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Monthly Archives: September 2014

Defeat By Excuses (A Work In Progress, That’s Me, Part II)

29 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Inspiration, Motivation, Wellness/Fitness

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Tags

Apostolic, Christian, dreams, Fear, Fitness, health, Inspiration, Motivation, Overcoming, Personal Development, Personal Growth, wellness

Continuing from my previous writing, I knew there was something critically important I was forgetting at the time: EXCUSES!
They surface from our thought patterns to our lips with lightning speed as a crutch for why we cannot be what we need to be or do what we need to do. Excuses exempt us from what we do not want to do. Excuses are empty, some call them cop-outs. My Pastor teaches, ‘excuses are filled with corruption’.  The point is they lead to no where, no success, no progress, nothing. Excuses only limit us and defeat us.
This year I have had to fight past excuses (not always successful), fight past the “I can’t do it”, “I look awkward”, “I’m too thick for Yoga”, “I’m tired”, “I’m the oldest on this floor (in this room)”, “I’m too old”, “No one welcomed me”! Then there is the beast on the floor, someone running past me along my walk, or spinning like the blades of a fan in front of me. Yada, yada, yada.
Excuses are endless, relentless, they link together like a chain to choke the life out of you.
Excuses choke possibility.

01616e5e0fbd3f71edf1b153c56f0a75images-2
Excuses are the pseudo voices that justify why we cannot or will not do (because we don’t want to) what we need to do.
‘Fear of failure’ is so huge. I have written about it before, https://simplyphenomenal.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/quitting-before-you-get-started/
Imagine the rich experiences and opportunities that we miss because we never start, never take the first step or initiative to see if we can succeed. We are no better for it. We just remain in the same stagnation. That surely is not the abundant life.
It is not until we break free of our fears and excuses, that we realize we can succeed enough to stretch and pursue more.
To be more, to do more, to have more, to live more.
Most of our dreams are beyond our reach and require us to risk tripping, falling, failure or rejection to attain them. It is then, ‘in order to succeed, our desire for success must be greater than our fear of failure’. (paraphrasing Bill Cosby)
My wellness/fitness journey has been and continues to be one of overcoming, choosing every day to stay the course, to push through stinking thinking, push, fight, push, fight. Keeping the set goals forefront in my mind, visualizing the finish, and finding a way to get there.
I know excuses will not get me there. My desire for success is greater.

A Work In Progress, That’s Me

26 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Inspiration, Motivation, Wellness/Fitness

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Tags

Apostolic, Christian, Education, Goals, health, Inspiration, Motivation, Overcoming, Personal Development, Personal Growth, self development, wellness, Women

This writing is a response to an inquiry someone made to me about my wellness/fitness journey. I started it to reply to her directly, but decided to blog it and share it with everyone. I know much of it is being restated from previous writings but in case you missed it before, here it is again.

