2018 One Day At A Time

Here we are four days into 2018. I set goals....actually I re-evaluated my goals.  I always have ideas and dreams that I am reaching for.  For about three years I have been committed to activity goals.  Often I have reached the 10k step goal...but over the past three months it has been tough and I rarely reach it.  So I decided that I am not giving up but it is time to revisit that goal.  I have temporarily changed my step goal to 7500k.  This is still not an easy goal but doable.  I really have to push myself to reach it.  And I am thrilled that four days into this year I have reached it everyday!

I am not lowering my standard...I am giving myself a chance to get strong and to get back to better shape.  Setting reasonable goals gives me safe boundaries.  Not lowering the bar...just making sure that I don't lose confidence and that I indeed make it back to living well.

Grace For Today

2 Corinthians 12:9King James Version (KJV) 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For six years and twenty-two days I have known that I was ill.  Many days I think that I only realize the symptoms. I have good days and I have better days. For three years and eleven months I have been walking. My gait is not always smooth but it has been worse.

Then there are days like today where I sail through and suddenly I just have to sit or rest and remember that sometimes I just have to slow down wait until I am functional again.

From the time I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I have asked that people pray:
#1 that I would be healed
#2 that I would have grace
#3 that I wouldn't become bitter

I have purposed to live aware and not afraid.

I don't know how I will be tomorrow or even next week. For a couple of hours today I felt that I was slipping into an "episode" but now I am at peace and looking forward to tomorrow in hope of another good day.

How

So I was asked again how I get my 10k steps in.  This summer I haven't been getting them in very often but in the spring I was on a roll. Tonight I saw that green streak appear again.

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Disclaimer
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In all fairness I have MS so it is not easy for me.  I tire very easy.  I have to do this short stints.

{{{This is what works for me}}}

1. I wear a fitbit flex all day.
--this has been an excellent tool for me.
--it keeps me truthful to myself about my activity
2.I am constantly checking my progress on my fitbit.
3.I set small goals all day long
--like 3k by noon
--or I will check to see how many steps I need until I will reach the next 1000
4.I will make a few trips up and down the driveway between tasks.
5.I will get on the treadmill for 5 minutes a few times throughout the day  (only if I can't go outside.
6.I never waste time trying to find the closest parking spot--plus I always take the steps if it is going down. (I always ride an elevator up.
7.And if it is feasible I just won't go to bed until I reach that goal.

I hope this post inspires you.  Each morning is a fresh start --treat it as so.

Linking up with :

While I Am Waiting

#fitmom

If you follow me on Instagram you know that I live wearing my fitbitflex band.  I started on March30,2014 and today I was looking at my stats.  Fitbit shows my stats starting 3.18.14--maybe 365 days ago?  Anyway I am more than pleased and thankful.  Yesterday I rolled over 2 million steps!!   I have had good days and great days!!! But those who have known me very long know that I have Multiple Sclerosis.  And my progress is truly a miracle.  Twice in 2013 I had episodes that left me unable to walk unassisted more that a couple of feet.  I kept my faith in God that my Creator could heal me and give me the determination to go on.

2 million steps is really huge in my life!  I love my fitbit.  People are always asking me...$100 does it work?  Well....here is the truth.  No, I work.  And it keeps me honest.  I check my stats through out the day and it shows me if I have really been moving or not.  Does it work?  I did Weight Watchers off and on for years.  WW probably works...but I still hauled my own spoon--and spent way more than $100.

The active minutes shown by fitbit--are very active...and unless I am on the treadmill I rarely rack very many.

I love my fitbit:

I love the online community.

I love my friends who are also fitbitters and invite my to daily challenges.

**Tammy an old college friend living in Oklahoma

**Christy friend a couple miles away

**Crystal life long friend in Alabama

**Kelly a friend I know through spinning and weaving in Florida

**Luna--she told me about fitbit to begin with!!

My fitbit is set to vibrate to remind me to take my meds...and several times has saved me!

