Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.... but what is small?

We've heard it a million times, "don't sweat the small stuff!" And, I agree. But, I think its important to first examine what the small stuff means... to you, to your partner, your friends, your clients.... we may not all be on the same page as to what constitutes that famously small stuff.

What does the small stuff mean to you?

To me, the small stuff includes things like: a not-so-perfect haircut, a not-so-perfectly picked up or ultra clean house, not winning at everything, not having the BEST of some gadget, and not being so perfect. I try hard not to sweat my small stuff.

But, small stuff is pretty subjective. Your friends/partner/clients may have a different perspective of what small stuff is.

Its critical to know what matters most (and least) to those those who are important to you.

It may be super important to them that they get a call back within the hour if they leave you a message. You, on the other hand, may feel a day or two response is adequate.

You may try to avoid the small stuff by ignoring it. They may prefer to talk about the small stuff to get it out and move forward.

Think about what small stuff means to you. Don't sweat it.. for you. But, also know what it means to others so you don't lose something or someone important to you.

174 and 3% body fat down

So, the scale isn't playing as nicely as I'd like. :) I'm only down a few pounds. Not the 10 my body is telling me I've shed from all of the exercise I've been doing. :) I say that with a joking smile.

It continues to be a really enjoyable journey, no matter what the scale says. The great news is that my body fat is decreasing. I have a scale that tells me how much I have- along with other measurements. I've dropped my body fat into an acceptable range according to body fat charts. Great!

I've adopted a new diet and am really enjoying it. I have a lot to learn to maintain healthy eating habits- and incorporate the variety the body calls for. When I was a vegetarian years ago I did it all wrong. Can anyone say pizza? Vegetarians can be fat too you know. But this time I am incorporating foods I've not experimented with before. I'm staying away from dairy (for the most part) which was often my fattest intake of the week. I really love cheese. :) Now, I eat vegetarian out (with only two slips in the last two weeks) and vegan when I cook at home. I feel great about that.

This morning, as I came back from the gym, (Yes, I got up at my usual 6 AM and hit the gym right away), I passed McDonald's. The drive through was packed! I felt great knowing I wasn't in that line! One of those meals would have erased my gym work for a few days! I recall the days of working mostly out of my car, as a mobile therapist and again as a researcher, when multiple daily meals came from fast food! Yikes. Those days are long gone!

I am very proud of my gym routine- the fact that I make it a priority every day. In fact, its about making ME a priority every day. That feels great. I was in DC for 4 full days and two of them we made it to the gym! Two out of four isn't bad. Four out of four would have been better but I won't beat myself up. It was a mini-vacation.

My exercise physiologist has given me a new program after modifying the last one to my and my gyms needs. I started that this morning. I work hard when I'm at the gym. Can I work a little harder, yes.

So, in a nutshell, the past 3 weeks have been full of proud moments and a few small failures. I think I have to work ten times harder to reduce my portions. I haven't paid enough attention to this. I really love food! But, I know what I have to do.

Oh, and breakfast.... while that line at McDonald's was busy with morning commuters... I have come to enjoy a 1/2 grapefruit broiled with honey on top for my breakfasts! Today, I switched up for a little variety... bran cereal with almond milk (non dairy).

I know so many of you are monitoring this blog to cheer me on and to find your own inspirations- welcome and enjoy! I hope you are enjoying it as much as I am. It feels good to reclaim yourself!

Change can be a Difficult Choice.. and the Wrong One too.

This week I was a honored to attend the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball in Washington DC. The Salute to Heroes Ball is not an "official" ball but it has welcomed the President, Vice President and their respective spouses since it began in 1953.

This particular ball is so very special because of its honorees, the Congressional Medal of Honor winners. This award is the highest military honor to be given to anyone, and is often done posthumously. This year we had 48 Medal of Honor recipients present at the Salute to Heroes Ball. That is almost half of those who are still living. It was incredible to be in that room.

Where does change come into play here? Well, this year was different because the incoming President (whom I voted for) did not attend the Ball. He attended others but not this one. This was the first time in history that the President did not attend and spend a few minutes honoring these heroes. So many of us were disappointed.

