From Flab to Fab!

Writing it down

Feeling great from the inside out. Countdown to the future me!

Writing it down

So you think there is a quick fix when it comes to weight loss?

I’m sorry to tell you, first you need to define your flab and your fab for any action to work.

Thought I would write myself a letter about my journey to fabulous today! For the New Year 2018 I’m going to reflect on my progress from this point and you can either bring out the champagne with me or eat some carrots as a consolation prize! I’ve had a head start and I’ve lost 2 dress sizes already, should I consider that an unfair advantage against me (haha)!

It started with that photo of the woman running. I saw it above the massage bed at the physio office, and it called me. I heard it. It said run with me. One day later, I’ll answer her by writing to me!

The Letter

Dear Self,

I’m defining my idea of ‘flab’ as the loose tire I carry around my waist. The one that falls over, but looks like its getting deflated from the work I’ve put in so far. My arms are all jiggles but I can’t do much based on my back, shoulder, and injuries to my neck and right side of my body. The cellulite and fatty deposits on my thighs look like a I’m kneading flour for bread and its lumpy. I love the way my legs look from below the knees to my cute feet, so that is one less area for enhancement! The other side which I hope will go down ( but not holding my breath) is my super huge derriere, which is firm but more than a tad on the enormous side! So that’s it. Everything else is good!

How I see fab is more about how I feel, than a dress size. I’m wearing a 16/17 now and at the end of the year fab will be a size 12 or less! For some folks that may seem big for me at 5ft 4 ins, however I’m not looking to be a scarecrow. I want to be fit, but I’m also aware of my challenges and limitations. I also want to be able to walk at a moderate pace without stopping every five minutes. As a ‘fab test’ walking for an hour would be great. I’m also hoping I can do an hour on the bike at a decent borderline fast pace. I’m able to do twenty minutes slow while praying so I’m on track I think to ace that!

Fab for me means I should be able to go to the beach and stand in the water for more than ten minutes without losing my balance. Lets set standing in the water on the beach for one hour as a ‘fab test’. Another thing I’m weary of writing here is I really want to be able to go down on the ground and get back up easily more than once — I will even settle for twice — can’t even go down and get up without help! Finally my ‘fab test’ for the year end ‘overall health ability’ will be to walk five hundred steps at the national stadium ( In my other life I could do one thousand easily). Fab sure feels like I will be ready for ‘Seal training’ next year 2018! I look fantastic in clothes ( I sure do), so lets see me in a red swimsuit, maybe a pseudo sports illustrated photo for regular folks as my ‘kickass fab test’!

Achieving these goals won’t happen unless I’m committed to making them happen. I’ve got to eat healthy and balanced, and drink lots of water. I’m also going to rely heavily on good nutritional habits which I’ve been working on for a few months. My physiotherapists are going to have to help me with the physical stuff, and I will do whatever they allow at home. Most important though will be the inner strength, which I will work on developing from meditation and breathing exercises.

I know I can’t afford the fancy diets and trainers, and maybe I don’t have everything I wish I had to assure my success, but Self, I can do it. I can keep a food and activity journal, because tracking my behavior is important. Hey, I know I don’t like writing “had a piece of cheesecake today again”, but I won’t lie because you will know! This year my goal is healing and improving my health, whatever it takes to get to fab. I need my mind and body to work with me. I also need my heart and spirit to cheer with me as I fight off the chocolate brownies and creamy decadent treats. I’ve been a yoyo for so long, I’m ready to change my model!

I’m afraid.

Yikes, I’ve written it all down and I won’t give up because I’ve said it. Lets see how I can get cracking on my healthy me!

I’m accountable to you, and I won’t let you down Self. I’m rooting for you. You can do it. It’s just you and me and the unknown people reading this promise to yourself! I love you :-)

Best encouragement and support,
Self

Journeys require understanding upfront

When you prepare for something, its always easier if you are clear on what you’re getting into before starting. Realism has escaped many when embarking on weight loss based on the quick fixes and crazy expectations locked in the mind. Writing it down gives a clearer picture of  what is required. Think about what works for you, and write it down. As I re-read this, I feel the urge to delete, because I’m beginning to feel afraid. That voice of doubt is my first challenge. I’m human, and I can tell that voice – shut up!

This is March 2017. The next time I write myself a letter on this will be,  1 January 2018.
Are you with me on your own ‘self’ journey, please share with me and lets do this together!


© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Atheist and The Believer

I have been reading and commenting on posts which have peaked my interest on the Medium platform. Many of the posts read are political satire in nature, but some cross thought lines and go deep. Here is my comment on a blog written by Dan Moore," A letter to God from a Nervous Atheist" and published via 'The Coffeelicious' blog.

"Dan, think your thoughts may reflect that of many.

I believe in God. I believe his son came to earth , died for us and I believe he sees everything, and knows all before we do. I also believe he gave us freedom of choice, to believe what we want.

Your message to him would have been heard if it came from your heart. You will hear him if you believe in him. It takes a lot of inner silence to hear his voice.

I do wonder why he allowed that douchebag to win the USA elections, but I guess it’s because things were so good before when free choice worked. Don’t know why God allowed the devil to get Putin and his cheerleader together, but I have a theory. “I like prunes and sometimes I buy the pitted ones which are juicy with no seeds. On a couple of occasions I ate too much because I forgot what happens when I don’t think. So that bellyache kept me on the throne with a weak bowel for awhile. Now I’m careful not to make the mistake. The same with the US electorate, because soon enough the GOP and their followers will be on their toilets letting all the s#!$ come out, but it will take time. It is a shitty situation, but eventually the opportunity to change will come. Good will overcome evil and Beyonce will get that award she deserves. The world needs to see the importance of why good is needed, and sometimes bad things happen so we remember evil can 'grab us by the pussy”, and we need to unite to stop the criminals from ruling.

