Connections From Flower Gardening to Weight Loss

Before understanding the connections outlined in this blog, my readers will need a little background knowledge. Nine years ago my husband and I (with a little help from some kind neighbors) built a flower bed on the south side of our home. The garden runs the entire width of our home, four feet off the ground, three feet wide, and a maybe 20 feet long. It's massive. I call it the Arizona garden because everything is orange and yellow and was inspired by our trip to Arizona several years ago. It includes a paddle cactus. If you don't know, paddle cactus has big outrageous thorns all over it, but also includes little hair like thorns that are almost invisible to the naked eye. Also, in the flower bed is a wild rose bush. It is one of three which had been transplanted from my mom's best friends house and is over 80 years old. The rose bush is out of control and pink. There is also some hummingbird vine which I planted even after the lady at my favorite flower nursery told me I would regret it. It is growing up the side of our house and is rampant. I had told my husband that as soon as comps were finished (I passed on Saturday!!! I'm ABD-All But Dissertation!!!) I was going to tackle the flower bed. Yesterday about 4:00 in the afternoon I arrived home. Once I was in the middle of this project and laughing at myself I realized there are some connections one could make to weight loss.

Connection 1: Sometimes, you have to break down walls to lose weight and achieve goals. Yesterday, I had to tear down one side of the rock wall. Big heavy rocks. It was challenging. Psychological walls exist for those of us whom have had struggles with our weight. We have to figure out what those walls are and tear them down. Once I tore down the wall, it was easier to get to the root of the problem (the rose bush).

Connection 2: What looks like an easy task might be more of a struggle once you begin. There were three root balls connected under what appeared to be (and was planted as) one rose bush. In both exercise and diet there are roots we have established in our behavior which has led us to bloom as we are. That rose bush was coming out the side of the flower garden and was dangerous to those who passed by. It was causing other things in the garden to die. Once I examined it's roots, I realized it had no choice. Where do your roots lead you? Do you need to move them so you have room to blossom?

Connection 3: One can never be prepared enough and it doesn't pay to rush. I couldn't find my special gloves I had purchased for working with my plants with thorns. I just put on my regular garden gloves which are not thorn proof. I wore capris and one of my favorite tshirts. Many many times I yelled, "OUCH!" I connect this with my eating. If I don't prepare my food in advance or at least think about it in advance I make poor choices because I am in a hurry. It only hurts my body.

Connection 4: Repeating the same behavior over and over will only lead to the same results or insanity. In this case an unwelcome case of thorns. I had removed most of the paddle cactus from my flower garden because it spread like a weed. Yet, I thought it was cool to have cactus which returned year after year with beautiful yellow blooms. Thus, I saved a small portion and put it in a large metal wash tub in the flower garden. After cutting my leg on it yesterday (because I was in capris) I was mad and decided I should not have any thorny plants at all. So I painstakingly lifted the wash tub out of the flower bed and proceeded to carry it to the fire pit in the backyard. I should have known when I felt it rubbing on my stomach that this was not good. However, I was committed and decided to "carry on". Afterward I felt things poking in my stomach, but I had a job to finish which included rebuilding a wall. I finished the flower bed and sat down on the front step with tweezers to remove the thorns from my hands. I lifted up my shirt and saw the little thorns, but there were so many and I was so overwhelmed I didn't know where to begin so I thought they would come out in a hot shower. NOT!!! The thorns are now embedded in my stomach marked only by little red dots. Don't worry the pain isn't bad unless my clothes rub on it or I bend over. I hope you're laughing. Today when I told my sister this problem I said, "I know you're laughing." She said, "I'm just shaking my head." You have to know this is really so funny because I have battled this cactus for five years at least and I should know the result. It's much the same way with weight loss. I know if I don't go to the gym the results will not be what I need. I know if I eat bad choices I will continue to get the same results. Yet, sometimes...we choose to do things the hard way when we already know the result. Many times we do things the hard way because we think it saves time and effort. But does it really???

Connection 5: Every journey has difficult portions. The Arizona bed is one of my favorite things when it is in full bloom. It has been a true challenge because of it's size. It requires continuous upkeep. Random things begin to grow in there and they start to take over. Every now and then I have to whip it back into shape. However, after giving it a little TLC it's stunning. Isn't this true of us? I know it is of me. Things tend to go along very well and then I hit a tough spot. Maybe it's getting a new exercise down or changing an eating habit. Once I push through that hard spot...sometimes it's grueling and I feel like I'm not going to make it...but once I do I begin to enjoy the journey again.

By the way, the rose was replanted. I'm hoping the paddle cactus is gone forever. I did go to the gym today. I was extremely sore already. Squatting, digging, and moving rock was quite the hefty workout yesterday!

BUSTED!!!

I was BUSTED last night when I walked into the gym. I was met by the gym owner. "So how have you been doing on working out since you aren't working out with Mike anymore?" Tears in my eyes "Uh...not so good." I haven't been going to the gym as regularly. To be honest, I haven't even been doing really good work outs while I'm there. I realize I've come too far to slip now and I told her that. The problem is I used to make sure I was getting the workouts in because if I didn't when it was time for my session with Mike I wouldn't be ready. Work has been CRAZY! I come home and I'm tired and so it's easier to skip the workout. Bottom Line: Sonya is now going to be my accountability partner. I'm going to be getting text messages to make sure I get to the gym.

Oral comps are this coming Saturday. Nervewracking to say the least. It's a pass or fail. I've been studying and studying and studying some more. When this is over there will be a huge sense of relief and I had already promised myself that working out would move into the number one priority spot.

I ran into my two friends at the gym last night who follow my blog. We've set somethings up to workout together. I can't wait!!! This will be great for me. We have a plan for next Monday. Stadium stairs and lunging!!!

I really think I should not have brought left over cake truffles and cupcakes home from Mom's birthday party. It's pretty easy to grab one when you are studying. I'm taking those truffles to work today.

So here's the really funny story of my gym experience in the past week. I walked in last Thursday and a friend decided to give me his own advice. He told me if I put the treadmill at a 45 degree angle at 4.0 mph I would burn close to 300 calories in 30 minutes. I said, "That's a great idea! I'm going to try it right now!" Have you ever watched someone fall off the back of a treadmill because they couldn't keep up with it? Almost...that was almost me! I guess that is another goal to work toward.

I really appreciate those who have reached out to me during this time of transition. I feel so loved and blessed to have you in my life. After my last blog, I received emails, texts, and phone calls. It was AMAZING! You all are the best and I will make it through this journey because of all of you!