Clearly, his schedule was packed. Clearly they were off course with timing that day. Clearly everyone wanted him at their ball. ..... Yes, all of that is very true. But, his decision to not attend this Ball, made in the days ahead when he sent a letter to the leading host organization with his regrets, has profoundly impacted many of the people who were there. Remember, I said I voted for him. I wouldn't set him up for failure or look for areas to complain about... but he has given me one for the record books, literally.

This lesson is not just for people in high power, like our President. This lesson is for all of us as we change things in our lives or make decisions that others are anticipating another course of action. Beware. Your decisions and actions may appear subtle to you but they may severely leave a bad taste in someone's mouth. Someone, who you may need to call upon in the future for a need you have.

Personally, I'd rather have a celebrity mad at me for not shaking hands than look away from the men and women who have served our country so honorably. And, did I mention that we are at war? Even President Clinton came to the Ball when it was his time! The argument could go on but what is done is done. President Obama missed a wonderful opportunity and failed in his responsibility to honor our nation's greatest veterans.

Remember, you are responsible for your decisions and your actions. Take them seriously. Consider the negative consequences before acting.

Live from Washington!

Dear friends,

I'm writing to you from D.C. We're here for the Inaugural events and the great company of friends.

I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to see friends you haven't seen in a while. I knew I missed them but I suppose I didn't know how much- until we were catching up, laughing and sharing. Its been a wonderful vacation being here.

We'll be going to the Salute to Heroes Ball this evening. I'll be sure to take pictures and post them upon my return to my office.

Lisa

Putting Life in Perspective

The Miracle on the Hudson is all over the news. As it should be.

The 150 + passengers and crew members are "very lucky" as my partner who works for the FAA put it. As he thought about how lucky they are to be alive, I thought about something else.

I thought about the amazing gift they've been given. The gift of an event, tragic as it was, that allows them to put their life in perspective in a matter of moments. I would imagine for a few months their lives will never be the same. They will look at things differently. They will have a surreal experience of knowing it could have had another outcome.

I know that because I had a similar experience years ago. Anyone who has not genuinely experienced "those moments" when you realized this could be your last breath, may have a hard time following what I'm saying. Those moments feel like an eternity. You think about your loved ones and how they'll morn over how it ended for you. You think about the 1 or 2 people you love more than anything in the world. You'll pray. You'll look at the strangers around you in a new light- if you can see them. You'll feel helpless. At least, I did.

Remember that tomorrow is expected but not guaranteed. Put your life in perspective as though you had 30 days left on this earth- or 30 minutes. What would you do? Say? Be?

Life is really a gift. Let's never forget that.

Women and Goals

72% of women say happiness lies in making progress on their goals, even if they never achieve them. Wow. (This was just another nugget I found packed into January's Real Simple.)

As women, we love to feel productive, accomplished, moving forward. Therefore, this headline should not be surprising. However, as a coach, I'd like to see more goal achievement. Imagine how happy she'd be then!

There are several keys to goal achievement:

1. Write out a measurable goal (i.e., I will lose 10 lbs in 3 months -April 2009.)
2. Plan the goal on a daily or weekly scale. (I will lose 3.5 lbs a month, less than 1 lb each week.)
3. Enlist the help of friends, family, and a coach.
4. Start each day reminding yourself of your goal and what you can do that day to work toward it (exercise, plan meals, eat healthier, cut out bad foods....).
5. Dedicate time each week to think seriously about your goal, document your progress, and prepare for the following week with your goal at the top of your mind.
6. Celebrate each win along the way. And, don't beat yourself up for small mistakes along the way. No one is perfect.
7. Prepare for your goal achievement (in this example, buy something new for your new figure.)
8. Finally, Achieve!

Wishing you all happiness.

I host the Champions Series which is an ideal program for men and women who want to grow and develop in their personal and professional selves. The series has a monthly topic and related seminar delivered on MP3 file or CD through the mail. The program includes a private, monthly coaching call where we focus on your specific goals. Join today at http://www.spahrconsulting.com Membership is only $39 a month.

