I was reading an article written about my grandfather John M. Davis.
The article was about how he's spent his life serving others and living by the oath of the boyscouts.
He was a boy scout growing up and took it all very seriously. So seriously that he vowed never to swear ever in his life when he was just 9 years old!
The boyscout oath:
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
The article was a grand explanation as to who my grandfather is and I'm proud to be a part of his family.
However, what struck me hard was reading the oath and knowing how much he's done physically in his life. The man has climbed Mt. Rainier 6 times and in two summers with my grandmother he climbed all the major mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The man kept himself physically strong throughout his life and now I'm beginning to understand why.
Growing up, I never made the connection between doing good and keeping yourself physically strong and mentally awake because it will help you. I understand remaining mentally awake and morally straight and to help people - I do those very well. But staying physically strong? Nope, I never learned that one early on. I enjoyed sports and being outdoors, but I've been overweight as long as I can remember. Putting effort and focus into staying physically strong was never understood by me until now.
I read that article and got it. It's a love for yourself, not a punishment. It's an outlook, knowing the physical self is a direct extension of the mental self. Instead of doing physical exercise and punishing myself and thinking it's hard. I now love how it feels and am so thankful I can move and give my body a gift that will then in turn help me. Be good to the body and the body will be good to you. I'm in that loving place with food and nutrition, I'm there with sleep, I'm there spiritually, I'm there morally and now my last little key to my own happiness has been realizing I can be there physically.
A gem of inspiration and knowledge from my own family will propel me into my future with my new family. I want to use this blog to journal and grow this inspiration into a roaring fire inside of me.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Coffee
The biggest part of this journey is about being happy with my body and feeling good in my skin.
The second most important part of this journey is getting my body ready to have babies.
Actually perhaps these go hand in hand, but the baby making part only been a part of the past year.
As of yesterday (March 1st) I've left coffee behind. Oh I love you coffee...and I will miss you.
This had to be a "when you're ready" type of elimination. And over this past weekend, I decided just for myself to be done with it for a long awhile. The time is totally right.
My doctor has even told me that it is okay to drink 1-2 cups of organic coffee per day and that it would have no effect on my fertility, etc. But something inside me needs to feel pure, and after I left home yesterday without any coffee, I began to feel elation and confirmation that this was the right decision!
Yogi tea has become my little treat. Yogi tea has really great tasting teas with amazing little affirmations on the bags for daily enlightenment!! Here's one from today "Bliss is a constant state of mind, undisturbed by gain or loss."
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Biggest Loser
I love watching NBC's Biggest Loser show. I think I like it because I see myself in those people. I took some notes on some of the episodes from the current season. When I watch these folks, I see myself even though most of them are much bigger than me. I get motivated to change my life when I see this show!! I especially was moved watching Tara from Season 7.
Today I took inventory of my body:
I am 5 foot 8 inches, I weight 271 pounds and I am currently a size 20.
My small victory is that in the last 260 days I have only gained 5 pounds! I thought my weight was going to be much higher.
So good job Jen!! Let's now set a goal of 240 by my birthday (May 6th) and get there!
I am keeping track of how much water I'm drinking each day.
I'm writing down what I eat and how many calories it is.
I'm also keeping track of how foods make me feel after - to find the right combo of foods that my body loves.
I got a good first workout in last night doing some Wii, weights, stretching, & abs.
Today I woke up and got in 20 minutes of Wii and a 30 minute hike/walk at lunch today. Additionally there are 40 stairs from my car to the 2nd floor of my office, I took all of them today many times! Whenever I had to go downstairs I took the stairs back up and counted 31.
The next step is to put the mirror up.
Nelson has offered to film me working out and that way I will see what I look like moving around and being active. It's a hard thing to face but I think I'm ready.
I am a beautiful and healthy athletic girl that is ready to win this.
xoxo
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Legacy
On December 29th 2009 my grandmother Ruth VanArsdale Davis (Oma to me) exited this world at the age of 94. She's left behind a legacy.
I always identified with my grandma and my mom. The 3 of us have so many similar attributes, yet I always knew that physically I was not superior in comparison. But what if I am!? What if I am exactly them in every way?
January 10th the family held a memorial to honor Oma. My uncle Mac did a slide show of her entire life showing all sides of her. Her athletic side, her teaching, her traveling, her gardening, her contagiously happy spirit!
It was incredible to watch photo after photo, seeing the familiartiry of me in my grandma and mom. I've taken away a better sense of who I am!
There is a strength in us Davis women that stands out. We know it and we love it.
She's working through me to help me rediscover and know me. Because we are so similar in many ways, she feels strongly about helping me, she knows be better than I know myself. I am allowing this all to flow from beyond and allowing it to be.
