Marshmallow eating Japanese game show

The way of the samurai may be a hard path sen sai, but the rewards....look how good they look in a Kimono. Now if nothing else is working for you, just put a bungee cord outside of the fridge and pantry and just see how much weight you take off.

Dynamite!

Do you remember in the movie Napoleon Dynamite when Rex the Dojo gives his speech about "Rex Kuando"? He points out his flag pants and asks if the students think anyone would want to mess with him wearing "these bad boys?"

There are times each month I have certain cravings which turn me into a scheming self deceiver. I need chocolate. Today I asked each of my children privately if they had any chocolate in any form they could share...each said no, and I was secretly relieved and saved from myself.

I try to prepare for these sudden attacks of cravings and need. Rex the dojo in Napoleon dynamite steels himself against certain attacks by wearing his bad boy pants. I steel myself with the bad boy armor of God. Lehi tells me about it while telling his boys..."Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity and arise from the dust." (2 Nephi 2:23)

Addiction to food was a chain that bound me. Every time I looked in the mirror at 205 I could have easily echoed Nephi's words and said "oh wretched (woman) that I am!!!" Every time I would see the bottom of a carton of ice cream I finished off with a spoon in front of the TV, I could have easily said "my heart sorroweth because of my flesh"..."I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me." (2 Nephi 4:18)

Nephi then states "...why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations...?(v27)

When I finished lamenting I had to get real(aka Dr. Phil). The temptations that easily beset me come from the cocoa bean or from Frito Lay. When I go grocery shopping I cannot buy treats I cannot resist, no matter who I say they are for. I try to shop after a big breakfast or other meal when my resolve is strong. It is dangerous to have to go to the store after 8:00 or when I am hungry. If I really need something and I know the still small voice will not be heard over the roar of the bakery I take a kid and tell them to not let me buy a package of cupcakes. They are usually delighted to play the role of policeman for mommy.

"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul" "Do not anger again because of (a bag of Cheetos). Do not slacken my strength because of (Chubby Hubby)." "Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say; O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God and the rock of my salvation."(2 Nephi 4:28-30)

How can you not succeed with the armor of God on? Unlike Rex's bad boy uniform it will never be dated and is a must have item for Spring of 2008. "Oh Lord, I have trusted in thee and I will trust in thee forever." (2 Nephi 4:34)

Mission Complete!

Last night at 9:39 I completed the Book of Mormon. I entered this challenge lightly thinking that I easily read books this size in a week. I finished Roots and Anna Karenina under a week, no big?

Ha.

This was big, this was huge. I believe there is opposition in all things, I also believe that with God all things are possible. I experienced both. I am so grateful for the experience and I challenge anyone out there to try it. I was carried and assisted by Heavenly Father. I am pretty sure I won't do this again for at least another year, but this really jump started my reading which was beginning to wane. I loved the story line. I loved reading all that Nephi had experienced with his father Lehi, experiencing the love and then going on to his lament in losing him in the Psalm of Nephi (2 Nephi 4). I loved seeing Alma witness Amuleks great sermon and humbling himself and being willing to give up all things to bring others to Christ after only hearing the word. I loved seeing his prayers for his son Alma jr. and the miraculous event that occurred. My heart swelled when I read of his sons experience with repentance and then conversion and his then complete change once he had "received his image in (his) countenance" (Alma 5) I was amazed to see his great commitment he showed in being willing to return to a city that he had just been kicked out of. I love that he found Amulek who was prepared and willing to sacrifice his social standing to testify. I loved hearing that Alma loved Amulek and took time to minister to him so freely after they had completed their mission. Lehi and Nephi also were willing to give up all in order to teach the gospel and were miraculously preserved. Moroni and his title of liberty made me want to rally and protect my family from a man who will stop at nothing to "dethrone" my children of a Heavenly King.

You get the point. I have now set a more reasonable goal of 10 pages a day, and hope that I can continue to hear the spirit and follow the promptings I receive.

I will get off my soap box and just give you a bit of diet advice that is my blogs original purpose: Today, remember what Amulek said to Zeezrom and just modify it a bit i.e. "oh thou (chocolate from) hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yeildeth to no such temptations?" (Alma 11:23)

Good luck today.

Superhero Powers

Well, did you know that reading the Book of Mormon in a week means 80 pages a day??? 80 pages a day = 3 1/2 hours per day. I had no idea what I was signing up for. Each morning I wake thinking - again??? Day one was kind of tough, I was stressed but I felt pretty good. Day two, got the idea to listen while running. Running to Isaiah is an unusual experience. Great prophet, bad beat. As the days go on, I am getting creative. I took the kids to the grocery store play land and I sat in the Deli reading. Today we went to a park and then a play land while I listened to my ipod. I have just finished Mosiah and am starting Alma.

