Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge: Sail away with me....

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sail away with me....

A lot of people say their weight loss journey is like a long, overseas flight to the destination of their goal weight. I’ve decided that my weight loss journey is really more like a cruise that makes various stops on its way to the destination of my goal weight. I get on the boat and think “I’m staying on the boat, I don’t care how long it takes” and I cruise right along. Until we stop at the first port! As soon as I see the fabulous surroundings at that port, I’m off that boat and indulging faster than you can say “daily calorie allotment.” After I’ve been at the port for a while, I get tired of being that person again and climb back onto the boat, head hung in shame, vowing to do my best once again. And I do! For a while. Until I don’t want to anymore.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

I’ve heard it said many times that the journey is more important than the destination. I agree with that when speaking about life. However, when it comes to my weight loss journey, I’m just saying “let me be the judge!” Tell you what, I’ll just go ahead and get to my goal weight in a week or two and then let you know which I enjoyed more… the journey or the destination. I’m betting I’ll enjoy the destination a little more than I enjoyed the journey. I also bet no one who has been through it successfully would bet against me.

Having said all of that, though, something about THIS time is just different. Maybe it is the way Adrienne talked to us last week about changing our mindset. She told us that instead of worrying about calories in/calories out, think more about "what benefit will eating this _____ give me?" For example, if it is a healthy protein or a complex carbohydrate, it will benefit me by providing me longer lasting fullness and more energy. If it is a fruit or a vegetable, it will benefit me by providing my body essential nutrients to aid in digestion. If it is a big ole' honkin' bag of potato chips, it will benefit me by adding padding to my rear end in case I fall on the ice this winter. (Yeah, probably not where she was going with that) Whatever the reason, I'm appreciating my newfound ability to stay on the cruise ship and not be tempted by the ports we pass.

I'm just praying it doesn't turn out to be that cruise ship that just sunk in Italy.

4 comments:

AnonymousJanuary 17, 2012 at 6:15 PM
Molly,
So 'proud' of you for taking this to 'heart'. Hee hee. I am glad you are keeping your sense of humor as well. I can tell you....YES, the destination is the best...and the journey is long. Great rewards await, my friend!! Hang in there!!!
Kylie
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PamelaJanuary 17, 2012 at 8:01 PM
Molly, you just Rock girlie! Keep the course!
WE CAN DO IT! :0)
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AnonymousJanuary 17, 2012 at 8:25 PM
Great thoughts! I like to think also that the road to losing the weight is more than just about "losing." You will also be gaining quite a lot...confidence, independence, knowledge of your own ability to commit, and hopefully, a longer life in the end. Keep cruisin' along!!
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AnonymousJanuary 17, 2012 at 9:23 PM
Wait a minute...I thought cruise ships made you sick? OH...I get it...stay on the ship, then vomit, thereby lose weight!? Interesting plan!
Chris (Molly's other half)
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Meet the BetterU Challengers

Julie B., 42, Marion – Julie was diagnosed with high blood pressure at age 14 even though she wasn’t overweight at the time. She has struggled with her weight for the last 15 years, has high cholesterol, arthritis and back problems. Her father had a heart attack 18 years ago, and Julie does not want to follow in his footsteps. She is pursuing a career in the medical field and wants to be a good example to others.

Laura, 55, Greenfield – Laura has a family history of heart disease and is looking to become a better role model for those she influences as a nursing instructor. Laura had quit smoking for 15 years, but resumed the habit about 1 ½ years ago. She would like to quit.

Molly, 35, Yorktown – Molly was a cheerleader in high school and was active in sports, but started struggling with her weight 15 years ago. She does part-time work for Ironman and doesn’t feel like the type of person who should represent that company. Molly has already started training for a 5k and is eager for the BetterU program to help her make changes for a healthier lifestyle.

Pamela, 42, Indianapolis – Pamela has struggled with weight her entire life. In April, she was put on high blood pressure medication. Already motivated to make changes, Pamela has lost 15 pounds while working with a wellness coach at work. BetterU can help her continue her journey.

