Heart Choices: New Directions -->

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New Directions


It's In Other Words Tuesday.  Nina of Mama's Little Treasures is our host.  The following is the quote Nina chose for us to write about:

"If you don't change the direction you are going,
then you are likely to end up where you are headed."
                   ~ John Maxwell~
I used to be a goal setter. 

I would listen to motivational tapes by Zig Ziglar almost every day.  He taught me to write down my goals, including  the steps I would need to take to achieve each one.  Each day I wrote in my performance planner so I would be accountable.  I developed the habit of always working towards my goals.

But lately I've become a wandering generality.

Zig Ziglar used to describe this kind of person as one who skates through life, not being attentive to where they're going.  I got out of the habit of setting my goals and working towards them.

One area that has been impacted is my weight.  For most of my adult life, I've maintained the same weight.  However, in the last two years of many challenges and uncertainty, I've added extra pounds and gotten out of my exercise routine.  Nothing like indulging in sweets and ...forget about portion control!

If I continue in this direction, I will end up continuing to gain weight.  In another two years, I will become what I never wanted to become ...a couch potato!


So, I made the decision to go back to my goal setting.  I read about a website called Lose It.  I checked it out, signed up and best of all ...it's free.

I listed my current weight and then the weight I want to be.  If I lost only one pound per week, I could reach my goal by the first week of July!  That sounds good to me.  So, I write down everything I eat.  If I exercise, I add that on my private profile.  I've found that this simple tool helps to keep me accountable.

I like the new direction I'm now heading.

I've already lost three pounds.  I'm certainly not perfect and there are times when it's hard to resist when we have potluck lunches at work.  But I know I will be writing it all down so I tend to eat less.

So are you heading in the right direction?  If you keep doing what you're doing, you just might end up there. 

Blessings and love,
QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
22 Comments
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22 comments:

  1. I'm a 'wanderer' these days too... I added the lose it app to my ipad recently and recording your food def makes you think twice about grabbing somethig you shouldn't : )

    Actually I'm pretty good on the food. I need to kick up the exercise which I despise. Good luck with your goal!

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  2. What a great idea! I need to be accountable for my eating habits, too. The main problem I have is that terrible candy dish on the front desk at work. I just can't say no! If I'm at home, I don't have candy there...and I rarely buy it. So having that open bowl of free, delicious, chocolate, breaks me! I seem to not be able to just walk by! But I need to. Thanks for writing on John's quote. He is so right. I don't like the direction I'm heading (with my weight), so I better change things! I'll check out the site!

    Keep us posted on your progress!

    Blessings, Joan

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  3. I've been wandering for a long time and am also trying to get back on track. Some days I'm just tired which leads to discouragement and starts a cycle. Thankfully, with God's help, the cycle can be broken with just one change at a time.

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  4. Good luck Debbie - I pray you enjoy truly embracing a healthier lifestyle! I'll pray for you as you walk this new journey too!

    Love you!
    Jill

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  5. Great quote! So true!!

    Good for you, Debbie! You are definitely on the right track! That website is very similar to fitnesspal.com!!

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  6. Congratulations, beautiful Debbie! I'm in the same boat - knowing that this is the year to get back under control...

    Praying for you and thanking God for all He is doing in and through your life. He's not done! :-)

    Love ya~
    jennifer

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  7. To me, it's all about intentional versus unintentional living. it makes me think of a goal-setting tool I learned years ago: Begin with the end in mind. In other words, know where you want to be before you ever head in that direction. Jesus tells us it's to "count the cost".

    I've also learned that baby steps count. That helped a lot!

    Blessings & success,
    Kathleen

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  8. This was a GREAT quote you have written here, and is it ever true! I have arrived a few places I never intended to get to! Good luck on this weight journey...sounds like a wonderful plan! HUGS

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  9. You did it again, Debbie - you shared what I needed to hear this morning. I used to be more organized and had lists of things to accomplish at work and at home. I've not worked for 11 years now, which has allowed me to spend more time with our family and watching grandchildren, but I realize that I haven't been organized. And I have also gained weight, so, I am going to visit Lose It! now and get started on heading in the direction God has for me!

    Love and blessings,
    Laurie

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  10. What I really love about this Debbie, is that even though there are some areas where we have no choice, what you are doing is choosing to make changes where you DO have a choice!! Good for you!! I've sent you an email on the side on this one! :)

    xo

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  11. I love Zig Ziglar. Love his writing and I love to hear him speak. He has such and awesome voice. But most of all he seems so wise and he loves the Lord.

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  12. Yes Zig Ziglar..he lives here and my husband has meet him, a nice man

    Yea! for you! Go Girl!!!

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  13. Way to go Debbie! You wrote about my first choice of topic for this quote. I didn't write about it because I wasn't sure I wanted to be so open about that particular struggle just yet.
    Thanks. You were a true encouragement to me today!

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  14. "A wandering generality"
    This made me laugh out loud! Oh my gosh, this is me!
    Thank you for posting this.
    Always.

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  15. Thank you for sharing this. As I've shared with you before, it's a struggle for me as well. I will check out that website. Thank you for joining in! :)

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  16. Debbie - I don't think you could ever truly be a "wandering generality."

    You may be just having a "temporarily displaced goal moment." :)

    God bless you - Marsha

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  17. I use to lose the "Lose It" app and I loved it! Good for you for continuing to set your goals.

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  18. Well, I have Definitely been wondering since the death of my hubby but even before that while he was ill. I have gained SO much weight. I just went over and signed up for Lose It! I'm praying it helps me at least 'see' what I am putting into my body!! Thanks for posting this!

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  19. Hi Debbie,

    I love sweets so much that I crave them usually on a daily basis. The only kind of exercise I like is walking around the beach areas. I get board too easily. When I'm not eating, I'm usually thinking about food. How sad is that :o)
    God bless,
    Michele

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  20. Oh, Debbie I needed to read this. I was just thinking today how it would not hurt me to loose 5-10 lbs. I've never had a weight problem in my life and I do NOT want to have one. It can definitely creep up on us.
    Blessings to you on your journey! Keep us posted!

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  21. Well done! I find the months that I forget to post my goals are the more haphazard. I may not reach my goals each time, but I have an idea of where I'm headed, and that is imperative for me. Thanks for sharing.

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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