It is Real Simple

It is Real Simple... the magazine. I love it. I have been reading it for years.

The January issue particularly speaks to my heart as a coach. They asked women what was on their NOT-TO-DO list for 2009. Here's a sampling...

• I won't over commit.
• I'm going to stop being a people pleaser.
• I won't do office work at home on Sundays.
• I will stop saving things for special occasions.
• I will not make the same promises I have year after year. This year I'll be less judgmental, take the dog out more, and overlook my husband's inability to fold towels.

I love them! We are finally getting it! The best thing you can do for yourself, your family and your career is to STOP. Stop what you are doing. Do an analysis of what it is that you do everyday. And, then refine it to be more powerful, more productive, more meaningful, healthier, happier, etc..... (what ever it is that YOU need now) even if that means slowing down!

Enjoy your life. Don't let it slip away.

173.2...177...175 ???

There is truth to numbers. Yet, don't let the numbers run you. If no one famous said that yet, let it be said by me now.

Let's talk numbers first.
The other day, perhaps Friday, I weighed myself out of curiosity. The digital scale said 173. Fabulous. This morning it said 177. Not so fabulous. I went back to the scale a little while ago to get my water weight and other measurements via the digital scale. It said 175 and then gave me an error code for the other measurements. So, I will weigh myself at the gym and get new batteries for my scale. What ever the numbers say, I feel awesome!

Why do I feel awesome when the numbers aren't budging?
Its simple. I've reclaimed my life. I'm still hitting the gym at least 5 days a week for one hour each time. I do cardio and strength training. I'm hoping to add some yoga in there this week. And, I've severely modified my eating habits. I'm finally taking full responsibility for everything that goes in my mouth, thus into my body.

Since I last blogged about my weight...
The first week I was good about going to the gym but my food intake was still in need of serious overhaul. The second week I was plagued with a slight injury but very motivated to get back in the gym and get my nutrition on board.

Near the end of the second week I read Skinny Bitch, the book. (Which I recommend with a few caveats. Its not for the faint of heart. It promotes a strictly vegan lifestyle and tells you a million reasons why you should do so. Its for those who are serious about reclaiming their lives and willing to make equally serious changes to their lifestyle.) For me, that book revolutionized my eating habits and thoughts about food. I've been a vegetarian before so it wasn't that far off from what I was used to, although it was years ago. Since reading it, I have maintained a vegan diet with only a few episodes of feta cheese on two of my meals outside the house. I am not opposed to having fish at least once per week- so I doubt I'll stick to a strict vegan diet but I like many of the other vegan choices and believe it will make up at least 75% of my eating habits.

I considered Nutrisystem until I read Skinny Bitch. And, my partner wasn't on board with Nutrisystem- which I would have wanted had I gone with it. He convinced me that we should just make better choices and prepare for meals to cook at home. In hindsight, I wouldn't have been satisfied with Nutrisystem after reading Skinny Bitch. I'm much happier with my current choices.

I added a food log to my outlook notes. I note everything that I eat or drink (outside water- which I drink plenty of anyhow).

I enlisted the help of a professional, Patty Dietz, an exercise physiologist, to give me a FREE one month membership of online health guidance and advice based on my personal needs. If you want to reach Patty please email me.

I can't tell you how good I feel. I think making the food choices that I've made have allowed me to feel better instantly. I was grocery shopping for my new lifestyle last night and enjoying so much of it. I read each label and put it down if it had too much sodium (I had high blood pressure years ago when my weight was higher), too many calories, too much fat in proportion to the calories, not enough nutrition, and if I didn't like any of the ingredients. I feel great about what what went in my cart, my car, my home and ultimately will go into my body.

And, I love going to the gym. The best feeling is when you are in bed and you stretch and you feel a muscle you haven't felt so prominently in ages!

I'm optimistic that the numbers will catch up with how I feel in the weeks to come. I'm not worried. I'm just going to stick to my new food lifestyle and my gym routines. And, I'm going to keep feeling great!

Let me know how you are doing!

Recall Your Early Motivations to Foster Progress

As you are starting a new year, you are likely clearing out files and such from years past. I encourage you to take your time and review your early work for renewed inspiration.

