Answering the Call

            I never wanted to be the leader. The one who has to tell your dad that the spot on your mom’s MRI is a tumor because he missed the Doctor’s rounds. The one who has to shave your mom’s head for a full craniotomy. The one who has to coordinate all the calls and texts and updates because your mom is so loved and is on everyone’s prayer lists. I am the baby. This wasn’t supposed to be my job. I didn’t ask to be this kind of leader.

            But that’s the thing. God doesn’t call upon the most sought-after leaders. He picks the ones He knows will answer the call, whether they are a leader or not. Three years after not knowing if my mom would even wake up after so many seizures, here are the lessons I’ve learned from answering that call.

            Many of the times, you earn your wings on the way down. I knew how to lead, but I wasn’t prepared for this. I had to earn my wings in the midst of the storm. I had to learn how to rise above while the wind and rain were beating me down.

            How to prepare for the next riptide. Because we all know there will be another one. My mom’s tumor will come back. It has once already. I have learned that in order to float, you must be willing to surrender to whatever is headed your way. If you resist and struggle, not only will you wear yourself out, the sooner you will sink. Sharks will bite. Jellyfish will sting. Fish will nibble. Be prepared for the unexpected.

           Don’t settle. Once you get complacent, you don’t listen to what’s truly stirring inside. My mom started running at age 60 and had just finished running her fourth half-marathon 2 months prior to her seizures. She has taught me that it’s never too late to go after a goal, to dream a new dream, and to believe in yourself. Listen to that stirring in your soul. God is calling you to a bigger, better place.

           You can’t do it all alone. Lose the ego. Ask for help and be willing to have others help you. There is comfort in being surrounded by those who want to lift you. Extra meals, a few groceries, a coffee date, a few hours babysitting, rides to chemo appointments; whatever it is, let it in. Same goes with prayers. Give it to God, as He is the one orchestrating it all, anyway.

            Lastly, love. Unconditionally. Crack open your heart and soul to others who deserve it. And when you do, the dams burst open and you see and feel how the world responds in the ripple effect: shining, soaring, fully, and completely. You will never regret saying, “I love you” when you truly mean it, because holding those feelings and words back will hurt even worse than never saying them at all.

Tips on Holiday Eating

Tips on Holiday Eating

So many of us think that if we make it through Thanksgiving and Christmas with watching our weight, we’re in the clear.  At the first of each year, we’re all ready to hit the ground running and give 110% to our healthier lifestyle.  Where in fact, it’s because we’re trying to end the year on a plateau from all the CRAP we’ve ate the entire 11 months before!  

Personally I have found that the holidays after the New Year that were always my troublesome times.  Give me candy gummy hearts any day before mashed potatoes and stuffing.  Chocolate Easter bunnies?  Hell yeah I’ll have two of those, paired with my three Cadbury Caramel Eggs!  And don’t even get me started on jelly beans.  I mean, who can even eat just half a bag?

Plus, then we’re adding on the full meal of a traditional holiday with all the fixings on top of the sugar high.  So, how do we keep this in check?  Well, I go back to my WW Leader days and tricks: 

• Take a smaller plate, so you have less room to fit all the food on it. 
• If that’s not an option, be mindful of your serving sizes so that you can drive a toy car around each of your food helpings. 
• Focus on protein and veggies, and just have small tastes of the other fun stuff. 
• Drink a glass of water before getting in the food line, it helps your eyes not be bigger than your stomach.
• Move away from the table when you’re done. Go play with the kids and focus on burning some energy off with them.
• Go for a walk after you eat, or better yet, start the day with a workout.  You won’t feel so guilty when you have already worked for that meal!
• Keep your hands busy by helping clear dishes or putting things away.  It’s the mindless act of sitting and talking that gets many people in trouble.
• When the meal is done, PUT THE FOOD AWAY!  Not on the counter, not in the family room with round two of dessert.  Away.
• Every time you feel you need a snack or “just one more” bite, go to the kitchen and fill up on water.
• Don’t tempt yourself by bringing all your kids’ candy home with you.  Save it at Grandma’s for them to enjoy next time, because you know Grandpa will eat it before then 🙂
• Lastly, enjoy! Don’t deprive yourself, however, know your limits and choose what will satisfy that sweet or carb craving and enjoy it and be done with it.

It’s all about moderation, because you want to fully be present and enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.  The food should be an accessory to the day, not the main event.  How do you stay on track with your plan during holidays like this?