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I've been debating for about a week sharing this post with you, but finally decided to go for it. Maybe it will resonate with someone out there, or maybe it won't and I'll take it right down. But here goes nothing . . . we'll see! Not only does it help my body, it helps my mood too.
And I already know. THIS WILL NOT HELP EVERYONE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE EXTENUATING HEALTH CIRCUMSTANCES. I get that ~ I totally do! But in a culture where all too often we scroll, sit, watch, eat…. I often question if we're doing with our bodies what our bodies were designed to do.
Whew. Y'all, if I gain 75 pounds next month I will eat up every last word here, but I'm sharing it anyways. SHEW!
As you may know by now, I've spent my whole entire life watching my weight.
Maybe you have too?
I often hear people say not to worry over it, not to let ourselves become consumed with how we look, and that weight truly is just a number.
And for some folks maybe that's completely true.
However, for me, my weight and food does often consume me, except when I do this one teensy-tiny-thing that magically kind of fixes both for me.
ARE YOU SO READY TO READ MY MAGIC INGREDIENT THAT NO ONE EVER TELLS YOU ABOUT?
OKAY ~ here we go girls . . .
Stay.
BUSY.
(Preferably doing something you love at least every once in awhile.)
That's it.
No magic diet plan.
No super special food.
No exercise routine that makes weight magically fall off.
(Although, I DO think part of the whole staying busy concept should incorporate a wee bit of exercise and definitely eating well because that DEFINITELY helps you 1) stay busy, and 2) lose weight. WIN WIN!)
Here's the thing if I'm being real honest with you (that I know is not true for everyone? But is totally true for me and I can't even believe I'm sharing this with you here!)
I EAT BECAUSE I LOVE FOOD.
I EAT BECAUSE I LOVE TO EAT FOOD.
I EAT BECAUSE CHOCOLATE SIMPLY TASTES DIVINE AND I LOVE EVERY SINGLE LAST MORSEL OF IT.
I don't really eat because I'm super sad or super depressed, I honestly just really kind of like some chocolate ice cream if I can find it anywhere. (If you do struggle with depression, please please please reach out to a counselor who can talk with you. Do it for me if not for you!)
But when I fill up that “oh yeah, I wanna eat all the chocolate” space instead with “I am SO STINKIN' EXCITED ABOUT THIS OTHER NON-FOOD-RELATED-THING I'M-ABOUT-TO-DO”?”
Welp, I tend to stay at my regular maintenance weight or even drop a pound (if I'm realllll lucky, maybe two).
(I'm at a pretty healthy weight for myself right now which may be too heavy or too light for some folks, but for me? I'm perfectly okay with where I'm at – you can read more here!)
There are a few things that I absolutely love to do. When I channel that energy into purposeful action, the “weight wars” in my head kind of naturally go way down.
Curious what I truly love to do that might keep you busy too?
THINGS I LOVE TO DO even more than I love to eat chocolate (naturally) 🙂
1 – Play the piano or violin (I don't do it often, but when I do I love it)
2 – Window-shop at a mall or Target (bonus – I usually end up trying on things which inspires me to work hard on my weight loss goals!)
3 – Write (hence why I started a blog forever ago. I'm not naturally a gifted writer, but I do love getting what's in my head out into the world, so blogging has been a fun win- win for me!)
4 – Develop new ideas and products. I LOVE being creative, so even though I'm far from a designer, creating products, coming up with new concepts that make people happy, and serving people well fills up every single part of my soul more than food ever can. I love that.
5 – Working. I love coming up with ways to earn money (I know, that's kind of weird but I love it)! I pretty much can sit and not think about food for hours if I'm far enough away from my kitchen. (That being said if I'm too close to my kitchen and not focused when working, I can hunt down a York Peppermint Patty in a hot minute) 🙂
6 – Hanging out in my yard doing yard work
7 – Taking a nap (I never have time for this because I'm pretty much always busy, but if I could, I would)!