If you are a business owner:
Review your thoughts, drawings, notes, emails and other work that you did before the start and in the beginning of your business (or a particular project).

If you are a student:
Review your early writings and other work.

If you are a parent:
Review your journal and/or thoughts of parenting before the children arrived.

If you are a professional:
Revisit items that talked about where you wanted the world to take you. What were your expectations and dreams before life got hectic.

The reason for you to do this is multi-fold:

• You'll revisit why you began the journey. What did you set out to do? Or Why?
• You'll see progress and change. Some you'll like and some you won't. Take this time to think about your new directions.
• You'll see your values, beliefs, and ideas at their rawest. Have they changed? Have you totally lost them?
• You'll get to slow down to evaluate the roses before moving forward. In doing so, you may choose a slightly different path.

Enjoy the adventure.

Make sure you are putting your best foot forward-for yourself- each and every day!

Winning Attributes

I've observed thousands of people over the years, as part of my work and as part of my natural interest in learning and observing behavior. I've come to identify limiting as well as successful attributes and behaviors in people. I examine and refine this list to benefit my clients as well as myself. I'll share a few examples with you today- as we prepare for our new year and to be our best selves.

Be Social- in a good and balanced way- and you'll be rewarded with great relationships
Believe it or not I was a shy child in many respects. At the age of 12 I realized that to build relationships with others you need to be social. As an only child that didn't come naturally to me. I had to work at it. And, I had to work hard to discover how to do it well and in a balanced way. I remember at one point getting it very wrong- and believing that I had to give people my toys to have them like me. There were a lot of growing pains.

Be a Great Networker to promote yourself, your business and help others
I had a friend who seemed to know everyone. She could solve any problem by picking up the phone. She was a giver. A helper. I admired her. I was in my early 20's when I met her in Philadelphia. I knew then that she was on to something with her incredible social skills. I later came to see that it was networking at its best. I mirrored her in the things she did and began to harness my own abilities as a networker.

Observe Others to be Your Best
Look to other people to see how you can improve. I'm not suggesting that you compete and compare yourself with others to the point of losing who you are- however, I am advocating that you step away from yourself to examine attributes of others that could enhance who you are. You can teach an old dog new tricks! You can become and do things that you haven't before. You can live your life the way you want to. It truly is a personal choice that you have to become the person you want to be- free of any limitations that have been set at your doorstep in days before. One small example of this is public speaking. If you would like to be better at it there are groups you can join, books you can read, coaches you can hire, etc.... Thousands of people harness this skill every year. You are no different. You can become a great speaker if you want to.

I wish you health, happiness and prosperity in 2009!

A Life Coach's Contribution to Wellness Programs

How can a life coach help my company and our employees?

As health care costs rise companies are reaching out to employees to take a greater hand in their health and related costs. Costs are expected to rise 6.8% this year and 40% of employers surveyed reported that they’ll ask employees to do more cost-sharing.1 Alternative avenues to increase health and wellness are being sought at the company level to lower health care costs while increasing employee heath and education.

Top-tier companies recognize the benefits of healthy and happy employees therefore they are inviting nutritionists, personal trainers, smoking cessation coaches and others into the workplace for the benefit of both the employee and company. These experts are being packaged in Wellness Programs and other benefits packages offered by the company for free or at a significantly reduced cost to employees. And, it’s working. The Pittsburgh Business Times reported that for every $1 that a company invested in wellness programs they received $1.65 in benefits returned.[1] Wellness programs not only save companies and individuals money (an estimated $1,476 per person), they yield additional benefits such as lower rates of absenteeism, improved morale and increased productivity.[2] When employees thrive and take ownership of their health, well being and overall success, everyone wins- including the companies employing them.

Life coaching is ideal for wellness programs and other benefits packages because it covers multiple facets of an employee’s life. Life coaches work with people on areas such as wellness and health, decision-making and relationships, workplace development, home-life balance and overall achievement in various areas of their life. Coaches have been used by leaders and executives for many years but are becoming more popular with the mainstream as they become more affordable and services are more widespread across the country.

