Inspirations & Photography

The reason why I’ve chosen this title is because it’s true! Growing up I never had  a weight problem, but as I got older, especially after having children, I have always fluctuated in my weight.  Once I became an aerobic instructor while living in Arizona, I was more mindful of what I was eating. I did what nearly every women who is  active would do and that is “watch” and be “aware” of what we’re eating.

Once we moved from AZ back to Michigan where I grew up, I continued with being active by brisk walking every day and of course keeping a close eye on my diet.  But once we moved to Florida, and started the first church in the history of our beautiful town of Ponce Inlet (Ponce Church) I let it all slip.  I found myself walking less and eating all the wrong foods, especially sugar! I remember driving over the bridge to the local Duncan Donuts getting my chocolate glazed donuts and coffee and sitting by the river enjoying the view. This became a habit and a bad one at that!  Then with the stress of starting a new church, I turned to food for comfort and this continued for nearly nine and a half years apart from one brief 6 months or so when my heart was not functioning correctly and because of a short bought of depression brought on by the doctors not being able to pinpoint the problem, I was unable to eat and so I quickly dropped the pounds. But thanks to the Lord for sending a heart specialist to find and fix the problem, I began getting back to my old self. I did begin to exercise a little bit more, but not enough.

Another thing that I have noticed over the last few years is my body’s response to sugar. I found that I am not able to eat too much of it (which is a good thing) due to the fact that my body reacts similar to a diabetic.   When I was in the hospital a few years ago I asked them to check for diabetes but the results came back negative. Needless to say, I am very happy that I cannot eat sugar like I did when I was younger.  Which now brings to mind Paula Deen. We all know her as the Queen of butter and cream. Not anymore! She was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has lost 2 pants sizes. She says she also walks 30 minutes a day. Good for her! Not only has she adopted a healthier lifestyle, she’s also now able to influence all of her butter lover fans!

OK back to my story. Due to the lack of regular aerobic exercise and healthy eating, I maintained a very unhealthy weight for many years up until about 5 months ago (2012). Last summer I began to ride my bike a couple of times a week and watch my sugar intake, and because of this I did begin to see a slight difference, but not enough. My plan was to lose weight to buy a nice dress for our older sons wedding (November 12, 2011) but I did not quite reach my goal. I was hoping to be able to fit into a size 13-14, but was disappointed when all I could wear was a size 16. I hated this! I know hate is a very strong word, but I was so disappointed in myself that I allowed myself to get to this size! I like Paula Deen, do not weigh myself, that my friends can be one of the most depressing things a woman can do. I like to go by inches and dress/pant sizes  (I learned this method from being a certified aerobic instructor.  Those who do weight training increase the muscle which weighs more than fat)

So when did I REALLY wake up?  When I saw some photo’s of me dancing in a line with others at our sons and Brandi’s beautiful wedding. I could not believe what I saw!!! I thought to myself, “Do I REALLY look like that?!!”  Well friends this wake-up call moved me to take it serious this time.  In December of 2012 I began to ride my bike daily, I don’t mean a leisurely ride, I mean serious aerobic pedaling. Again I started to see a little more difference in the way my clothes fit, but still not enough. About six weeks ago I read an article that helped me with choosing healthier foods and continue my exercise regime.  It said to cut out 500 calories a day. Mine began with peanut butter of which I LOVE! Every night I would eat a peanut butter bagel or toast. Not anymore!! Just 2 tablespoons of my favorite Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter comes packed with a whopping 200 calories and 16 grams of fat! Another thing I began to do is eat more fruit! Fruit has fiber (which helps you to feel full longer). I have also cut out bread. I now eat high fiber wraps in place of bread. I eat tuna, turkey and chicken wraps.  I no longer order fries when I go out to eat, I get a side salad instead (another tip from my article) and if I want a taste I’ll take 2 or 3 from my hubbies plate!

