The music moved me...I swayed.

A few years ago...quite a few years ago, now that I think about it, I served as the youth leader at the church we attended.  In some way we were introduced to Corinthian Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa, and were invited up to a church service during Black History Month...which is February, every year.  The congregation was predominately black.  We were the minority.

We were so excited to go and experience not only a different denomination, but a cultural difference, too.  We.were.blown.away!  The music...the music was tremendous.  Joyful.  We had not heard anything like it.  We had not ever seen anything like it.  They clapped. They swayed. They raised their hands in worship.  It was amazing.  

I've often thought of that church and how they really, really worshiped and did not have any inhibitions in doing so.  They were happy, proud, beautifully in the moment.  

Last week, my husband and I visited a new church after many years of not going to church at all.  We've missed it.  We've missed being part of a church family.  We've been participating in a weekly LIFE group at the home of friends. We were introduced to their church through these weekly group sessions.  

So, we went.  I felt at home immediately!  Greeted in the parking lot with special parking for visitors, greeted at the door, introduced to different areas of the church and handed the bulletin...all while hearing worship music wafting through the doors.  I was eager to go in.

A pretty simple layout; contemporary in design without all the typical emblems and markings of a traditional church.  On the stage was something I was not expecting to see.  Guess what it was?  A mostly black choir.  I don't know what I was expecting or if I had even given it any thought.  I was so happy!  I was so elated.  The music moved me; I felt like I was back at Corinthian Baptist Church where there was an energy and excitement and wholehearted longing to be there and worship and praise His name.  

Now, this is what is so interesting to me.  A difference between the black culture and the white culture that I am accustomed to.  What I know. One not better than the other...but, an observance.  Something I've noticed.  Something I wondered about then, many, many years ago and was reminded of it this past Sunday.  Black people move and express themselves without abandon.  White people seem to hold back.  Why is that?  I have to tell you...I was swaying right along with the best of them.  Back and forth, swaying to the music.  The white people that I saw, stood there, hands clenching the seat back in front of them; no movement.  No joyous abandon.  Why is that?

The music moved me...I swayed...the music moved me!

 

The end always starts with a beginning.

The end always starts with a beginning, and January 1, 2013 was the day for I, and my hubs, to get back on track with sensible eating.  A lifestyle update.  Not a diet really, just eating the right things for more energy, strong bones, and overall better health. 

In the end, as in the beginning, I hope to take off the pounds that have crept on over the years.  They didn't sneak up on me...no, I kept a keen eye on the scale, but lacked the motivation and determination to do anything about it.

Last spring, though, something different happened to me.  My outlook, my desire, my mindset.  I felt 'ready' to make the changes that were required, to commit and move forward with this lifestyle change. I give allot of credit to one of my best friends, Jeanne, who has lost over 140 pounds, in just a little over a year.  It is her success and determination, as well as, her informative guidance that has help me start and stay in the game. 

I must admit, my determination fell off after just a few short months, and after I lost 20 pounds.  I've kept those 20 off until just recently, when I could feel my energy waning, my midriff thickening and my overall feeling was one of dread and disappointment.  I let myself down.  And, when I looked back, I realized I could have had another 20-30 pounds off, had I just stuck with it.  Darn it, Beth! 

I have put four pounds back on.  I knew I had.  I could sense it...both in how I looked and my energy.  It's just that quick!  It's just that obvious!  One thing for sure, having changed my eating habits, being cognizant of how I looked and felt, and being more in-tune with what my mind and body were telling me, I was able to recognize these things before they got out of hand.

Most of the junk food is out of the house.  It really is not a temptation for me on a regular basis, anyway. My mind is ready to mentally plan and make healthy food choices.  I know I have to add more activity into my daily schedule.  I have a better handle on what I like and WILL DO, will make time for.  I know that I have a tendency to get on a roll with just a few dishes, eat it over and over again...then, I get bored.  So, maybe this is just how I'm going to operate.  Rather than beat myself up over it, I recognize how I am and can deal with it.  

So, back to the end, which allows for a new beginning.  In this case, the new year.  In 2012, I lost 20 pounds, started eating better, maintained the weight loss, learned allot about myself, my eating patterns and habits.  I journal and keep track of my calorie intake online with My Fitness Pal.  I have also found that taking a daily vitamin and Vitamin D with calcium do wonders.  I will also do a 'natural' cleanse with a vinegar and honey tea one week a month.  

I recognize when I've eaten too much of the wrong thing...I get sluggish.  I know that I feel best with a low carb high protein diet.  I know that if I prepare my food so that it is 'grab and go' I do better.  I know that I have to make myself eat earlier in the day and make those food choices ones that give me energy right away.  Pasta, bread and other carbs are not my friends, although I LOVE them.  I know I enjoy coffee with cream and sugar too much to let it go, so I've altered how much of the cream and sugar I use.  I've dramatically reduced those additions.  The other thing I found out is...if I don't make my coffee strong, I need less of the cream and sugar to make it just right.
 
So, January 1, 2013, I made my hubs and I a delicious high protein, low carb brunch of scrambled eggs and ham in tortilla's, topped with cheese, baked in the oven and served with a glass of orange juice.  

Later in the day, we hiked our farm, up and down hills, through the snow.  It was exhilarating.  It was fun.  I need to do this more!   

So, as 2012 came to an end, I want 2013 to be the beginning of this journey.  My continued journey to me. More energy, strong bones and overall better health...with some weight loss along the way.