Are You S.M.A.R.T?

Proverbs 21:5 ESV  

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Definition of GOAL:   “A goal is a desired result a person or a system envisions, plans and commits to achieve—a personal or organizational desired end-point in some sort of assumed development”  Wikipedia

I find it interesting that when I was employed I had daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly plans/goals.  As a pastor’s wife, leader within the church I also made said plans and goals.  But I have noticed that over the years as my chronic illnesses took hold of my body they also took hold of setting plans/goals for my personal life.  I seemed to have given up on personal goals since so many days my chronic health would tell my body –“not today”.  Yet I have found that it is prudent to set short-term reachable goals.  I certainly would not set a short-term goal for myself to walk around the neighborhood.  Not when at this time I am restricted to non-weight bearing activities.  But I can set a goal to daily or even every other day use the video my sister gave me for Easy Chair Exercises. 

Habakkuk 2:2-3 ESV

“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

As I reignited my journey to become a healthier me, I have been working on my goals:  Physical, Mental, and Spiritual goals.  On January 22, 2013 I set some short-term goals and I am currently working on my long-term goals as well setting new short term goals. 

January 22, 2013 Goals for next 12 weeks:  (I will share a few)

Physical Goals:  

1.       To lose 20 lbs. or more.   2/13/13 – 24.1 lbs. lost

2.       To be able to stand or walk a little longer than I do now.  I can walk back and forth from kitchen (front of house) to our bathroom (back of house) two times without stopping. 

3.       To be able to walk into church with my walker – not use a wheelchair.  .  I believe I can do this; we just have not been to church in a few weeks due to Jim’s back and weather.

4.       To be able to get behind the wheel of the van so I can drive once again.

5.       To begin and continue using the easy chair exercise video my sister gave me.  Yes I can!

6.       To be down at least one pant size.  Let’s see – bra cup – baggie; tops – baggie; pants baggie – maybe it’s time to get out the next size in clothes I have in storage.  

Mental Goals:

1.       Not hate myself for getting this way in the first place.  Getting better with this one.

2.       Have a more “Yes I can” attitude.  Again, working on this one –

3.       Not have so many “down” “depressed” days.  In the progress….

4.       To think better about myself.  Again, working on this one….

5.       Not get discouraged and give up when I partake something above my calorie intake. I’m still here!

Spiritual Goals:

1.       See myself as God sees me. – A work in progress.

2.       To be in the Word and Prayer more often.  Oh, yes,  I am enjoying the hours with the Lord.

3.       To heed to the Holy Spirit’s voice as I am tempted.  A work in progress.

4.       To become more equipped for the Battle of the Bulge.  Every day I am getting more and training and equipped.

5.       To realize the Battle of the Bulge is NOT just about the weight and to find out what else I am battling.  Each day there are battles fought – some maybe a draw – but mostly by the end of each day the battle is won and ready for another day.  

As you can see I have met or at least I am a work in progress in regards to my short term goals. I have set S.M.A.R.T.  goals for myself so I will not get discouraged and give up. I am committed to the Commander in Chief of my life.  I know that the Battle of the Bulge is a lifelong battle.  I also know that as long as I continue in this battle and do not surrender to the enemy – this battle can and WILL be won! 

Food for Thought:  

Not all my goals are entirely weight related.  There are many people who experience some of the issues that I am experiencing and do not have a weight problem.  Have you set short and long term goals in your life?  This week, write down your physical goals; mental goals; and spiritual goals.  Work out a plan of action on how you will obtain these goals.  Are there any goals you would like to share with us? 

Dear Lord, I ask that you continue to help each of us reach our attainable goals.  May we realize who our enemy is, and commit ourselves to you, our Commander in Chief of our life and battles; knowing that in the end we will become victorious!  And we give all honor and glory to you.  Amen.

What Character Trait Do You Need to Develop?

Each week in the study, Winning the Battle of the Bulge,It’s Not Just About the Weight, the author, Mary Englund Murphy, suggests we pray and ask the Lord to reveal a character trait that we need to develop.  Well, I’m in the fourth week in the study and each week the Lord reveals the same character quality! It’s sad but funny – One of my character traits that I need to develop is to be CONSISTENT. Well Lord at least I’m CONSISTENT with something!  Alright, I guess being consistent in NOT developing this character does not qualify.