Ruth VanArsdale Davis
Ruth VanArsdale DAVIS Born July 14, 1915 in Pueblo, CO Died December 29, 2009 at Mercer Island, WA A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:30p.m. at Covenant Shores Lodge, 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island WA. Additional parking with shuttle service will be available at M.I. City Hall. Ruth grew up in Tacoma WA, graduating from Stadium High School where she was active in athletics, the school play, and service clubs. After earning her bachelor's degree in home economics from the University of Washington, Ruth taught at Shelton High School. In 1939 she married John MacDougall Davis. Ruth and John made their first home in Seattle, and later enjoyed the greater part of 70 years together on Mercer Island. As a dedicated mother, Ruth raised six children, all of whom live in the Pacific Northwest. She nourished them with homegrown vegetables and handmade garments, and she encouraged their higher education. Ruth felt her children provided her greatest joy and lasting legacy. When not directly involved with family Ruth grew beautiful roses and rhododendrons; she earned the Mountaineers Six Peak pin for climbing the six major peaks in Washington; and she carved from wood fine masks and other objects in the Pacific Northwest Native American tradition. The consummate angler, she caught while others fished. Ruth incorporated her appreciation for color, texture, and the natural world into her daily life. Organizations in which Ruth enjoyed membership and service were Alpha Phi Sorority, Mortar Board Service Honorary, the Arboretum Foundation, Totem Girl Scout Council, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, The Mountaineers, the Women's University Club and the Covenant Shores community, where she lived for the past nineteen years. Ruth taught by example the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, dedication, and patience. She demonstrated many of these values through a "pioneering" effort at the family beach property on Port Gamble Bay in Kitsap County. Ruth nurtured her beautiful gardens with loving care, and filled her sustaining friendships with gracious warmth. She found the good in people, and brought out the best in each person with whom she crossed paths. Ruth's warm smile will be missed by many family members and friends. Ruth is survived by John MacDougall Davis, her husband of 70 years, and her six children. These include Jean Davis Burpee of Roseburg OR, John M. Davis, Jr., JD of Port Orchard WA, Bruce V. Davis, MD, MDiv of Seattle WA, Ann Davis Palmason of Mercer Island WA, Margaret Davis Philbrick of Mercer Island WA, and Elizabeth Davis of Seattle WA. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who live in WA, CO, CA, ID, TX, and Japan. The Davis family thanks Covenant Shores administrators and staff for providing Ruth with heartfelt support and comfort during her final months. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice. Interment is at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue WA. Published in The Seattle Times from January 5 to January 11, 2010
I always identified with my grandma and my mom. The 3 of us have so many similar attributes, yet I always knew that physically I was not superior in comparison. But what if I am!? What if I am exactly them in every way?
January 10th the family held a memorial to honor Oma. My uncle Mac did a slide show of her entire life showing all sides of her. Her athletic side, her teaching, her traveling, her gardening, her contagiously happy spirit!
It was incredible to watch photo after photo, seeing the familiartiry of me in my grandma and mom. I've taken away a better sense of who I am!
There is a strength in us Davis women that stands out. We know it and we love it.
She's working through me to help me rediscover and know me. Because we are so similar in many ways, she feels strongly about helping me, she knows be better than I know myself. I am allowing this all to flow from beyond and allowing it to be.
Ruth VanArsdale Davis
Ruth VanArsdale DAVIS Born July 14, 1915 in Pueblo, CO Died December 29, 2009 at Mercer Island, WA A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 3:30p.m. at Covenant Shores Lodge, 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island WA. Additional parking with shuttle service will be available at M.I. City Hall. Ruth grew up in Tacoma WA, graduating from Stadium High School where she was active in athletics, the school play, and service clubs. After earning her bachelor's degree in home economics from the University of Washington, Ruth taught at Shelton High School. In 1939 she married John MacDougall Davis. Ruth and John made their first home in Seattle, and later enjoyed the greater part of 70 years together on Mercer Island. As a dedicated mother, Ruth raised six children, all of whom live in the Pacific Northwest. She nourished them with homegrown vegetables and handmade garments, and she encouraged their higher education. Ruth felt her children provided her greatest joy and lasting legacy. When not directly involved with family Ruth grew beautiful roses and rhododendrons; she earned the Mountaineers Six Peak pin for climbing the six major peaks in Washington; and she carved from wood fine masks and other objects in the Pacific Northwest Native American tradition. The consummate angler, she caught while others fished. Ruth incorporated her appreciation for color, texture, and the natural world into her daily life. Organizations in which Ruth enjoyed membership and service were Alpha Phi Sorority, Mortar Board Service Honorary, the Arboretum Foundation, Totem Girl Scout Council, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church, The Mountaineers, the Women's University Club and the Covenant Shores community, where she lived for the past nineteen years. Ruth taught by example the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, dedication, and patience. She demonstrated many of these values through a "pioneering" effort at the family beach property on Port Gamble Bay in Kitsap County. Ruth nurtured her beautiful gardens with loving care, and filled her sustaining friendships with gracious warmth. She found the good in people, and brought out the best in each person with whom she crossed paths. Ruth's warm smile will be missed by many family members and friends. Ruth is survived by John MacDougall Davis, her husband of 70 years, and her six children. These include Jean Davis Burpee of Roseburg OR, John M. Davis, Jr., JD of Port Orchard WA, Bruce V. Davis, MD, MDiv of Seattle WA, Ann Davis Palmason of Mercer Island WA, Margaret Davis Philbrick of Mercer Island WA, and Elizabeth Davis of Seattle WA. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who live in WA, CO, CA, ID, TX, and Japan. The Davis family thanks Covenant Shores administrators and staff for providing Ruth with heartfelt support and comfort during her final months. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a charity of your choice. Interment is at Sunset Hills Memorial Park, Bellevue WA. Published in The Seattle Times from January 5 to January 11, 2010
Magic Wand
If I had a magic wand that gave me everything I wanted physically what would it be?!
