Howdy folks! Seems like a coon's age since I posted anything to the blog. Time is running away with me this summer and I've gotta say I'm enjoying it. The weather hasn't been too hot, well, not too hot for Georgia anyway, so I've been getting outside a lot.
I've gotten back to my regular power walks. Now that they're a regular part of my life I can't figure out why I ever stopped them. Laziness I guess. Anyhow, its been almost two months now and I've managed to lose eighteen pounds. Maybe I should write that out in whole numbers: I lost 18 pounds. Woo Hoo!
Its amazing how these extra pesky pounds and inches creep up on you when you're not looking. Our advanced, modern society makes it so easy to be sedentary. Its essential that we figure out ways to stay physically active in order to balance out the excessive calories in a typical convenience meal. Sometimes I wish I lived on a farm where physical activity is built into daily chores. But then I think about cleaning out mucky animal stalls and I realize I'm ok with living in a medium sized town.
You hear it everywhere you go, eating right and exercising will help you lose weight. Yes, that is true. That is definitely the formula to success. But what they leave out is the really important part: getting your mind right (paraphrased from Cool Hand Luke). Thats the hardest part.
Figuring out that you want to be healthy rather than sedentary and then remembering that fact nearly ever waking hour until you get there. You've got to remember it when you wake up, when you're deciding what to eat, when you're thinking about shaving five minutes off your exercise, in short, nearly ever moment. Self actualization isn't easy and there seems to be no shortcut around it. But it does produce some amazing results. Plus, you discover just how powerful your mind can be.
Gorgeous flower pics as usual. Congrats on getting in the right groove - as we call it at our house!
=)
Posted by: Sarah | June 23, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Hurray for setting your mind to something and then following through. I agree that there's incredible power in thought -- in believing something and having it come true right before your eyes. Congratulations on the 18 -- woohoo! -- and keep us posted along the journey.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 23, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Congrats on the weight loss! I keep saying I want to lose weight, but I don't think I've got my mind right yet. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted by: Alisha | June 23, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Hip hip hooray for you! Power walks are probably the healthiest way to exercise - much easier on the knees than running. Also, if you are interested in toning/strength training, I can't tell you how much I love pilates. I just do it at home using exercise ondemand. Good luck keepin' your mind right :) It's a struggle, I tell ya.
Posted by: Moonbeam | June 23, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Congratulations on 18 pounds - that is simply amazing!!
Posted by: Rachael Rabbit | June 23, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Good for you and so inspiring- you are right and so well said- I need to take that advise to heart as well- so I can stop thinking about it and just do it!
Posted by: Natasha | June 23, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Excellent! Bravo for making the time to take care of yourself in this way, Felicia. I bet you're feeling great and have lots of energy, thanks to such good choices. Hats off to you and your fine example!
Posted by: Katherine | June 23, 2008 at 11:46 AM
18 lbs! How wonderful. Congratulations. Getting out there and being consistent with exercise is one of my biggest challenges. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Barb | June 23, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Way to go! Interesting, I've read a couple of thinking lately referring to the power of the mind. I'm starting to think that visualizing may be the key to accomplishing my goals.
Posted by: Rachel | June 23, 2008 at 11:59 AM
What a great success "story"! Loosing 18 pounds calls for celebrating (without cupcakes probably!) Thank-you for the reminders, I have recently been trying to eat healthier and get out moving around more too and have found this site helpful: myrecipes.com. They have all the recipes from back issues of cooking light (and other not so healthy mags, but fabulous nevertheless, like Southern Living). Looking through it has really kept me motivated and it's so easy to make a grocery list from your saved recipes. Ok, I'm done!
Posted by: Penny | June 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
You are an inspiration!!! Congratulations and I'm going to be picking your brain in the near future :)
Posted by: Karyn | June 23, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Congratulations -- 18 pounds is a pretty remarkable achievement. And I love those day lilies. Ours are just about ready to bloom and I'm really looking forward to it.
Posted by: Susan | June 23, 2008 at 02:09 PM
That's fantastic!
Posted by: pam | June 23, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Wow Felicia! Congratulations on the weight loss. I think you're right -- the secret is to think about it all the time -- it has to be a part of your daily life. Now I must just convince my inner-cupcake loving self!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | June 23, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Congratulations! Isn't that just wonderful? I've actually gained weight since joining the gym...I have lost body fat though (1%...sigh) but, I FEEL better, and I look forward to going almost every day...I have those off days every once in a while you know.
Posted by: sadira | June 23, 2008 at 04:21 PM
Congrats on the weight loss! That's so great. And I love the pictures. Having beautiful surroundings like that definitely makes taking a walk a little more exciting.
Posted by: Brandy | June 23, 2008 at 05:07 PM
good for you on getting out there, and getting it done! enjoy your summer! it seems to just fly by.
Posted by: leslie | June 24, 2008 at 07:29 AM
WOW! Felicia, you are my hero! I want to loose 20 pounds asap. Too many stories of folks suffering from heart disease. I have a stationary bike here that i am riding now, and want to walk more. I know my dogs would love that!
Posted by: Mare | June 24, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Congrats! Today, I thought I'd pretend that I jumped into this body for the first time, and in that way, blame "someone else" for having left it this way. (20 lbs too-heavy :) Blame is so crushing! It's amazing what that mindset, even pretending for a split second, can do1 I'm glad I came across your blog today!
Posted by: jamie | June 24, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: AJ | June 24, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Power walking, eh? I will have to try that out. Congrats on losing all that weight. You must look and feel fabulous!
Posted by: Marie | June 24, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Congratulations and as always lovely photography:) Rachael
Posted by: Rachael | June 24, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Woohoo! Would it were contagious...
Posted by: Barb | June 24, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Way to go!!! 18 lbs is wonderful. You should be proud.
Hugs Karen
Posted by: Karen Young | June 25, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Congratulations! This is the kind of pep talk I need--I just joined a fitness club, now just need to get back in the routine.
Posted by: Susan (calloohcallay) | June 25, 2008 at 09:41 AM
Congrats! That's terrific. It's so nice having a dog, now I HAVE to take walks again.
That said, I don't think it is merely our society/culture making it "easy" to be sedentary...many don't have a choice. When you're working a 12-14 hour day, honest to goodness, who has time or energy to get out when there is still the fam and home to care for?
Posted by: Jen | June 25, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Congratulations on getting in the groove! It is so true that if your mind is not ready to commit that it is a waste of time. Keep up the good work. You have inspired me!
Posted by: Mel (shezarealgem) | June 26, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Well done to you!
Healthy living is definitely the best, but really difficult sometimes!
Posted by: Mirre | June 28, 2008 at 08:43 AM
I just copied and printed that last paragraph. I really needed to hear that. Congratulations on the loss!
Posted by: Pieces | June 30, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Congrats! Such true words :) I finally got a gym membership in our new city & I have been trying to remember to go exercise & even try to enjoy it because really if you are not enjoying it at least a bit it is so hard to keep going.
Posted by: Chara Michele | July 04, 2008 at 01:23 PM
First of all, congratulations !!
Eighteen pounds, you're amazing !
I'm just beginning a journey to a healthier me right now, with much apprehension, and keeping the right mindset is definitely a key point.
Very good post.
Posted by: mycraftyways | July 10, 2008 at 02:16 AM
just do the right thing and maintain it always and it will develop yourself into a good future and it will have you self confidence always.
weight loss
Posted by: Debby | June 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM