[Image from my Operation Beautiful Book Tour Post]
‘I don’t have a goal weight, I have a goal life.’
I heard this quote while watching an interview with an Extreme Weight Loss participant and it really clicked with me!
Along my journey, I realized that a certain number on the scale wouldn’t magically make my life perfect. For years I chased this number while becoming more and more unhappy.
I now focus on creating the life that I want, by taking small steps each day. It’s about how I feel each day when I wake up. If I wake up happy and eager to start the day, I know I’m on the right track. A certain number can’t dictate my happiness, but I can make changes in my life to feel my best.
While, I’m busy baking up orders today, I thought it would be fun to have a Glo Bar giveaway!
Leave a comment below sharing a lesson you’ve learned along your journey or simply share one of your favourite quotes.
One lucky winner will receive a delicious box of 10 Glo Bars! Goodluck!
Coming up, one of our favourite recipes so far in 2011….get excited!
One lesson I have learned through my weight loss journey, which I didn’t learn until recently, is to not worry about what the scale says. It matters more about how you feel, and how your clothes feel. I did a 1 month challenge with the boot camp that I attend, and lost 9.25″ all over, but only lost 4lbs, and I was OK with that. I was very proud of myself for how far I had come in the last month, and losing all those inches!
I also learned a lot reading Operation Beautiful, as well as other blogs. :)
GREAT giveaway, BTW :) Take care!!
My first job (about 20 years ago!) was at our town newspaper…..I was starting high school and the editor of the paper was a woman who became a life long mentor to me. She was strong, smart, healthy, a great mom and community member. She seemed to do it all, and do it all well. She always wrote a piece for the paper, and one quote has stuck with me, literally for 20 years. “I like moving and being moved. Moving created opportunities, being moved refreshes the soul.” I think about that and let go of my fears of the unknown, learn new things, go new places, let myself feel and not be embarassed. I clipped it out of the original newspaper it was in and keep it in my nightstand so I can read it often.
I have a ton of favorite quotes and lessons, but a simple one that always has stuck with me is simply “Those that matter won’t care and those that care don’t matter”. I used to get such anxiety about what other people felt about me, my life decisions, etc, and finally one day a good friend mentioned this to me (as I was worrying about not being able to invite many of my friends to my very small wedding) and it completely clicked. The people in my life who matter love me regardless, and those who are judging I shouldn’t care about. It has been one of the most liberating realizations I have had.
would LOVE to try GloBars! Here’s my favorite quote:
“The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandom me, for you made me” Psalm 138:8
I recently realized something about myself…. sometimes I need to get out of my own way to allow the right things to happen. My mantra has become – Alter your path however you must to reach your destination.
I LOVE your blog and I have to tell you that every single recipe I’ve tried from your site has worked . . . amazingly. I am at this very moment eating yet another bowl of your raw beet and carrot salad with tart apples . . . it’s become a staple of mine.
I would love to try your Glo-Bar . . . great giveway idea!
My favorite quote is one I carry in my journal/datebook with me always: “Live simply, laugh often, love much” . . . that pretty much sums up my three life goals :-)
Thanks for all that you do!
I discovered your blog several months ago and I haven’t had so much fun cooking in such a long time, thank you. I love to eat healthy and you have helped me think of new ways to do things so thank you. My favorite quote is from Gandhi and I have it at my desk at work.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” I think is great and I think for most people the hardest thing to have in life, balance.
A favorite quote of mine: “Happiness depends not on what happens outside of you, but on what happens inside of you.” :) Thanks for the chance to win some Glo Bars – they look awesome!
I’ve had a crazy weight loss journey. Ive been to the WAY to low end and the WAY to high end of the scale. Each was the result was the result of me trying to find happiness in other things besides myself. I’m happy to say that I have finally found my happiness and I’m enjoying it EVERY day.
Those bars look AMAZING!
