Would you still love me?

If, for some reason, I went back to my old lifestyle and gained all my weight back, would you still care? I was reading an article about the author of a weight loss book who gained the weight back that she had lost before writing her book. She had lost the respect of her 'followers', of the weight-loss community, and of her peers. She had also lost her self-respect, and felt like she had mislead many by her writings.

When I weighed last Wednesday, I had gained 1.2 lbs. Now, I realize this isn't a large gain, but it IS a gain, and that is something that I DO NOT want to be come a habit. I was disheartened by the gain, but it didn't drive me to head downstairs to the treadmill, although it should have. I did resolve to eat better, that lasted until the next time I ate. It seems that lately I have just been SUPER hungry. No, not hungry, but just wanting to eat and eat and eat. I think the cold weather has something to do with it. So now, I have to figure out how to get back on track and start losing, or at least not gaining, again. This is a hard time of year for most of us, anyway. The holidays make it so easy to slip up on our healthy eating. Yet, once again, it is our own choice what we put in our mouths. OUR CHOICE. It's our choice whether or not we exercise. OUR CHOICE. Sometimes we try to blame our lack of healthy eating or our lack of exercise on 'circumstances' or 'things going on' or . . . But it all comes back to being OUR CHOICE. I know that I have said 'we' a lot, but I actually mean me. I have not been making good choices lately, and I know it. Will I start making better choices? Right now, I will say 'yes'. Will I stick with it? Well, time will tell.

Good night and God bless!

You don't care?

Think it doesn't affect you?

THINK AGAIN!

1 in 3 people will get cancer. The other 2 will know someone who does.

I spent Friday night and Saturday in Wichita at Relay U. This is a seminar/pep rally/birthday party for Relay for Life.

What is Relay for Life? " The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length."

Why do I Relay? I could list at least 50 reasons and the list grows longer every day. When I was 16 my Grandaddy died from cancer. At the time I didn't understand about this monster called cancer. I just knew that a man I loved was dead. Since then I have lost many, many friends and family to this monster. Today we got word that a good friend in Dumas is in the last stages of liver cancer. I saddens me to lose another friend. But it isn't just for those who have fought and lost that I Relay. It is for my husband who has had several skin cancers removed from his face, it is for my co-workers daughter, for Roger, for every person on the church's prayer list with cancer. . . . for all those who are fighting the battle. It is for my daughter and my grandchildren. Perhaps in their lifetime cancer will become "something we can live with, not something we die from."

What does the money collect do for the people in my hometown? There are those who don't support Relay for Life because the money doesn't stay 'local'. Yet the 24 hour telephone counseling is available to everyone. The research we support will help everyone. The education programs benefit everyone. Since the local people are included in that 'everyone', then the money DOES benefit the local citizens. I think it is a very small minded person who wants any money raised in their town to only be used for that town, and never for the benefit of others.

If you have never been to a Relay for Life event, I encourage you to go. The Survivor's Walk and the Luminary Ceremony are well worth going for. (bring tissue) Better yet, find a Relay close to you, or start one in your community, and become a part of ENDING CANCER!

ACS the official sponsor of birthdays.

Good Night and God Bless

www.relayforlife.org/scottcoks

I'm okay,

I've just been very busy the past few days, and haven't gotten around to blogging.

Sunday morning while getting ready for church I decided to throw a load of jeans in to wash. Mid-cycle, the washing machine decided to quit. So there it sat full of water and half washed jeans. I finally got most of the water out and took the jeans to the laundry mat to finish washing. I guess we'll be buying a new washer this week. Not what I had planned, but that is life. I am hoping Sears or Home Depot one has a '1 year no interest program' going on. We may go ahead and buy a dryer, too. It isn't working the best in the world. Matter of fact, I have been expecting it to quit any time. We've only had them since 1995, so I don't suppose I can complain.

I weighed on Sunday and was at 162. No loss, but no gain either. Which makes me happy.

I think I am just going to maintain until the holidays are over. Then I will get back to losing these last 10 lbs.

The holidays can be a real challenge. Cookies, fruit bread, candies seem to appear out of nowhere. What is a dieter to do? For me the best thing is to keep them out of sight. If someone brings goodies to the office, I put them in the back room where I don't see them all day. I know that I should have more will power than that. But I still battle the 'see food-eat it' attitude. Another idea is to keep low calorie snacks on hand. Almonds or Macadamia nuts are my favorite, or fresh fruit like apples or oranges. I like to have snacks that do not require refrigeration to keep at the office. It is also a good idea to try to increase your water intake. Don't neglect your exercise during this time of year. May we all make it through the Holidays without a big gain!

Good night and God Bless