I looked up the definition of CONSISTENT –Possessing firmness or coherence; Marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity: free from variation or contradiction; marked by agreement; showing steady conformity to character.  Constantly adhering to the same principles, course, and form.  

Wow, that just hit the nail on the head?  I tend to find it difficult to stay on course –steady as she goes.  I seem to be more like the hare in a race when I start something.  I’m all gun-ho- full speed ahead until I lose fuel or desire to forge ahead no matter the cost – then I quit! Instead of the hare, I need to be more like the tortoise, keeping myself on a pace that I can continue for the long run.  This battle is a lifelong battle – one that needs consistency – looking ahead and not behind.  There may be others who will reach their goals ahead of me – but I must not lose hope.  If I just keep my focus on my Lord, and the final finish line, I WILL obtain my goals.

At the beginning of any diet, the first 20 lbs. come off extremely fast for me.  It’s my body adjusting to the change in eating habits, but after the first 20 lbs. the rest comes off so slowly that I become overwhelmed when I consider how much weight I still have to lose.   I need to stop focusing on how many pounds I have to lose and just focus on one day at a time – one pound at a time.  Becoming a Healthier ME! 

It’s a daily struggle.  I have a form of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).  My mind wonders in every direction with so many thoughts and ideas.  I had a counselor several years back that would tell me (in his strong India accent), “Michele, you need to focus”.   I would reply, “That’s easier said than done!” It’s so hard to stay focus, especially if what I am doing is slow, tedious and “seemingly” non- productive.    I need to remember that not everything comes along quickly.  This weight did not come on overnight – and it will not come off overnight either!  I must commit every part of my life to the Lord; resist the devil and his tactics that would tempt me to run off course. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)

Lord, I know that this battle of the bulge is more than just weight.  Reveal to me every weight that is slowing me down to become a Healthier Me; especially the sin that easily trips me up and entice me to run off course or even quit.  Lord, this battle is a lifelong battle – May I be consistent and run with endurance to the finish line!

What character trait do you need to develop and why do you need to develop this quality? 

3 Reasons Why Gastric Bypass Patients Should Wear a Medical Alert

 Posted by Jenna White on Sun, Feb 20, 2011

 If you have had gastric bypass surgery it is important to wear a medical alert bracelet to alert EMT's or first responders to your surgery.  In order to treat you quickly and effectively, your medical alert bracelet should be engraved with some specific vital information.   To continue reading please visit the following link

http://blog.laurenshope.com/medical-id-jewelry-blog/bid/50075/3-Reasons-Why-Gastric-Bypass-Patients-Should-Wear-a-Medical-Alert

Weigh-In-Wednesday – I’m Singing the Blues

 

I have been a little “down”; “blah”, “blue”….  I don’t know if it is because the sun has not come out in days, or that I have been stuck in the house for over 10 days straight; either way I have been “singing the blues” this week.  I continue to study God’s Word and pray each day; I take my medications and my vitamins; I’ve maintained the amount of calories I am to eat each day (minus Monday when I went over by 200 calories). Yet I’m still singing the “blues”.  Have you had any days or weeks like that too? 

I can hear the Lord right now, “Michele, you are making progress – be patient, stay strong, don’t lose heart – I am with you always – We are in this together – one step at time – steady on – you are winning the battle of the bulge one day at a time – one pound at a time.”   Again, the Lord reminds me of this week’s memory verse:  “Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart.”  Psalm 10:17.  Yes, Lord, you are preparing my heart for this lifelong battle. 

Once again I hear the Lord as He reminds me of today’s Scripture Study:  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1,2. 

The Lord has been preparing my heart; I am in His boot camp right now as He gives me the tools I need for the life-long battle that is before me.  There is more than physical weight that has been holding me back in the race; day by day my Lord is helping me to lay aside every weight – every sin that so easily besets me.  He is also instructing me with a word He has been teaching me for years – patience!  I am to run this race – fight this battle with patience .  One day at a time – one pound at a time – all the while looking to my precious Lord and Savior – the author and finisher of my faith; the author and finisher of my battle of the bulge. 

