Ode to Sugar

Oh Sugar, how you've made me giggle!

But it is time to bid adieu; cause now, you make me wiggle and jiggle.

I fondly think back through our years.

We certainly had our share of cheers and tears.

Some people may turn to booze and drugs,

But I only answered to your craving tugs.

You cooed and you wooed and sounded so sweet;

That only you, Sugar, could be the perfect treat!

You disguised yourself in candy wrappers and frothy milkshakes.

You folded yourself into cookies and cakes.

You hid yourself in sauces and dips;

Anything handy to pass through my lips.

Oh Sugar, how you always knew

When I thought of leaving you.

You'd play cool as you lingered and stepped back.

And then , in the perfect moment, you'd smother me with a full craving attack.

Oh Sugar, you never kept score

For you always knew that I would need you more.

You were my comfort, my drug, and my joy.

How could I leave you, for the likes of soy?

But Sugar, I now choose health over You.

So Sugar, I now bid you adieu.

I bid adieu to swollen feet,

and my ever-growing caboose seat.

Without you dear Sugar, I wouldn't be me,

And hopefully, without you there will be a lot less of me to see.

For so very, very long, you were my high

But now, I happily say, "Buh-bye!"

Checklist for Health

To Keep Motivated on this Journey I feel I should elaborate on where I am and where I want to go. Lists are a great way to define boundaries and to show progress; so let's make one together. This way celebratory milestones are more apparent and in which areas I could use some tough love. What Actions do I Plan to Complete Towards my HealthFULL Journey? 1. Drink more Water.

I love Flavored Beverages!!! Especially Soda whether it be Diet or Sugar

and drinking 6 cans daily was typical. So I am aiming to drink the recommended 64 oz. H2O

and limiting my soda intake to a can or less a day.

2. Go to the Gym Twice a Week.

Really I hope this grows to four times a week,

but at least going twice a week I won't feel like I am throwing money away every month.

3. Eat Less Meat.

I am hoping to consume two meat-free suppers a week

and at least three meat-free lunches a week.

I am hoping this will encourage a more nutritious menu overall

by focusing on "Healthy whole-food flavors" and not immediate cravings for fat and salt.

4.Try At Least One New Vegetable, Fruit, or Whole-Grain A Week.

Time to break out of the Comfort Zone and bring in new Flavors.

This will hopefully help keep things interesting and serve as a reminder

that this is a journey and not a race. For in races we look for quick fads

on how to get the fastest results, in a journey we are more interested in learning

new skills, exploring new tastes, and making choices about what we discover.

5. Less TV. More Movement.

Sadly my DVR is way too close of a friend. I want to get some

extra movement in everyday.

I sure wouldn't mind hitting my 10000 daily steps or at least 30 minutes daily

but to start off I will settle for a couple of reps of climbing my stairs, sit-ups, or stretches.

6. That Exercise becomes Fun and no Longer a Chore.

I want to think of participating in sports, a night out dancing,

or playing with my puppy as relaxing activities

and not moments to check the watch after ten minutes and go Yeah, I'm Done.

To Increase this I want to try one out of the rut big event activity monthly.

*For Example: Charity Event, Join a sport, Big Hike, dog park*

7. Sleep 6 Hours a Night.

I have always had a crazy sleep routine.

Anywhere from three to four hours average nightly.

Then maybe one big night of sleep for nine - ten hours.

Back to four - five hours a night, then a twelve hour sleepfest.

By getting a true night's sleep I hope to have more control

over moods, cravings, and motivation.

8. No Snack Binges.

I get the munchies like nobody's business.

Then the cravings kick in and I lose total control. I say this

half-joking. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and topped off with a little fat

in my world this equals potato chips.

I have been known to polish off more than my fair share.

Snacks okay - Healthy snacks Great!!!

Binges be gone!!!

9. To Release my Inner Suzy-Homemaker.

She's been screaming to come out for almost three decades.

Let's see what she's got! By cooking two meals a week,

this will make the meals more satisfying (according to my husband -

who has lovingly played cook for a majority of our marriage.)

By participating in planning the menus, shopping smart, allowing my creative side to play

this will a) limit our eating out, b) encourage nutritious discipline,

and c) be more HealthFULL.

I think this list gives a great foundation for my HealthFULL journey.

Thank you for taking this Step with me!

The Starting Point of My Journey

My name is Suzy and I am desperately seeking a healthier lifestyle. I started my HealthFULL Journey by announcing to my created Facebook world that I weigh 289 pounds by listing it as my status in late July. I shared the announcement due to my emotional response. The thought of doing that seemed scary and I've heard that if the thought of it scares you, it is something you need to do. My emotional instinct being that for years I was terrified that someone, anyone would "know" my official weight or that a tag would be hanging out of a shirt and again that someone would "know" my official size and I must protect that sensitive information. Too much time has been lost to "worries" and Fearful anxiety. Part of this thinking is due to the fact that my 29th birthday was quickly approaching and passed on August 12th. So I declared to friends and family it is time to truly seek out a healthier lifestyle. I listed my hopeful results as losing one hundred pounds and to be able to run a mile under seven minutes and forty-five seconds. These are bonus results. As my intention is not to lose weight or run fast, but to not willingly give up life's opportunities due to endless and anxious worries. So I pledge to change my life by living healthier in all aspects of life(physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and financially). My intention is to experience this year by embracing the concept to Fully Understand Life by Living. (The Full in HealthFULL Journey.) What does FULL mean? To be open-minded to new opportunities and new people by being available and embracing the opportunities and people when they present themselves. Different ways I plan to complete this task is to seek out new perspectives by reading new materials, listening to different podcasts, and trying new activities. I chose to blog as a way to keep my journey accountable to others and honest to myself. I intend to complete on average three blog posts a week until my thirtieth birthday which takes place August 12, 2010. I am not sure what will be said, but I believe for this work it has to stay real and get personal. Most posts will most likely be about the new foods or activities I try, possibly a new recipe worth sharing, a personal story about how I am feeling whether it be a struggling plea or a triumphant shout, and sometimes it might be a simple piece of inspiration through scripture or famous quote. I look forward to sharing this amazing year with you. If you too want to join me on this HealthFULL Journey I am excited to share in it with you and if you have encouragement or advice to share I always appreciate a helping hand. Let's FULLy embrace Life by Getting Healthy Together! 'Til we meet again. . .