I am so loving Weight Watchers’ Simply Filling Plan–just this morning, for instance, I enjoyed my very favorite meal–hash browns cooked in a nonstick pan, with the prescribed two tsps of olive oil (or, as Rachel Ray famously calls it, E.V.O.O.) and two eggs poached in my handy-dandy little egg gizmo. My friends, I enjoyed every bite and certainly did not feel deprived in any way. I’ve finally started to exercise in earnest this past week, too, and my ActiveLink monitor, which measures my progress, sets challenges, and awards lovely activity points accordingly, is a big, big help.
One caveat, though, just in case you’re planning to try ActiveLink: I’ve discovered that it doesn’t measure some forms of exercise, such as riding a stationary bike as I do, with complete accuracy. There’s a place on the site where you can specify that you’re doing this particular activity, and it will adjust to that. I wear the thingy on my waistband while I’m riding (and listening to my beloved Daily Audio Bible) and then switch back to wearing it around my neck on a chain.
Today is weigh-in day, and I’m pretty sure I’ve lost more weight, but I’ll update you on that tomorrow. 
Most notably, I am SO happy these days–right in the midst of a personal challenge of considerable magnitude (nothing tragic, so don’t worry!)–and I want to share the reasons with you. First, focused prayer. Jenni recently gave me a lovely prayer journal and I decided to record the names of the people I want to pray for, along with situations, etc. I spend quite a while with this, and let me tell you, it’s night and day different from my former method–which, I’m ashamed to admit, was a sort of too-quick over-the-shoulder, hey-God-how-ya-doin’? kind of thing. (Worse, my prayers were longer when I wanted to lodge a complaint.) Now, I’m praying like I mean it–and I do.
Second, my Gratitude Journal. Back in November, when I visited Seattle and spent some quality time with my good buddy, Debbie Macomber, who happens to be one of the most inspirational people I know, by the way, we were wandering around Pike Place Market and came upon a booth where lovely, handmade journals were being sold. I was immediately drawn to one in particular; the cover is leather and the pages are deliciously textured, as the paper feels almost like cloth. To top it off, the closure consists of a beautiful gemstone (some sort of geode) and a loop. I bought the journal, intending to use it for something–though I must confess I cannot resist a nice journal and own many of them already. Around New Year’s Day, I decided this little treasure would serve as my Gratitude Journal, and I’ve been very consistent about writing down my blessings. Except for prayer, keeping this journal faithfully has been one of the best and most rewarding things I’ve ever done for myself.
Third Happiness Factor: the Daily Audio Bible. After two full years of listening, I’m beginning to realize (nobody has ever accused me of being a quick-study) that Scripture is literally the living Word of God. Over time, it becomes part of a person, by some kind of spiritual osmosis, and sets positive changes in motion–even the Old Testament stuff does this, believe it or not.
Four: Journaling, aka Morning Pages. I write three pages every morning in an ordinary notebook, and I am astounded by the insights I’m getting.
Of course there are other things that help me as well–art, time with my pets, exercise, eating in a healthy way–but I’ll save those for future blogs.
Are YOU keeping up your Gratitude Journal?
If you decided to listen to the Daily Audio Bible this year, are you doing that?
In closing, I’d like to share a quote I came across recently: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Viktor Frankl (Holocaust survivor and author of the groundbreaking, “Man’s Search for Meaning.”
Just a little something to think about.
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Good for you! I started back on WW 3 weeks ago and I have to admit I feel pretty good except for the occasional bad cravings for Cheetos Cheese Puffs. I need to get back to journaling-I get so busy with work I forget or my prayers are slap dashed.
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You’re ahead of the game, Gwen–and you can have Cheetos if you’re willing to 1) spend the Points and 2) make sure your portion size is correct.
As for prayer, you’re AWARE that you’d like to do more, and that’s huge.
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I admire your dedication to complete your growing personal growth and prayer agenda each day, it really is a commitment well worth the effort.
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What kind of thing do you write in your gratitude journal? Do you repeat? Are some concepts a subset of others?
Thank you for listening.
Billiesue Sanders
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I started listening to the Daily Audio Bible last fall. It is good to start at the beginning. I need a reminder of things I have forgotten. I do enjoy hearing Brian’s voice.thank
you for sharing this information.
