Debbie Cousins's Journal, 12 Mar 19

In our "Swimsuit Slimdown," we are repeating a couple Positive Affirmations each day. Everyone makes their own, but I thought my FS friends might like to see mine. P.S., If you haven't read the book, The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, you should really consider it!

Here are the 13 Affirmations I've gotten formulated so far - I only repeat 3 of them a week, though. I'll start at the END of the list, in case you've already seek where I posted the beginning ones. Please share YOUR Affirmations, too - but do it in a NEW Challenge Forum post, so people can respond to you directly - I don't want your post to "get lost" as a Comment under this big thing!

13. “I look younger in my mid-60’s than I did in my 40’s and 50’s." I have started taking more care of my body - putting the Rosacea medicine on my face, using face cream, putting lotion on my arms and legs, filing my feet, and pushing back my cuticles (can't afford mani-pedi). I MIGHT even start wearing makeup!

12. ”I can easily run/walk a 10K race – 6.241 mile.” Did well for my first day of "training" yesterday! The most I had ever walked before was 1-1/2 miles. I usually would just walk the loop around our 10-acre property; but, I found it is more interesting to walk in actual neighborhoods, and be able to observe things along the way. Now, I just need to take the action step of finding out WHEN there will be a 10K run for some worthy purpose, so I can add a DATE to this accomplishment!

11. ”I am the most energetic and athletic that I have ever been in my life.” FORMERLY, I would frequently say, "I don’t do outdoors.” When my grand-daughter wanted to go outside and play, I have always told her, “I’m your INDOOR Grammie.” My friends, Jeannie and Joannie have been her OUTDOOR “Aunts.” NOW, I will begin to go outside and actually PLAY with the kids!)

10. ”My BMI is well within the “Normal” range.” Starting at 302 pounds, I was "Morbidly Obese – Class III" for many years (way TOO many!) Then, I stayed in the “Obese – Class II” category until I hit 223, which put me in JUST “Obese!” When I got down to below 192 on January 4th of this year, I moved into that coveted “OVERWEIGHT” category, were I still am right now. In order to get into the “NORMAL” range, I have to get all the way down to 159 pounds!!! My “official” FS goal has been 175 (after I achieved my first goal of 200). I think I’m going to KEEP it at 175 until after I PASS it by (probably in the next 3 weeks or so). Then, I’ll change it to 159, which I haven’t weighed since 1983!

9. ”My body is slim, attractive, and well-toned.” If you know @Sharon’s Victory, we are almost exactly the same weight. BUT, Sharon works out, and she looks a WHOLE lot better than I do! If you don’t believe me, maybe I’ll attach my BEFORE “Swimsuit Slimdown” challenge pic to prove it. The appointmentt with the Physical Therapist today got cancelled because they don’t take my insurance. BUT, not to be dissuaded, I called the insurance company and found someone who WILL. My first appointment will be next Wednesday 3/20. So, looks like all toning will have to start with walking!

8. ”God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The truth is that I am a recovering Coke Addict (DIET Coke, that is)! I am also a glutton, pure and simple. I eat when I'm not even hungry; I eat until I am stuffed, I eat because I'm bored, sad, happy, nervous, sick - you name it, and it's an excuse for me to eat. BUT, with God's help, I can overcome my weaknesses and can be victorious.

7. “My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit – I will bring only the BEST foods into His temple.” God made so many GOOD foods, that there's really no reason I should have to eat any man-made counterfeits. We only get ONE body, and we need to give it the best "fuel" to keep it running for as long as possible (without coughing and sputtering down the road).

6. ”I successfully bring DOWN my RDI by 25 calories every week, and always stay within my target range.” Of course, once I get down to 1,400 at the end of the "Swimsuit Slimdown," I'll have to re-evaluate what my RDI should be. But this is my plan until the challenge is over.

5. ”I glorify God by eating healthy foods which keep me strong, healthy, fit, mentally alert and stable – so I can most effectively serve Him and those around me.” Food not only affects our bodies, but our minds. I'd like to keep mine sharp for as long as possible!

4. “I LOVE to exercise and I MAKE the time to do it at least 5 days a week, for at least 30 minutes a day.” (Exercise has always been a 4-letter word for me! Now, I'll spell it L-O-V-E.

3. ”I am MORE than a conqueror through Christ and I have won the battle of the Bulge!” I have been "dieting" since I was 22 years old - almost FORTY-THREE years! But, I've never been "in maintenance." That's the goal - to get to where all the bulges are gone - and STAY gone!

2. ”I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me – EVEN Exercise 5x a week for 30 minutes at a time.” (I have used MANY excuses in my life for saying I CAN'T exercise: "I'm too FAT to exercise;" "I hate to sweat;" "I can't go outside at night to walk because of the mosquitoes;" "I don't even have enough energy to load my dishwasher, much less exercise!" WELL, the things I say now, will be POSITIVE things that will bring positive things back to me.)

1. ”Old things are passed away (like Diet Coke); behold, all things are become new (like water!)” [i](I have been a Diet Cokeaholic for many, many years. I know it's not good for me, and have tried to quit many times. I want to be a good example to my children, one of whom is already obese!

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1609 kcal

Fat: 92.27g | Prot: 44.63g | Carbs: 160.96g.   Breakfast: Navels Oranges, Twinings Earl Grey Tea, SweetLeaf 100% Natural Stevia Sweetener, Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream. Lunch: Planters Lightly Salted Cashews Halves & Pieces, Atkins Frozen Orange Chicken. Dinner: SweetLeaf 100% Natural Stevia Sweetener, Land O'Lakes Heavy Whipping Cream, Lipton Green Tea Collection Tea Bags. Snacks/Other: Coconut Cream Pie, Atkins Endulge Chocolate Coconut Bar (MINUS Sugar Alcohol), Fruit Salad. more...