Utilize your lows

"Yes, there is pain in change, but there is also great satisfaction in recognizing that progress is being achieved. Life is a series of hills and valleys and often the best growth comes in the valleys.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton

A friend of mine shared this quote and I loved it. If we keep the perspective that it is at the lowest point that we can make the greatest progress, then maybe those lowest points won't feel so desperate and difficult.

Those lowest points being when we feel the worst or weight the most.

Update

Well, I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant so no weight loss journey for me currently.

I can't even say this pregnancy was the same as the first. I haven't lost weight. I did in the first trimester but have successfully made it back up to my prepregnancy weight plus a bit. So much for pregnancy being my weight loss method of choice.

As I near the end of this pregnancy, I am getting excited about the weight loss journey I want to undertake.

I do believe I am ready to publicly share real numbers as I weigh in and try to get to a healthy spot.

Why the change of heart you ask?

If you recall, I wouldn't share actual weights when I began this blog in January of this year.

In July, one of my grandfathers passed away followed by his sweetheart, my grandma, in October. 

I've thought a lot about the resurrection.

As a younger person, I just thought of the resurrection as an awesome do over. My body would be returned (notice I use the word "returned") to its perfected form and all would be well for the rest of eternity. Who cared about my body issues and insecurities or my treat binge. Someday, I would have the body I craved. I've realized how inaccurate, and unhealthy, this attitude is. I want my family to be able to recognize me on the other side of the veil, and recognizing myself would probably be a good thing. So it is my job to get my body to a point I would gladly remain for all eternity. I'm motivated and I'm excited to make some life changes. And thanks to gestational diabetes again, I have a jump start on some healthier habits. 

This may be a lot of talk. But I really hope it isn't. So stay tuned for more regular updates and take this journey with me.

Break the cycle

Check out the article connected to the link below.

"Feeling fat?" When did this become acceptable? 

My eyes have been open. I need the cycle of poor body image to stop with me!

http://i.stuff.co.nz/life-style/wellbeing/8760102/When-your-mother-says-shes-fat

Commitments, Covenants, Promises

Five years ago today, I made some very personal covenants. These covenants have committed me to a specific life. I've been thinking about this all week and how much it means to me. I feel very honored to have been entrusted to keep such promises. 

I've also been thinking a lot about other commitments we make. All too often, we are good at keeping commitments to others and failing at the ones we make to ourselves. When was the last time you promised yourself you would exercise? Eat veggies? Avoid soda? Etc? And when was the last time you followed through? 

Recently, I've added a bit too much soda into my life. We resolved to give it up completely at the beginning of the year but that resolution failed in March. I have been failing ever since. But I'm ready to recommit. I know this little thing will make a big difference in my well being and in my self-trust. After all, if I can't trust myself to follow through, who can I trust?

Potential

Sometimes I forget the potential we all possess to perpetuate healthy lifestyles.

The following story is a great illustration of just that. So many things can be perpetuated: health, optimism, kindness, truth, etc.

As we think about the imagery of succoring the weak, lifting up the hands which hang down, and strengthening feeble knees, I am reminded of a sweet seven-year-old showing her grandfather a small tomato plant she had started from seed as part of a second-grade school project.

She explained that from one tiny seed would come a plant. And if the plant were cared for, it would grow many tomatoes that would each have many seeds.

She said, “And if all of those seeds were planted and grew more tomatoes, and you planted all of those seeds, in a few seasons you would have millions of tomatoes.”
“All,” she said in amazement, “from one little seed.”
But then she said, “I almost killed my plant. I left it in a dark room and forgot to water it. When I remembered the plant, it was all wilted and dead looking. I cried because I thought of all of those millions of tomatoes that would never grow.”
She was then excited to tell her grandfather about the “miracle” that happened.
She explained, “Momma said maybe the plant wasn’t dead. Maybe all it needed was some water and some light to bring life back.
“And she was right. I gave the plant some water, and I put it in the window for light. And guess what?” she asked. “It came back to life, and now it’s going to grow millions of tomatoes!”
Her small tomato plant, so full of potential but so weakened and wilted from unintentional neglect, was strengthened and revived through the simple ministration of water and light by the little girl’s loving and caring hands."

2013 April General Conference, “This Is My Work and Glory”, Sat. Morning Session - By  M. Russell Ballard