I feel like a super hero. The thing is, immersing myself in the scriptures does amazing things. I don't have time for t.v., I spend what was before thoughtless downtime reading. I am hearing promptings better. I am a better mom, youth leader, wife and friend and I am only on day three! This is a challenge, but I am now equipped to do it. Heavenly Father seems to think this is a good idea and is helping me tons.

Once again I can see how much Heavenly Father truly wants to help me. I know that when I wanted to lose weight and included him in my efforts I was successful. I owe it all to Him and prayer. I am grateful for this crazy goal I set. I know that next week I will go back to the same old 1/2 hour to 15 minute study, but I hope it is more intense, more dedicated. I have learned that once again that "I can do hard things" - this is definately hard.

I am glad I posted my goal on this blog, I hear your cheers and I feel supported. I am reminded how much telling people my weight loss goal helped me. People are amazingly supportive, but the very backbone of my success was getting a priesthood blessing and then learning to listen to the still small voice. I will tell you all my snacks and ideas, my tricks and lessons learned, but remember to include prayer: "prayer changes things"

I only feel like a superhero because Heavenly Father gives me wings to fly. "Ye have seen...how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself." (Exodus 19:4)

ADRD

I have a condition. It is called ADRD. Attention Deficit Resolution Disorder. This self-diagnosed condition is a family trait and something I am not proud of. I make a resolution and do pretty well the first week. Slowly I forget and by the end of the month my life is back on my former track. This was first pointed out by my brilliant sister "Trixie" who told me how she combats this disability. Her new years resolutions are now made so that she can accomplish them in a week or two such as: "This year I am going to go to the bank and open a savings account" Then she goes and opens the savings account the next day and bam - she accomplished her New years goal - not guilt but pride is her reward.

Genius. That is all I have to say. If you suffer from Attention Deficit Resolution Disorder there is now hope - and this is how: when I make a fitness goal I chop it up into weeks "this year I am going to work out at the gym every week" turns into "I am going to work out 5 days in a row." I accomplish it, have great self esteem and can make a new goal. How does the saying go? "Eat an elephant a day at a time?" by swallowing resolutions in smaller increments you wont end up looking like the proverbial elephant you are attempting to swallow.

I am now trying to apply this in other decisions I make. I made a goal to read the Book Of Mormon through this year. I considered my condition of resolution disorder and decided to tweak it a little. I am going to finish it this week. I read a book a week easily. So wish me well.....

Care to join me?

I was just at my sister Carrot Jello's site. She has bells and whistles, color and fun. I got nothin. So enjoy her as a treat from me. It's her blog birthday so pop in and wish her well.

HUGE PROBLEM - I got muffin tops. Christmas was hard on me... I am at my upper Echelon...I passed out when I looked at the scale so, if you are in the same boat here is what I am going to do about it.

This morning - 4 miles, walked 2 ran 2. I am experiencing double knee trouble but I am not going to be discouraged, walking is great, just takes longer, I got up earlier.

For Breakfast I got the brown rice out of the rice cooker and added milk cinnamon and sugar, deeelicious and it filled me up nicely. After breakfast I made my lunch along with my husband's and children. I made a beautiful chicken wrap on a spinach tortilla with corn, salsa, tomatoes, cabbage, black beans and brown rice, and a bit of sour cream. I just ate half, and am saving the second half for two hours from now.

I have a SERIOUS obstacle to face tonight and it is called Olive Garden gift certificates. We were given $150 to take the family out. It is my mothers birthday so it is party time, don't tell Carrot, she isn't invited;) I was always my mothers favoirte and I would like to keep it that way. I went online and planned out what I am going to order, picked the entree with the healthy sign and am determined to stick to the plan. I have already decided that the dessert (oh yes there will be dessert) I am going to order will be shared with my husband and 2 year old.

I, with countless zillions of women know how to lose weight. I have gained and lost the equivalent of a small nation in the past - so, onward and thinward... Let go you evil holiday pounds! I am not afraid of you...I'm ready! "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (D&C 38: 30 )

Tossing Cookies

I have no ideas. I am at a blog impasse. Anyone have any questions?

Until I come up with something - throw away the left over treats even if they cost a fortune, clear off the counter tops. Do it quick before you reason out just why you should save them and come up with a phantom you were saving them for. Don't kid a kidder, we all know the peppermint ice cream in the freezer hidden behind the chicken is for you once the kids go to school. Pull it out quickly and pepper it, salt it, pour salsa on it and put it under hot water. Take the Ferro Rochers to the gals you visit teach, let them figure out what to do with it. Send the Frangos or other seasonal candy to your husbands boss and get a raise which will then pay for your new skinny clothes. You may think you deserve these treats, but you deserve a cute butt more. Trust me on this one. It feels great to shop somewhere other than Layne Bryant.

Anyone ever had a skinny cow ice cream sandwich? Replace the dangerous stuff with something a bit more safe. Toss the cookies. Christmas is over.