8 – Trying out a new craft
9 – Talking with a friend on the phone
10 – Fluffing up my home (I love changing out a space, adding decor here or taking away some decorations there. It just makes me happy!)
THINGS I'VE LEARNED TO LOVE TO DO more than eat chocolate (I didn't naturally love all these things, but have developed them as skills and now love them too!)
1 – CLEANING. I LOVE to keep my home clean. Shining my sink gives me ridiculous joy. Thursday morning sheets day is like a happy little gift to me. I wasn't always this way, but probably my favorite time of the day is just after dinner, cleaning up my kitchen sink while my family is all happily fed. I simply adore that sweet space each day!
2 – Walking with a friend. If you said “hey Laurie, want to grab a Swiss Cake Roll? Or would you rather walk with a friend?” I'd pick walking with a friend every single time. My bet is you would too if you tried it out a time or two!
3 – Walking while listening to podcast or audio books.
4 – Testing out new social media strategies (clearly this one isn't for everyone, but it's something I love to do and takes my mind off food when I get in my social-media-zone!)
5 – Lifting weights. Honestly? I don't love weight lifting, but I love how it feels afterwards, so I'm counting it.
6 – Doing my girl's hair. I love making their hair feel fancy!
7 – Doing just about anything that serves anyone. This isn't something I've loved to do naturally, but the more I serve people these days, the happier I am, so I'm always on the lookout for opportunities to serve.
8 – Organizing a closet and delivering donations to Goodwill or another non-profit that's blessed when we give.
9 – Reading my bible and journaling.
10 – Writing a pen-and-paper note to someone I care about.
The moral of this big-old-long-post that you probably aren't still reading?
If you're struggling with your weight right now, CONSIDER JUST TRYING TO STAY BUSY.
Ask a friend to regularly meet you for a walk.
Clean your house.
Find work that you love.
Pull out an old instrument.
Lift some weights.
Write a note to someone who'd love to hear from you today.
I'm not saying that you'll magically lose 75 pounds, but I am saying that asking yourself if you're truly hungry before eating something and then answering that question with “what-else-can-I-do-right-now” might just help.
For me? That helps.
These days, I'm honestly just way too busy most days to eat the way I once did.
Go ahead.
Write down your list.
Find a few things that fill up your soul more than a 3 minute snack does.
The next time you go to reach for something you don't really need, decide to just be busy for a few minutes and keep walking down your list instead of to the fridge.
No magic here, just an idea that might work for you too.
If you're struggling, you can read my journey here as well as the PPP team's journeys too (I love reading their stories ~ we all definitely stay busy around here!.
Weight issues are hard.
There's not really a magic trick.
But try being busy and see what happens.
Goodness, I'm over here cheering for you!
(Being totally transparent, I'm forty-five and watching my metabolism slow wayyyyy down already, so this may not even work in another year or two. But if I wait until I'm truly hungry to eat and not just bored right now, it still seems to help. I'm hoping it might help someone else out there too. Whew!)
I know this is an older post, but it is just what I needed to hear. I was blessed to work hard and lose 40 pounds (still needed to lose another 20). But then my son was diagnosed with cancer and lost his battle after 2 years. I spent that two years grieving and gaining almost all the weight back. I am now trying to focus on myself and try again, but it is harder than before. It takes a lot mental power that I just don’t have (my son only died a few months ago). I know it will come, but maybe it will take a while. But “just stay busy” will help in so many ways. I don’t know why I needed someone to tell me that, but I did! Thank you!
Hi Brandee ~ I am sending hugs and prayers your way! I am so sorry to hear about your son. I pray he is in Heaven with our Lord! I am so proud of you for being so strong and pushing yourself. God loves you!
As I read your comment I realized I could have written all of that myself. The diagnosis, fight and loss of a child is such a hard road to walk. Mine started when my daughter was diagnosed with pediatric cancer in late 2018. I had to learn to give myself grace. So true that staying busy helps. I try to focus on all the little moments in a day that make me feel joy of any kind. My heart is with you as I read your story.
