Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Gratitude for 4-30-2013 and Losing Weight Sensibly

Today I am grateful that I am eating sensibly and the excess weight is coming off!


I am really enjoying losing weight this time around. I am not depriving myself of foods I enjoy, I am simply making better choices on how I put them together. I am getting enough to eat and I eat 3 full meals every day and snacks as well.  This is my 3rd go around with getting the extra weight off and I have always thought that it was possible to get the extra weight off and to keep it off by eating smart. Every week in my T.O.P.S. meetings I see folks who have gotten their weight off and they are maintaining their weight where they want it to be. And that is inspiration and comfort because I know that if someone else can do this, so can I.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Gratitude for 4-29-2013 and Playing Chess

Today I am grateful for having learned how to play chess and enjoying it so much!

Talk about brain teaser, chess can be a lot of fun and it is very challenging! Plus, in playing chess online, I get to meet new people and learn about where they live and about their culture. There are oodles of websites on how to learn to play chess and about improving your chess skills! it's all out there, ya just have to look it up!!

Gratitude for 4-28-2013 and Grateful to Have Such a Great Stock of Supplies!

Today I am grateful for all the craft materials I have in my home!

I have oodles of supplies to keep me busy for a while! I have beads, yarn, thread, fabric and I am sure I am forgetting something!! Paint!! I have lots of great acrylic paint colours!! I have Jewellery wire for putting pieces together. I am good to go for a while.

Gratitude for 4-26-2013 and Craft Potentials

Today I am grateful for all the potential Crocheting and all the crafts I make contain.

It never fails to amaze me how an individual can take a pile of materials and turn it into something beautiful and useful! You get to pick out the colours, the texture and the outcome you want! I think it is amazing!!

Everyone has different tastes, different perspectives, different takes on any given thing. And not everyone is crafty but absolutely Everyone has qualities and characteristics that they are good at!

What are you good at? What do you love to do more than anything you have ever done?

Gratitude for 4-15-2013 and Understanding How My Behaviour Feeds My Being Overweight

I brain-farted on this, so here is Gratitude for 4-15:::

Today I am grateful that I have realized that one of the reasons I am so overweight is because I am ignorant about the different foods and recipes that are available!


I have realized that I snack throughout the day instead of preparing better choices for myself. So NOT doing that any more!! I am learning how to cook healthy meals for myself so I can get this extra weight off and so I can finally KEEP it OFF!!

I am eating oodles of veggies, fresh fruits, grains and less sweets. As of 4-22-2013, I was down to 255 from 259 which is what I weighed in at when I went to my first T.O.P.S. meeting as a member. I get to weigh in again tonight.  The scale I have here at home incorrectly showed me at 250 when I weighed 259. Hopefully as I get more weight off I will be able to use it. At any rate, my focus is on preparing healthy meals and getting my weight to a manageable number.





Saturday, April 27, 2013

Gratitude for 4-27-2013 and Feeling Better About Myself

Today I am grateful for the fact that over all I am feeling much better about myself.

I feel like dressing better, standing straighter, making jewellery. I really enjoy feeling better about myself and I know that my crafting has a direct and strong bearing on that. I live to be creative, without it, I shrivel up and get very depressed. My crafting truly feeds my soul. And when I get my soul fed, my life seems to fall into place very nicely. And when I can gift my work to someone because of a kindness they gifted me with or even for charity reasons, or I provide one of my handcrafted custom pieces to a customer and I get to witness their joy firsthand, I feel like I am soaring.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Gratitude for 4-25-2013 and Improving Coping Skills

I am grateful that I can better cope with situations that before stopped me dead in my tracks and I would freeze or isolate myself or turn to drink or overeating to cope. I would distance myself to manage my anxiety. I am learning and acquiring better coping skills to deal with those moments of my life.


Before, this was almost a monster in my life! I would completely avoid people or situations that intimidated me. Now I am learning patience, coping, lowering my expectations to be more realistic.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Gratitude for 4-24-2013 and Getting My Needs Met Daily

Today I am grateful that my needs get met every single day of my life!!

I have a solid roof over my head, I have plenty to eat, I have clothing I can fit in, LOL I get to go to weight loss meetings ( T.O.P.S.) and through that I have new new friends and weight loss support, I go to a church that I enjoy with good friends that I love very much!!

Do I have more wants outside of this? You bet I do and the day will come that those needs will be met too, I am steadily moving in that direction!!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Gratitude for 4-23-2013 and Cherished Friends

I am grateful for the loving friends I have around me and for how they make me feel loved every single day of my life!

