You Can't Direct the Wind

"You can't direct the wind, but you can adjust your sails."

An Old German Proverb

"Walking yet?" would be an innocuous enough question to some. Instead it was an on-purpose question directed toward one of my good friends, via e-mail, who can't find her way with her diet, fitness and lifestyle change right now.

However, I am proud of her for the success she is having in other areas of her life. We are old enough friends for me to know she really needs a motivational kick in the pants - pronto.

I think I've mentioned her before - she's the one I knew when . . . we were a lot younger and thinner and skied Ajax and The Burn till our legs were rubber, so we go way back.

She emailed me: "I've been slackin'. Been up late almost every night this past week with parties and seminars so I haven't been able to get up early!"

Me: Sigh.

She: "I did walk my dogs a couple of days!"

Me: "BRAVO! Better than notin'."

She: "Today is my busiest day of the month because it's beginning of the month and I'm having a Spa party at my house tonight for a good gal pal who's just starting her skin care and make-up business.

My weight is the same - I really haven't done anything to plan my meals or food."

Me: "Huge mistake. Wait till I get my hands on you!"

She: "I haven't even grocery shopped in over a week! I was at a seminar on the 22nd and a friend of mine told me to get this book "Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About" by Kevin Trudeau. It's so aligned with what you are up to! He so advocates walking! You may have read this--it's sold millions. I had not heard of it and I'm reading it now. My friend has changed his eating habits and lost tons of weight, of course. The book advocates eating natural grown foods for optimum health and walking!"

Me: And what finally worked so well for me after a lifetime of yo-yo dieting was absolutely cutting all the white starch and sugar out of my diet. I know this gal well enough to know she is just like me - been up, down and all around the scale her whole life. I suspect she's carb sensitive and hypo-insulemic just like me, too. What does that mean? White starch and sugary carbs are literal poison for our system. You know the drill.

She's still writing: "I see that I make everything and everyone else in my life my priority - the last one I take care of or make time for is ME!"

Me: Gee, folks, sound familiar? Are we all not in the same or similar boat?

She: "I'll write more later, have about 10 hours of work to do in the next 5 hours!"

Me: I can well relate.

My email back to her: "I love you like a sister.

Keep totally on purpose.

It's time for you to make your self - your purpose - your project - you are your number-one priority.

And walk your dogs more! They'll love you for it."

You can't direct the wind, that's for sure. But you sure can readjust your sails until you find the combination - the method of diet and daily fitness - that's right for you.

How would you have responded to her?

How would you treat yourself if this were you?

How do you treat yourself?

How do you take care of yourself?

What's the one thing that you can do for yourself this week that will make you your number-one priority to move toward a healthier, lighter, happier life?

Dream Bigger, kids. And I don't mean fatter. Just BIGGER. More grand.

Signed: One who's been there for most of her life,

LAURA