Our Temples

I've been thinking a lot about my body as a Temple.  I've been doing a lot of cleansing of the inside of my Temple, the spiritual part of me.  That has been very rewarding. It wasn't until I read this article about sugar that something started to connect for me.  It talked about how sugar causes depression, weight gain, severe pms, and pre-mature wrinkles.  To quote Mr. Gru(you know from Despicable Me?), LIGHT-BULB!  My body, my temple houses my spirit.  By abusing myself with sugar I am making it more difficult for the spirit to dwell with me.  I have been experiencing all of the above!!  And it hasn't been fun.  I have slightly increased my sugar intake(I should be honest, maybe a lot) over the past year and I believe these symptoms are a result.  This is so much more then just about weight.  It's about my life.  My body and spirit are so intertwined,   more then I understand. 

After reading this article I really want to take control.  And not for my weight, for my health and my spirit.  But where to start?  This is dangerous territory.  How do I start this process without my body(and mind) believing that I'm starting a diet?  I wont every be starting a diet, EVER AGAIN.  I know that there are some permanent lifestyle changes that need to take place.  Removing unneeded sugar is a good place. 

Several, several months ago I vowed not to purchase any treats for myself when I go to the store.  This will be a goal of mine for the month of February.  I also don't want to have sweet in my house during the week.  I need to start training myself to reach for fruits for a sweet fix.  Finding fruits that are in season is going to be a fun adventure.  I've always wanted to make amazing desserts for Sunday night.  Bringing my daughters into the kitchen with me to help me.  That makes 3 goals, right? 

1. No more buying treats in the store.
2. No more sweets in the house during the week
3. Make an amazing dessert for Sunday Dinner.
4. Reach for fruits that are in season. 

That makes 4 goals.  I've written them down.  I will keep you up to date on my progress. 

How does sugar affect you?

What do you do to overcome sugar urges?

Change is slow

Usually in January I hit the gym, hard.  I usually start a new diet and do pretty good.  I am determined to shed pounds and change my life, permanently.  This year is so different.  Exercise is not that important.  Although I really really really really want to start running again.  Will this snow ever melt?  I know, it's still January, but come on.  Eating healthy is still important to me and I am striving to find that perfect way to eat which is best for me. 

The biggest difference for me this year, is that I'm on a different journey.  I have very different goals which I hope will result in a physical change as well.  I've talked a little bit about this in my past posts.  As much as I don't want this journey to be about the weight, it still feels like it is.  My journey is more of a spiritual one.

I have placed more value on scripture study, pondering them, and praying about them and what it is that I should study.  My prayers are becoming more meaningful and fasting has new meaning and real purpose. I am trying so hard to foster a beautiful relationship with Christ.  We've been promised that if we put the Lord first that all other aspects of our lives will fall into place. 

With all this wonderful spiritual growth happening, I still feel a bit lonely.  The only change I see in my body is the change I wasn't  hoping for.  A good friend came over to help me.  I loved all her wonderful advice and counsel.  What it all boils down to is that change takes time.  Even spiritual change.  Which I am not good with.  I want instant results!!  INSTANT!!!  I work so hard for a few weeks wanting my life to change instantaneously.  In all reality, that's not how it's suppose to work. 

I thought I was doing something wrong.  There must be Something MORE I needed to be doing.  My friend told me I was in the same place she was 2 months ago.  She told me I was being to hard on myself and I was doing everything I needed to.  I just have to keep doing what I'm doing.  Even through weight gain. 

6am study time, here I come.  And it's been wonderful to start my day the right way!

Reflections of 2010

As I think back on my 2010 year, it started out insane.  Waking up at 4:45am, heading to the gym, working my brains out until 7am, coming home, and barely making it through the rest of my day.  I was tired, cranky, and let's face it, not capable of that schedule.  So I quit.  I quit a lot of things this year.  I gained 12lbs back, stopped running, stopped caring about what I ate, and hated that my pants began getting too small. 
Through all that I learned that there is more to life then losing weight.  I have been swallowed up in what the world thinks is acceptable, a washboard stomach, hips like a teenage boy, and boobs the size of Mount Olympus.  I have been asking for help in all the wrong areas of my life.  Losing weight is not what is most important in our earthly journey here.  I do believe that being healthy and treating our bodies with love and respect is important. 
The most valuable lesson I learned this year is that I need to gain a relationship with my Savior.  He is the one who will help me get through this maddening and chaotic life.  No amount of weight lost will bring me true happiness and joy.  Finding and trusting in the love that comes from the Savior will bring happiness and joy. 
This past month my focus has completely changed.  Yes, I still want to lose weight, but that is not my focus.  My focus is what I'm going to call, Connecting to the Vine.  And in connecting to the vine I will realize my true potential and value.

2010 didn't go as I quite planned it.  Does anything really? 

I am really looking forward to 2011.