My neurologist can check my stat charts. And we can go over my averages and see improvement.

Fitbit has been an investment. An investment in my health.

Linking up with: Moms Small Victories

Empathy vs. Sympathy

This is me:

A few months ago...but something about it seems to capture what I think people see when they look at me.  This picture was taken at a local fiber arts studio.  The owner is a dear friend of mine and she took this with her cell phone.  Just how she saw me that day and thought I needed a picture :-)

I often wonder how I am perceived.  I openly share about my medical condition.  Not for sympathy but a true desire that I can encourage someone to believe that there is hope.  And to share information that may be passed to someone that can benefit from my experiences.

When I talk to people also suffering Multiple Sclerosis  or something similar I try to share and encourage from where they are.  Not to be disheartened or jealous if they are doing better than I am.  And not to push them into defeat or make them feel that I think they are just willingly succumbing.

I share because I am all about spreading hope.  Restoring belief. Raising faith.  And most of all letting them feel me walking beside them--not over them, not behind them, not in front of them.

I don't think that I "pull the sick card"....But not always do people see my limitations.  So sometimes I do have to say..."give me an extra moment my _____ doesn't work like everyone else".

I don't for sympathy but so that I can let people see from  where I am.

Sympathy:  Acknowledging another person's emotional hardships and providing comfort and assurance.

Empathy:   Understanding what others are feeling because you have experienced it yourself or can put yourself in their shoes.

Sharing this song that spoke to my heart even before I become ill.

I remember a few years ago a friend of mine went through two still born births back to back. One day while just quietly listening to her share the story again while she was still sorting the details in her heart she told me.  "Back when you lost babies I always felt sad for you but now I know that pain."  That is empathy...even if you don't know the struggle--reaching for the place to know the feeling.  I don't want or need sympathy.  But I always need people to see the view from my shoes.  And I sincerely try to look at others circumstances from where they are.

Good Start!!

 I have huge fitness goals!  I have been diagnosed with MS since June 2011.  During that time I have learned to walk twice.  My gait in not great and my endurance needs to improve.  I am very thankful for where I am.  Last summer I was so into my Fitbit Flex and got in such great shape.  As the colder months came on I slowed down but I am ready once again to get in shape.  My fitbit has been a great friend.  I am so motivated to beat my day before stats...or to stay up at night until I get those 10k steps in!

I have already shared that my word for 2015 is consistent.  Exercise is an area that I need to keep consistent.  I really do feel so much better when I exercise consistently.

Often people ask about my fitbit flex and want to know if it really helps and if it is worth the money.  The fitbit flex is just a tool and if I don't use the tool then no it does not.

For me the fitbit is a great help.  I have alarms set to remind me to take my medicine.  Several times I have totally forgot to take my medicine and when my band vibrates I was reminded.

It helps keep me honest.  I sometimes think I have been to busy and look at my stats and have to get all honest with myself.  My doctor can pull up my stats and see if I have been moving.


I have several fitbit friends that keep up with me.  they send me challenges through the fitbit network and then compete with me.  Sometimes they will check my stats and send me a cheer or a message to see if I am doing okay.

I am not afraid of accountability so the fitbit flex has been great for me.

I have fitness goals for the new year and I have confidence that if I am consistent I can meet my goals!

Linking up with Small Victories Sunday
Wellness Wednesday

2nd Night of Hanukkah

The second night of Hanukkah is the celebration of health. Tonight was my boys school Christmas play. All of my family came! So thankful that we were all there tonight and well.

Three years ago my dad had a heart attack.  They lost him in the ambulance. But he was at the play tonight with all of his children and grandchildren. (He and my mother celebrated 46 years of marriage yesterday)

I was there...three years ago I became ill with Multiple Sclerosis. My neuro at the time said I would end up in a nursing home.

Eli earlier this week passed a kidney stone. An especially big deal when you are six!

We take our health for granted. During this 2nd night of Hanukkah let's be thankful for our health😊