There is no doubt about it … I need to STOP some things and START other things, such as taking control of my health. For a guy who had a heart attack and 4 bypass surgery 20 months ago I have not taken the best of care of myself … body wise. I initially lost around 50lbs after surgery, but have gradually put it back on … that is 40lbs of it! I have tried telling myself that things are okay so long as I exercise, but over the last 4 months I have essentially quick exercising. There has always been the twinge of guilt in the back of my mind, when people ask, “How are you doing health wise?” I believe they are asking me, “Why are you putting on the weight?” as my reply to their initial question is … “I need to lose some weight.” My retirement plan is through the Southern Baptist Convention group known as “Guidestone” and they send out a quarterly magazine, that I seldom look at, much less read … but when the Spring issue arrived it had a picture of Mike Huckabee on it with the words … “Mike Huckabee Weigh down” … “How one well-known GuideStone participant lost 110 pounds in 18 months.” It caught my attention, so I read the article that spoke of his weight loss and the book that he wrote, “QUIT DIGGING YOUR GRAVE with a KNIFE and FORK” telling of his 12 STOP program to help gain better health (not just weight loss). From the article I ordered the book used ($1 + 3.99 shipping) on Amazon and got it yesterday. As I began reading I was motivated enough that I walked/ran 1 mile last night, as well as got up this morning to walk/run 1 mile, as well as eating sensible today, and hopefully everyday from here on. None of this stuff is magic and its not easy … but I know I have to do something to sustain my health so as to take care of my heart, and ultimately my family … and that’s not just having a life insurance policy.
Here’s the run down of the 12 Stops …
1. STOP Procrastinating
2. STOP Making Excuses
3. STOP Sitting on the Couch
4. STOP Ignoring Signals from Your Body
5. STOP Listeing to Destructive Criticism
6. STOP Expecting Immediate Success
7. STOP Whining
8. STOP Making Exceptions
9. STOP Storing Provisions for Failure
10. STOP Fueling with Contaminated Food
11. STOP Allowing food to Be a Reward
12. STOP Neglecting Your Spiritual Health
Of course there is more to each STOP than just a phrase … but practical, common sense approaches that need to be implemented to bring about a healthier lifestyle of eating, exercise and living. I am always hesitant to share about my “next” weight loss adventure because I have failed so many time in the past. But here I am sharing as means of accountability and honesty to myself to admit that I need to change my eating and exercise habits so as to bring about a healthier life. Well as one might say, “Wish me well!” as I head off to eat lunch … that is to STOP for a salad!
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Peace & Glorify~