Hugs to you!
Oh Jennifer we are so sorry for this road you are walking. Thank you for sharing your story to encourage others. We will continue to pray for you during this season. Sending hugs and prayers!
So I have ordered the Home planner for 3 years now. The first year was a complete waste. Year two I was steady for 2 months but was overwhelmed thinking how can anyone do all this in one day? But I still loved the planner. So this year I got another one and had a very real conversation with myself. I went through it page by page and set up my goals and my monthly check off lists. Then I started week one. I was still a little apprehensive about tackling all the tasks but decided that if I didn’t check off all the things everyday that tomorrow is always a new day to try again. Now I also happened to be fasting for 21 days with my church so I gave up social media, television, plus all the food that doesn’t come from the ground. But what I began to realize is that without the endless scrolling and the mindless television I had the time to check off almost all of the daily tasks and usually the weekly ones too. Plus read my Bible and my devotionals and rewatch the sermon to take notes and study for Bible group.
But I really wanted to say your rule of “stay busy” is correct. Atleast for myself. I am a foodie I love all the foods. And I am also an emotional eater. So stress is a big instigator. If I’m happy I eat if I am sad I eat more… it is an endless cycle that has landed me in type II diabetes and on insulin. So I knew I was making some serious life changes because I am also a nurse and I know the just giving yourself more insulin so you can eat that cake isn’t the answer. So I do the tasks, I read the chapters of the Bible, I talk with GOD and I joined a pilates class. And I am down 15lbs in 2 months. I also am on week 4 of the low calorie menu planner… this has truly been a great experience. Thank you!
Wow Crystal! I couldn’t help but smile as I was reading and learning about just a small part of your story! I am so excited for you and SO proud of you already. You are doing amazing. One step at a time and a whole lot of grace for each day. Thank you for sharing you heart with us just a little bit. The PPP Team will be praying for you as you continue on!
Thank you for talking about your weight struggles and the FASTer Way. I am starting tomorrow and at this minute feel overwhelmed but excited too. I LOVE the faith part of this and am so thankful that it is part of this journey I am embarking on. I have felt God calling me to walk closer to Him and to take care of His Temple! I ask for your continued prayers as I take this on. I have literally failed so many times that it scares me that I might fail again. I need to get my head and heart right and trust in Him fully. I know this, I have always known this, but Satan just sticks his nose in there every single time and beats me down. Again, I thank you for your positivity and all the ways you encourage and help women make their lives a little bit less cluttered.
Yay Pam! So excited for you to begin your journey. The PPP Team is praying for you and cheering you on!
I am loving my planner. It’s helping me. Not every item gets tackled but the processes are being implemented. Crazy question!!!!!!!!
What does the flower above the $ on the planner, symbolize?
Yayyy ~ so glad you’re loving it Andrea! 🙂 The line with the flower is a space for you to write in something you’re thankful for each day (though you can use it for whatever you like) ~ hope that helps!
Hi Laurie!
Thank you for sharing your heart.
I’m 100 pounds overweight and suffer daily with chronic aches and pains in neck, back, and both knees. “Arthur Itis” has taken up residence in my neck. I need spinal decompression and fusion in a few areas of my spine. Plus I need two new knees. I’m embarrassed to have anyone visit because as my pain has increased, my home has severely suffered. I never used to be this way. I always kept a neat and tidy home. I try to do what I can but am limited because of the pain. Some days all I can do is get out of bed which often occurs around 3AM, again, because of pain. I’m okay with waking early because I’ve always been an early bird. I try to go through a box, a drawer, a closet, a pile on my desk each day. I try to clean something! I truly and deeply hate the clutter in my life. I want to be able to come home, take in a deep breath, and say, “Ahh! I’m home!” and enjoy my surroundings. That’s my biggest goal right now and I’m determined to reach it DESPITE the aches and pains.