Praise the Lord, Sister …
First thing is you have to change your thinking, really make a decision to commit to the WORK. I must say too, you don’t realize it until you actually start the journey.
I have written about my journey on my blog, http://www.simplyphenomenal.wordpress.com … look through some of my writings this year.
I started with the 21-day Daniel Fast. I did not do it as a spiritual fast but as a jump start to my weight loss and it was the motivation that I needed to continue. I recommended getting the book because it has devotions for those 21-days that will help your mindset which is VERY IMPORTANT. After the 21 days, I continued eating the way I did while on the fast, [called the Daniel Cure], it was working for me (no meat, chicken, dairy, processed foods, sugar, etc).
I changed EVERYTHING because #1 I was experiencing success and #2 I was determined.
Also, most importantly, I COMMITTED TO ONE YEAR … it is not something you can do in a short amount of time.
Making short-term, realistic and achievable goals will help you maintain your motivation.
Also, important, is accountability, fine someone or people who you will be accountable to … in addition to wanting to encourage others with my journey on FB, is that it makes/keeps me accountable … I know people are watching, but they are also encouraging and cheering me on.
At first I just changed my diet and I had some success. Then I realized it was not enough, I HAD TO EXERCISE.
I enjoyed Zumba so I was doing that periodically. Then I went to a Health Fair and came across a walking program so I started walking again. I pretty much started with 1 mile, now as you may have noticed on a distance walk I can do 6-7 miles (even with a torn menicus in my knee).
So, I changed my MIND, changed my DIET, started EXERCISING, then you also have to build a COMMUNITY of people who will counsel you and motivate you … Fitness Trainers do that. So I started going to fitness classes, I like group classes doing different workouts and learning what I need to do to reach my goal. You MUST surround yourself and interact with people who will HELP YOU, TEACH YOU, MOTIVATE YOU, BE AN EXAMPLE.
So as you can see, it is no play thing. TIMING is of the essence, you have to be ready … I was fed up with the way I looked and felt. Also, EDUCATION & INFORMATION … I also connected with a Health Coach/Nutrition (actually blessed through the Wellness Program at my job) to learn about health eating. I have also learned a lot just my searching and googling the internet. I get smoothie recipes, etc. from the internet, even FB … you can search for just about anything on FB just like the internet.
It is an investment of time AND money (which I would spend on other things any way).
COMMITMENT to yourself and your goals, not anyone else (your husband, anything or anyone) … you have to do it for YOURSELF!
You have to make a decision, set a long-term goals, set short-term goals and strategies to achieve your goal(s), and then get to work. When you put the time and effort in, you will achieve results. It will not be drastic, it takes time, you have to give it time and you have to be CONSISTENT and COMMITTED to the promise you make to YOURSELF.
I cannot remember how much I lost after the initial 21-day Daniel Fast (in a previous blog), but it was the most weight I had lost in 30 yrs and it was the motivation I needed to continue.
Over the year, starting with my diet, then to walking, then I kept challenging myself to do more, so I made a commitment to MYSELF to do something/an hour or more of exercise every day (inspired by the girl who went to the gym 100 days, http://youtu.be/I5FkshLcNLQ). I keep evolving to stay motivated and to experience new things (What I have done this year: Walking, Zumba, BOKWA, R.I.P.P.E.D., Bootcamp, Yoga (not a fan, ijs), Body Toning, Diet/Nutrition, Personal Training, my latest adventure is Spinning)
Every time I reach a short-term goal, I set another one: 3 lbs, 5 lbs because that is easier than 10 lbs or 20 lbs. My ultimate goal is 100 lbs which I’ve been advised may be too much but we will see. I know it will take time, probably longer than my initial commitment, but I’m COMMITTED to MYSELF to keep chipping, squeezing or melting the fat away.
I am nearly 9 months in, having lost 44 lbs my last weigh in. Every day is not perfect. Some days I make blunders (sweets), but I don’t give up, I put on my big girl pants, check into warrior mode, and I get right back in the game because of the commitment I made to myself.
Finally, this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life … I am not there yet, but I know I will get there. [tear]
I owe God great praise, He is my HELP!

mynfb

~ 85 days ’til my Birthday! ~

Oregó (REACH)

02 Tuesday Sep 2014

Posted by Phyllis Lipford in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Nearly nine months into my fitness journey which I began January 5, there are 110 days until my birthday.
A significant part of my new personal fitness community or network is the family at No Fat Birthdays, a boutique fitness studio owned by Fitness Trainer/Coach Jamey Mixson. The studio or gym name grips you in a way that gives you a relatable focus point for your goals.
Entering into this new season on this first day of September, with Autumn officially arriving in a few weeks, I’m focused on or REACHing to achieve more progress by my birthday, “’cause no one wants to be fat on their birthday!”
The prompt for Five Minute Friday, http://katemotaung.com/five-minute-friday/ (I know it is Monday) is REACH.
After returning from our Alaskan cruise vacation a few weeks ago, I was so low because of all the delicious indulgences I enjoyed while we were away. For days I really struggled, beating myself up about it. I vowed I would not weigh myself for several weeks because I could not bear to step on the scale and see it move up. I could not see it myself, but people around me kept saying how great I looked like something drastic had taken place. In my mind I asked, what are they talking about? I cannot remember why I did it, but I stepped on the scale one morning and was pleasantly surprised to see I indeed had lost more, reaching another short-term weight loss goal. It was the breakthrough I needed to release me from the state I was in. Then I had a checkup with my doctor who had not seen me since I began my fitness journey. She was so impressed and, of course, encouraged me to continue … that was a huge boost for my motivation. I put on my big girl pants #beastmode and got back in the game, mind, body and spirit.
Now, I’m here, 110 days ’til my birthday with this REACH in my spirit. I am excited about where I am and optimistic about what I will achieve.
I have made a commitment to myself, which I intend to keep. “… REACHing forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize …” or the goal which I have set for myself.

set-a-goal

WOW, how powerful is that!

Family, friends and readers … Thanks for coming along for the ride and for inspiring encouraging, cheering and championing me along the way. Hang in there with me, I need you.

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