I’ve learned that my eating disorder does not define me as an individual. That underneath all the thoughts of food, control, and perfectionism there lies a girl with a hell of a lot of ambition and willpower. A number on the scale, and a mental illness does not determine your character or your worth.
Your blog reminds me that I’m not alone, and I find comfort in that. Thank you for constantly inspiring me to challenge myself everyday by enjoying the beauty, art, and taste of food and living in the moment.
A couple of things I have learned over the years:
Food is neither your best friend nor your worst enemy. Food is what you eat to live, and that’s it.
You don’t have to answer to anyone else about what you choose to eat or not to eat. My family gives me a lot of grief about being a vegetarian. I used to let that bother me, but not anymore. I mean, what is my mom going to do about it? Tie me down and force feed chicken to me? I don’t think so :) Along the same lines, if I want to eat dessert, I don’t have to confess or apologize to anyone for that. What you eat is your choice, but it’s also your responsibility to make your own healthy decisions.
“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself”
One of my favorite quotes is by E.L. Doctorow
“…You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”
I am one who feels like I need to plan EVERYTHING. But as time as went, I have realized that sometimes God’s plan is not the same as my own (and usually it’s for the better). Whether it be trying to choose my college, career, or summer plans, I often find that my choices early on are not always what is best for me. Sometimes it’s best just to live in the moment/near future and don’t fret about stuff too far off!
Love love love it! I just wrote a blog post on this topic :)
http://ruthiemtech.blogspot.com/2011/07/embracing-unknown.html
I really like Jack Johnson’s idea that “time is just a melody.”
It is the driving force in this song we seem to call life. We, the harmony, cannot resist or overtake it, but we can work hand-in-hand to create something that is more powerful than each singular part. Beautiful concept!
I’ve learned that I’m happier, healthier, and more at peace with myself than ever after being vegan for the past three years.
“she was as happy as a seagull with a french fry”
“Pain is weakness leaving the body” – my mantra when working out
A quote that I now have up on my wall is ‘I know that my basic needs will always be met’. I worry so much about everything – what’s going on now and in the future. I find these words very grounding.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Thoreau
Easier said than done many days but I’m learning!!
I’m not afraid of storms,
for I’m learning to sail my ship.
~ Louisa May Alcott ~
<3
My favorite quote is: getting over a Painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point to move forward
I LOVE the idea of a “goal life” versus a number… kinds goes along with the healthy lifestyle versus dieting mindset.
A favorite quote of mine is: “Begin as you wish to continue.” So that means no crash diets of wierd fads! We’re in this for life, the goooooddd life :)
Thank you Angela, for this wonderful opportunity for all to share!!!
Here are a few guidelines i have found helpful on my journey…
1. My heart ALWAYS has the right answer, I listen closely & follow my instinct.
2. Loving Kindness & Personal Responsibility are the “keys to the kingdom”.
3. What I put out is what I get back .
4. NOTHING IS PERSONAL… unless I believe it to be so.
5. If I feel stress, I’m believing untrue thoughts.
6. Happiness is my BIRTHRIGHT & I’m the ONLY ONE responsible for it.
7. An “attitude of gratitude” is the path of least resistance.
8. I always have a chioce.
9. Regret & worry are a waste of my precious time & energy. (see #7)
10. Abundance: the ability to do what I need to do when I need to do it. period.
11. The fastest way to still my “mind” is to move my body.
And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music…….Nietzche
♥
Running goals are so much more motivating than weight loss goals!
My favorite quote is from my mama when I was struggling with my weight.. “You are more than a number. Your a daughter, friend, sister, lover, individual. If you let the number define you it will become you till your nothing else.”
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” Forest E. Witcraft
“Do, or do not, there is no try.”- Master Yoda
Haha. Tho, seriously, he was onto something there. There is no “trying” to lose weight here.. I either am, or am not.. and I’m finally at a place where I am (and have lost 20 lbs in 2.5 months doing a Weight Watchers-esque thing on my own).
