Yesterday was challenging for me.
I am still trying to recover from a VERY busy school year and my energy level has been lacking; but yesterday was a day that I should have exercised my right to say "NO"...
With all of the "projects" I have around my house that needs attention, the only "movement" I seemed to want to put into effect was a bicep curl from food to mouth.
I am not asking for empathy, I just want to share the fact that there are times when my guard BeNdS and Monday was one of those days. This morning I got up, went to the gym at 6:05am, and Started Over.
All Is Not Yet Lost. 1 day...even 1 week of slipping does not invite us to the land of failure. Just get up and when faced with the same temptation, say "NO" and mean it.
~Vernita
Posts
At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
My total chol. is 184
HDL is 46
LDL is 106
Trig. is 184
I have been on a low fat, low carb diet since Sept (NutriSystem). Should I be concerm about my Trig?
Comment by on February 12, 2008 2:54 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PM
Comments
May 15 | k-k-k-katie said …
Vernita: Someone very wise once told me that you're not saying "no" to something, but rather saying "yes" to yourself!
So, while I'm saying no to the baked goods my sister-in-law offered at Easter (and they looked good!) or the croissants at Panera (they taste good!), I'm saying "yes" to lower blood pressure, "yes" to lower cholesterol, and "yes" to extending my life.
There's so much I still want to do with my life and so much I know you want to do, so it's not saying "no" to food, but a bigger "yes" to YOU!
Keep up the good work!
May 15 | Vernita said …
Hello Chef K-k-k-k-katie,
I love your way of thinking - instead of saying "NO" to negative behaviors say "YES" to good health. By doing this we are keeping our action in a positive context.
Thank you for sharing that sound piece of advice!
~Vernita
May 15 | Trina said …
Vernita,
It's very true how one day does not mean that you have failed. I've been constantly dealing with "slipping". Luckily, I am learning how to stop the negative thinking when I do slip. It's not an easy task when it's been such a bad habit for years, but it can be stopped. Knowing beautiful and strong people like you share the same actions as we all do, does help to remind us it's alright to slip up now and then but don't give up because of it. We need to keep going forward, and that's what will make us stronger! Thank you so much Vernita. You are truly a Blessing!
-Trina
May 15 | Vernita said …
Hello Trina,
Thank you for those kind words. There is some validation in knowing that we are not alone.
Life has many, many rocky mountains but at the bottom of those mountains are refreshing springs.
~Vernita
May 15 | Jennie said …
i dont know how to select a profile. help
May 15 | Vernita said …
Hello Jennie,
Here are the instructions:
1) Goto http://choosetomove.org/select_a_profile.html
2) Click on one of the 7 ladies
3) Click on “Choose to move like me”
4) Complete the form
5) Click on “Submit”
Welcome to the family of Choose To Movers! We are a group of very supportive and motivated individuals on a journey bringing HEALTHY back into our lives.
Grab your road map and let's go!
~Vernita
May 16 | Kathleen said …
Vernita, of course all is not lost. This is a life long trip, a few short detours are expected. You have been such an inspiration to so many, your imperfections just show you are as human as the rest of us and we all share the same struggles. MOVE on!!
May 16 | Vernita said …
Hello Kathleen,
You are:
"Like the Lily-of-the-Valley
In her honesty and worth -
Oh! She blooms in truth and virtue
In the humble works of earth."
from the poem, Lily of The Valley
By Paul Lawrence Dunbar
http://poetry.poetryx.com/poems/12298/
~Vernita
May 18 | k-k-k-katie said …
Vernita: In the same way that saying no to something is saying "yes" to something else, so is what you may call slipping or failing.
It's simply a way of learning something the Universe wanted us to know. Now you know it, you use that to truly succeed. Each step is a building block for a more solid foundation of the life each of us wants. It's good to learn from what's been presented to us the first time. Otherwise, those things will keep popping up until we catch on. I'd rather learn the first time around and move on to something else.
Remember, when you're saying no, make sure you don't say no to Antonio Banderas unless you're saying yes to Andy Garcia!!! hahahahahahahaha
May 18 | Vernita said …
Hello Chef K-k-k-k-katie,
I don't know why these poems keep "popping" into my head but after reading your comment I am reminded of a few lines from "If" by Rudyard Kipling, http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Rudyard_Kipling/kipling_if.htm,
"If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;…
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;"
Life 101 has many chapters and sometimes we try to "answer" the questions at the end of the chapter before reading the chapter which causes us to "miss" getting those answers "correct."
I am still "studying" your initial comment from May 15th – DEEP.
~Vernita
Jun 09 | Kathianne said …
Vernita, boy did I need this post, even if it was a bit old. End of school year, I relate though on the teaching end of it. "Special luncheons for graduates", "End of year parties", "I'm trucking all this stuff home, know I'll not get through half of it and it's messing up my living room", all reasons to eat and wallow.
I haven't gained any weight, probably because my metabolism has gone up I'm quite sure. I'm still exercising like no tomorrow, well most days. ;)
Hope summer is good for you, I went for my final lunch with teacher friends, don't ask. LOL!
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