet-ups and was active in the online support group. It is this type of active engagement that helps us achieve any goal. Congratulations Judy!

Hundreds of pounds were shed during the Great Weight Off Challenge. It accomplished what we set out to do which was to inspire people to take control of their health and wellness. Julie and I both said we were willing to be open and vulnerable if it would help even one person get healthier. We heard from several people who said they have been inspired by the Great Weight Off Challenge. To know that someone is taking steps to improve their health makes posting my weight and sharing my struggles all worthwhile.

Thank you to our sponsors - the Chronicle-Tribune, MGH and the Y. We have enjoyed being a part of this community wellness event and appreciate the opportunity you have provided to learn and share. The feedback we received about the Challenge was mostly positive. Accountability, making new friends, sharing stories, education from health experts, and group support were the main things participants said helped them to make their health a priority.

Thank you to the Great Weight Off Challenge participants. My wish for YOU and everyone on this wellness journey is that you live your healthiest, happiest life!

Kathy

Thank You

 

 

This was a hard article to write knowing that today is the end of “The Great Weight Off.” I was so happy when I weighed in this week because I accomplished one of my goals for this weight off, which was to get under 200 pounds. I still have a long way to go, but being on this journey has taught me so much about my weight issues. When I look at pictures of myself, I need to see my inner strengths instead of focusing on my outer flaws. I have to see that I have lost a little over 20 pounds and that I am on track to getting my health back. It is not about looks; instead it is about that I want to live the rest of my life. I want to be able to live a healthy, active life. I am so thankful for all the individuals in the healthcare industry who took time out of their busy schedules to talk to our group because the information that they gave us was priceless.  The speakers had so many ideas and healthy tips that I could not even try to list them all.

I also enjoyed reading all of the comments on “The Great Weight Off” Facebook page.  I want to share with you a comment that a challenger sent to us this week that inspired me greatly:
 

“So far I have lost 18.4lbs with this challenge. This group has been a great help in keeping me accountable, giving me new ideas, and a great moral support to me. It is such a great help in seeing how others overcome the same issues that you are struggling with. Just when you think it is not worth the hassle to keep fighting this battle someone in the group says something that clicks. With their encouragement you pick yourself back up, dust off, and get back on the wagon to fight another day. I thank God for this group! With their help I’m learning no diets work in the long term. We have to make healthy lifestyle changes. Thank you Kathy and Julie for giving me the courage to try again and this time to do it right. I’m even going to go join the community center gym by myself. Something I would never have done a few months ago.”

What a testimony! This is what “The Great Weight Off” was all about.

One of the best advice that I was given was from my own nurse practitioner, Adrienne Howard. She said, “Exercise is free medicine.” I thought about all of the fun times that I have had and continue to have at the YMCA and how the exercise is improving my health. Exercise is helping me get closer to my goal of getting off or lowering the various medications I take because I am overweight.

I would have never joined the YMCA if it was not for “The Great Weight Off.”  I thank the Chronicle-Tribune, Marion General Hospital, and the YMCA for believing in us so that we could help others throughout our journey. The challengers and sponsors will never know how much they have changed my life. My heart says “Thank you.”

“The Great Weight Off” is ending, but the journey never has to stop. This is only the beginning, the beginning of a new life.

Julie

 

Do You Exercise Consistently

I was chatting with a friend the other day who lost a lot of weight and now does bodybuilding competitions. I have known him for several years and he is familiar with my struggle to get in shape. He made an observation that my exercise seems to be in spurts. I agreed and replied that the most consist I have ever been with exercise is when I was a member of Anytime Fitness. The moment I said that, a lightbulb turned on above my head. I loved working out at Anytime Fitness because I could go there...any time! I like that I can just pop in whenever I'm in town and get a quick workout in. I also like being able to access the other Anytime Fitness gyms when I'm out of town.