Your words remind me that I used to read and study my Bible every day and it simply fell by the wayside. I’ll start my list and add that to the top of it. I love my time spent with the Lord. I love to find JOY in each and every day. Your Bible Study Journals are on my list and I’ll reward myself with them at some point down the road.
My eyes are welling up so I best close for now. Know that YOU and your magnificent and precious Passionate Penny Pincher team bring me true JOY every day.
Karen in Missouri
Oh my goodness Karen, I wish I could come over with you and just hug your neck and tell you to hang in there sweet friend! So, I’ll say it here ~ goodness, YOU ARE SO VALUABLE and so crazy worth. Take care of YOU. Just focus on shining your sink today. Do that again tomorrow. The next day, do your sink, and your countertops, and add one teensy extra step each day. Take 10 minutes and turn on your favorite hymns (or sing them!) and walk around your living room. START SMALL but be purposeful. God has so many good plans for you and your life – I just know it! Please please please care beautifully for your sweet self today ~ I’m adding you to my prayer list right now and truly cheering for you! Please take a second and stop back in soon an dlet me know how it goes!
Laurie,
I stumbled across this. Perfect timing. I’m struggling with my weight. I gained 20 pounds over the past few years. First menopause…then my husband passed away last year….and then covid pandemic closed off my world during my grieving. I love and needed the reminder of your ideas to stay busy. I’m a positive person with a lot of faith. There is beauty in the world. But sometimes we need that little nudge of encouragement to look for it.
Oh Rhonda ~ I’m so very sorry for your loss, and for the difficult past few years you’ve had! Sending hugs and prayers, and cheering for you on your journey ❤️ Thanks so much for sharing your heart with us!
It was a terrible experience to go through but a good thing came from it. For at least 6 months before my diagnosis, during treatments and afterwards, I lost over 115 lbs. That’s right I lost weight because of cancer and being too sick from radiation and chemo to eat like I did before.
Having said all that, I am healthier than I was because of that weight loss. 115+ lbs is a good bit to lose. I wouldn’t recommend how it was done but I am happy with the results. And of course for being in remission for close to a year. C’mon June 15th!
Congratulations on being in remission! By now it will have been over I year! And I’m glad that you have the weight loss as a bonus because I’m sure you needed a bonus in the midst of treatments. Prayers for you to stay cancer free and and enjoy the freedom from feeling lighter! Julie
Great post! Totally resonated with me and I sent it to my sister. I needed to read this! Thank you for posting it!
I love what you wrote. And your timing was perfect. It have two aunts still living. One is 84 and the other just turned 90. One one my mother’s side and one on my father’s side so it’s not in the genes. What I realized was that both of them are constantly busy. They both love working in their homes and in their yards. They are always busy with something. So the light bulb went on and made me realize that was my answer to stay away from mindless eating. Then your post showed up. It couldn’t have been made any clearer to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
Frankie
Oh my goodness – isn’t it funny how God uses timing? I DO think there’s soooo much to just finding things besides food to fill our souls with – and I love that your aunts exemplify that! Thank you for sharing (you made my day!)
LAURIE,
I absolutely love everything you have jsut said and a lot helps me too but I have to add, your planner and the Bible journal has helped immensely. I know I have things I can do and they remind me. I also love to walk I can’t run but I’m a super fast walker. I get out and walk the subdivisions in my neighborhood I look at all the positive beautiful things. I love looking at people’s landscapes and decorations I make a point to speak to everyone that I see whether I know them or not. I listen to positive broadcasts like Priscilla Shirer I refuse to think of anything negative.
Becky I love this!! Thank you so so much for sharing (I’ve heard so many people share that the planner and journals have helped them too) and while it certainly wasn’t planned that way, I kind of believe God designed it so that we were made to serve! Thank you for sharing your sweet encouragement today- I’m so thankful for you! Hugs!
Wonderful post! I love the idea of making a list! Thank you!
Thank you Aleisha! And YESSSSS!! Make a list! It makes it easier to remember when you think you have nothing to do 🙂 🙂 🙂