Live To Win!
It's not about the destination, but it's all about the journey
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Starting Over
April 21, 2019
Well the saying above says everything about me.
WoW! 2015 is my last post. I feel ashamed. I made all these promises to myself that I would be accountable to my website and I have done nothing in almost four years!
Several things have happened since I have been gone from this site. I lost several of my adorable cats to illnesses that came with age. My husband did get two promotions during this away time. He is now a Captain within his law enforcement agency. So there have been some good times, and some heart breaking moments.
As far as training has gone, I got lazy and put myself on the back burner. Not good! There is a Body for Life competition and support group starting up. I am going to see if I can still get into the group and should know something on Thursday, April 25th. I need to start getting back on track and this would be a huge incentive for me. Crossing my fingers.
I have come out of the closet and have now confessed my love of gaming! I am talking about MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing games). I am currently playing; Star Trek Online, Guild Wars 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online. Some can be played on consoles (think Xbox and Playstation), but I prefer to play on my PC. I actually have a website for Guild Wars 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online .
I am also President of a gaming community called Valhalla’s Halls Multi-Gaming Community We have such wonderful members from all over the world. I am Kira Zeran, which is the name I go by in the gaming world. It is something gamer’s do I guess to give another dimension between real life and gaming life.
Gaming is a great way to meet people. You are not judged by your appearance or your wealth. They accept you as you are. They get to know you by your personality. It is a genuine friendship. Some of these people I have known for over 9 years! We know each others ups and downs, and are always there to lend support.
So I guess you could say I am a gamer and athlete, the latter in development. My goals at this time are to embark on this wellness journey. I want to drop some weight and tone up by weight training. I would really like to race in 2020. The thoughts of running my first half marathon at Walt Disney World, Orlando, is still a goal I want to achieve. I know this is all attainable. I just have to focus and do my best to stay injury free. I have a great support system and the equipment to make it happen.
I will use this website as it was intended to be. A place to journal about my life as I reach goals I have set and the journey to reaching a balance between growth and achievements.
I want to leave with a story I read in a daily devotional on YouVersion:
Once there was a child that was enjoying playing in her sandbox. Her father decided to take her to another place that she would enjoy even more. She cried as her father picked her up to leave the sandbox. She couldn’t understand why he would make her leave.
Her father tried to reassure her that everything would be just fine and he was taking her to somewhere better. Those tears quickly dried up as they pulled up to a beach with endless sand and beautiful water. The little girl laughed and screamed with excitement as she ran around the beach and played in the water.
So many of us have become comfortable or just plain scared to leave our sandboxes because we cannot see what lies beyond. Sometimes God has a breathtaking beach waiting for us but we are crippled by fear and refuse to step out of the sandbox.
Well, it’s time for me to leave my sandbox………..
Moving it forward…..
June 14, 2015
The statement above is one I have been asking myself for way to long. I have not been doing what I need to do to be closer to who I want to become. I have been doing just the opposite! I started this blog to hold myself accountable on my journey to a better life…… physically, mentally, and spiritually. I need to lose weight and have procrastinated to the point I have gained weight. Mentally the only reason I am not stressing or going out of my mind is because I have changed my sleeping pattern to staying up all night and sleeping during the day (so peaceful at night, but so wrong to do!). Spiritually is probably the only area I have come close to making some changes. I have been reading my daily devotionals and Bible readings on YouVersion. However, I can’t say that I am really grasping what I am reading. It is like I am just going through the motions, which really does not bring me closer to God, my higher power.
So where do I begin? I always answer this with one baby step at a time. Getting back on track and/or making changes in your life requires small steps to adjust to the changes. That is not to say that some people have not had to make drastic changes overnight or in a short time frame. I just lost my mother-in-law about 5 weeks ago. The moment of her death, life changed, especially for my husband. Some changes are sudden, but when you have changes that you can space out, one day at a time is the best thought process to put into action.
So that is what I am doing. Taking it one day at time….baby steps along the way, to get back on track. I am going to use the fantastic treadmill I have, eat clean as often as possible, read my bible daily, and journal here about my feelings, my workouts, my regrets, my accomplishments and all. This may be boring reading for some, and I accept that. This is for me and anyone out there that may relate to starting over or are on a journey to a better life.
If you have a blog about getting back on track with life’s goals, let me know and I will follow you. It’s great to have a support system! Wish me luck as I get off the bench on this journey I had started awhile back. It is time to move forward and get my life back on track.
Bingeing
May 13, 2014
We all have those day: Up late at night, hungry and are craving sugar or something salty. There on the shelf is a bag of chips and some ice cream in the refrigerator!! Next we know, we are sitting in front of the TV eating all these calories to no avail.
You go to a party and know you should be eating all the healthy snacks (like veggies, fruits, grilled chicken) but the temptation is just to great and you end up eating the little sandwiches made with real mayonnaise and while you’re at it, nibble on the dessert as well!
I’ve been there. Haven’t you? When you stay to a strict, clean, eating plan eventually your body is going to crave what it misses. It always strikes at just the right moment when those certain forbidden foods are made accessible.
There are several ways you can avoid the dreaded binge monster:
1) Ask yourself why you are bingeing. Are you craving sugar, salt, etc? Are you eating out of emotional feelings? Are you a late night snacker? Are you feeling pressured into eating?
2) If you know you are prone to bingeing, then have a plan.
3) Clean out your cupboards
4) Have some raw veggies or fruit available to snack on
5) If you have to have chips, crackers, etc., read the serving size. Put only that amount in a dish and slowly eat it.