As a life coach, I have personally helped people and businesses do the following[3]:
Organize space and tasks to be more productive – thus increasing revenue
Build better relationships with coworkers, managers and clients- strengthening reputation, increasing repeat business, optimizing working relationships and increasing revenue
Examine and identify areas lacking optimal productivity- thus increasing productivity
Increase confidence, decision-making and leadership abilities- to better serve the company, product or service and/or career elevation
Ensure that employees are thriving in both home and work arenas- a holistic approach to health and wellness achievement
Become more healthful (specifically losing weight and quitting smoking)- longevity and strengthening quality of life

Life coaching options for your company and employees may include:
A resident life coach for employee accessibility one or two days a week (in-house)
On-call coaching (by appointment) for employees during or after work hours
Monthly life coaching seminars at the office (30-60 minutes)

Financial options may include:
Company pays 100% of coaching
Company and employee share in the cost of coaching
Employees pay 100% of coaching (company provides the introduction, resource materials and perhaps meeting space)

[1] Pittsburgh Business Times. With heath care costs on rise, workers will have to shell out. February 22-28, 2008.
[2] Pittsburgh Business Times. Focus on wellness saves medical claim costs, survey finds. October 19-25, 2007.
[3] Please see my testimonials for more information as to my work with individuals and companies.

Pick One Project... any project

As 2008 winds down, I encourage you to enter 2009 with your best foot forward.

I believe it was my mother who told me that they way you start 2009 is the way it will progress. Therefore, she encouraged me to start it with a clean house!

Well, I'd like the clean house to symbolize your life. Clean it up. Organize it. Feel good about what you have and what you want. Know what direction you will pursue in 2009.

Choose one project that has been on your mind, or to-do list, for months (i.e., getting a picture framed, organizing photos, planning an event, etc...) and do it BEFORE 12/30/08. You'll feel accomplished AND you'll be stepping in the right direction for 2009.

Oh, and clean your house too. :)

Happy Holidays!

Don't Forget Your Favorite Charities...

Pic: Louie B (a shelter dog) pretending to earn his kibble.

I'm a huge animal lover! I always have been. I remember getting bit on the face as a child by a dog and telling my mom it was my fault for sneaking up on him. I still have the scar from that incident. But, I never once stopped supporting animal related causes. I suppose I'm a die-hard.

Each year at Christmastime, my dear friend Tara and I contribute money in each other's names to animal-centered organizations. I do the same for my mother at Mother's Day and on her birthday.

No matter what cause you feel close to, don't forget about them during times like these. We all seem to be a little more generous around the holidays. This year is slightly less-so due to economic concerns, but it shouldn't mean that our most loved charities have to bear the brunt of it. I'd rather pick up one less "gift" and contribute more in times like this.

Please consider making a donation in your loved ones honor or memory this holiday. It will make a greater difference that you know.

Happiest of holidays,
Lisa

176.2

Luckily, I'm not one to discourage easily. In three weeks since my last post not one ounce has budged. I am thankful to not have added one however.

Why has my weight stayed the same?
I haven't worked as hard as I should have on the food front. I only made better choices a handful of times and allowed my cravings to dictate my eating schedule and menu.

What have I done well these last three weeks?
I have hit the gym 5 days each week for at least an hour. Its a habit I'm enjoying. I enjoy it most because it represent my taking ownership of my choices and my body. It feels good to work out. And, it feels great to turn off the phone to do so. No one interrupts my gym time. Not even me.

What do I have to focus on in the next three weeks?
1. Consistently hitting the gym
2. Adding an online training partner and coach to do the best I can with my fitness routine
3. Dedicate myself to eating well (healthful) each day for this next three week period to prove the power of doing so

I'm feeling better already. Although the weight hasn't budged I am seeing benefits of taking the control for my figure and health back.

And, I have another incentive. I'll be at the Inaugural Ball on January 20th. I'll be seeing all of my friends from the DC area. I want to look good for that event too.

Here's to your health!

Lisa

2009 Resolutions

Its just a few weeks away. 2009. Tell it what you expect of it now. Don't enter it blindly.

What do you want to accomplish in 2009?