One other MAJOR change I’ve stumbled across Smart One’s by Weight Watches. No, I am not a member of Weight Watcher’s but I was turned on to this very tasty, low-calorie a high protein, high fiber entree’s when I saw one in our freezer.  I ate it and it was soooo delicious and it filled me up because of the protein and fiber content! Listen folds, I’ve always steered away from frozen meals because in the past they tasted awful, especially the “diet” ones, ugh! But not these, I buy the meatless versions. They have a huge variety to choose from. I purchase mine at Wal-mart for only $1.98 per entree (meatless), what a deal!! My husband and our younger son loves them too! So when I don’t want to cook, we just heat up a Smart One!  And instead of bread with my meal, I take one of my Flat Out fiber wraps and lightly brush with EVOO add a little garlic salt ( very little) slice them in tortilla chip sizes and broil for approx; 1 minute. We also make our own healthy pizza  (no meat) using whole wheat flour and it is just simply delicious! I also opt for baked chips instead of the regular. Be careful with these as well, watch your portions!  I no longer sit and eat half a bag, I put a serving in a small bowl. Oh yeah, it really helps to use smaller plates and bowls, you’ll eat less, but your eyes see a full plate, trust me it works!

I am happy to say that I have finally fit into my new pair of white summer shorts that are 2 sizes smaller than what I’ve been wearing.  Now I am not finished with losing inches, but I have learned from the article that I read to be “patient”.  Losing weight the healthy way is the best way!! I do not look at it as dieting, I see it as making healthier choices!

It used to be that eating a poor diet affected our all around health, but now research shows that living life unhappy can affect our hearts as well “If you’re not happy with your job, family, sex life, or self, it can make your heart hurt–literally. In a long-term study of British government workers, those with lower levels of satisfaction racked up higher rates of heart disease…” an excerpt in the Good Health section of Good Housekeeping- February 2012. “You don’t need to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety, or have super high stress for there to be an impact--just a lack of joy in key areas of your life could do it.” In this same study they also found that taking “big” steps toward improving these areas of our lives can greatly improve our health.

Although science is making breakthroughs in the how-to’s of improving our all around health, the Bible, God’s written word has for thousands of years contained such nuggets of truth. For example, let’s look at 3 versions of a verse found in the book of Proverbs chapter 22 and verse 17, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a persons strength” New Living Translation. “A cheerful disposition is good for your health, gloom and doom leave you bone tired” Message. “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” New King James Version.

There are times in life when we have the power and ability to change our circumstances and make improvements in our lives. But there are also times when no matter what we do or where we are in life we have chosen to believe that we are just not happy, many times this is the result of the “I don’t have” mindset. For many of us we say and think, “If I could only have this…” or “If that person would change, THEN my life would be happier” But the truth is happiness does not and never will come from people or from obtaining money or things, “Don’t love money, be satisfied (content and happy) with what you have (now, today) for God has said, ‘I will never fail you, I will never abandon you” Hebrews 13:5 NLT.

It was only a few years ago that I finally, after many years of being unsatisfied and unhappy with what I “didn’t” have, did I learn that I had my focus on the wrong things. Instead of being thankful to God and content with all of the wonderful and good things in my life, I found myself in a state of always needing more which only led to stress. I was 47 when I had my wake-up call. I was sitting on the couch watching TV and when I got up I felt very light-headed and my heart was acting abnormal. My heart rate dropped and I felt as though I was going to pass out, so I knew to lay on the floor and as I did I called out to my husband who was in the kitchen to call 911. It wasn’t until approximately 5 months later, due to another heart issue did the doctors in the ER finally find out what was really going on, this time my heart was racing at a pace of 178 beats per minute, once they were able to regulate it, one of the doctors referred me to one of the best heart physicians of whom specializes in the electrical function of the heart (it was not heart disease). He was an answer to our prayers and was able, by the power and grace of God fix my heart.

In my personal opinion (and what I believe the Lord revealed to me) all of this occurred as a result of stress compounded by worry, fear, not being happy which led me to an unhealthy lifestyle ( lack of regular exercise and poor eating habits).  Once I made my adjustment and began to trust the Lord for all of my needs I began to “change” my thinking. Ever since then I have learned and made it a practice to live a healthier lifestyle along with focusing on and appreciating all the GOOD in my life. And if at times my mind wants to go in the “wrong” direction, I quickly recognize it and turn my focus back and look only at the positive.

Now I am not saying that we should not have goals in our lives, even the word of God says that He “gives us the desires of our hearts” but the key is to not allow ourselves to be unhappy during the process, we need to learn to enjoy life NOW.  Have your visions and dreams, but have them with a content heart with the understanding that even if we do not attain some of those goals in life that we can still be happy without them. When we make these adjustments in our minds and attitudes we WILL begin to experience what it’s like to have REAL happiness and joy which can dramatically improve our all around health.