WordPress Daily Blog challenge. Day 46 prompt: What you learned recently
Between August 2009 and August 2010 I watched my sister-in-law shrink. She had been on stage receiving accolades for her Tupperware™ successes at the Jubilee in Florida and decided that the next Jubilee when she was on that stage, she would be slender. All year, with the support of her local Herbal Magic, she lost consistently, shedding basically 2 lbs a week for a year. The transformation was phenomenal.
I watched and I learned. I had researched Herbal Magic previously, and decided that it was not for me, but I learned about a program called Health Pointe 2.0 that seemed to follow similar principles but at a fraction of the cost, run by a lady I respect in our community. October 31 I signed up to reprogram my brain and body so I could get rid of the stubborn thirty pounds I gained during my teaching practicum so many years ago… (and 20 of their pound friends that joined them afterwards!)
What I’ve learned is that it’s possible to defeat the fat! I already had a bit of a fitness regime, dancing a couple times a week and getting out on long walks reasonably regularly. I amped that up by joining Curves, and getting there to work out at least 4 times a week. I basically have cut carbs from my life. I will occasionally have a bit of rice or potato, but not on a daily basis. I have doubled my fruit and vegetable intake. I made sure I’m never hungry by taking in a protein snack every couple of hours (cottage cheese, yoghurt, protein bar…). It hasn’t been difficult, and after the results became apparent the first week, it’s been easy to see the inevitable reward. Yesterday my husband tried to take me for lunch to A&W, but because I’d just had my protein snack, I was able to resist the temptation and saved myself a thousand calories I didn’t need. This morning I was rewarded with the lowest number on my scale in a decade.
It’d be great if it was a faster process. I’d hoped to be further along by this point, but I’m still two sizes smaller than I was in October and it’s very obvious. I bought size 12 pants yesterday and the size 16, 18 and 20s are off to the thrift store…
I’ve also learned that there are solutions for small issues. I am reticent to take vitamin pills for some reason. Perhaps because they’re so huge and nasty to swallow I manage to forget them all the time. This weekend I found adult gummy vitamins!! Mmmm! Oh what a wonderful invention those are! Problem solved. 😉
Following my week’s focus on gratitude, let me spell this out. I am thankful for the inspiration of Cindy Bird to begin this weight loss journey. I am thankful for the success I’m having and the support of Marie Kolenosky of Health Pointe 2.0. I am thankful for a very happy husband who celebrates the changes (even if he tries to tempt with pizza and burgers). I am thankful for gummy vitamins!
18 down- 20 to go!
Shawn L. Bird 
perseverance beyond prevention March 10, 2012
Tags: Claude Bernard, Karen Scott, learning, math, perseverance
Isn’t this a profound sentiment? I recently heard that studies have shown that the key to success in mathematics is not being ‘math brained,’ but rather, it’s about simple perseverance. I know so many people who had to have math for a career training who just fought through, because they ‘had to have the course’ who said, “It’s much easier than it was when I was in high school.” I don’t think it’s about easier at all. I think it’s about knowing there is no other option than getting it done. That change of attitude is the key to success. We ‘think’ we suck at math, so we don’t try. When we come up against a concept that is difficult to grasp, instead of working through it, we give up. If you must have it the math credit to do what you want to do, you stick with it, and lo and behold, you figure it out!
I have a friend who was told in high school that “Girls can’t do math.” and “Blonde girls are so stupid, they can’t do math at all.” A bet was made. My platinum blonde friend went to university to get a math degree, and then for good measure, she got a masters in applied math. (Last I heard, she was working for the Canadian Nuclear Energy Board). Trust me, Karen had a lot of stubborn perseverance!
So the next time you think you can’t do something, remember that it’s what you think you know that’s the problem. Quite often, your premise is wrong. Open your mind, and explore all the options.
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