WFMW : Planning and Responsibility

 

Well, my week got away from me!  I promised a book review, and a review you shall have.  In the interests of making WFMW this week, I’m doubling up!   Cheating?  Not even!  There is so much helpful info in this book, just recommending that you read it should count as my helpful tip for the week!

Written by a mom of 15 to moms everywhere, this book is not an exercise regimen or list of specific foods that will make your weight magically drop.  There are no calorie targets or plugs for gimmicky equipment that promise miracles.

What is contained in these pages is some very down-to-earth, realistic advice.  (And a great deal of humor…which I would bet comes in handy with a family that size!)  It’s a very enjoyable read.

I came away with two major themes to Wendy’s approach for weight loss and better health: planning and responsibility.

PLANNING

Everyone knows that to lose weight, you have to eat less and move more.  Wendy advises readers to track how many calories you’re eating versus how many your body needs.  Then adjust your intake.  Simple, right?

Many people (like certain book reviewers I know well… ahem) run into trouble when out of the house - running errands and chauffeuring kids to activities.  (My personal weakness is Taco Bell.  Running for the border does not qualify as exercise, unfortunately.)  Wendy advice is to plan ahead.  You know you’ll be out of the house, so bring some water and healthy snacks.  Think hard-boiled eggs, nuts, fruit – all easy to grab on the go.  She says planning to succeed in this manner is like “bringing your own umbrella.”

RESPONSIBILITY

The planning theory isn’t hard to grasp, is it?  This next concept is bit harder to swallow – for me at least.  Wendy writes:

“…I had to first come to terms with the fat that I was in charge of what went into my [body].   Yikes!  Me?  You mean, I can’t blame my mom, a bad day or some other outside force?”

Ouch.  And double ouch.

How often do we know what we should do, and yet don’t do it?  Like Paul writes in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

Who is ultimately in charge of what you eat?  YOU!

So, eat better quality food, eat less of it, and move more.  (Even fidgeting counts!)

 

Linking up to Works for Me Wednesday over at We are THAT Family!