What are your personal goals? Financial goals? Spiritual goals? Career or business goals? Heck, I even have goals for home projects. I work them into the budget and give them time lines.

What is the benefit of having goals?

It helps give structure to your life. And, most of us need and thrive on good structure. It gives us purpose and direction.

How do I stay on track?

Have all of your goals written down and review them weekly at first, then when you are on the right path, monthly. Share them with others in your life and have discussions about them. Invite others to share their goals with you. Recognize that your goals were made because they were important to you so stick with them. Don't let another year go by to find them on the list with little progress. You control the success of your goals.

Happy Goal Setting. I hope that 2009 is your best year ever!

Trim the Fat.... its long overdue

I try to navigate around all of the negative talk- recession, lost jobs, no money.... yadda yadda yadda. It does little good to hear it. And, even worse, to hear it frequently is enough to make sure your will is up to date and check your supplemental insurance fine lines.

Make no mistake, I'm far from the "safe zone" as I have 2 of 4 family members being laid off this year (in manufacturing and labor positions). But, I don't think that surrounding yourself with this type of discussion does anything positive to move you and your family forward.

Winners don't wallow. They assess, pick up, and move on.

Now, on to the point of my blog. Get your firing gloves out. Not the ones for pottery. The ones that you wear when you have to let people go. Its unpleasant but necessary. Especially necessary now, if you ask me. You should have done it long ago but you thought you'd let them slide. Slide no more.

Take a hard look around and fire the people who shouldn't have been on the payroll to begin with. They don't do their work well. Their position is obsolete. They have no productive place in your shop.

Recognize your responsibility. You have a responsibility to keep your business profitable or afloat during hard times. You have a responsibility to your employees to give them a decent, safe, and positive work environment. Now, they have a responsibility to you. They have the responsibility to show up, do well, and take their job seriously. If they don't do that- get rid of them. If out of 8 hours you can only see 2 hours of production- you have a responsibility to investigate that. How can that be positive and productive for your business- and for your harder working employees?

Now, I'm not advocating firing from the hip or haphazardly. There is a right way to do it and many wrong ways. You also have the responsibility to ensure people know what gets them fired- and what keeps them on. And, you have a responsibility, in my opinion, to train or retrain them to see if you can keep them on. But, if not, let them go and show your respect for your business and your harder working employees.

We can all cut the fat- in our work and home lives. Its a necessary element to growth and productivity.

Get firing. If you can't do it, hire someone who can and will.

Happy Holidays. (insert tongue in cheek here)

Massage Get One.

A quick note today.

How often do you get a massage? Never. Oh, you are missing out.

Massage is good for the body, mind and soul. I go every 4 weeks. I'd like to go every week.

If you've never had one and are hesitant- have a foot or hand massage. Or, have a chair massage fully clothed.

There are all different types of massages and they focus on different parts of the body. For instance, a great hair shop normally gives clients a good scalp massage when washing their hair. If you've ever had one of these you know it! It feels great.

Try a massage today. Book a long-overdue massage. Your body, mind and soul will thank you for it.

Perhaps a great gift idea for you and your loved ones.

Phone Etiquette

In a conversation at a networking meeting last week someone brought this subject up, again. Phone etiquette. Do you realize how important it is?

How many times do you have to ask, "what?" when someone speaks to you on the phone? Sometimes the way they answer allows you to see their messy desk and dash across the office with their phone in hand. They are speaking so quickly you have to ask what language they are speaking in. Or, you are tuned in to the fact that they hate their job. You can hear that in their voice too.

Have a training for your staff on communications. Include telephone etiquette and express why its important.

Basic tips:

• Speak slowly and clearly
• Repeat and confirm critical information (phone numbers, credit card details, dates and times of appointments, ...)
• Be pleasant and polite
• Don't allow your personal life in your phone voice or conversation with a client or potential client
• Follow the Golden Rule

Why is phone etiquette important?

• You and your company will be judged by how someone answers and is treated on the telephone
• Clients call you. Clients are revenue. Upset clients. Upset revenue.
• You have an opportunity to promote you, your business, your product and your philosophy when you interact with someone on the telephone- use it to your advantage
• You have a responsibility to be a good steward in the community and here is one of many chances to do that. Treat people well and they will do the same for you.

