We Aren't Ever Really Starting Over

...Just Continuing Our Journey.

By Sweet Basil

I was reading some of the old posts and came across one written by yours truly and it was interesting to see where I was a year ago. I had started a challenge that I was not truly committed to. (Time and a season for everything.) I also had the reasons why I wanted to do this particular challenge but I really didn't know why why and how to do it. There was a will and not until this last summer did I find the way.

A little background...

I grew up in a home that was fairly health conscience. We had fruit trees and a huge garden. Most of my memories of home was spent outside. Climbing trees and having a snack, learning times tables while picking raspberries, eating zucchini straight from the plant. Sunny, snowy, rainy, it didn't matter. I loved it! Boy, did I take that for granted.

It has been nearly 16 years since I lived there. When I left home I started eating more and more convenience foods. Carl's Jr. became a favorite and I would sometimes go there two times a day. I didn't know then at all the damage I was doing and how hard it would be to break those seriously bad habits. Food can be so seductive.

It has taken me years to recognize the addictions, physical and emotional. These last few months I have learned more about my body than ever before. I came to realize I was just feeding my family healthy most of the time because that is what I had learned from my parents. Then last summer I was introduced to a few books: The Original Fast Foods ( which most of my studying is from now) and Eat to Live. Last summer I read through the books quickly, applied a lot of the recommendations, lost a bunch of weight, got rid of my constant tummy aches and headaches, felt really good and was a lot calmer and more patient with my kids.

Problem was, I missed some key steps because I had hurried and hadn't taken the time to really study. Pretty soon, I was back where I had started only this time some healing had taken place and I no longer suffer from pain. But the weight was coming back. I had learned a lot but didn't understand the body systems and what was happening inside of me as a result of my food choices.

After buying my own book (cause you shouldn't mark up a friends) and really studying I am coming to understand. I am internalizing it and teaching it to anyone interested. It is EMPOWERING! I have real desire now and am learning to overcome my weaknesses.

It is not always easy to find time to study but I thought the same thing with exercise. I am on day 31 with a challenging exercise program. I haven't missed a day. Six days a week. Never thought that was possible. It has been hard but really rewarding. I feel stronger and proud that I have stuck with it. I know Heavenly Father is pleased with my efforts because he has helped me on those days that I just didn't have it in me. I still struggle sometimes but more often I look forward to my workouts.

Next step... learning a new way to eat. As I learn more I will share.

The plan:
Eat many many more fruits and veggies(leafy green, solid green, and non-starchy vegetables). I ate a green salad for breakfast with fruit the other day. I was not hungry until lunch. Surprised? I was.

A quarter cup of nuts or seeds. That 's it.

Simple, huh?

Sound extreme? It is, but for a great purpose right now. I want a body that repairs, rebuilds, cleanses, and works properly. I want vitality and mental clarity. And to continue this journey of health. I know the way I was eating last summer helped. I healed me and I also learned some great ways to eat veggies. I have eaten more veggies since June last year than the last 16 years put together, I think.

So, I will continue this way, not until I can't stand it any longer, but until I feel free of addiction, and feel it is time to add something else.

I am excited to share this part of my journey and hopefully I can inspire you to do the same.

Heavenly Father wants a powerful people and our bodies are the vessel for our spirits. If the vessel is weak mentally, or physically by our own doing then our spirits can not thrive. Can we do that if we don't understand the most awesome creation on earth? And how to take care of the temple Father has given us?

So, lets continue the journey...