I don't struggle with my weight

In my life I have been average weight, then heavier, then lost weight and been average size again, become overweight, and obese, lost weight, gained some back, been obese again, and once again am losing more weight. Some people might assume that I 'struggle with my weight', and most of us have heard this phrase countless times in our lives. I have thought about it, and this is what I have come to conclude: Although my weight has fluctuated significantly throughout my life, I do NOT struggle with it.

Here is what I envision when I hear the word STRUGGLE:

Looks to me, like they are having a difficult time trying to pin one another down. I can't imagine trying to pin part of me down to get control of myself! haha! Although I have experienced obesity more than once, I don't feel like I was struggling with my weight. I still loved myself and always knew that I am a daughter of God. My value did not decrease based on my weight. I may have struggled with overcoming bad food cravings, I may have struggled with whether or not I wanted to exercise, I may have struggled with letting go of negative experiences and feelings, but I don't feel like I struggled with my weight.

When I eat poorly, don't exercise, and harbor negative thoughts, I gain weight. It is that simple. When I eat healthy, take care of my body, and replace the negative with positive, I lose weight. My weight seems to be a direct reflection of OTHER struggles I may be facing, but the actual weight is not the struggle. I stopped 'trying' to lose weight. I stopped focusing on valuing my health. I went back to convenience foods and comfort foods that tasted good to me. It was easy to do, and it was easy to gain weight back. It definitely wasn't a struggle for me. I was still happy. I still had plenty of people that loved me for ME! (and I appreciate you all!) I tried to go back to a healthy lifestyle about a year or so ago, but I wasn't ready or mentally prepared. So I stopped. That wasn't a struggle either. 

When I finally decided I was ready to take charge of my health once again, it was just that: A DECISION. There were no doubts or struggles going on. Only HOPE and EXCITEMENT that I was finally ready to begin again. I learn what I need to do and I do it. No struggle. Only FAITH. With each small step and each small healthy choice I make, I get closer to where I know I am meant to be. Do you tell yourself you struggle with your weight? That MAY just be a limiting belief that is actually keeping your body from letting go of the weight. Think about it. Our minds are MUCH more powerful than we realize!

We each have our own hardships and lessons we must learn in life. It is important to recognize them so we can use them to improve our own future. The past will repeat itself if we don't LEARN from it and make the necessary changes. Take some time every day to sit in silence and DECIDE where it is you want to be in the future! Are the choices you are making today leading you closer or further away from that dream? If they aren't leading you closer, then don't let it get you down. Just take it one step at a time to help yourself realize your true potential! You were made to do great things! Once you determine where you WANT to be, you can then discover what you need to do to get you there. 

The interesting part is that we all have different dreams, and there is no right or wrong way to achieving them! There is not ONE SPECIFIC way that we all must follow. One person's way may not work for someone else. What works for someone, is not a one-size-fits-all method for the next. If someone tries something that doesn't stick, and they give it up, does that mean they are a quitter? I don't think so. It just means they have to get creative to find what works best for THEM! And in the end, it's not even about the destination, it is about the JOURNEY! The lessons we learn, the relationships we build, and the life we create!

You are ALWAYS worth it! You are worth the effort! You may have your own personal struggles, but you should never have to struggle with the thought of knowing whether or not you have value. Making the right choice should not be a struggle. You will know because you will have PEACE in your heart and soul! Next time you think of yourself or someone else as "struggling" with their weight, think instead of what they actually may be struggling with, and perhaps you can help them through it. Chances are, their struggle is NOT the weight at all.

May PEACE be with you always!!!!

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Juicing Journey

I found a juicer for an awesome price, and therefore, started my adventure with juicing!

I had mixed feelings about it because of some of the things I have heard. ("Don't drink your calories", "You need fiber along with the fruit or all you are getting is sugar"...etc). I looked into benefits and experiences that others have had, and it was clear to me that the benefits greatly outweighed the cons. Yes, it takes A LOT of veggies and fruits to make one glass of juice, but that is the greatest benefit of all! Think of ALL THOSE NUTRIENTS and raw enzymes!

A couple weeks ago I decided I had had enough of the back-and-forth of watching what I eat, and then not caring and eating whatever I wanted. There was no balance or goals. I have been in survival mode for quite some time now, and I just wasn't focused on any specific health goal or mindset.

I changed my mind because I was sick of feeling tired and run down all the time. I was sick of how my clothes fit me and how I never felt my best. The juicer came just in time! As I was trying to figure out the best way to utilize my juicer for health benefits, I read up on what works, reasons for doing it, and also then discovered others doing juice fasts. During a juice fast, you drink only FRESH juiced vegetable and fruit juice and water for an extended period of time. Some people do days, some do weeks, some do months. This has many purposes, such as giving your digestive system a rest so your body can focus on healing itself from the inside. Our bodies are AMAZING! They can perform miracles if you allow them!

For quite some time, I have felt that my body is full of many toxins (from years of bad habits and living) and unwanted visitors (parasites after a trip to Mexico, for example). I have done a couple 'cleanses' in the past, but I am not one to go for fad diets that promise fast results and rapid weight loss. Those don't really interest me if they aren't sustainable. I know I can lose weight making necessary lifestyle changes, because I have done it before and prefer exercise and diet as means to lose weight.


So what made me decide to do a juice fast? It is mainly for the healing and detoxing purposes. I know that even when I lost 70 pounds, my legs were still full of cellulite, a place where many toxins and fat cells can hide out. I was not able to get rid of that with just exercise and proper diet. I needed a cleanse that works down to a cellular level. When doing a juice fast, your digestive system gets a much needed break and your body is still getting the nutrients and enzymes it needs. While your digestive system is resting, your body is able to concentrate its energy on healing and eliminating built up toxins.

Some of the stories I have read about the experiences of others and how they were able to heal, get off medications, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce goiters, and so many other miracles that our bodies are capable of! I also know that I want to eliminate my bad cravings and get to a point where I eat at least 80% RAW. I just need a bridge to gap where I am now and where I want to be. I am not saying a juice fast is something everyone should do, but I did discover that this is what I need to regain control of my eating habits, and after the extended fast, I know it will be easier to continue enjoying more healthy foods and significantly less amounts of sugar and junk foods.

Today, I am on day 4 of my juicing journey and I can say I have felt some effects of the detoxing, (which is why I took a rejuvenating bath soak using these bath salts), and I have strong willpower to get through this and I have goals to become the healthiest I have been in decades! Gotta start somewhere, and for me, this is my jump start to health and healing!

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