Heather's Healthy Holiday Habits....

Continuing on with my own tips, let's review...

1. Choose to forgive this Christmas and, in turn, Be forgiven....

Are you making steps in the right direction? Have you pinpointed who you need to forgive?

My second tip for a healthy holiday season is....

2. Eat mindfully....

Ask yourself, "why am I eating this?" If the reason is only because it's sitting there, then avoid it and eat something you want to eat. I guarantee that if you choose to eat the item that looks more fulfilling to you, you will eat less!

There are many times around the holidays we eat, just to eat. Nostalgia, guilt...whatever the reason, we eat a lot...and, most of us feel guilty after eating. Remember, this challenge is a lifestyle, not just a fad, or a phase. We need to focus on our own health first and foremost, then on our weight!

Another way to eat mindfully is to choose what YOU want to eat, not what your Aunt Hilda is pushing on you. YOU and only YOU can control what you put into your mouth. Your taste buds are different than mine, your mouth salivates at different foods than mine does, etc. Aunt Hilda looks at you and thinks you look hungry and need to eat more....you make the decision to be mindful. No one knows your body, like you do! And, remember, what a great body it is!

While being mindful, remember that there are things that will make your body work better! The more sugar you eat, the more ups and downs you will feel over the next few weeks. The more protein and complex carbs you eat, the more energy you'll have and you'll be satisfied longer. As you're thinking about what you REALLY want to eat, allow these things to play a part in your decision!

I spent so many years of my life allowing everything other than ME to determine what I was going to eat. I worried what family members would think if they saw me eat something. I now ask myself what I want to eat, what I should eat, but also what is best for my body at that moment. The Lord has created my body in such a magnificent way that it knows exactly what it needs, when! How cool is that??

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I Wish I Were French...

Well, not really, but it might help the weight loss process to act like a French woman!

Say "Bonjour" to food...and here's why...

French women....

Typically think about the good things to eat.

American women typically think about the bad things to eat.

French women eat smaller portions of more things.

American women eat large portions of fewer things.

eat more vegetables.

eat alot more fruit.

love bread and would never consider a life without carbs.

don't eat "fat-free", "sugar-free", or anything artificually stripped of natural flavor. they go for the real thing in moderation.

love chocolate, especially the dark, slightly bitter, silky stuff with its nutty aroma.

eat with all five senses, allowing less to seem like more.

balance their food, drink, and movement on a week-by-week basis.

do stray, but they always come back, believing there are only detours and no dead ends.

eat three meals a day.

don't snack all the time.

never let themselves be hungry.

never let themselves feel stuffed.

drink water all day long.

plan meals in advance and think in terms of menus even at home.

think dining in is as sexy as dining out.

care enormously about the presentation of food.

walk everywhere they can.

take the stairs whenever possible.

eat and serve what's in season, for maximum flavor and value, and know availability does not equal quality.

eat for pleasure.

don't get fat.

From the book, French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guilliano

So, today, let's savor every bite and enjoy our food!

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it...." 1 Corinthians 10:26

My Goals for The Biggest Loser

For those who are just now joining us, go to the blog The Biggest Loser Competition and click on "comment".

Here are my goals for the next few weeks during this competition....

1. your goal weight

My goal weight is 120, which right now is about 15 pounds away. That is what I weighed before Moriah and the weight where I fit my jeans and pants. I really don't want to have to buy new clothes!

2.how you plan to achieve your goal

I am going to eat healthy and listen to my hunger cues. I am also going to do Shaklee's Cinch program. I have so many people ask me about it, and I would love to be able to tell them whether or not it really works. I LOVE the Cinch shakes and drank them as meal replacements to help me stay full at work while I was pregnant and nursing. And, because it has Leucine which is an essential amino acid that helps my body maintain lean muscle mass, I figure it is great all around! Plus, the protein is great and helps even out my hormones, which I can definitely benefit from during this time in my life!!!

I also plan on taking my vitamins everyday, which give me a ton of energy. I can't take them at night because they keep me up! And, that says alot because I don't get much sleep!!!

I am going to do something active everyday, even if that just means intentionally running around with Isaiah!

3.one thing you're going to start eating more of

Almonds, which have the GOOD fats that I need. Plus, many other great things which I will talk about in another blog.

I am giving up dairy to see if it helps Moriah's gassiness.

4.one thing you like about your body

I like my legs when I run. I like that they are atheltic legs, not twigs. I used to be twiggy and, at the time, I liked it, but not anymore.

5. your theme verse or saying for the next month and a half

Philippians 4:13- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This goes for all areas in my life- being a wife and mom, working my in-home business, teaching, being a pastor's wife, witnessing, exercising, everthing!!!

The Biggest Loser Competition

1 Cor. 6:19- "..don't you know that your body is a temple...?"NLT

How many of us have tried to lose weight, but after one day we forget why we ever started the impossible feat to begin with. If I had a penny for every woman I know who wants to lose weight...that's not saying that they need to lose weight, but they want to. Most of us, when we fit easily into our jeans feel a little bit better about ourselves. It's not a bad thing...obsessing about it is bad, but losing weight for health is GREAT. When we are at a healthy weight, we have energy for our loved ones and we are a great example for the Kingdom. You may be asking yourself, "Why on earth is she starting this competition right before the holidays??" I am sure that there has been a year in each one of our lives where we have put, "Lose weight" at the top of our New Year's Resolutions. In '09, I want our New Year's Resolutions to be, "Enjoy my healthy body!"


So, let's get started....


My Rules for the competition (It's my blog, so I set the rules! Hehe!):


1. No starvation- eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner...and healthy snacks, too, if you're hungry


2. Do something active everyday- that may be chasing the kids, walking the halls at school, etc., but do it for health, not weight loss. Dr. Oz and Rozien saysin their book The Real Age Makeover that every person needs a 1/2 hour walk everyday. My stipulation: just do something active & fun! It is great for the psyche.


3. Goal= healthy weight or a little above...not below! Look on the Ideal weight calculator on Self.com. This gives a great range of numbers to shoot for. You can choose to be at the low end or high end.


4. Focus on health-strive to make right eating choices everyday and enjoy the food of the earth. As much as you can, eat whole grains and less sugar! You're going to feel great.


5. Read something encouraging everyday. Take at least 10 minutes in the morning and focus your day. Restate your goals, give up your own desires and ask God to help you make right decisions and prioritize your life. 10 minutes is doable!!!


6. Blog every other day at least. We need the encouragement and accountability from one another.


If you want to accept the challenge....
Your first post should include:


1. your goal weight


2.how you plan to achieve your goal


3.one thing you're going to start eating more of


4.one thing you like about your body


5. your theme verse or saying for the next month and a half


All entry posts must be in by November 8th.

Competition ends on December 20th. Right before Christmas!

The first place winner will receive a free product worth up to $91 retail

The second place winner will receive a free product worth up to $50 retail

The third place winner will receive a free product worth up to $10 retail