Reshaping It All: Chapter 11

Hi Ladies! It’s Ashleigh.

It’s hard to believe we’re already on chapter 11 from Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness. The chapters have flown by for me. If you they’ve gone quickly for you too, and you’ve missed a few, don’t worry. We’re still talking about the previous chapters here — so keep those comments coming.

In this chapter, Candace encourages us to be aware — conscious — of how we’re living. She writes:

Basic psychology teaches us that monitored behavior equals improved behavior. Have you ever tried typing when someone is looking over your shoulder? We tend to trip up because we become overconscious of our actions — another response to monitored behavior.

How does this relate to staying healthy and fit? Monitored living brings us into the all-important state of conscious living, and conscious living ensures that we get the job done. When we are mindful of our actions, we start to realize the excess that we eat. When we are alert, we are better equipped to handle temptation. When we are prepared, we are more likely to stick to a wise eating and exercise plan.”

I know this is true for me. I signed up for Weight Watchers Online in late February — around the same time we started this book club. It’s a program that’s worked for me in the past because I’ve used it to closely monitor my eating, my water intake, and my exercise. This time, though, I’ve been lazy. I haven’t been diligent in keeping tabs on these things. The result? I’ve lost and gained the same five pounds in the last four weeks.

Ugh.

It’s time for me to be more conscious. More diligent. Less lazy. And that’s just what I’ve been doing this week. So far I’m already down two pounds!

Darlene has experienced this too. Let’s hear her story.

Chapter 11 is about conscious living. When we’re conscious, we become aware of what we are feeding our body and how we’re treating it. Are we indulging in sugary snacks or just having enough?

As we’re learning when to say “yes” and when to say “no,” there’s one lesson we must keep in mind: saying “no” should never include a pacifier. If you’ve had enough sweets, then don’t fall into the trap that so many dieters do of purchasing low-cal alternatives to squeeze a little more in. A few years back, just after I took off 40 pounds, and had maintained for a while, I decided that indulging in low-cal gelatin would be a great afternoon treat. What could it hurt?

I started to get my gelatin ready the night before (cherry is my favorite), then enjoy a large bowlful the next day, in the heat of the afternoon sun. It was working for me, until I tired of the same old afternoon treat, and started rummaging through the cupboards for something better. Pretty soon ice cream and I were bathing together in the hot summer sun, day after day.

Had I just stuck with the plan, which didn’t include an afternoon treat every day, I wouldn’t have had another bad habit to kick. A better idea would have been to plan for an occasional treat.

Imagine how our children would be if every time they cried for a cookie we handed them something sweet. Teaching our children to know when they’ve had enough is an important part of their training. It’s also a part of ours.

Learn to train yourself to eat enough, to make the best choices, and to stick to the plan. That’s how you’ll win this race!

Enjoy the journey, and until next time, live well!!

Blessings,
Darlene Schacht
www.timewarpwife.com

OK, your turn. No questions this chapter, just share whatever stood out to you the most.