Accentuate the Positive

There is something to be said for being sick. For the past 3 days, I have been plagued with a cough, cold, post-nasal drip kind of thing. I am one of those people that gets completely knocked out by these types of illnesses. There are a couple of benefits that come from it though. First of all, I’m not that hungry, so eating is kept to a minimum. Secondly, I drink an abundance of water to keep myself hydrated. It seems that I can’t get enough water when I’m dealing with a cold, etc. I believe that, to some respect, water acts as a detoxifier and helps our bodies to obtain a healthy equilibrium again. I have not felt up to exercise this week; however, I am still hopeful that I can get my three days in by Sunday.

I do have some good news to share. This morning, I got up and weighed myself and discovered a wondrous thing – I have finally broken 290. After weighing myself 6 times and getting the same reading each time, I accepted the scale’s reading of 288.2. This means that weight loss has picked up again and that I have now lost a total of 18.8 pounds! WOOOO HOOOOO! I have been anxiously awaiting the day when I would break this next milestone and it came out of the blue. I am discovering that when I take action and don’t anticipate the results, I get pleasantly surprised. I am excited as ever to keep going and am now working on getting the exercise regular and under control and incorporating it deliberately into my life.

I have been participating in an Online Retreat on Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth. I think that it has helped me to put some things in perspective related to what she calls “The Voice” within us. It reminds us of our failures and how we will never be able to do it. Within the course of the retreat, she has given assignments to help in combating The Voice and put it in its place. The Voice is that part of your psyche that says things like “Why are you doing this? You are never going to do it. You’re a failure.” The Voice does not like change and it seems that the negative messages increase when we start to incorporate changes into our life. I am learning to be very deliberate in my actions and am getting better at recognizing The Voice so that I can take control of the negative thoughts before they take control of me and I end up sabotaging my efforts. In my last posting on September 12, I told you that I have really gotten in touch with the psychological side of eating. This is what I was talking about. When we allow ourselves to constantly listen and give into the negative messages, our efforts are constantly in jeopardy. But when we can mentally combat The Voice and allow ourselves to have goals and positive messages and thoughts, our truest desires and feelings can come to fruition.

In the 70s, there was a television show called “One Day at a Time.” Some of you may remember it. You may remember the tune, but may not know all the words. I have them committed to memory as they help me to continue on my path.

One Day at a Time Theme
By John and Nancy Barry
This is it. This is it.
This is life, the one you get
So go and have a ball.

This is it. This is it
Straight ahead and rest assured
You can’t be sure at all.

So while you’re here enjoy the view
Keep on doing what you do
So hold on tight we'll muddle through
One day at a time, One day at a time.

So up on your feet. Up on your feet
Somewhere there’s music playing.
Don’t you worry none
We’ll just take it like it comes.

One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.
One day at a time, one day at a time.

I have a long way to go, but I know that I am on a long path to healing by continuing as the theme song says, one day at a time.