So, if I liked working out there so much, why did I cancel my membership? The main reason was I couldn't justify a membership to use one piece of equipment which was the elliptical machine. It main thing I used when I worked out. Sometimes, I would get on the treadmill or the stationary bike, but 99% of the time, it was the elliptical. I LOVE the Precor Elliptical that they use. As soon as I gather that big chunk of change, I will get one to use at home, but, I like to get out of the house, especially after I've been hibernating all winter and starting to go a little stir crazy. Also, when I'm at home, there seems to be a zillion things that I "should" be doing besides working out. I can't tell you how many times I've done an exercise DVD while at the same time picking things up things that are out of place.

When I get on the elliptical, I have a routine that I love. I play some upbeat music on Pandora, read a book on my Kindle App, and work up a sweat at the same time. It's the only time I can combine doing three things at once in harmony like that and it makes me feel like superwoman! I usually knock out an hour that seems like 5 minutes and I'm sweating by the end. It's like a mini vacation. It works for me. Eureka, I think I got it. In order to exercise consistently, find an exercise you like to do!

What works for you? What exercise do you most consistently do?

Kathy

HEALTH & HAPPINESS HACKER

What do you want to be when you grow up? How many times have we heard or even asked that question of ourselves or others? I think 13 year old Logan LaPlante is onto something with his "hackschooling" philosophy. I agree with him that once you're motivated to learn or do something, you can accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. I have done that more times than I can count in my life. If I get intensely focused on doing something, it will happen, it's just a matter of time. I feel the same way about this wellness journey. I have complete faith that I will be my healthiest self within a few years. I just have to be patient and consistent with the process. I want to be a health and happiness hacker! I agree with Logan when he says that hackers are are innovators. They challenge and change the system to make them work better.

"Having the hacker mindset can change the world." ~ Logan LaPlante

Logan also mentions Dr. Roger Walsh, creator of Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC), who says that there are eight basic things that we can do to achieve health and happiness: Exercise, Diet & Nutrition, Time in Nature, Contribution & Service, Relationships, Relaxation & Stress Management, Religious & Spiritual Involvement. Dr. Walsh says even small changes in these areas can increase our health and happiness.

There are many things I want to do, but when it comes to what I want to be, I want the same things most of us want... I want to BE happy, BE healthy and BE loved for who I am.

Kathy

Early Bird

This morning I woke up at 5 a.m. I love waking up early before the hustle and bustle of the day kicks in. It's a peaceful time that I can focus on prayer, devotionals, meditation, visualization, writing, and exercise. Most of the time when I get up early, I feel like I accomplish more in the first couple hours than I accomplish the entire day when I wake up late. It's nice to have my priorities taken care of before noon! I also find that I'm more likely to get my exercise in and stick with my clean eating routine when I get up early. I have more time, I don't feel rushed. It makes me wonder why I ever sleep in!

What time do you like to start your day?

Kathy

MUSIC LESSONS

My husband and son both like to sleep with the TV on. I prefer silence, but often wake to the sound of gunfire or other testosterone filled sounds blaring from the boob tube. I've gotten pretty good at blocking it out, but this morning reminded me that what we feed our mind matters, even if it's in the background. The channel was tuned in to a music documentary about Bobby McFerrin working with gifted singers. The kids were talking about how Bobby is so gifted that all he needs to perform is his voice and mic and maybe a chair. It sounds like he has a band accompanying him, but it's just his 5-octave range and the way he so easily weaves in and out of the notes that gives him such a unique sound. They pointed out that Bobby McFerrin doesn't need flashy costumes or anything besides his voice to entertain the audience. Bobby said that music is more than entertainment. He said the purpose of music is to heal the heart the mind and the spirit. I agree and I know it works because I would normally be bummed to look out the window and see it snowing when it's supposed to be spring. Instead of focusing on that, I was focusing on how amazing it is for Bobby McFerrin to be sharing his gift with the next generation and how music does indeed lift the spirit. So while the snow is falling, I'm singing Bobby's song...

Kathy

P.S. He said he wrote "Don't Worry Be Happy" in 30-45 minutes during a recording break!

Spring Break

I usually keep my grand kids and nieces a few days every spring break to take them to do fun things. I often sit on the sidelines reading or surfing the Internet while they are busy at play, but this spring break I'm making more of an effort to join in starting today when I got in the pool with them and played volleyball. I forgot how fun being a kid is. I'm looking forward to doing more fun things during spring break! 

Kathy