A frog, hopping around the farm, minding his own business, fell right into a pail half-filled with cream. Swimming frantically, he found the sides too steep and too high. Determined not to give up, he continued to struggle. He kicked and squirmed, kicked and squirmed until at last his churning had turned the cream into a block of butter – allowing him to hop right out. He never gave up!
Here’s how our story and his intersect. If he only saw the hopelessness of his situation and started feeling sorry for himself, he would have sunk to the bottom. But instead he kept kicking. He kicked not because he knew it would help him escape, but because he was compelled to, he had no choice. He kicked because the alternative was no alternative at all.
From the frog’s point of view, all he was doing was treading water (or cream), doing what he could in a bad situation. If you keep kicking, even if it just seems like you’re treading water, you’re actually causing real change that will make a huge difference later on.
There will be good days; there will be bad days – sometimes several in a row. There will be lazy days and discouraging days. But there will also be days of revelation, days of making a breakthrough, days of being proud of whom you are becoming, days of wanting to climb on top of your success and reach for the stars, because you just know that anything is possible.
These are the days that make it all worthwhile. These are the days that let you deal with those other, not-so-great days. Once you know those bad days will be there, it’s easier to accept them at face value and deal with them. But you have to keep kicking on those bad days to get to the good ones. If you’re not kicking, you’re sinking.
Don’t let the world or your own doubts take away one of the most positive things you have going for yourself – your determination to create a healthier, more energetic, more vibrant, more wonderful YOU.
As encouragement to the rest of us tell one of your success stories about a time when you defeated the urge for emotional eating and came out on top.
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 4050 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
That is the current plan, but with physics make up tests the following week, I am not sure yet. Depends on how I do with the test on Tuesday. There may be no reason to take the make ups if I don't A this coming one.
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
Originally posted by Coaster Girl: Will do, Diana. Right now I'm panicking because she moved up our next physics test to Tuesday (like in 5 days). This is not good news, because I had plans to go visit friends out of town this weekend (the test was supposed to be a week from Tuesday). Mini vacations are great for destressing, but only if you go. Our study group is planning extra time this weekend now.
Now I'm frustrated and stressed out again! Still no papers back to date. ARGH!!!
That sucks that your weekend plans got scrapped because of the test! : ( Can you re-schedule for the following weekend?
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Will do, Diana. Right now I'm panicking because she moved up our next physics test to Tuesday (like in 5 days). This is not good news, because I had plans to go visit friends out of town this weekend (the test was supposed to be a week from Tuesday). Mini vacations are great for destressing, but only if you go. Our study group is planning extra time this weekend now.
Now I'm frustrated and stressed out again! Still no papers back to date. ARGH!!!
Life is like a roller coaster, with lots of ups and downs, but the curves, spirals, loops and corkscrews are what make life interesting.
Funny, though, if she had succeeded in getting him to break up with you for old gf (and old gf had taken him back), I bet that she would have gotten to hear about how wonderful and smart YOU are.
She sounds like one of those mothers that can't let go of her son.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
She did mention that <former girlfriend> was looking SO GOOD while we were at dinner ("You can't even tell she's had THREE KIDS!"), and his response was, "Can you tell she's had three husbands?"
Well, OK, D., the dude gets points for that one!
Thanks for the suggestion - what I have done with some of the leftovers from Panera is sometimes I grind the breads into breadcrumbs and keep them frozen for meatloaf, etc. I bought giant ziplocks and am considering giving the still fresh things we don't eat to some neighbors. Can't believe what a short shelf-life fresh breads have. One thing that keeps me away from them is that it's not all that special anymore. You know how some treats seem so rare that you feel like ,"I better eat this because I don't get this opportunity every day!" Like Easter candy, right? But now that Panera goods are sitting around all the time, it's just not magnetic for me so much. And truthfully, bread is not my nemesis.
Thanks for all the inspiration on this thread everyone!
Posts: 1104 | Location: NH | Registered: February 28, 2005
Originally posted by mountaingirl: Today I came downstairs to 2 raisin coffee cake muffins, 6 choc-chip cookies, 2 bearclaws, and two loaves of french bread.
As an alternative coping method (because you have WAY more willpower than I do!), can you freeze the stuff and set it out at church/school/PTA/work?
Jen...she doesn't say those things when he's around very often (she and I ended up painting three rooms together). She did mention that <former girlfriend> was looking SO GOOD while we were at dinner ("You can't even tell she's had THREE KIDS!"), and his response was, "Can you tell she's had three husbands?"
I snorted wine up my nose, I know it.