Back when I was drinking, I hung out with other alcoholics and it was a very crazy life. They were not nurturing, solid people and neither was I. My life felt empty and I drank to excess trying to fill the voids I could not escape.

Now I have over 5 years of sobriety and have been in psychotherapy long enough to get to the root of what has ailed me for so many years. The friends I have today, the people I am the closest to enrich my life simply by showing up. I have dear friends who have similar interests to mine and they are loving and nurturing people.  I am a novice at crocheting and they applaud my small achievements and encourage me to do more. They love everything I create craft wise and rally behind me to support me in my weight loss journey. I would be very sad, lonely and depressed with out them!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Gratitude for 4-22-2013 and For Everything Getting Better

Today I am grateful that everything can get better!

I decide, I choose, I put it in action. I am exercising my privilege and responsibility to make all the decisions and improve the quality of my life. I can sit down and look at all the areas of my life and make choices to improve each area to the best of my ability and move forward.

We ALL can to this! It is our own personal responsibility to ourselves and it is a privilege to do.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Gratitude for 4-21-2013 and Being Grateful for Feeling Fun!!

Today I am grateful at how fun my life feels today.

I love my life today. I most fundamental needs are met and I believe that that is saying a LOT! I have dear friends who I love and they love me back. I can not beat that and I am so glad to be in a position to say that!!

The time I get to spend with dear friends is priceless to me, and with each passing day, I get to know them better and we become closer. I have never had this before and I am very grateful for each and everyone of them!!

Gratitude for 4-20-2013 and New Friends Through T.O.P.S.

Today I am grateful for my new friends I have met through T.O.P.S., the weight loss group.

I have met just the nicest people through my local T.O.P.S. chapter, the leader and his wife come and get me and bring me home from the meetings and yesterday the wife, Shirley came and got me and we went running around on Saturday. It was a gorgeous day and we had a lot of fun!! We went to a couple of garage sales, down to the lake where they have a small house that is being remodelled and back to town to pick up some much needed plumbling supplies back to the lake, we stopped off at their house, I met the pets, LOL I am plumb wore out. Sorry, I couldn't resist it, LOL

My therapist, Sandy McIntosh told me I wouldn't get better unless I got out and met people face to face and I fully see that now, she was dead on about that. My life is fuller and happier now than it has ever been!!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Gratitude for 4-19-2013 and Being Grateful for My life.

Today I am grateful for my life.

I am a recovering alcoholic and looking back at only some of the scrapes I got myself into, I could easily have died or gotten myself killed. I am very grateful for my life and for the fact that I am alive. Does this sound redundant? Having a life is a LOT to be grateful for, I believe!!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Gratitude for 4-18-2013 and Small Home Improvements

Today I am grateful for how the little changes and improvements I am doing in my little home contribute to me feeling so much better about myself.

I am so glad and grateful that I can manage some simple changes, for second hand furniture and clothes and for how important fixing up my little place is to me. I am getting my needs met here and I am very grateful for that. I am placing my mark in every room in my apartment and this is crucially important to me, plus the fact that I even care about this is huge progress for me!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Gratitude for 4-17-2013 and Being Grateful for My Computer

Today I am grateful for my computer that I got such a great deal on and the company I bought it from!

I bought a refurbished computer from Tiger Direct a year ago Christmas. It cost me about $200.00. It came with basic Microsoft but no Windows Office software. So I went searching and discovered Linux.

There are basically 3 operating systems, Microsoft, Linux and Mac. It is like having 3 different cars who all provide the same service but their individual components can not be interchanged. They are 3 separate animals, so to speak.

You can order the Linux versions and you only have to pay the postage. So, I ordered it and loaded it up to my computer and I love it. I only run into compatibility problems finding a printer that was compatible but I researched it online, finally after 2 failed attempts and my third one was a charm!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Gratitude for 4-16-2013 and Being Grateful for What I Can Get Done

Today I am grateful for everything that I am able to get done during my day.

I am just exhausted today, I can't remember what time it was when I fell asleep. I went to sleep in my recliner in front of my TV and I must have turned it off at some point because when I got up this morning, it was off. I got up at 5 AM, my usual time to get up. Looking back, I wish I would have slept in. I went to my weekly T.O.P.S. meeting, I got weighed in and I have lost a pound. I am very glad about that, it all adds up!!

I would really love to go to my Women's Bible Study tonight, but I think it best I don't go, I am feeling very tired and cranky.