6) Allow yourself one cheat day (or cheat meal) a week. If you are craving chocolate, or dessert, or pizza, etc., go ahead and have it. The cheat day/meal could also be because you are going to a party, out to dinner, etc.
7) Don’t ever feel pressured into eating what you know you can’t control. This is your chance to do something for yourself. Don’t give others that control. Stand up for yourself and choose accordingly.
8) Remember after you binge, it’s always a little more difficult to get back on the wagon. At least I find it hard. I feel so disappointed that starting back seems a little more difficult, which brings me to number 9.
9) Forgive yourself!!!!!!!! We all make mistakes. It’s going to happen to the best of us. Be strong. Log what you ate and move on. Check it off as a cheat day and get back in the saddle.
10) Log your food. By logging your food you will see all the calories you consumed for that day. If you are right at your calorie maximum intake, that in itself may keep you from bingeing.
11) Pray to God (or your higher power) for help. There is much greatness in the power of prayers. God will help you stay the course and when you fail, he will be there to put you back in line.
Just remember, bingeing is part of the recovery process. It didn’t take you overnight to gain weight and it’s not going take you overnight to loose it. We will hit rocks along the journey and then need to pick ourselves up and move forward, not backwards.
The Biggest Loser’s Biggest Lies
April 30, 2014
This is a great article about the Biggest Loser and what is actually happening on the show. It’s not all it appears to be!
In the wide, wide world of ridiculous diet and weight loss BS, The Biggest Loser’s ‘weekly’ weigh-ins take the cake. If you’re familiar with the TV show then you know it’s not uncommon to see the contestants lose 12 to 20 lbs a week from their exercise and diet efforts. The first time I saw this, I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been researching, practicing, teaching and writing about health, weight-loss, and fitness for over 25 years and I’ve never seen weight come off that fast. It’s something that I get countless, continuous questions about, from my students, clients, and even doctors.
“How on earth are The Biggest Loser participants losing so much weight so fast?” That’s the question that is so often asked. As it turns out, the answer is: “They aren’t.” Let me explain…
You might be surprised to discover that there is a closely guarded secret to those…
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Happy Birthday to me :)
April 27, 2014
Happy Birthday to ME!
Another year quickly goes by and I find myself celebrating another birthday (which beats the alternative!). I look back at my last birthday and remember so many things that use to get to me, that I have now learned were just simple stepping stones in life. So what have I come away with to start this new year?:
1) Laugh more often. It’s not always as bad as it seems.
2) Smile at others. Just a simple smile can brighten someones day.
3) Be thankful for what I have. So many are out there homeless and lonely. Be thankful that I have a roof over my head and friends and family that love me very much.
4) Don’t be so hard on myself. We all have our “bad” days and those days don’t last forever. Pray. Ask God for guidance and strength and always look forward, not behind.
5) Self Image. I am not perfect. As a matter of fact there are more imperfect people in this world then there are “perfect” ones. I may not like the way I look, but there is always someone who has it worse than I do.
6) Goals. Set mini goals and strive for them. When one is completed reward myself. Set medium time frame goals and long term goals. The bottom line is set goals which are achievable to feel good when the accomplishments are fulfilled.
7) Don’t complete a goal doesn’t mean to give up. Brush myself off and get back in the game.
8) Say ‘I love you” more to those that are close at heart. You never know what tomorrow may bring.
9) Remember those important dates in someone else’s life. Like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, milestone dates. It takes just a minute to send a card or pick up the phone to let them know you are thinking of them.
10) Don’t pass up the little things in life. Some of the most beautiful discoveries are the most precious moments that quickly pass us.
11) Take a moment, daily, to thank God for all the greatness he has bestowed upon myself and my family.
12) Take better care of myself. Eat cleaner, workout, journal and reflect on the good things more often.
13) And most important, love myself. I often forget to do this because I am constantly criticizing myself. I am a child of God and I have a purpose. I may not know what that purpose is, but there is a reason I was made in his eyes. Everyday I shall start the day with three positive self reflections and end the day the same way.
This is just a list I have for myself, and others may find it helpful as well. Life is to short not to rejoice in the moment. If you have some other thoughts you live by, please share. I’d love to hear them.
Unwritten
January 22, 2014
“Unwritten”
As I was on my treadmill last night, a song came across my iPod that I hadn’t heard in quite a while. I started listening to the words and felt myself inspired. It’s Natasha Bedingfield’s song, “Unwritten”. The song was released in November, 2004, so it’s nothing new. But the words of the song say it all. To me the song is about writing your book on your life. It’s about letting go, making mistakes, and growing from them.
There is a part where she sings the words, “I’m just beginning….The pen’s in my hand…Ending unplanned”. For some the journey on their book has begun. For others the journey is right around the corner. We all have the pen in our hands to choose the chapters we want to write. Maybe it’s about accomplishments , failed desires, achieving goals, or self struggles. Still, you are the main character in your book. The choice is yours. The ending is unwritten and only you can write that chapter. So think about this, if you had to write a book about yourself, what would the title be? What would your chapters consist of?
I am still writing my book and of course my title would be easy to guess…..Live To Win! Live to win is about my journey through all my fears and learning how to turn my life around so I am a better person and can help others move forward. Live To Win is about winning over the struggles in life. It’s about releasing my inhibitions, letting go and living my life to the fullest.
Maybe it’s time for you to start your book……..
Here are the words to the song:
Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten
I am unwritten,
Can’t read my mind
I’m undefined
I’m just beginning
The pen’s in my hand
Ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your innovation
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten, yeah
Oh, oh
I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines, oh yeah yeah
We’ve been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can’t live that way oh, oh
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
the rest still unwritten
(Gospel)
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open *****
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open *****
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
Live To Win! 