ARP - Introduction

This week I am working on the Introduction to the Addiction Recovery Program. My testimony of this program grows every day.

In a nutshell I have realized that this process needs to begin with prayer.

2 Nephi 32:99 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

Willpower alone is insufficient ... at least for me - as I have proved by the scores of resolutions that I have adopted and abandoned. I need to include God if I want to succeed.

I have also been inspired by the dismal weather we've been having. For the past week, the little valley I live in has been in the choke hold of what is called an inversion - a condition where the cold, smog-heavy air is held close to the ground by the clean, warmer air on top of it. Driving my kid to school, wishing for a glimpse of the sky or the mountains, I realized that I have been living in an inversion. I hold my unhealthy behaviors close, forcing the good and healthy parts of my life to come second - if I can see them at all.

Okay, it is the week of Christmas and I am going to do some splurging. But reading the ARP introduction has gotten me up early to exercise twice already this week (and I'm going for three), it has motivated me to carve out quality time for scriptures. I am also trying to only splurge on what I really want. Sorry candy canes, you just don't make the cut. Mrs. Sees, I'll see you after dinner.

Merry Christmas Friends. My your indulging be meaningful and your stocking contain an Addiction Recovery Workbook.

~Bethany

Small sacrifices

When my sweet husband woke me for our morning scripture study at 6:30 this morning, my reply was,"I'm not getting up, I'm too tired," to which he lovingly replied, "you can take a nap later, we need to read with the kids." I was extremely tired, the last few nights have been anything but restful. I was entitled to remain in my warm bed and grab a few extra winks, wasn't I?

I regret to inform you that I did not get up. When I half woke up to what sounded like prayer over breakfast, I dragged my sorry self out of bed feeling quite guilty. How often has that been the kind of example I set for my children? What am I teaching them when I am not willing to make small sacrifices that have a big impact? I know I would have benefited much more from family scripture study than from what little extra sleep I got this morning, just like I know I would see great results by saying no to that cookie, or chocolate, or cinnamon roll, or (insert any tasty treat). Too often I want that gratification immediately! So, here's to small sacrifices and new beginnings. Wish me luck!

A Stab at Sanity

I vividly remember my first introduction to warped relationships with food. I was five. I was sitting in the family car. We were driving a family acquaintance to church. For 20 minutes she harangued sugars, fats, carbs, starches and, to this day, I can remember her exact inflection as she said "And salt, that one will really get you." Little did she know that she had managed to totally confuse and depress the five year old on the seat next to her.

Fast forward a decade or so and I began hearing about the evils of meat. Then meat was okay, just not red meat. No wait, red meat is okay, it's the pork that is really bad. Whoops, our bad, what we really meant was that you should eat lots of meat but not carbs. Carbs are of the devil. Then some bold person started attacking the natural sugar found in fruits and wheat. Wait there's more. Then I started hearing that even some vegetables were taboo because of the amount of sugar in them (carrots, corn, potatoes etc.) As of yet, I've never heard anyone attack broccoli. It may be the one safe food on the planet - provided it's organic, of course. Wait, that could be my million dollar idea. This is the one area where the dieting fear mongers have yet to tread ... dark green vegetables. Oh, I feel a book coming on.

All kidding aside, I figure if God made it and man hasn't messed with it too much, then it's fair game. Even if man has messed with it a bit it may be fair game. I certainly can't afford to buy organic everything. Some months I can't afford organic anything. And every once in a while I am going to eat something that nature would not create even if it could (donuts and fishy crackers and frostys, oh my.)

Let's stop the madness. I am tired of feeling guilty every time I make dinner or eat ... anything that is not broccoli. I get so burned out on the craziness that I feel the need to eat chocolate zingers just to restore some balance to the universe.

I propose that this blog be a haven for those who are pro-food and are also pro-health. I am ready to tackle two and a half decades of baggage. You?

~Bethany

Addiction Recovery Launch

Ta da! We are launching the program at long last.

What is it?: We will be using the LDS church's addiction recovery program based on AA's 12 step program. It is available at store.lds.org for $3

Why?: For us, unhealthy lifestyles can be addicting. This is a powerful program and can provide spiritual, mental and physical results.

Bonus: This program will help with anything in your life that is out of balance or that borders on addictive behavior. There are a few things in my life like that and they hinder my attempts at weight loss. So I might as well tackle those too.

Before you write yourself off as being completely addiction free, consider your relationship to Facebook, gaming, blogging, reading, anger, sleeping, television, stress, food, shopping, hobbies, etc. Are any of those ever out of balance? They sure are for me.

So, here's how it will work. Starting next week, on Dec. 19th, we will start chapter one and will work on one chapter a week. Shyla and I are committing to write at least one post per week. Anyone who wishes to, could commit to writing one or more comments a week. That way, we can all learn from each other, support each other, and I know that I sure benefit from some sense of accountability.

That's it. I am so excited. I want to write more, but I can no longer think clearly through Barney blaring in the background. Woo hoo. Let's do this.

~Bethany

Motivation for the day

1. The Natalie Strawn story done by Good Morning America (there is a link on Yahoo's home page.) She has lost nearly 300 lbs. My favorite quote from her is roughly "If I can do this, anyone can ... (because) it's hard and I do not like to do hard things." Is that not so true? It's hard to shoulder one more hard thing, but she's doing it.

2. My friend just lost seven pounds after a three month plateau. Yes, she did maintain her healthy lifestyle through the three months of frustration and now ... pay day.

3. Seeing a friend at church wearing a darling pencil skirt. I love pencil skirts. I own a pencil skirt, but I haven't worn it since being pregnant with child #2. Oh, and the wearer of the great skirt has four kids. It makes me want to spit and eat celery all at once.

I am trying like crazy to get my healthy/strong mindset back. Can you tell? Thanksgiving and wedding receptions and holiday baking have blindsided me a bit ... okay, a lot. Do any of you have some motivators? I could sure use some.

~Bethany