I have Connective Tissue Disorder, that includes Chronic Fatigue along with a host of a kazillion other health problems that are very obnoxious. I just do my best every day and I try to take my life one day at a time.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Gratitude for 4-14-2013 and Having Access to Healthy Food Choices

Today I am grateful for all the choices I have for what I eat. I can buy foods that are good for me and stay within my budget and I am very grateful for that!!

I currently weight 260( although I think I have lots a couple of pounds but that will be verified tomorrow night when I weigh in at my weekly T.O.P.S. meeting) my doctor wants me to lose 80 pounds. So, I am looking at healthier ways to prepare my food and on eating healthier.

It isn't completely boring and lucky for me, I enjoy all sorts of foods. I don't want to look at this as dieting, I am embracing this as the way I am going to eat for the rest of my life.

Moderation is the key. Moderation means sensible portion sizes, preparing from scratch as much as I can and cutting back on the sweets. I do not crave gorging myself as I have been and that is how I got to being so overweight again. This is my 3rd weight loss rodeo and I want it to be my LAST!!

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Gratitude for 4-13-2013 and Relationships

I am grateful for the close friends I have both in person and online.  I am grateful for how far I have come through these relationships and for the lovely people who surround me.


Years ago, when I was in my full board drinking life, the people I hung out with were other irresponsible alcoholics. My life was a mess, I was a mess and I am  so glad that that is but a distant memory. That was the life I knew and I knew no better.

Now, I am still in psychotherapy and am finally putting my past behind me and working hard to better my life today and I find myself surrounded by the nicest and most decent people!!  My therapist told me that if I wanted to get better, I had to get out and actually interact with other people. I had to actually meet people and make in person friends. Well, based on the people I had in my background, I did NOT want to do this; but when she told me that I had to if I wanted to get better I had to do that for me. 

So, I did.

I could not be happier with the results!! I am surrounded by nice, decent and hard working people. A lot of them are creative like I am!! I just love it, I really look forward to yakking with my friends and hanging out with them, it really adds to my life and I am very grateful for each and everyone of them!


Friday, April 12, 2013

Gratitude for 4-12-2013 and Freedom from Fear

Today I am grateful to not be living in so much fear like I used to.
 I used to hide as much as I could, just stay in, play on the computer and eat how and what I wanted to. I gained weight, hid from the world and only dealt with the bare minimums.
 Enough!!! I get out now, I joined a weight loss group, I am back going to church and getting out and about much more. I am finding myself surrounded by really nice and kind people. I love it, I really like my life now.  
 
 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Gratitude for 4-11-2013 and No Fatalities

Today I am grateful that my area did not suffer any damage from the storms last night.


There were no fatalities from the storms that barrelled through my area last night but I am very sad that one of the electric company lost one of there workers. Such a tragedy, my prayers are going out to his family.

Missouri is in Tornado Alley and I am very grateful that for as many years that I have lived in Missouri--35 + years--I have been spared being on the receiving end of a tornado.

And that is fine by me!!

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Gratitude for 4-10-2013 and For Weather Reporters and Storm Chasers

Today I am grateful for all the folks who report our weather and who help us stay safe!


I am so grateful that we all have different personalities because I don't think I would be a good weather reported and I know I would NOT be a good storm chaser!! So, I am very grateful for the folks who rise up to these occasions and who help the rest of us to stay safe!! Yawl are the BOMB!!!

Gratitude for 4-9-2013 and Freedom of Choice

Today I am grateful the I am free to make the decisions I want to for myself on my own. I am grateful that I have the ability to reason and apply logic to all areas of my life.

My life is so much more fun now. I am surrounded by wonderful people who are family oriented and loving. I have no abusive people in my life and I am very grateful for that. I am learning how to be the best I can be for myself and for my friends, to treat them with the respect they deserve. Life is good for me now and I am so very grateful for that!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Grateful for 4-8-2013 and Enjoying Creativity

Today I am grateful for the fact that I get to surround myself with handmade crafts and creativity!

Being creative and being able to actually USE what I make nourishes my soul!! I live to be creative and to enjoy my creativity. When I gift something to someone, their reaction just thrills me to no end!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Gratitude for 4-7-2013 and Having Strength to Change

" I hope you live a life you are proud of. If you find you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."  F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today I am grateful to have that very strength. I am so thankful that I can think through aspects of my behaviour and enhance what I like about myself and change what I don't. I am grateful that I can see what I don't like about myself and apply better and more productive behaviour! And it isn't that difficult. Changing the behaviour isn't that tough to do, not to me, at least. I have to face head on and accept what I don't like about myself and I resolve to change. It is all about improving the quality of my life and that motivates me! I am not saying that everything changes over night, I am saying that understanding where I am coming from makes all the difference in the world to me!

