Slow and Steady Weight Loss

My weight loss is slow and steady with slight ups and downs, and my writing schedule continues to be heavy. One day I'll make more per article and story and be able to write less for more. At least in my dreams. With that said, I have to share a little moment in time with you.

I had a fun moment in time happen last week that those of you who are older will understand. While five pounds doesn't seem like a lot, I see a difference in the areas of my body where I tend to gather body fat. I feel different and stand a little taller. My husband was walking to the window and glanced my way. I caught his eye and in that flash of emotional connection, I felt about 17 for a moment. You know that look of admiration! And then he bumped into a chair that wasn't pushed up to the table because he was looking at ME! He offered a sheepish grin that let me see the young man I fell in love with back in the 60s! It was a great moment. And if you're wondering, we'll be married 39 years in November!

My book Beyond the Fifth Gate is in layout right now and soon I'll hold the proof copy in my hands. When I get a copy of the cover, I'll share it with you all here. Here's a blurb about the book to give you a preview of what it's about:

Elita awakens from a nightmare in which she struggles as a 12-year-old against an insectoid race that carries her into captivity. Now twelve years later, her reality is one of forced labor. She lives in a hive complex where humans are forbidden to speak, write or read. The promise of freedom swells when the prophetic conjunction of five planets marks the long-awaited Kamali's Cycle. But first, as the Chosen, she must travel through five mystical gates during the planets' conjunction and return to Haldis with items key to that freedom. Elita follows Kamali's light into a cave in the eastern foothills. The portal closes behind her, and the first gate opens to a one way quest into strange worlds and a race to collect what she needs from beyond each gate to free her people before time runs out. How will she know what to take from world to world?

Anyone who would like to pre-order an autographed copy can email me at dsundblad (at ) the inkslinger.net.

By the way, the great photo on today's post was taken by Gonzalo Haro of
Montevideo, Uruguay. You can see more at his website www.harodesign.net

Exercise Takes Time

I received an email from one of my faithful readers checking in on me so I thought it would be a good idea to stop say I'm doing great, just very busy. Adding exercise into my life takes time, I'm taking a class and have had to do three interviews on top of my other freelance writing, and this blog seems to fall to the bottom of the list of priorities.

The praise is, that with the extra stress I normally would stay hooked to my computer like an umbilical cord to the placenta, but I've taken time away from it to take care of myself. In fact last weekend, my granddaughter and I went blueberry picking again as I'd used up the gallon I'd picked in July. The funny thing is I don't normally like blueberries, but when frozen they make a scrumptious addition to my smoothies.

Yesterday I hit the -5 pounds mark since I've started faithfully exercising. It's slow going, which is the healthy way to do it. I'm not letting the scale dictate how I feel...it is what it is. Using the heart-rate monitor and the interval system promote by Momentum Weight Loss is working for me. The radio show in the middle of the week usually gives me that boost I need mid-week to keep going.

If you're reading this and haven't been exercising, stand up! It burns more calories than sitting!

Thanks to all who wonder where I've been. All is well.

Online Personal Trainers Do Work

What a week! I shouldn't be stopping here to say hello, but for all my regular readers I just had to. This week has had it's ups and downs with scheduling, but my exercise routine is on track and my eating is better than it has been in ages. Not that I'm striving for perfect, but I'm striving for better. And I'm not on a diet. I love that. Gives me a sense of freedom. Instead, I've got a list of what to include in healthy eating. When I'm hungry, I look at the list and see what I'm lacking for the day. Is it protein, veggies, fruit.... It makes it easier for me.

My personal online trainer has helped keep me motivated. Didn't think it possible, but it is working. Plus, he is teaching me how to work smarter rather than harder, and THAT works for me. I still need to get out there today. I've already gone to pick a gallon of blueberries with my granddaughter this morning, and have written one article, but I have loads to get done. Just wanted to say, if you're struggling with consistency or motivation, consider a personal trainer. Jonathan Roche does a great job for me and his radio show in the middle of the week can be heard online live or you can listen to past shows. It helps to make me realize I'm not alone out there. Lots of people have the same struggles, ups and downs and success stories.

By the way, I had the chance to interview Jonathan for LoveToKnow. You can check it out here:

Breakthrough Health and Fitness Expert

Plan Ahead to Successfully Lose Weight

Learning to eat a balanced diet isn't as difficult as learning not to overeat. That's because our culture is not taught to "deny" oneself. If we like it, we eat more. If the plate in the restaurant comes piled with food we eat it. Many diets talk about asking for a box when your food arrives and then scooping at least half of it into the take-home box before you start eating.

Why do I bring this up? We're going out for Mexican food tonight. I've already started making a plan, like don't eat the chips and order veggie fajitas. Depending on what else I have during the day would dictate whether or not to have the tortillas or not. It all goes back to balance. My new Momentum Weight Loss program is helping me learn to balance what I'm eating (thankfully without counting calories). It's liberating.

