Balanced Body & Mind - Fitness and More

Bitter or Better

Anna & Co — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:49:31 +0000

You can be bitter about a negative event or better because of a negative event. Again we are back to choice – choose to let a negative event take over your life or choose to take your life over despite the negative event. There are times it may take a moment or two to digest all that encompasses a negative event, but once digested it is our option on what we are going to do next. Are you going to be bitter or are you going to be better?

Natural Highs

Anna & Co — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:42:52 +0000

A friend e-mailed these to me and I wanted to share them with others. These are all things we have heard or thought of before, but being reminded of them is helpful (specially on bad days.) We are so bless to have these to enjoy. There are many in the world who only dream of such things.

Natural Highs

Falling in love Laughing so hard your face hurts A hot shower No lines at the supermarket A special glance Getting mail Taking a drive on a pretty road Hearing your favorite song on the radio Lying in bed listening to the rain outside Hot towels fresh out of the dryer Chocolate milkshakes (vanilla or strawberry) A bubble bath Giggling A good conversation The beach Finding a 20-dollar bill in your coat from last winter Laughing at yourself Looking into their eyes and knowing they love you Midnight phone calls that last for hours Running through sprinklers Laughing for absolutely no reason at all Having someone tell you that you are beautiful Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you Waking up and realizing that you still have a few hours to sleep Your first kiss (either the very first kiss or with a new partner) Making new friends or spending time with old ones Playing with a new puppy Having someone play with your hair Sweet dreams Hot chocolate Road trips with friends Swinging on swings Making eye contact with a cute stranger Making chocolate chip cookies Having your friends send you homemade cookies Holding hands with someone you care about Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change Watching the expression on someones face as they open a much-desired present from you Watching the sunrise Watching the sunset Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day Knowing that somebody misses you Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply

Knowing you’ve done the right thing, no matter what other people think

Lord, keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth

My Biggest Regret

Anna & Co — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:58:09 +0000

I was reading a post “On Enhancing Your Social Skills”and the writer quoted his dad saying “My biggest regret in life is wasting so many years worrying about what other people think.” Then goes on to tell how he stepped out of his normal way of life for the day and greeted people, began conversations and left people with smiles. What an extraordinary day. Now why is this not the normal thing to do? Going back to the quote – “We worry about what other people think.”

A smart friend of mine told me once, when we were discussing the topic of what other people think, “I once worried about what you thought of me until I realized how little you are thinking about me.” That is true, we are usually so self centered that we don’t give a lot of thought into others, but for some reason we think we are the center of their thoughts. Kinda funny!

What would life be like if we stopped worrying abut what others thought and just did what was right. I think it would be sort of freeing – yet maybe a little scary. What choices would I make if I could make any choice? In reality I can make any choice but I put limitations on myself worrying about what others might think. This is kind of hard to admit, because I try to live a life of responsibility and self discipline – but I am influenced by what people might think. So without worrying about what others might think, what would my life be: I would take more chances. I would offer more help. I would talk to more stranger. I would make more eye contact. I would share more about God. I would stop playing it safe and take more risks. I would not have many regrets.

Update on My Sister “It Took a Scare”

Anna & Co — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:40:46 +0000

My sister Renee is amazing! She stabilized her sugar level to average around 80-100. She took responsibility for what she was doing in her life and made changes. She is no longer in need of any medication. In fact the doctor says she is the healthiest he has ever seen her and he has been her physician for over 20 years now.

What she did, is really what we all know we are suppose to do. She made a life change in the way she eats and looks at life:

She started with journaling what she was eating and then what her sugar level was – this helped her to figure out what triggered her sugar to rise. (Rice is her one of her biggest culprits)
She cut 95% of the sugar out of her diet and realized that many food items are really good without sugar. For a sweetener she uses honey or agave
She added more vegetables and fruit. She has even started to buy organic now.
She reduced her intake of trans fats almost completely
She does not deprive herself – a treat she loves now and then keeps her on the right path
She started to eat breakfast
She does not eat after 7:30pm and works on making it earlier each month. (5 to 10 minute increments)
She experimented with different flours and different types of healthier food until she found what she liked. She knows that if she likes it she will stick to it.
She started to take exercise seriously – working out 2 to 3 days a week and walking 2 or more days a week.
She brought her family along the journey with her and now they are all feeling healthier and happier. Emily, her teenage daughter, lost 2 pant sizes and her face has cleared up. Leland, her husband, began walking with her and appreciating her more, making Renee happier all around.

