Stay active!

There is an adage that the more you do -the more you can do. I believe in staying active and occupied. For many of bingers, we eat out of boredom or we get too involved in over thinking about our lives and want we want it to be. I would fantasize about me being at a perfect weight because life would then be perfect. Right, NO. Life still happens to you when you are at the magical weight.
It was often while daydreaming about being slim that I would end up bingeing. WHY?
It was in this state of mind that I would make the age old promise that I would start my diet TOMORROW- my diet from hell and all would be well. This time it would work. Never minded that it hasn't worked a thousand times before. This is how I would get lured into bingeing with the promise that TOMORROW I would be in control.
I have come to know to shut down this thinking IMMEDIATELY!! It is stinking thinking!! As soon as I hear this old familiar voice, I immediately get up and get doing or moving. DO NOT BELIEVE THIS MESSAGE that makes promises in a tomorrow that never comes.
I believe that it is important to makes changes in stages. Exercise is a great way to start this journey to health. A simple walk around the block at 300 pounds lead me to 7 full marathons and several half marathons. So take that simple step forward in your life, ditch the diet mentality, make good choices daily for your health and not to be a size or number.

Sonia Turner on Oprah

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be a featured guest on the Oprah Winfrey show. How did it happen....well there is a saying that out of small things big things come to pass. I was interviewed by Prevention Magazine and in the magazine article, I was 1 of 52 ways to lose weight-specifically #4. The Oprah show contacted me from the small article=just amazing. I remember the moment she announced my name on the show, I was thinking OMG Oprah Winfrey just said my name. It stills sends goose bumps when I recall the series of events that transpired.
My journey to health too began with the simple goal to walk around the block and eventually saw me completing 7 full marathons and a couple of half marathons.
So go ahead start something small...you will be amazed too!
Check out the link to the Prevention article:



www.fitnesstipsforlife.com/52-ways-to-lose-a-pound-a-week.html

Discover the Power to Move your Mountain


For verily I say on to you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11: 23-24

What is your mountain?

A mountain is something that stands in our way of being the best that we can be. It stands between us and what our Heavenly Father knows we are capable of overcoming and becoming. Our mountains can be of a spiritual, physical, emotional or mental nature. Often they impact on all or several of these areas.

Choosing to be Healthy and Happy

Doug and I are so committed to living healthy for ourselves, for our family and for each other. Having had such a close call with death, one appreciates living and being together to share our lives. Nothing tastes that good to jeopardize our time together. Now you might say, You can't control the outcome of life by a lifestyle. You are right..But we can make the choices for the best outcome in the areas that we can control. Best of all for me is the peace of mind and spirit that I have not being chained to an addiction to food. This is living life on our terms, being in control and not being controlled by momentary pleasures that pass so quickly that you need to eat more and more and more to get that fix. Do you notice yourself here...I do.

The 30 day challenge

The challenge I want to leave you with is to stop dieting, start exercising. Stop eating at suppertime or 7:30 pm whichever works for you. This gives your body the opportunity to heal itself. When we eat all day long your body has to supply the energy to digest process and eliminate the food. When we give out body a rest from the food, it can take care of making repairs and fighting off diseases.

I want you to accept these three challenges for 30 days-YOU WILL NOTICE A HUGE DIFFERNECE IF YOU FOLLOW THIS FORMULA
1. Stop dieting/eliminate sugar/salt
2. Start moving for 30 minutes a day (huffing and puffing type of exercise)
3. Finish Eating at 7:30 pm


Be proactive not reactive

Be ye transformed

To be transformed needs to start with the heart and not a plan. I genuine desire from the soul to be person that you were created to be. It was on my knees that my transformation began. The answer to my prayers to make peace with myself and rid myself of my self depreciating and delibitating self talk was to be transformed. Stop looking for the magical quick fix or the latest fad diet with huge promises for momentary loses. The answer too was to know myself, I accepted that I am a sugar binger and an all or nothing person. I then realized that I needed to detox my body of its extreme addiction to sugar. Also during the answer to my plea, I was reminded of The Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change ...The courage to change the things I can...and the wisdom to know the difference.


Bible
And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

Super Foods

8 Super Foods Your Body Will Thank You for Eating
Article By: Leslie Fink, MS, RD


Our expert lists eight "super foods" that help enhance your body, mind and soul.
Like it or not, Mom was justified when she forced you to eat your vegetables. Broccoli and Brussels sprouts give you nutrients and substances that might truly have an impact on your health. Same with crunchy nuts, sugar-sweet berries and thirst-quenching iced tea.
"If you're concentrating on eating foods that have a lot of nutrients and phytochemicals (naturally occurring plant substances that fight disease), you're hedging your bet for at least a healthier life, if not a longer one," says Barbara Gollman, MS, RD. Here's her input on eight "super foods" to stock up on:
Walnuts. Walnuts contain Alpha-Linolenic Acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid that studies indicate lowers cholesterol and protects against heart disease and stroke. The California Walnut Commission usually recommends 1 1/2 to 2 ounces of walnuts per day (or the equivalent of about 8 walnut halves). Not sure how to get started? Walnuts add a healthy crunch to any salad, soup or stir fry.
Chile peppers. Capsaicin, the substance that gives chiles their heat, acts as a disease-preventing phytochemical, says Gollman.
Tomatoes and tomato products. The antioxidant lycopene in tomato-rich foods may help prevent prostate cancer, and might also help prevent breast cancer. "Cooked tomatoes are more effective than raw ones," says Gollman. So load up on tomato paste and tomato sauces.
Berries. All berries are good for you, but blueberries and raspberries seem to hold top spots on the berry nutrition chart. Their anthocyanins and ellagic acid (the substances that give them their rich colours) possess potential cancer- and heart disease-preventing antioxidant properties. Plus, they're high in fibre and vitamin C.
Leafy greens. Folate, a much-talked-about B vitamin, does triple duty. In addition to helping fend off heart disease and possibly even cancer, it's believed to prevent neural tube defects in unborn babies. So go for anything that's leafy and green. Some of Gollman's tasty suggestions: Mix steamed chard with minced garlic and fresh lemon juice, and make pesto sauce with basil and kale.
Quinoa. Pronounced KEEN-wah, this nutty-tasting food is unlike any other grain (although not a true grain, it is often called one). "It's the only grain considered to be a complete protein," comments Gollman. If that's not enough to give it clout, consider that the sterols it contains may lower cholesterol, decreasing your risk for heart disease.
Yogurt. Sure, it's good for your bones, but that's not all. Most yogurts contain good bacteria that help maintain proper digestive health and may help boost your immune system. Look for the words "live and active cultures" — such as L. acidophilus and Bifidus — on ingredient labels.
Tea. Whether served iced, hot or decaffeinated, black or green tea — as well as some other non-herbal teas — might help prevent cancer and heart disease due to the antioxidant effects of the flavonoids and polyphenols they contain. Up your tea intake with some of Gollman's ideas: Make a tea slush with iced tea and puréed fruit, or try jazzing up regular iced tea with frozen mango cubes or slices.