Today is our 13th day on this program and with few exceptions we have stuck to our plans. I like the number 13. I’m not superstitious so that number does not bother me that way. My birthday is October 13th – I was actually born on Friday October 13th! I’ll leave the year up to your imagination 😊.
Do you know the word recidivism? It’s usually used regarding criminals and their fall back into crime. It’s also used regarding addictive behavior. Basically, it means relapse or the act of repeating undesirable behavior after experiencing negative consequences. I’m going to use this word today while talking about lifestyle changes. Most, if not all of us, know someone who has either lost a lot of weight and regained it (often plus more) or their weight goes up and down (often called “yo-yoing”). According to the Michigan Medicine – a department of the University of Michigan – as many as 90% of people who make major lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, will regain most, if not all, of it back eventually. Why are we doing this when there is a recidivism rate of 90%? We talked about his last night.
We all agree that the odds are against us completing this task and then maintaining it. We all also agreed that it is our plan to be successful in the long run. How? That’s the big question. For us, we have the power that is instilled in every Christian by God. The Bible says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Phil 4:13. If that’s the case then how did you get this way to begin with? Good question. Because we ignored that available help and have taken certain parts of our lives on all by ourselves. Needless to say, we have failed in this area and succumbed to our desires rather than to what is best for us. It’s time to be good stewards of our bodies that are the temple of Holy Spirit.
Starting today our program is more structured. Greg had printed check off sheets for me before I came here. It is a way to keep track of the daily things that we are supposed to be doing. I am being a bit more of a drill sergeant and not letting “down time” last more than necessary. It is important that we don’t overdo our activity due to Tiff’s heart situation, but it’s also important that we challenge ourselves and push a little bit to get the desired results. Our walk this morning, although not much longer than usual, did seem to go at a faster pace than yesterday’s walk. I am currently walking faster than Tiff is, but I must stay nearby her in case of her heart trouble. I only allow myself to get a few steps ahead of her. I carry a taser when I walk. This made Tiff a little uncomfortable initially, but she’s fine with it now. My dear friend was out for a walk with her dog when another dog attacked her dog. She did all she could to defend her dog but both her and her dog were injured. Another friend of hers got her a taser and now she always carries it with her when she walks. I had decided that, with how many stray/loose dogs are in many neighborhoods, I would get and carry a taser also. It is for defensive purposes only. But don’t make me mad, just in case 😊!
We have met all of our goals for today. We also went to the library – it’s been a while since I have been to a public library. I checked out the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I’ve seen the movie many times and have wanted to read the book for years, so I guess now’s the time. We have not watched any TV since coming here and have watched only 3 movies. Tiff checked out a movie to watch, I’ll most likely watch it with her. Not tonight though, it’s time for our 2nd walk of the day and Hannah will be home from work soon. We had a very healthy day today in our diets and drank all of our juice. Tomorrow is the 2-week mark and we will weigh in. I plan to put our stats in Wednesday’s blog.
Day 13 is done, day 14 is on its way. “That which does not kill you, makes you stronger” – Friedrich Nietzsche