So here we are at this point..The atheist and the believer, both praying to God for some of the same things. Got to go, he just whispered in my ear and it’s time to hear his response.😊 "

Some additional thoughts on customs/beliefs

Yes, this comment brought me to a place of greater understanding as it relates to religious beliefs. Tolerance is not what is needed when it comes to religious points of views. We need to show respect and strive to understand the things which can make us uncomfortable, because we all have a place on this earth.

Religious hatred has no place in any society, however, when someone from another religion goes to the country of another they need to show respect and a willingness to understand the ways of that society. When I go into the home of another, if I am asked to remove my shoes as I enter I do it. In my home I will allow others to walk with their shoes. I do not allow anyone to smoke in my home, and my mother smokes, but will respect my home and not smoke in it.  I will not travel to middle eastern countries where the hijab or headscarf is expected to be worn because that is not my belief / custom.  I prefer the countries where such customs are not imposed on me . Life is only difficult when we try to force our ways on others. I am sure this is more complex when we are dealing with refugees and immigrant situations, where they had no choice but to leave their home.  Maybe, it would be less complex if one were to ask oneself, can I adapt my lifestyle so that there is harmony wherever I go?

If you take the ways you run from to the new place, you may as well have stayed where you were because where you run to will become where you were.

We all hope for the same thing. A safe place to live, laugh and love.

Thank you for reading, sharing and commenting. I appreciate all feedback.

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Standing Rock Sioux- Another Stain on the USA

Some Thoughts…

I’ve been following the news for quite some time and hoped there would be a different ending for, the Sioux tribe reservation in Standing Rock, North- south Dakota border, USA.  That was not the case. Sometimes the fire we feel within for good to prevail over evil gets a beating. This is one of those occasions when I’m really wishing and praying for a miracle. Is oil more important than water? Is oil so important that sacred burial lands can be seized to profit the interests of the new USA president and big businesses?

I was reading an article by a writer published on Medium, which I seem to do quite a bit these days and my comment on his article was as follows;

"When the rich destroy the earth.

Standing Rock Sioux will now forever be a stain on the USA government 2017. Big business wins and a president with friends and an interest in the project moving forward has ensured he seeks the interest of self before nation. The grabbing of lands which belonged to the American Indians indigenous people was a fight many hoped would be won by the owners of the land. A burial ground holds a sovereign right for its people. When there is even less clean water in this nation and a rich heritage is lost by money grabbing businessmen, karma will step in and history will really be told. This will be another trump legacy."

( In response to the article The True Story Of How Standing Rock Fell by Marty Skovlund,Jr  published on Medium :ExtraNewsfeed )

*** Hope you will check out the article.

Its been pretty hard to write recently. I think my supply of angry writing is diminished. I’m trying to find the silver lining on many things and coming up short. What I can say is we cannot allow the negative things to become so magnified in our world that they outshine the good that is still presently taking place. This will be my mantra when I read articles which ache my heart, and I do hope you can find something which works with you also.

Life is simple, but greed makes it difficult.

Indeed it is a changing world.

What happens in the world around us impacts on us all. The environment needs supporters, so join with me and lets do more than listen. Lets ensure our voices are heard.

Thank you for reading, sharing and commenting!

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Just Thinking out Loud: Sharing your Truth

Facing your truth

The past couple weekends have found me in a place of reflection on what a few of my friends want. Its not easy to listen to folks you love share over and over the same problems and situations and hurts and keep quiet. Okay, truthfully I do give my thoughts and observations and many times I’m the devil’s advocate.

Looking back I had a light bulb moment where I finally understood that everyone is where they want to be. What they want from me is consistent loyalty, and maybe not advice or my thoughts /opinions when requested. They want me to say what they want to hear. They want someone to help them validate their unhappiness or their choices. I can’t do it.

As I shared with one of my friends – if you’re in a relationship which is causing you pain, you’re committing suicide. Its all self induced because we have the natural sense to know when we need to safeguard ourselves. Fight or flee? You have to choose one because as long as you stay in a toxic situation it will kill you at some point. Or maybe the other person involved will do the killing. I know it sounds dramatic and harsh, but waiting for something bad to happen is like being an accessory to the dramatic and sometimes fatal ending.

Some people just need a friend to listen to them complain, gripe, get angry, blow a fuse, get crazy mad, feel sad, whine, lie to themselves, tell themselves the truth, make a choice, change choices, get messed up, pray with, lean on, laugh with, learn with, love with and a whole set of emotions.
Friendships are hard because they test our ability to know when to tell the truth and when to lie. Don’t doubt there are times your friends want you to lie to them because they live with their truth and sometimes tell you the lie.

So for all my friends, please know we are in this imperfectly flawed world together. I choose my road, and I respect the road you choose. I may not be able to tell you the lie, and the truth may hurt, but I sure love being your friend, and we got to live with our realities. So maybe if we have each others backs, we can be a better bench to lean on when the truth is shared.

Just thinking out loud.
Be blessed and encouraged

Thank you for reading, sharing and understanding!

© Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Donna-Luisa Eversley and D-WORDSLAYER with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.