Great quotes

I have the Be Good to Yourself page-a-day calendar.  Each day has a quote and here are a few I've been saving up to share with all of you participating in the Summer Meltdown:

"Keys to success...Research your idea, plan for success, expect success, and just plain do it." - Josh H. Hinds

"All great achievements redquire time." - Maya Angelou

"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." - Michael Jordan

"It is never to late to be what we might have been." - George Eliot

"Difficultis are meant to rouse, not discourage.  The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict." - William Ellery Channing

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." - Anonymous

Have a great weekend!

Operation Beautiful

A friend of mine introduced me to this site...I've only looked through it briefly, but it seems that the idea is to write an affirming phrase on a Post-it note each day and put it somewhere to help you or someone else remember that we are all beautiful.  Look at today's Post-it note message:

Strong is Beautiful!

I love it!  Do you agree?  We aren't talking about bulging muscles, at least I'm not.  We're talking about inner strength, we are talking about strength to face our temptations, strength to have that difficult conversation that needs to be had, strength that allows you to reveal your true self....and strength that lets you do 2 more push-ups today than you did yesterday, or go a little faster or a little longer on the treadmill or track.  ALL these things are STRENGTH and all these things are reflected in the beauty of YOU.

Check out the website by clicking here.  Have a great day.  Be STRONG because Strong is Beautiful!

It's a gift...

Here's a great article about weight-loss:

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/31/5-things-weight-loss-didnt-know/

A few of my favorite lines:

• did you know that regular exercise can actually change your own taste preferences from high-fat health traps to more low-fat favorites? Studies show that 12 weeks of regular exercise literally changes your desire for higher fat foods.
• You know that weight loss that stays off means regular exercise must stay ON–on your weekly planner and checked off when done.

I'm really trying to focus on the FITNESS benefits of staying in shape and letting go of the number obsession.  I've shared that I've gained back 8 pounds and that has me hugely frustrated.  I am frustrated, but that was getting me nowhere.  I'm trying hard to change my thinking from a desire to be certain weight and more to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

I've recently been struck by how lucky I am to be ABLE to exercise.  What if I were suddenly wheelchair-bound or bedridden?  What if I injured myself and couldn't run, jump or even walk the dog?  The Ability and the Option to exercise is a gift.  One that I don't want to throw away or disregard.