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I have been journaling. I write my thoughts but not everyday. I write what bothers me and what makes me happy. It has been cold where I live but try to make the most of staying home. I read and clean out things that I no longer need. I wonder why I kept things. It is a learning thing to purge things. Have a wonderful day !!!!
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I agree about breakfast although am not on Weight Watchers but a doctor’s eating plan. I make an omelet with Eggbeaters (to help with cholesterol), spinach, tomatoes and onions (sometimes other stuff). My teen said it looked so good (one without spinach) that she tried it, a win-win. She isn’t overweight but healthy eating would be a good lifelong habit.
Thanks for the reminder about prayers and Bible study. I get distracted easily.
I’ve done morning pages in the past and am going to start up again. I appreciate all that you share!
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Glad you are still on your weight watcher. Enjoyed your comment this morning. They were very good. Hope you have lost a little more weight.
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Linda, so glad Weight Watches is working for you. You stay so busy I do not know how you get everything done each day. I sure did enjoy your new book. Can’t wait for the new series you are working on now. To bad you can not write one book on each of your series to give us an update on how they are doing.
Have a good week & stay warm.
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Linda, I have a question for you, please. With all you accomplish in a day, do you have anyone to keep you on track, or…are you that disciplined? I get up every morning with good intentions, but you know what “they” say about good intentions???
Do you try to do the same thing at the same time each day? Or, just go with the flow?
Sorry, that was more than “A” question.
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PS Did you know there’s an Artists Way workbook for writing your pages in? At first, I wrote in notebooks but they were always getting lost or used for other things. The workbook is a great way to keep all of your ideas together.
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Your breakfast sounds yummy.
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Glad wait watchers is working out for you. Have a good day
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Very inspiring, Linda – thank you
Blessings,
SherryNan
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Linda, you are a inspiring lady! you just pick me up and made my day better. Hope you have a good weigh in today at Weight Watchers.
Ruby
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I weighed for the first time this year, I was happy to see that I had kept of the 11 pounds I had lost last year. I am working on losing 50 more. Started WW, am loving it so far.
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My niece went to weight watchers and lost a lot of weight but as soon as she quit going she gained it back, so I know weight watchers works. I wish the weather would get better so I can get back into walking every day. I hate riding the exercise bike. Today I went to Walmart so I did get some walking in. I always cook my eggs in a non stick skillett with a little cooking spray and it works well. I enjoy just boiled eggs.
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Linda, I so enjoy your blogs. Hope all is good at Weight Watchers meeting today. I’ve been writing my Gratitude List everynight and it really makes one contiplate ones day. I follow the facebook page of a favorite priest of mine, he posts a small bible reading and a comment everyday. Food for thought. Blessings.
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Hi Linda, i prayer everyday and my prayer list get long all the time. My gratitude list i don’t have because it the same thing each day. I am not able to get out and do anything, Hope you have a wonderful day.
As Always you friend,
Norma
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I have been journaling for over 50 years. Sometimes a lot, sometime just a little. Blessings, weather, feelings, that sort of things. Also have a prayer journal. Included in my journal are notes from people I love, clippings from the paper that touch me, lots of things. They get fat by the time I finish the notebook but its all lovingly placed there. Enjoy listening to the Bible. I read every day. I have a new Message Bible and it says things very plainly. My favorite for study is the New King James. I am going to the Y a couple of days a week. Did Yoga today. Tough on this old ladies body. Blessings.
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Daily Audio a Bible is something I have heard you mention before and I’ve been doing it. It has made all the difference in my daily life. Now, I’m going to try the active link dealie and I’ve just ordered the nutri-bullet . I’ll stay with whichever helps me the most: weight watchers or nutri-bullet, maybe a combination of both! Thanks so much for sharing your very doable life improvers!
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Hi Linda, missed your blog today hope everything is ok. Hope you had a great day and have one tomorrow. Blessings to everyone, hope your day was great and have a great day tomorrow.
As always your friend,
Norma
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Linda, you inspire me! Have a great rest of the week and week-end.
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Hi everyone hope you all will have a wonderful weekend. Blessings.
As always your friend,
Norma
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have a wonderful weekend.