Weightloss Support Group

I have been inspired to start a weight loss group with local women this year. It started basically with my motivation being health and wellness anyhow and the desire to lose my baby weight from 2nd child. But, the real inspiration stemmed from the number of people I personally know and otherwise that are undergoing gastric bypass surgery...some not much older than myself. This is scary too me because their is risk involved. They say it may be low, but when you are the one who loses your life or has the health complications I don't think you will care much about statistics. I just wish their was a better system set up designed to take some of these people who are not motivated and who don't believe in themselves for losing weight and regaining health by the hand and show them a much healthier and safe alternative to improve their weight, health, and outlook in life.

I am not underestimating how hard it is to get into the weight loss mindset and to reinforce that with action. It is hard. For some they have many food addictions much like a drug user or alcoholic. Their is proof from a scientific stance that certain foods create addictions, so don't be hard on yourself if you are one that does! Just recognize and find ways to get help and move beyond it.

Then their is mostly just the lack of motivation, willpower, and energy to carry it through. Face it. We are a fast food, fast paced, have it yesterday culture. Who wants to take time to take care of themselves and prepare healthy meals? It is just too difficult, right? But, you have to think, if you don't take care of yourself, who will?

When you really hear someone talk or write and pay attention to what they say. They will give you the root cause of their perceptions in life whether it is a health or weight loss stance or something else. I have come to the conclusion that most people want to be healthy and slim, but it is much like a get rich quick scheme. They want it now with no work involved. Some just don't have the knowledge it takes to empower themselves, and many of them struggle with bad habits/thoughts, addictions, and lack of self confidence.

So as discussed in the first meeting last week with the 6 ladies (3 that weren't able to make it as well) we really do need to strive to get the old habits, thoughts, actions out and bring in the new. Start getting negative thinking, actions, and self criticism out and look for positive things to reinforce to yourself everyday. Find things that encourage you on what you are doing. Friends, books, video's, groups or whatever else. The more we are around things that are like minded, the more we will accomplish in that realm. It isn't fruity a discussed at the meeting. It is a proven science.

In fact, Christian Author and I believe psychologist Dr. Caroline Leaf in her book, "Who Switched Off My Brain," goes into proving the affects of negative thoughts, unforgiveness, ect on our brain and ultimately our body. Anything from fatigue, to major diseases. Showing how the thoughts and unforgiveness creates a black mass in our brain that will begin to extend to our body until it causes disease. It can be proven through some kind of scanning device, I guess. Also, Pastor Henry Wright has come highly recommended to me by a few people, from what I have been able to find he basically says the same thing as Dr. Caroline Leaf.

So what do these two people and their writings have to do with weight loss? Everything! Mindset and overcoming strongholds that hinder us from accomplishing things in life...even if it is the little things and holding us back from everything we were designed to do, is key. If simple exercising and trying to watch what you eat is feeling oppressive and you find yourself constantly telling yourself why you can't do this or that, you really do need to invest in your mindset whether through these books or someone else. Bible reading and meditation to God is a great asset. Most books written on self development and mindset have been taken from the bible, whether the particular author acknowledges the bible or not, but have a wonderful way of compiling it together into a specific workable area.

Another one of great value is anything by Dani Johnson...and really many more.

With all this said, we all will still have some slip ups. I know I did this week more towards the end. That is life. Deal with it and get on. Enjoy it for the moment and get back on tract. Sometimes we need some little slip ups. Just don't let them become the predominate norm.

So...for me, I started cutting back on the amount of food I ate this week, added more vegetables, both steamed and raw, drank consistently 2-3 liters of lemon water daily, exercised 2 times this week (way less than I would have liked to, but I developed strep for the 3rd time and hubby told me I shouldn't exercise until it was gone to rest my body and of course he is right) those 2 times I sped walked for 50 min. resulting in 3 miles (according to my treadmill,but I think it is at least 3 1/2 miles...when I walk a full 3 miles at the park, I don't walk quite as fast as I do on treadmill and get it done in about 40-45 min. time...one or the other is off....lol) and lost weight. My scale this morning said I gained 1 lb and a few oz. But, I know I lost inches. It is very noticeable in jeans and the way my underclothes fit. So must have lost inches and gained muscle. Thinking maybe I should start measuring after all! :)

Keep watching this blog. I will try to post 1 - 2 times a week if not more on health, weight loss, tips, remedies, ect. I have a great strep throat remedy I found and it is actually one that is working very nicely! I DID NOT want to go on a 3rd round of antibiotics as they both messed me up so much and was starting to feel so much better after being off of them. So, I hope this keeps it up. My strep is almost gone and have had hardly any symptoms like fevers, extreme tiredness, extreme sore throat, ect.

Stay tuned. More to come! Wishing all my ladies much joy and happiness this coming week as they do what I know they all can do! Take the right steps toward a healthy lifestyle and healthy weight point.

You all were Created to Soar!

Warm Wishes,
Larissa