A New Look

Hey everyone!
Today Blogger introduced their brand new template designer! Did you know this was coming?!  It offers some very nice customization AND a great collection of background photos to choose from, courtesty of iStock. So, whatta ya think? Would love to hear your comments!

I'm hoping the new look helps to clarify the theme going on here at Losing My Behind. See, it's not just about losing weight.  In fact, its really more about gaining things. Health. Vitality. Strength. The ability to get out and live an active lifestyle and not be stopped by weight and health limitations...and the courage to do things we never thought we could.

And, this is where the very 50ish looking bike in the new background comes in!

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to participate in one of those bike trips through the hills of Vermont in the fall. I've had dreams about it, though not recently. I collected pamphlets a long time ago, but they are, hmmmm, somewhere, not exactly sure where. And, when I saw this background image, I knew I had found the new look for the blog . . . and felt this dream coming back to life!

We spend a lot of time thinking and talking about what we're giving up, what we're passing by in order to reach our goals. I say let's start focusing on what we're GAINING. 

One thing is for sure: our bodies will grow small.  And, in addition, as we do this very hard work ahead, our  hearts are going to grow to be really, really BIG, making room for all kinds of new and old dreams. I want to be ready for that too, don't you?!

So, what gains are you seeing? What dreams have been revived while you're workin' it? Please share your thoughts in the comments below...your comments are such an encouragement, not just to me but to everyone who stops by.

I hope you like the new look, I'm so glad you're here!


Lookin' in the rear view mirror,
Cheryl

P.S.  You can learn all about the new template designer right here!

Dream Big!

I am currently enrolled in a course to teach me how to go pro with blogging. I love to write, love the computer, enjoy a challenge, and I thought, heck why not make some money at doing what I love? A popular entrepreneur that I have listened to lately once said "Do what you love and never work another day of your life." Sounds awesome, doesn't it?

Anyway, one of the exercises in this course is to write down my ideal average day . . . not the kind of day you dream about having on vacation, but an ordinary day that is picture perfect to you, a day that you can repeat every single day and be extremely happy doing so.

At first, I wasn't sure I really needed to write this down  . . . I mean I kind of knew in my head what I wanted, so what's the point? However, I made a vow to myself at the outset of this course to do every last exercise and assignment to the very best of my ability, so I got my pen and paper out (aka laptop).

I was very surprised at what unfolded as I wrote . . .. the dreams that were lying within my heart! Turns out that what I thought I knew was really more about what I didn't want my life to be about than what I did want it be about. Can anyone relate?

During the coming week when we're all anticipating Valentine's Day, thinking about love, how to express it, etc., I wonder if just loving on ourselves a bit should be included. I don't know about you, but I think its easy to forget how to dream when we are so wrapped up in and overwhelmed by daily life. So, let's let loose a little! Forget about the barriers between your current daily reality and just imagine your IDEAL DAY. And, write it down.  Make it more about what you'd experience than what you'd have, though it can certainly include both.

Even if you are already extremely happy with your daily life, it is always good to be reaching for new goals, finding new amibitions, making progress.  Writing down my ideal average day was a way for me to get back in touch with what I'm really reaching for....it brought some clarity for me, maybe it will do the same for you.

dreaming big!
Cheryl

P.S. How does weight loss figure in to this? For me, I envision all my future days as me being a slimmer, sexier me than I am now . . . so doing this little exercise poured more fuel on the fire to just be consistent with what I'm doing. And, a little shout out for me....I lost 3.6 pounds last week!  Hurray.....time to start thinking about a reward for the 20# mark!