Paula, 62, Greenwood – Paula recently retired after 40 years as a teacher. She was shocked when she needed aortic valve replacement in 2007, but it wasn’t enough of an impetus to cause her to stop smoking or adopt a healthier lifestyle. She loves to travel and wants to stop smoking and lose weight as part of a healthier lifestyle.

Renee, 63, Indianapolis – Renee’s mother passed away from a heart condition, and Renee has already had three stents implanted. She’s started taking care of herself, and is paying it forward by taking an 81-year-old friend to aerobics two days a week and to yoga once a week. Renee would like to get off some medications she is taking, and is looking for the professional guidance of the BetterU program to help her take the right path.

Ruthann, 58, Fishers – Ruthann suffered Sudden Cardiac Arrest “out of the blue” five years ago. She was in a coma for four days and in the hospital for 12, yet came out of the experience with no physical or mental disabilities. She had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted and has since gained a lot of weight. She is looking for motivation to start and maintain a healthy lifestyle that can give her many more years.

Past BetterU Challengers

2011 BetterU Challengers
Natale, 28 – A staff R.N. who teaches patient families to take care of themselves, Natale knows it’s time to follow her own advice. Her hectic 12-hour days leave little time for herself. She’s ready for a change.
Carla, 37 – Carla doesn’t believe in dieting, but she has already made some positive changes to what she eats. Now she’s looking to keep up with her 70-year old father, who can climb the sand dunes in half the time it takes her.
Annette, 45 - Annette decided 2010 was her time to become a BetterU. She started exercising and eating right and lost 55 pounds. She wants to stay motivated and to inspire others.
Peggy, 57 – Peggy is obese and taking several medications. She lost her father and both maternal grandparents to heart attacks and knows this is her opportunity to change her fate.
2010 BetterU Challengers
Ruth Holladay - Ruth has a family history of heart disease. Her mother had a number of strokes and her father died of a heart attack at 46. A devoted grandmother, Ruth knows that now is the time to put herself first for a change. You can also find Ruth at RuthHolladay.com

Kimila Brown - Unhealthy lifestyles can sometimes be packaged in healthy looking packages, or so it would seem with Kimila. Although she’s not overweight, Kimila admits she no longer exercises. Once an avid bodybuilder and softball player, Kimila says she now barely remembers to eat. After several personal tragedies, she started smoking again – a habit she had quit for nine years. She spends all her time and energy working long hours as a teacher and working on a second master’s degree. She knows she is not healthy on the inside and doesn’t want to follow the same road many in her family have taken - her father died of heart disease and her grandparents both had strokes.

Dee Leonard - Heart disease and obesity runs in her family. She lost her grandmother to heart disease. Newly married, Dee knows she should be looking forward to a bright future. Instead, she worries about her future. Already overweight and never having been at a healthy BMI, she wonders what she will look like at 30 years old. Dee wants to learn to enjoy fitness and start making healthy meals for her family -- so that when she has children, she can bring them up in a healthy household.

Amy Magan – The mother of three, Amy wants to make sure she is around to see them grow up. She takes medications for her blood pressure and cholesterol. She feels this is the perfect time to change her life. She plans to attack the BetterU Challenge with humor and the support of her family who have vowed to be her personal cheerleaders. For more of Amy's efforts, check out The 4th Frog Blog.

Jessica Woodson – Jessica’s father died from a stroke. She said her family never even knew he had a heart problem. Overweight her entire life, Jessica knows she could be headed down the same path. She suffers from high blood pressure and her dosages of medication keep going up. She feels like there is so much she never accomplished because of her weight. She says she “wants to be able to cross my legs for a change” and doesn’t want to be the “girl with the cute face” anymore. For once in her life, she wants to know what it feels like to be healthy.

Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sail away with me....

4 comments:

2012 BetterU Challengers

Meet the BetterU Challengers

Past BetterU Challengers

BetterU Experts

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Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge Sponsors

Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sail away with me....

4 comments:

2012 BetterU Challengers

Meet the BetterU Challengers

Past BetterU Challengers

BetterU Experts

Go Red For Women Resources

Blog Archive

Media Coverage

Subscribe To Go Red BetterU Challenge

Followers

Indianapolis Go Red BetterU Challenge Sponsors