I've got all kinds of writing projects going and normally I'd let the stress or time crunch affect my weight loss goals, but so far I've stayed motivated. I tried out my new heart-rate monitor while exercising yesterday but need to learn how to get through the different modes on the watch so I better understand what I'm doing. The bottom line is, I exercised for 32 minutes yesterday! A stressful day--an exciting day--and a no cookies or chip day!

Gluttony and Self Control

Most people know that portions served in restaurants are more food than they need to eat, but can you overeat on healthy foods? Yes. As I'm retraining my mind to make healthier choices, I realize that I'm eating too much. We wonder why 2/3 of our population are overweight; that's the reason.

It's easy to point fingers at people who drink too much, are too sedentary, shop too much, etc. But eating too much is socially acceptable. In fact it is encouraged at social gatherings. Pastors even make jokes about it from pulpits citing pot luck dinners and so-and-so's irresistible cooking, but Proverbs 23:20-21 warns us, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 23:2 says, "put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony." Whoa, now that sounds pretty serious doesn't it?

As I think about it, physical appetites reflect our ability or inability to control ourselves. We're not supposed to let our appetites control us. Since it is Sunday, I thought I'd pass on these Scriptures as food for thought--the food to help us control our appetites.

*Deuteronomy 21:20
*Proverbs 23:2
*2 Peter 1:5-7
*2 Timothy 3:1-9
*2 Corinthians 10:5.

Lastly read Galatians 5:22 - self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Resting in the Spirit's power we will have the ability to say “no” to excess.

Momentum Fitness & Weight Loss Order Is Almost Here

I've had trouble with motivation and exercise this week, but so far I haven't given into my lazy tendencies. I keep thinking of all the excuses...like it's too hot. As if I don't know it's going to get hot. I either need to make a plan to go out earlier or later when it is cooler, or do something inside. Today I chose to go out earlier, which is why I'm posting late in the day. I had to flip-flop my day. I did my 2 mile walk/run today and when I was done I was so happy I did it. But I sure didn't feel like going out there. I changed up my route a little, and didn't push. Instead, I let characters from my next novel project play through my head to help pass the time. At times I actually covered ground and didn't realize it until I snapped back to reality.

Speaking of exercise, I looked on line to see where my Momentum Fitness & Weight Loss order is, and this morning it was in MS. Tonight it is in Atlanta. Perhaps tomorrow I'll have it and by next week let you all know what I think. I already look forward to the radio program on Wednesday.

Don't let excuses smother your true intentions. Make a plan and get up and get active. Your health is worth it.

Gogi Blueberry Smoothie

Ready! Get set! It's Monday!

Yeah, yeah, I hear you telling me to go away. Actually I should be working on my article on "Low-Cost Business Design Profit" but want to drop by here and tell you all that I put in my two miles on Saturday, and for the most part made healthy choices over the weekend. I'm on a smoothie for breakfast kick since I picked those fresh blueberries. I add:

1/2 c. Gogi juice
1/2 c. pure water
1 c. fresh spinach
1 c. blueberries (frozen)
1 banana (frozen)

It really is tasty and satisfying. You don't taste the spinach and it's a great way to get some greens into my diet.

Also, received word that my story about raising a son with ADD is now available at You and Me Magazine. Be sure to drop by and check it out. They chose the perfect image to go with it.

Today I'm planning to do strength training and tomorrow back out for my two miles. Are we having fun yet? Let's get up and move!

One Day at a Time

What a week! End of the month crunch, beginning of the month planning. a garden overflowing with produce and...

Yes, I still fit in exercise.

I've continued to do intervals and I've also added strength training two days. My biggest victory was running up the big hill at the end of the street. Can you see me doing the Rocky victory pose? What a rush.

Also dealt with another 7 dozen tomatoes. This time, my daughter, grandkids and I made salsa and did our first canning of the year since our freezers are full.

And on the writing front, I received an email from the Cup of Comfort folks on a story I submitted for their God's Promises series. They really liked it, and it has a good chance of making it into the book. Final decisions will be made in December or so.

With this quick rundown of my week, let me say that I experienced a lack of motivation in the middle of the week. Too many things to do can overwhelm. I keep a list though, and tick things off one at a time to keep me going. On this end of it, I have to say I'm sooo happy that I didn't let busyness crowd out my plans to exercise. It's so easy to do that, and yet so unhealthy. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, it pays off.

Now, I have to say to you all that I plan to eat better this week. Okay, I know I've said it before, but now that I have exercised for a month (regularly) it's time to stop sabotaging myself. And notice I said, this week. I'm going to take baby steps. One day at a time, I'll plan to make healthier choices.