To some people change is scary. Some of it is, I agree with that. I try to look at the changes I am making in my life like an adventure and I just try my best to do my best and hope for the best possibly outcome!

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Gratitude for 4-6-2013 and Some Smooth Sailing

Today I am grateful for everything that is going so beautifully in my life.

Compared to where I was, my life is a kazillion times better than it ever has! I am surrounded by people who I know love me and would be there for me with encouragement if I ever needed it. And I feel this, I know it to be my reality. I am building the life I want for myself and that alone is very powerful!

My self-esteem is getting stronger, day by day. Life is really good for me finally!!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Gratitude for 4-5-2013 and Losing Weight

Today I am grateful for knowing that believing really works and for the fact that I have lost weight before and I can do it again! I am grateful for the fact that I am fully capable of learning how to keep the excess weight off for good.

I have gained weight, lost weight, gained weight, lost weight several times in my life. I am ready to get it off for good. I am reading all the labels, if the sugars are too high, I look for a substitute. I have been cutting back and I started adding a pinch of salt to my coffee grounds before letting it perk to enhance the coffee flavor so I don't have to add so much sugar and milk. I realized that the Splenda brown sugar I have been adding was more fattening than I realized. So I have cut back on that and adding a little Stevia and it tasted ok. I could get used to it.

I have been researching herbs and spices to find out more on those and to add them to foods I eat. I have started drinking a glass of water with a fresh lemon squeezed in before breakfast. That is supposed to help me get my body's PH back where it belongs, plus other benefits like boosting my immune system, it aids in digestion, and much more. I just looked it up to find out more benefits and I am seeing that the water should be hot. Ok, switching to hot lemonade, no sugar's added.

Stay tuned for more news............

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Gratitude for 4-4-2013 and The Opportunities to Learn New Skills

Today I am grateful that I can learn new tips and techniques that I can apply to my life and make it better for me.

It is truly a wonderful feeling knowing that when something no longer serves me, I can sweep it to the past and get a fresh start in another direction! Some things I do not want to change and other's I do.

I can still learn how to best manage my finances, how to prepare healthier meals for me, taking the best care of my kitty, getting my weight under control and much much more!!

I have friends I can ask and I can also research online for what I want to do differently. Life is Good!!

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Gratitude for 4-3-2013 and Filling Up with Love and Support

Today I am grateful for the love, support and encouragement I feel from my friends and for the beautiful weather we are having!!

I don't feel like I am adrift in my life so much anymore. I have surrounded myself with some very wonderful and loving people and it is so healing for me!! I just LOVE it! I have some friends that I just can not wait to see and I can not remember ever feeling that way before. 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Gratitude for 4-2-2013 and New Friends and New Weight Loss Inspiration

Today I am grateful for the T.O.P.S. meeting in my area and all the kind, supportive and encouraging people I have met through there.

Last night I went to my very first T.O.P.S. meeting. A very nice couple who belong to it picked me up and brought me home. They also picked me up at 6 AM so we would go walk together. There is a local church that has an amazing exercise set up. There is a walking track, an area for basketball, an exercise room and a game room, all FREE of charge!! I walked this morning farther than I have walked in years. I feel GREAT about it, do my muscles hurt, oh, yeah, but that will subside.

The group I met last night were all very kind, helpful and supportive. I have lost a lot of weight before. I lost 163 pounds about a year and a half ago and have gained about half of it back. So, it needs to come off and in a healthy manner.

I went to the T.O.P.S. website and from there I can go to http://www.choosemyplate.gov/  and there I can find all sorts of meal plans, recipes and information on what I would be better off eating and what to stay away from. And that is free!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Gratitude for 4-1-2013 and Positive Female Role Models

Today I am grateful for the positive female role models I have in my life and for the positive influence they have on me. I am very grateful to be in their lives and that they are in mine.

Having positive role models is very important, I believe! I currently have several very loving and positive women who are also close friends of mine and I just cherish them!!  I am also grateful that I can recognize aspects about myself that I can either strengthen or reduce. My life can be full of 2nd chances and new opportunities! And I am grateful for that every day of my life!

And in case you're wondering what this has to do with fulfilment, by stepping out with the solid friendships that I have in my life, many of my needs are met. And that affords me fulfilment. But, I am greedy!! I want more!