What is in it for you?

As always I stress that my blogs are my personal experiences, views and opinions.
So often we think of others before ourselves. We think of our family, mates and children first. We have to consider how they feel to make relationships work. We put our children first because as responsible parents we know they are dependent on us. I think we can all agree on this. Have you ever asked yourself how often you have put your own dreams, wants and needs aside while considering others? Is that really making them happy?
As parents how many of us have put off getting a much needed pair of shoes because one of our children want a pair of shoes? How many times have we done that when our children had decent shoes? I know I use to do it all the time. When I was a single mother often I wore shoes with holes in them because I was more concerned with buying my children shoes. There was that self imposed guilt factor. Even when my children had several pairs of decent shoes. I wanted my children to look their best going to school so I did without. An example many of us can relate to when it comes to considering others before ourselves.
Over the past five years I have made many changes in my life. The only reason that was possible is because I had to stop and think about myself. I had to have an awakening. I had to stop putting myself on a guilt trip. Even if it meant I could not do something for someone else. I also had to realize that a happier me meant my loved ones would enjoy me more.
I had to ask myself what would make me happy. Like many I created a list. I am going to share that list with you now.
1) Lose Weight
2) Get Fit
3) Get Published
When I made this list I weighed 245 pounds. I ate poorly and rarely exercised. I drank diet soda like water. It showed in my weight, hair and complexion. I was not happy because I let myself go. I let myself go because I was not happy. I had to ask myself why I was not happy.
The funny thing about this list was it was all about me. It was not my normal list that involved doing something for my family. However, the list meant I would have to create "ME" time. Which meant taking time away from my family. Which made me feel guilty at first.
I asked myself what was in it for me and how it would also benefit my family. Let's start with losing weight and my own answers.
1) Losing weight will make me healthier.
2) Being healthier increases my chances of living longer.
3) If I am healthier and live longer I am here for my family longer.
4) I will be setting an example for my children.
5) I will be happier.
6) My family will be happier if I am.
Now all I had to do was figure out how I was going to lose the weight. I like many had tried every fad diet there was. I had gone up and down with my weight. The more I lost the more I put back on. I was also too out of shape to exercise. So I began to research foods. Why? Because I knew my eating habits had to change first. I also knew there was no quick fix. There are no magic pills to help you drop 125 pounds and keep it off. It takes life changes and making better choices. You have to ask yourself how you got over weight. Once you find the answers eliminate the problems.
As I explain how I lost 125 pounds I am going to provide you with some links also.
ONE: MY ELIMINATION LIST
1) Diet Soda
2) Candy
3) Fried Foods
4) Fast Food
TWO: THERMOGENICS
I began to practice thermogenics. By that I mean looking for foods that had a natural source of thermogenics. Many diet pills have a synthetic source of thermogenics.
For more information about Thermogenics go here: http://reviewfoo.com/content/2006/08/a-list-of-thermogenic-foods/
THREE: INCREASING WATER INTAKE
I started drinking half my weight in ounces of water each day. To this day I drink half my weight in ounces of water each day. Which means I drink 60 ounces of water a day. When I weighed 245 pounds I drank 123 ounces of water a day. Sounds like a lot doesn't it?
Well I noticed some things.
1) I was not as hungry
2) My skin and hair looked and felt better
3) I was not as thirsty as I was when I was drinking diet soda.
4) I did not feel as bloated
FOUR: FOLIC ACID
There are so many health benefits to taking folic acids. Folic acid is a B vitamin. It is used in our bodies to make new cells. It has also been linked to promoting healthier hair.
http://www.yourhealthbase.com/folate.html
FIVE: CoQ10
This is one of my favorite supplements. I started taking CoQ 10 and within a month I noticed a huge difference in how I felt and my appearance.
http://www.coq10supplement.com/
SIX: EXERCISE
Exercise was hard for me at first. I was so over weight I had the dreaded S.O.B which stands for "Shortness Of Breath". I got short of breath just walking up steps. So I started out slow. I started with walking. Eventually those walks turned into power walks.
Once I lost the first 50 pounds I found myself doing other exercises. I also decided to start belly dancing again.
I wanted to lose the weight and tighten my muscles along the way. I have seen so many horror stories about people who crash dieted without exercise. Their skin hangs from them. I did not want that to happen. Exercise is important when you are losing weight.
Today I take the time for myself. Taking my supplements comes as natural as getting up and brushing my teeth. Exercising is a natural as breathing to me. In fact I do not feel like my day is complete unless I exercise. Even if it is only 20 minutes.
I am happy because I am healthy. I healthier because I am happy. I have more energy to play with my grandchildren. My grandchildren have a hard time keeping up with me.
So often we hear this advice about losing weight "Do it for yourself and no one else!" Well there is nothing wrong with doing it for yourself and those you love.
I decided to write this blog because a number of my friends have been talking about wanting to lose weight. I hope it helps.
Much Love & Respect
AVID