Dear gracious Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word –Sometimes it cuts me like a two edged sword, but I know that you are just trying to teach me – prepare me for this lifelong battle.  I know that as I continue to lose every weight and every sin that besets me, I am closer to the finish line.  I thank you heavenly Father for the 20 lbs I have lost so far.  I know I have to work hard and be patient as I continue my battle.  It won’t be long before I can walk again without great pain and without a wheelchair.  In the meantime, may I remember that You are preparing my heart - my mind – my body for what is ahead of me.  In Jesus precious name, Amen. 

Self-Will or God-Will?

“I command you-be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 NLT

As I continue with my journey on becoming a healthier me, I have joined a couple of online support groups along with reading and studying the book by Mary Englund Murphy, Winning the Battle of the Bulge It’s NOT just about the Weight.  It is so important to have people around that you can turn to when you are having a difficult day or just need some advice or encouragement; actually, it’s good to have support from others no matter what you are going through.  But it is especially helpful when one has an illness, addiction, weight issues, or major life change. 

As important as it is to receive help from individuals, it is even more important to know we have the support/help from the One who has all the answers, loves and knows us better than  we  ourselves – the Lord our God. 

There was a question Mary asks in the study guide that hit me like a ton of bricks.  “Enlistment implies commitment.  In the past, you probably committed to a diet plan.  What are you committing to now?”   I sat there a moment a little perplexed, what does she mean?  I have to commit to a diet plan right?  Then the bricks came tumbling down over my head!  It’s not all about the diet – Yes, I must commit to become a healthier me – Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually – But more importantly I must commit to being what and who God wants me to be – What He created me to be – I must commit every aspect of my life into His most capable hands and allow Him to give me the tools I need to become a healthier me. 

So in other words, before when I dieted, I committed to a thing – diet – but now I commit to God to provide the tools I need to win this battle of the bulge. 

We all battle many things throughout our day. When a soldier enlists in the Army he is not immediately sent to battle without the proper gear/tools and training he needs to become all he can be for the Army.  The same is said for us as we battle daily the powers of darkness – the prince of this world.  We must put on the whole armor of God every day in order to fight the many battles that will come our way.  To win the battle of the bulge I must arm myself with God’s armor and it will help me to stand strong, be courageous as obediently follow my Commander in Chief into the battle of the bulge. 

Yes, the battle of the bulge is a lifelong battle and I am writing about my battle on one of my blogs, My Journey to a Healthier Me , but the Word of God says, “Do Not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Isn’t it encouraging to know that wherever we go- whatever we do we have the Lord and all of his wisdom, goodness and strength to bring us through whatever this world brings upon us. 

“Dear gracious Heavenly Father, I will place all my needs – including becoming a healthier me – into Your most cable hands.  I will no longer rely on “self-control” or “self-willed” to become healthy, I will instead become “God willed” – “God controlled”.  For I know You can do considerably better with my life than I have been doing!”

Journal Entry - 1/25/13

Another week has past and we are all entering the last weekend of January.  This week we have had  frigid  temperatures ending the week with an expected few inches of snow.  Sounds like a good day for homemade vegetable soup.

I have not been out of the house this week, but again it's been a good week to stay indoors.  I continue with my reading and studying  God's Word along with Mary Englund's book, Winning the Battle of the Bulge.  Both of these activities along with the encouragement and prayers from several online support groups continue to keep me on track with my Journey to Become a Healthier Me.

It has been a difficult week in regards to my chronic health issues, but God continues to be faithful and helps me through the rough pain filled days.  I truly appreciate the prayers from my faithful prayer warriors.  No matter how I feel, I always get up out of bed and get dressed everyday.  I may not do much of anything else that day, but I know I must get up and try to do something positive towards Becoming a Healthier Me.

I look forward to spending another quiet weekend with my very supportive hubby.  I continue to ask for prayers for Jim as he has been suffering with chronic back/sciatica pain since mid August.  

I pray you all have a blessed weekend with your loved ones.  I look forward to another blessed week as we all become healthier through our journey of life.