OnePinky Body Image Revolution » Gina’s 102 Day Blog Challenge

A New Beginning

Gina — Wed, 19 May 2010 01:11:24 +0000

Wow! This is post # 102!

So much emotion. Sadness that is it over. Proud that I completed 102 days. Excitement for this new beginning.

When I started this path I had intentions for where I would be when this was all said and done. Life yet again reminded me that it has something better in store for me then I planned.

I have grown soooo much in ways that I didn’t even know I could grow in. I have learned to love parts of myself that I used to consider unlovable. I have stuck with it even when I didn’t want to (those are the parts that I am most proud of). I am on a path of love now, versus a path of avoiding not being good enough. I am here, in this moment, feeling and being what I, Gina, am meant to be. What a gift!

Thank you to Leah, to the rest of the Pinkies and of course to our fearless leader Laura. You have taught me the most through your example and it has been an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this community!

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Article

Gina — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:44:45 +0000

Think Two Steps Ahead

Find the BIG Picture
— By Joe Downie, Certified Physical Fitness Instructor

SparkPeople Sponsors help keep the site free!

–>The house is a mess, the kids need a ride somewhere, you haven’t sat down in hours, and you have 10 minutes to eat something.

It’s 1 p.m., you’ve been working non-stop to finish a project because your boss is breathing down your neck, and it’s time for a quick, 20-minute lunch before getting back to the grind.

We often face situations similar to these two. Normally, we choose to think one step ahead. “I am tired, hungry and stressed out. I need to eat something quick. I don’t care what it is!” Unfortunately, those decisions come back to haunt us in the future, only adding to the stress already in our lives.

After a long day with the kids, doing laundry, reading books, and working on night school homework, you might have to decide between exercise and a couch that is screaming your name. Another difficult decision we face on a regular basis, and once again we often choose to think one step ahead. “I need to rest – I’m so drained!”

The difference between one step ahead and two steps ahead can mean the difference between staying on the fitness roller coaster or achieving your goals. Two steps ahead, we are still tired, stressed and cranky, BUT also determined, committed and able to see the big picture.

What is the BIG PICTURE? It’s different for everyone. Having a few thoughts that motivate and inspire you will help fight through step one and see that vision. Here are a few:

“My self-confidence is going to be so much higher because I’ve struggled through a difficult situation and found a way to conquer it!”
“I’ve had to find a way to deal with things during a very stressful time in my life. I can’t wait to see what I can do without all the stress!”
“I’m going to be able to keep up with my kids and be a part of their lives for a long time!”
“Why shouldn’t my health be the most important thing in my life – it doesn’t make me selfish, just smart!”
“If there is one thing I have complete control over, it’s my health. I am going to do whatever it takes to figure out a way because I have pride in who I am!”

“Step Two” reminds us how important consistency is in reaching our goals and helps us envision that beautiful feeling you get when you work hard to achieve something.

Start practicing now. Step One – “Oh, what a great idea. I should try that sometime, but I really have to go clean my oven.” Step Two – “What a great idea. I’m going to come up with three things that will motivate and inspire me each time I have to choose between a healthy and unhealthy decision, and I’m going to write them down so I see them on a regular basis! Now, I’m going to go clean my oven!” Article created on: 4/12/2004 –>

I saw this article in SparkPeople today and wanted to share it. Such a simple message that if applied can change our lives!!

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Liveit

Gina — Sun, 16 May 2010 23:09:26 +0000

This morning at the spiritual center that my husband and I attend, the minister talked about changing “DIEits” to “LIVEits.” I loved her take on the whole dieting thing. Most of us have been on “diets” only to return to an unhealthy weight again once off the diet. This has been my experience in life and I have come to a place where I truly believe that diets do not work.

Having been a weight watchers participant frequently over these last few years, it finally hit me this time when some weight came back on that weight watchers does not work for me. I realize that I am going to have to change my life. I am going to have to create some daily habits that align what I believe to be important in life. I am going to have to exercise daily, get together with friends, read a good book, learn something new, care for another, etc. I am ready to use the time that I have been obsessing about food for something else. I am ready to give up the ”diets” and move towards a long lasting “Liveit.”

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

The Moment

Gina — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:14:13 +0000

Today my husband and I took our friend’s daughter to the zoo. It is sooooo refreshing seeing the world through a child’s eyes. There is so much excitement, innocence and simplicity. And wonderment and awe. How great would life be for us if we could look at it through the eyes of a child?!?

I was also noticing at the zoo that while I was watching the animals I was in the moment. I was not worried about the future or upset about the past. I was just there watching. Very refreshing as well.

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Pleasantly Surprised

Gina — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:34:27 +0000

I subscribe to People Magazine and today I was pleasantly surprised reading the article Body Watch. This is what it says about Zulekha Haywood,

“Now down to a size 8 from 24, Haywood says, “It’s freaky to constantly buy clothes as your body is changing from one month to the next.” But as much as her appearance has changed, Haywood, who is single, insists she doesn’t notice the difference when she looks in the mirror. “I see what I always saw,” she says, “A wonderfully vibrant woman.”

Love that! “I see what I always saw, a wonderfully vibrant woman.”

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Overwhelmed

Gina — Fri, 14 May 2010 01:34:29 +0000

Today I felt like I was in a valley looking up at a mountain anticipating the climb. I have a mountain ahead of me with a new job, starting graduate school, maintaining relationships with loved ones, and continuing self-care. I was brought back to the moment when I read this quote by Calvin Coolidge,

“We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Oprah

Gina — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:06:42 +0000

Hi Pinkies!

Did any of you watch Oprah today with Geneen Roth promoting her book “Women, Food and God”? What did you think? Has this book inspired you in any way? Geneen’s message is very similar to Laura’s, sustained weight loss through love and aligning ourselves with our inner core, our inner being. I look forward to the day that this comes naturally to me.

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Life is unpredictable

Gina — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:34:32 +0000

When I started this journey with Laura and OnePinky.com I had intentions. They were great intentions yet what I have learned as I go along here is that I need to live in a day to day environment that creates the energy, the positivity, and the contentment to reach these intentions. While not all my intentions have been met yet, something better has happened. The stage is now better set for me to bring those intentions to reality. Before I was operating in the same situation and was unable to be successful. Today that has all changed!

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Tough Day

Gina — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:38:41 +0000

I gave today my best shot to be a great day and it collapsed at the end. I am very tired of feeling like nothing in my life is working. I prayed today for the spirit to bring me something great, to help me out but what I think I need to pray for is for the ability to handle all that is going on.

Tomorrow is another day.

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina

Happy Mother’s Day

Gina — Sun, 09 May 2010 23:45:07 +0000

Happy Mother’s Day Pinkies! What a great thing to celebrate. I look at it as a day of celebrating the unconditional love that has been given to us through our mothers and grandmothers. I know that while not every one may have the most amazing mom, I do know that we all have women in our lives who inspire us, who care about us deeply, and who make our world a better place.. Laura, you are one of them! : )

My life would not be the same without my mom. She does the most loving things without needing any credit or any acknowledgement. She does them because she loves me. And I know that my life would not be as rich with love without her. My husband agrees too! We love you mom! Thanks for all you do! And a special happy mother’s day to you Pinkies!

May there be peace within.

Love,

Gina