Renee has lost about 10lbs and many more inches, but most of all she lost a crutch she used to use. A comfort food she would go to instead of dealing with issues. Now she says she is forced to face them and that is making her a better person.

What I appreciate about me sister is that she is the one in the family that does not like change. But she did it. It required a lot of self discipline for her to make these changes, but it is so worth it. She is healthier then she has been since she was a teenager. She is more positive, more out going and she does not let things bother her as much. She has inspired me, her younger sister.

Lion Chasers Manifesto

Anna & Co — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:47:55 +0000

My friend Debbie received this from another friend and shared it with me and now I want to share it with you. This was written by Mark Batteson.

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-size goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking question. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first and the last day of your life. Don’t let what’s wrong with you keep you from what’s right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don’t try to be who you’re not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion!

Meeting With a Principle & Self Discipline

Anna & Co — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 04:50:58 +0000

The other day I had a meeting with the local High School Principle and an interesting topic came up. He had just finished meetings with each class as a group. He described to me the interesting personalities of each group, their very own small communities, each with a character all it’s own. He said the one thing they have in common is that each class lacked the characteristic of taking responsibility, even though they try to teach it. Out of curiosity, I asked him if the words “Self Discipline” are used in any of the discussions or teachings. He paused and thought about it for a moment. Then he looked me in the eyes and said – “No, I have to admit I have not heard or used the words self discipline in a while, a long while” I asked him why, but he really did not have a answer. .”

Now our schools are not the only ones responsible for teaching our children, but if they have forgotten the words “Self Discipline” and we as a society don’t want to hear the words “Self Discipline” then who is responsible? What are we teaching?

On an interesting note, as we were leaving the meeting, He did say that in the next mornings announcements “self discipline” would be a topic and that he would start promoting the reintroduction of the long forgotten words “Self Discipline.”

Aspire to be Like a Dog

Anna & Co — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 04:08:00 +0000

The new year is a great time to reflect on what would really bring meaning and happiness to our lives. A local newspaper The Modest Bee wrote an article about dogs and if we could only be as content as our dogs, the world would be a much happier and healthier place. I thought it was cute and wanted to share it with you.

THINGS TO LEARN FROM A DOG
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride (teenagers excepted).
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout … run right back and make friends.
Bond with your pack.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
– Author unknown

The Loss of a Hero

Anna & Co — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:07:58 +0000

Last week we said goodbye to a dear sweet man, Jim Cantrell. He was a teacher, a coach, a father, a husband, a brother and a son. All that I have to say does not do justice to this man for many he was a hero. He was not one to give up on anyone, he would just give them another chance and many times that other chance was the one thing they needed in their lives to succeed. He admitted to not being perfect, for only God was perfect. Our small town showed up in force for his memorial celebration and a celebration was what it was. We celebrated his life and though we will miss him greatly he believed in Jesus Christ and has joined his father in heaven. A story one of his son’s shared with me while he was in the hospital will stay with me forever. As his boys were growing up he had told them that the first person he wants to look up once he reaches heaven is the Sunday School teacher that lead his father to Christ, because of that person his life turned out the way it did. Jim’s way of life was aspiring to many and now the challenge is to continue what he taught. Reach out to ones who are hurting, don’t give up just because we don’t understand and share the love that God has put in our hearts to share.

Is Hoodia the Answer?

Anna & Co — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:58:43 +0000

I was just reading a bunch of posts about Hoodia – the new diet wonder drug of choice. It seems to be true that so far they have not found any side effects and that it has been around for 100′s maybe 1000s of years. But I can’t help but wonder why is it that we keep looking outside of ourselves for enforced boundaries. We want other people or thing’s to put limits on us. Where is our responsibility? Where is our self discipline? Where is our freedom? Can we not make better choices?

There really is no excuse we all know how to lose weight. We just keep looking for easy fixes – but the good old fashion way is the best and the most successful. We need to work through your issues (easier said then done I know), but true success comes with an all around healthy mind and body. We need to make better choices, take responsibility, enforce self discipline, love oneself and exercise (that just means you have to perform some form of activity.) It does not take a drug, it does not take a surgeon, it does not take a magic wand – just good old fashion work and effort.

Anna & Co — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:35:34 +0000

THE SKINNY ON BUDDHA BELLY has a good article on ABS OF STEEL? forgetaboutit? You should check it out if you are interested in improving and losing the extra tire in the middle. The info comes from an article today on Sparkpeople. Burn Fat – Don’t Crash Diet and be realistic – all good advice.