June 2012 Swim Meet

Last summer, my {then} five-year-old was a member of our town’s swim club. She went to practices for an hour each day and had the opportunity to participate in several swim meets. The first few meets she used a kickboard to make it the full 50m. By the middle of June, the rule was that she had to swim without a kickboard in order to participate in the meets…I was expecting that her swim season had come to an end.

Boy, was I surprised! When I got the news that my daughter was entered in a race without a kickboard, I actually panicked. “There is no way she can make it that far,” I told my husband.

O, me of little faith.

With my heart racing and tears welling up, I watched that little-bitty five-year-old make it all the way across the pool at the very next meet. She wasn’t fast, but she didn’t give up. She kept swimming and swimming and swimming. Her perseverance was amazing.

I could learn a lesson.

Her finishing that race didn’t come easy. She had to work hard to even be in the race. She spent an hour in that freezing cold water every day for weeks and weeks. She practiced and practiced.

So often, I begin something new and don’t persevere. I want the results, but I don’t want the pain and sacrifice it takes to get there. For example, I will begin a new eating and exercising regimen only to give up when it feels too hard–or I get too tired–or I want to drown out some emotion I’m feeling–or that beautiful carrot cake is just plain calling my name. I’ve gotten better at it over the last few years, but it’s still a struggle. I know I need a plan…

Here’s what I learned during week 2 of the Made to Crave book study:

1)  Get a Healthy Eating Plan

In Chapter 4 of Made to Crave, Lysa says we need to get a plan AND we need to pre-plan EVERYTHING we are going to eat. Much like my daughter had to have a plan {that the coaches made for her} and practice hard so she could eventually swim across the pool, we have to have a plan and make the choices each and every minute of the day to get where we want to go.

Back when I lost so much weight, I remember that I planned every single thing I was going to eat–and it was pretty much the same every single day. I don’t know how I missed this, I just hadn’t thought about it in regards to my current eating habits! Since I’ve been menu-planning for quite a while, this shouldn’t be too difficult…it’s just taking the time to plan my own eating separately from the family. They eat most of what I eat, but they also need snacks and a few extra carbs.

I’ve been trying to eat grain-free and dairy-free for six months now, and it has definitely helped with my allergies and illnesses. The biggest issue is that I have found myself slipping back into eating grains and dairy more frequently, and I know my chocolate and coffee addictions have not been helpful (even if they are “healthier” chocolate chips and organic coffee). Sleeping issues have also led to some late-night cravings which are definitely not helpful for blood sugar levels!

Because of all of this, I knew I needed something pretty strict to get me back on track, so I’ve chosen to do a Whole30 during the month of April. I tried it once and only made it 11 days, but I’m determined to be successful. This time I bought the book It Starts with Food so I understand the program a little bit better.

I’ve also been using the three things I shared last week, and it’s been a successful week so far.

One day at a time, my friends!

2)  Be Accountable for Your Choices

After getting that plan, I need to find a way to stick to that plan. Chapter 5 of Made to Crave is really about accountability. In order to be successful with anything we want to do, food-related or not, we need to be accountable to someone.

Whole30 is offering that to me this month! Poor food choices or slip-ups are not allowed.  In fact, they are so strict about it that if you make a poor choice, you have to start your Whole30 over again….

I pretty much don’t want to come on here and tell you I’ve messed up, so I guess you’re my accountability for April! I’m still praying about and hoping to find one person I can be accountable to in the upcoming months.

3)  Remember You Were Made for More

Chapter 6 ended with a reminder that we are made for more! More than being stuck in our old habits and patterns….more than beating ourselves up when we fail…more than finding our worth in the scale or that skinny pair of jeans we wish we could fit.  We were made for so. much. more.

You are forgiven. (Ephesians 1:7 HCSB)

You are set free. (Romans 8:1-2 HCSB)

You are a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17 HCSB)

You have eternal hope. (Titus 3:7 HCSB)

YOU WERE MADE FOR MORE!!