I think I would shrink and tighten up to the right weight for my frame.
A body that is easy to move in. Easy to get up and down from chairs, fun running around and being active without flab flapping around! hahaha
I see myself doing those activities that only I enjoy! Such as hiking, biking, dancing, frisbee, swimming, & yoga.
I'm done with the days of doing those workouts that I loath. Everything must be done with joy, even exercise. :)
I visualize myself being a fit healthy mom, running on the beach in a cute pair of jeans rolled up and a white top that shows off my beautiful womanly figure. In this visualization I think I might be a size 12 and I may weigh around 190 pounds. But numbers don't give me any good feelings, it's the emotions behind feeling this way at this size or weight that speak to me.
By building up these thoughts and focusing on them they will expand and then I'll see no need to hold onto the flab and weight. The stronger will prevail!!!
I think I would shrink and tighten up to the right weight for my frame.
A body that is easy to move in. Easy to get up and down from chairs, fun running around and being active without flab flapping around! hahaha
I see myself doing those activities that only I enjoy! Such as hiking, biking, dancing, frisbee, swimming, & yoga.
I'm done with the days of doing those workouts that I loath. Everything must be done with joy, even exercise. :)
I visualize myself being a fit healthy mom, running on the beach in a cute pair of jeans rolled up and a white top that shows off my beautiful womanly figure. In this visualization I think I might be a size 12 and I may weigh around 190 pounds. But numbers don't give me any good feelings, it's the emotions behind feeling this way at this size or weight that speak to me.
By building up these thoughts and focusing on them they will expand and then I'll see no need to hold onto the flab and weight. The stronger will prevail!!!
Unleash
I was at Old Navy last night with the intention of finding a pair of jeans. The one pair of jeans I own that fit me have a hole and the other 3 pair are too small!
While trying the last pair of jeans on, I was thinking to myself "what are you doing!? This is your calling to challenge yourself to get into the jeans you own! This is just rediculous Jen! Why buy anything new when you have a closet full of great clothes already? Challege yourself to reach a physical goal then take your self shopping for some new clothes!" And at that moment I saw myself writing in front of a computer on a blog about my challenge. There's so much to get out.
My entire life it seems I've struggled with my weight, with my physical identity; never being able to love the physical body I'm in.
There are stories after stories of wrong doings, low energy thoughts, poor parenting, lack of love for myself over and over and over like a looped tape in my head. I don't need to open up and write about all of those, but I would like to begin the process of replacing them. Adding to my new self identity that I've been working on since college.
So here is my rediscovery of myself.
I'm not taking it straight to action OR doing.
They say BE, DO, HAVE - I gotta BE it before I can DO it. :)
As I'm writing this I'm feeling a weight lifting, a freedom from all these thoughts I carry! It's as if this is writing itself from beyond.
While trying the last pair of jeans on, I was thinking to myself "what are you doing!? This is your calling to challenge yourself to get into the jeans you own! This is just rediculous Jen! Why buy anything new when you have a closet full of great clothes already? Challege yourself to reach a physical goal then take your self shopping for some new clothes!" And at that moment I saw myself writing in front of a computer on a blog about my challenge. There's so much to get out.
My entire life it seems I've struggled with my weight, with my physical identity; never being able to love the physical body I'm in.
There are stories after stories of wrong doings, low energy thoughts, poor parenting, lack of love for myself over and over and over like a looped tape in my head. I don't need to open up and write about all of those, but I would like to begin the process of replacing them. Adding to my new self identity that I've been working on since college.
So here is my rediscovery of myself.
I'm not taking it straight to action OR doing.
They say BE, DO, HAVE - I gotta BE it before I can DO it. :)
As I'm writing this I'm feeling a weight lifting, a freedom from all these thoughts I carry! It's as if this is writing itself from beyond.
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