Schedule that training today. Get company input. Reward great phone etiquette. Make 2009 your year to shine.

Foodie Fundraising - Women's Initiative

I am blogging today instead of Friday as I'll be too full of Turkey to do anything (not really, it just sounded good).

I'd like to remain on my thankful thoughts this week by sharing with you an extraordinary new initiative that I'm honored to be a part of... Foodie Fundraising. Foodie Fundraising features my book World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (2008).

Foodie Fundraising is a new site and project by Debra Dion Krischke. She is passionate about supporting women worldwide- as am I. She has created Foodie Fundraising to feature several gift items that can be purchased with the goal of giving some of the purchase price to women's initiatives worldwide.

I encourage you to visit Foodie Fundraising at http://www.foodiefundraising.com/ and shop for the holidays. Also, pause for a moment to imagine the lives that so many women are living - often without the necessities and luxuries that we've become accustomed to. Imagine living one day without clean water. Imagine living without electricity. Or worse, imagine dreaming about a life free of violence toward you or your children.

What are you most thankful for?

176.2

"What on earth is 176.2," you ask? My weight.

I am doing something wild and brazen- as is often the case with me in case you don't know. I am planning to blog every third Monday about my battle with weight- which I intend to win (another thing about me you might not know- I hate to lose).

So, here is our starting point. I say "our" because I am often asked by people how I managed weight loss in the past. So many people, women and men, are on that journey to better health and self-esteem. I encourage you to join me. Comment on your own journey as we go or just check in and use me as your partner on the journey. I'm here to win. I'm also here to help you win.

First, a little history. I was always a fat little girl. My mom was always the slender gal she is today. People often commented on how we didn't appear to share the same genes even though our faces look the same. She put me on diet after diet during my pre-teen years. Nothing worked. Maybe it was the candy she'd give me as she found it hard to deny her only child the sweets other children were getting. (Ironically, I don't like desserts. I'm not a chocolate fan. And, sweets are far from my caloric problem areas.) I recall many a day crying at home on my bed after school because of people making fun of me at school. But, those days are far over. Let's move on.

At the age of 12 I lost 50 pounds in 3 months. I played tennis everyday, however badly. I ate junk (you can do that at 12) and took up other bad habits (which I won't mention here). I entered high school with high self-esteem (although I still felt fat at 130) and tons of positive attention (not sure that was what I needed, but it was the case nonetheless).

As I grew into my 20's the weight slowly came back. In college I was probably 180 or so- but I still felt great and didn't have any self-esteem issues.

It wasn't until 32 my weight became a crisis again. My new doctor alerted me that I had high blood pressure. What? Me? No! My weight was now at 213 (according to his scale) and 209 according to mine. :) I had a big problem, pardon the pun.

So, over the next two years I dropped 62 pounds. I was down to 151 and felt fabulous. Blood pressure was no longer an issue.

Since that time, the pounds have snuck back on. I dropped the ball. I started to eat badly, often. I ignored the gym pass I pay a fortune for. And, I was convinced my fiance was just washing our clothes in hot water. :)

Today's Renewed Determination. I have toyed with renewing my determination to loose weight for a few weeks now - probably more like a few months. But, the kick in the pants you need sometimes comes at odd times that do or do not correspond with your desires. It's here now.

My clothes don't fit the way I want them to. I am feeling bad about my body (which hasn't been the case since I was 12). And, I have a wedding in almost 6 months. So, here goes....

Goal: I will lose 30 pounds (146.2) in 6 months (May 24, 2008).

I will chart my progress on this blog.

I will achieve this goal by hitting the gym 5 days per week for at least 45 minutes per workout (not counting arriving, parking, changing, chatting....). I will make better food and beverage choices starting today: nothing fried, more fish, more veggies, more raw food, less sugar, less bread.....

Join me friends. Let's make this holiday season about our health and well being. Its not going to be easy but its going to be one of the most rewarding things we can do for ourselves.

Yours truly at 176.2
Lisa