Make a Difference Monday -- Healthy Choices

I am late! I do realize today is Tuesday and not Monday, but, well, better late than never, right? :-)

This week, I am trying to make a difference by making healthy choices. Truth is, I am a nominally healthy eater, I exercise on occasion, and get at least 7 hours of sleep most nights.

But I could do better. A lot better.

I am one of those blessed people (don't hate me...it is hereditary, I assure you!) that can sit around eating pretty much whatever I want and never gain an ounce.

I said don't hate me!

Believe it or not, there are negatives to that!! Let me explain...I can eat whatever I want with seemingly no consequences.

But there are consequences to every poor choice we make, and poor eating/exercise habits are no different. I am beginning to realize that I do need to make healthy choices...for my sake, for my husband's sake, and for the sake of my children who will follow in my footsteps.  Aargh!

So, what changes have I been making?

*I bought whole wheat bread...the good stuff. Not the enriched wheat bread that is only a step up from white.
*We are keeping track of what we eat and how often we exercise. To do this, we are using Supertracker, a free website that charts our progress in achieving health and fitness goals.
*We are snacking better. Instead of chips, we are eating sunflower seeds, nuts and trail mix. Instead of juice, we are drinking water. Instead of candy, we are eating fresh fruit. I'm including more vegetables with meals and eating fewer sauces and less butter.

 *We are more conscious of the amount of protein we are getting each day, something that our diet lacked. This lack of protein left us tired and less focused. I can already feel a decided difference!
*I have cut back on coffee. I know, I know...coffee is good for you, right? Well, the sweetened flavored creamers I use are most definitely not!

How about exercise? Well...I worked out twice. Call me old, call me a lame duck, but I hurt so bad that I just gave up! Now that I've had a few days to stop hurting, I plan to pick up exercising...but maybe something a little less intense this time. :-)

So, how have you made a difference this week? What are you doing to improve the quality of your life and the lives of those around you?

After all, if I want to live a long and healthy life I need to start making a difference today. How about you?

Make a Difference Monday - Week Two

Last Monday marked a new beginning for me...a resolution, if you will. I resolve to Make a Difference. No longer will I use the familiar excuses of What can just one person do that matters...or I am too busy...or a million others that stand ready in my brain. 

Someday, when I am old (my kids think I'm already there), I want to look back and say that my life mattered...that I made a difference, even in some small way.

I have decided to journal my 'small ways' each week. And I hope you will join me, because...

YOU can make a difference, too.

***

I had planned to write about something totally different today, but instead I find myself drawn again to the thing that has consumed my thoughts this week. It happened on Wednesday. I got the email that changed the way I think about strangers. It has made a difference in my life.

And I hope it will make a difference in yours.

The email I received talked about the new book that River Jordan wrote called Praying for Strangers: An Adventure of the Human Spirit. In it, she describes how in 2009 she began a New Year's Resolution to pray for one stranger every day.

This may not seem like much...but it grew to something much bigger than one person. It has changed her life and the lives of many others.

And, this week it changed mine.

Here's the link to the e-mail: Praying for Strangers: The Resolution

Read the article. Then check out her website. Read the stories of the gazillions of people that have made River Jordan's resolution their own. 

It is a.maz.ing. (insert goosebumps here)

So, this week, I became one of them. I took on the resolution. I am praying for strangers.

And that is making a difference in my life.

The people around me are no longer strangers...they are potential prayer-recipients. God is opening my heart to care even more for those around me, to see their needs (rather than rush by them) and to *dare I say it* reach out and help.*gulp*

I'm excited about this borrowed resolution. And, I admit, a little scared.  But more excited than scared.

After all, I want to make a difference.

Make a Difference Monday

I was trying to decide on a regular post for my blog, what my blog is really about, etc., etc., and what I have come up with is Make a Difference Monday. 

I want my life to make a difference. I want my kids' lives to make a difference.

So, every Monday, I will post about some small way that I have made a difference during the previous week. I would LOVE it if you would comment with a way that you made a difference this week. That would be awesome! Would you do that for me??

Now for this week's post:

I love to give presents anonymously. I just love the thought of causing someone to stop and think about WHO could have possibly done...whatever. Then they go through all of the wonderful people in their lives, how many special ones they know that could have thought to do something special for them. And, in the process, they realize just how blessed they are. And that is the real gift.

Well, I was able to share my winnings with a very special family...anonymously.

So, don't tell, okay?

There is a young couple in our church that is on deputation (trying to raise support) to go to the Mission Field. They have three young children and another on the way. They live with the husbands' parents...or they did, but the parents are moving so they are looking for a place.

Anyway, I recently won a $25 GC to Burger King.

And I gave the card to the young family in our church...anonymously. How FUN!

I remember what a challenge suppertime can be when you're pregnant and trying to keep up with three active little ones. And they are on the road so much trying to raise support.

I like to think that my little gift made a difference and brought a smile to their faces.

Now it's your turn...What are you doing to make a difference? Please comment below and share!

*making a difference*

debbi