Exercise--for Fun

Exercise has to be fun for me to be interested. Last year, I found water aerobics. I always considered this to be a class for seniors that was too easy for me. I was wrong. Water aerobics is very challenging and enjoyable, with the right instructor. Basically, you are doing aerobics in the water, but it is low impact on your joints because of the water and at the same time it is twice as much impact for your muscles. Our instructor uses different music and routines every week. If you live in downriver Michigan, check it out: the classes are held at Southgate Anderson High School and in Riverview. Lisa Henri is the instructor's name.

Food Pyramid

Many people have asked me how I've trimmed down over the past year. Well, I've followed the long-proven method of food intake control and daily exercise. I track my food using the FDA-approved food pyramid. This is an online service. It's free and they don't sell your name or send you spam. You fill out a simple profile and it calculates your recommended daily intake of calories as well as quotas for each food group.

It helps me stay accountable to what I'm putting in my mouth and means that I can still eat everything, but now I track it. Over time, it's led me to eat healthier and to be more creative about food. I'm actually enjoying what I eat a lot more. It has left me feeling freer because I no longer have to debate every piece of food in my head. I can log it in before I eat it and see if it's worth it.

Check it out:
http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/planner/index.aspx

I'll talk about my exercise regime in a coming post.

I am giving up people-pleasing for Lent. God has given me plenty of opportunities to observe this behavior since Ash Wednesday. Now I'm working on changing the behavior. One thing I've decided is that if I want to say something only to please someone else, I need to say the opposite, which is what I really need to say. I've put a stop valve on my true thoughts, which originate from God, for too long. I've asked God to remove the people-pleasing, that means I have to do the footwork. Darn!

Giving up meat on Fridays means I'm obsessed with hamburgers, chicken, and lunch meat until I can eat them on Saturday. And I'm not even a big meat eater! But I just wolfed down several pieces of ham and salami (thank God they were sliced thin).

OK, I also gave up potato chips. Since then, I've been having dreams about the crisp, oily, salty delicacies that satisfy my snacking craving.

My Lenten goal to increase prayer, including family prayer time, has been very satisfying. This fills up where the sacrifices left off.

Take my survey or drop me a comment about what you are doing for Lent. Is it helping you grow closer to God?

Michigan Catholic Article

Here's a link to my article in the Michigan Catholic.

Click Here

Snow Warrior

Shoveling, scraping, sweeping, chipping
Plumes of smoke issue from his mouth
His small frame, bent over, lifting and dumping the snow
Knit hat and woolen gloves and black rubber boots
His gray hair peaks out and his glasses fog
Wrinkles now stiff with cold
He digs and moves and tosses it in the street
A valiant warrior wins the battle
Victorious, he puts away his shovel and heads to the door
He removes his gloves and takes off his boots
He looks out the window as he unzips his coat
Large white flakes descend before his eyes
The war isn’t over yet he mutters
Redresses and heads to battle again.

Who's Perfect?

I have to accept my imperfection as a gift from God--it provides opportunity to learn, grow and mature.

Mistakes are a sign that I'm trying.

Error keeps me humble.

Confusion reminds me that only God has all the answers.

Dollar Store

Another one of my flash fiction stories has been published online!

Check out "Dollar Store" at http://www.ladybugflights.com/featured.htm#FEATUREFICT