The Plunge

After being so sick for the last quarter of the year, I finally found a doctor who was taking new patients (this is a problem here in St Joseph as we have too many people and not enough family doctors, need a specialist--no problem, need a regular family doctor, well they are scarce.) In addition to finding a doctor who is taking patients, there are my own requirements.
1. Must believe in God--I never thought about this one too much until I had a doctor in Alamagordo NM who was a self proclaimed athiest. He said that I could believe in anything I wanted, he believed that he would go and get another drink--I fired him, and drinking doctor I did NOT need.
2. Need to be open to natural remedies and not just a pill prescriber. There is a time for meds, but there are many natural ways to accomplish good health.
3. Must NOT talk to me as if I don't have a brain--I might not be the smartest person in the world, but I don't need a doctor to talk down to me to prove it.

So after calling and interviewing several I now have a doctor. He ran several tests, most of which came back normal. With the exception of having a blood pressure problem, I am pretty healthy, especially for my wieght. So we had a long talk about my wieght and I agreed to go on the South Beach diet. (I hate that 4 letter word) I also agreed to gather a team for the KJO Pound Plunge.

The KJO Pound Plunge is a partnership between the hospital and our local radio station. It is a 12 week program that has a few rules.

1. Visit with your doctor for dietary and exercise instructions. The doctor signs the form that you have been to see him or her.
2. Gather a team of 4 and create a team name--we are the Size 9's, turns out we all wear size 9 shoes, and well size 9 would be a vast improvement for all of us.
3. Weekly weigh in. OK so I really liked their scales, as I weighed 10 pounds less than at the doctors and 7 pounds less than the one we have here at home.
4. There are weekly short (15 minute) classes as well as weekly walking activities. These are not mandatory, but can greatly enrich our experience.

The results are based on percentages lost and there are prizes and other activities for the next 12 weeks.

I am worried about a few things though. The South Beach diet has so much meat. Try explaining the word of wisdom to a Baptist!! We finally agreed that I would eat the meat for the first 2 weeks and then I could use beans, eggs, low fat cheeses and nuts for my protein after that. Do you know I will have to eat more meat in the next 2 weeks than I usually eat in 2 or 3 months??? The other thing that has been amazing to me is that I don't eat enough. After 1 month food journal where I wrote down everything that went in my mouth--yes including chocolate, it seems that I average 900 to 1000 calories each day. Doctor Turner says that since this isn't a new thing for me in that I ate normally, that my body is in a permanent state of starvation and so is holding on to everything I eat. So I have to eat 1400 calories each day. I am stuffed!! Actually I haven't been able to eat the full 1400 calories yet, but yesterday I ate foods every 2 hours and made it up to 1300 calories. I am getting there. The exercise isn't bad--water walking and deep water muscle building exercises at the YMCA pool, and my stairs every day. Then Tai Chi 3 days a week and Ball yoga the other 3 days a week. I have been doing this routine for the past 6 months. Haven't lost a pound. I am told that when I eat more, I will lose the weight. I hope so

Truthfully, I am tired of not feeling well. I am tired of gaining weight when I don't eat that much. I am tired of the looks that people give you when you are big and not being able to wear cute clothes. I am committed to this.

My Dear Sisters--January

Each month, as part of being Relief Society President, I write an article for our newsletter. So I thought I would post it here. During the past two years, I have learned so much. It has been a joyful journey that I look forward to each day. For the first time in my life I feel like I am doing something that makes a difference.


My Dear Sisters,

At the beginning of each year everyone is talking of what their New Years Resolutions will be. Some years I give these careful thought, others I just write down EVERYTHING I know I am doing wrong. Most years my list is about a foot long and by the end of January I have decided that it is just too hard and so I give up.
Recently I was reading in Doctrine and Covenants 82: 10 where it says “I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.” As I sat pondering this scripture, I was impressed that this was a huge commitment from our Heavenly Father. If we do as He has commanded, Heavenly Father is bound to bless us. He won’t be changing his mind.
This led to further study of Resulotion vs. Commitment. When I am resolved to do something, I am going to make a great effort, however when I make a commitment to do something I am honor bound to finish what I have started.
As I look towards this New Year, I do not believe that I will make New Years Resolutions. Instead I will pick only 2 or 3 things, and then make the COMMITMENT to make these things happen. I encourage you to do the same. Make it simple, and achievable, but with firm commitment. It is my testimony that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants what is best for us. If we follow his commandments, He WILL bless us.
Sister Helm

Purls or Pearls. . .what will it be?

I have found during my short life that much of what helps me each and every day is what I was taught at my Grandmother's knee. Knitting to keep me calm and her wisdom to help me each day. Both are as important to me as breathing. Many of the truths that I cling to can be related to knitting. When I knit, there are 2 stitches--knit and purl. When I go through life there is always 2 people--me and my Heavenly Father. On the really tough days, I sometimes find myself knitting while in my mind I think of the great love our Heavenly Father has for each and every one of us. So I knit and I pray. One of the great pearls of wisdom that my Grandmother taught me was that if I trust in my Heavenly Father, He will direct every facet of my life. She was right. So I guess in this blog spot there will be a mixture of what my family is doing, what I am learning as I serve the Lord, and of course my knitting.