I tell him about some of the comments, but the others, I call *my* mom and complain about, because she had a doozy of a mother-in-law. Oh, and therapy was on Monday afternoon, which ended up being, basically, a one-hour bitchfest and "reframing" session.
That I can laugh about it makes me happy Before, I think it would have made me cry.
Cathy, I'm going to borrow your breakfast at the park idea, if you don't mind I've never thought of doing that, but it sounds wonderful, and we've got one nearby that I enjoy.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
Originally posted by cobismom: When I don't eat, I gain weight. I don't eat when my family is traveling or on the road. This being the case for a 5 day "boys" trip, I knew I had to do something or gain weight. So I planned meals with friends, people I hadn't had time or they hadn't had time to sit and share a meal. We each brought something to share, and something totally healthy for dinner. Five days, five friends and time shared. For breakfast, I had fixed ahead of time muffins and took them out the night before so they would be unfrozen and ready to eat, those I took to the park with some juice and coffee. Lunch was a salad shared with a neighbor who eats alone everyday. Pretty good for the five days, for me, and I went in with a 2 lb weight loss.
Wow, Cathy, what an awesome way to take control of a situation that you knew would be disasterous to your health and peace of mind! You have come a long way, even in just the past few months, let alone the past 4 years!
Blessings,
Lori
Re-committing myself to a healthy lifestyle that will include regular (and increasing) exercise, and following the baby steps rule on food. 6/17/08
Posts: 3149 | Location: California | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by D in St Pete: I get that you believe "girls with muscles are gross" and that the REAL way to lose weight is just to buckle down and not eat.
And I say, because I am one, Girls with Muscle Rock!!!!!
Originally posted by mountaingirl: Today I came downstairs to 2 raisin coffee cake muffins, 6 choc-chip cookies, 2 bearclaws, and two loaves of french bread.
AND I HAVE NOT EATEN ANY OF THEM.
Wow...I bow down to your strength! I would have been into the bearclaws or chocolate chip cookies by now.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7313 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
The boyfriend's mother has been here visiting for a few days.
Among the gems: "You know, <name withheld> has found a great new crash diet. I'll have her send you the book."
"With a little makeup, you'd be very close to pretty."
"Have you met <former girlfriend of boyfriend>? She's stunning. A real looker. I wonder when <boyfriend> is coming up to visit us next?"
SHUT. UP.
Seriously, SHUT. UP.
I don't care. I know you think I "stole" your boy away from a trampy, multi-divorced gal he could have been a first husband to. Really. I know you think that because I went to college, I'm a snot. I get that you believe "girls with muscles are gross" and that the REAL way to lose weight is just to buckle down and not eat.
AND I get that MY WEIGHT is not your business.
In all of this weekend, during which the kitchen was completely out of commission (due to construction, and not because I didn't want to cook for her, despite what she said...), I made very sensible choices for each meal. And, in this context, sensible also meant a glass of wine at dinner every night. But just one.
I could have chosen a "I'll show HER!" attitude and gotten appetizer, rich meal, wine, dessert. But I didn't. I chose vegetable-full meals with whole grains, low-fat meats, and ONE glass of wine. No desserts, except the low-fat-ice-cream-with-fruit option I got one night.
And, to get one more thing off my chest, it's PREE-TEN-SHUS not PREN-SHEN-SHUS.
Please, if you're going to call me that, say it right!
Guh. Better now. And off to get more water.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
The first week of April was brutal for me at work. I think I posted about feeling like I wanted to eat an entire chocolate cake, and I am happy to report that not only did I not eat an entire chocolate cake, I didn't eat any chocolate cake or cookies or anything like that.
I think I had piece or two of chocolate candy that week, but not from stress, just because it was something I wanted to have for the sheer enjoyment of the chocolate, and I didn't over indulge.
IN FACT, my boss gave each of us a pyramid of Ferrero Rocher chocolates (13 pieces) on March 26th and I still have 3 pieces left and I have given away at least 2 of those that are gone.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4319 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Thank you so much for this inspiration, Judy! I really needed it today - seriously!
Ok, small victory, but if any of you have ever been in this situation then you know that if I lose this particular battle too often, I'm going to end up back where I started.
My oldest works for Panera (insert collective sigh of bliss) which means that 3 nights a week she brings home bags and bags of baked goodies because everything is fresh daily so they give out the extra stuff at closing (insert collective gasp). Today I came downstairs to 2 raisin coffee cake muffins, 6 choc-chip cookies, 2 bearclaws, and two loaves of french bread.
AND I HAVE NOT EATEN ANY OF THEM.
(insert applause)
Posts: 1104 | Location: NH | Registered: February 28, 2005
Before, I think it would have made me cry.