One of the thing I’ll remember the most from all your post, is that you have to be proud of every little step you take in the right direction, no matters the things you aren’t prouf of. One step in the right direction is the only thing you need to make another one, and another one.. Every time I think about my weight, I think about this now, and it helps me to be a better person. You are truly inspiring, and I love reading your post. Thank you!
I have so many favorite quotes, I don’t know how I’d choose. A life lesson I’ve learned is that I can’t change anyone but myself. And along those lines, holding onto anger in regards to someone else only ends up hurting me.
Oh, and so many great quotes and life lessons in these comments!
“It’s never too late to start your day over.” – Daddy
It’s a good one! Love it:)
As we were driving home today I was listening to one of my all-time favourite artists – Peter LeMarc (he’s Swedish, as is my husband). One line in a song that always stands out is “Du älskar mig mer än jag älskar mig själv” – which means “You love me more than I love myself.” I’m lucky enough to have a man who is just like that… However, I’m sad that he sees wonderfulness in me and I’m too judgmental with myself about my weight. I’m working on that! What am I striving for? To accept where I’m at now, and love myself as much as my husband already does!!!
I’ve heard it so many times, but my own weight loss regime didn’t stick until I truly, genuinely internalized the idea that a “diet” is not a short-term calorie trick but a lifestyle, with the main motivation being health and not weight loss. Embracing that idea has helped me stop counting calories and overcome BED!
Right when a caterpillar thought that the world was over, it became a butterfly
Our favorite family quote since becoming vegan came from my middle child, age 9 at the time. After watching her 12 year old brother play an over-sized football team where the players could practically lift my sturdy son to move him out of their way, she commented, “I don’t think those kids have ever even heard of tofu!”
Love your website and your recipes. I might have to post your sign on our scale as well!
lol, thats cute!
I love quotes! I love anything that can be broken down into a few words but really pack a whole lot of meaning. I guess its basically the same with food. I like to keep it simple but have the meal pack a whole lot flavor and nutrition. I dont think of myself as a religious person but I read this quote recently and I loved it. “When I stand before god at the end of my life, I would hope that I wouldn’t have a single ounce of talent left and I could say I used everything you gave me.”
I love this post! I can really relate to it and those points are something I have to remind myself every now and then. I used to struggle with a weight fixation, weighing myself multiple times a day which developed into disordered eating and exercise addiction. Although i’m generally past those issues and at the moment I don’t even own a scale! But when i do weigh myself or get this fear of the scale number its hard to remember that that number doesnt actually mean anything! And it was perfect timing that I saw this because i was going about worrying about the number again today (and I’m currently in a place with a scale and I just got back from vacation so slightly anxious) and now seeing this you just reminded me that it doesn’t matter! So thank you Angela! <3
P.s I'll be trying out your perfect veggie burger recipe today :)
Lesson learned along the way: Your true friends are the ones who support you unconditionally. It’s ok to let go of anyone who who no longer supports your needs.
My name is Destiny Russell. I am 15 years old and I’m a vegan. I’ve always had very low self esteem. Two years ago I found myself weighing 164lbs. Yikes! I was a fitness fanatic and still could not shed the pounds. I became desperate and looked towards diet pills. I soon became addicted to diet pills and struggled to break my addiction. At 13 years old, it was a crisis. When I was 14, I was in a down spiral, taking as many diet pills as I could. I soon found myself in a state of hopelessness and bulimia. I was harassed about my weight which just isn’t fair. Being 14 years old, you could imagine how awful I felt. I felt guilty every time I ate and found by self purging and binging and purging and binging and couldn’t stop. I finally looked within myself to realize that I don’t care what people think. My weight doesn’t define me. I am an amazing, beautiful young woman with the world in front of me. So I stopped. I’m a vegan because it is not only healthy but it was something that made me feel good not to mention what they do to those poor animals. :( I exercise and eat clean for me; for my health and to feel good. I learned that a number on a stupid scale won’t make me who I am.