Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Monday 6 February 2012

Steady as she goes

So here we are already well into February. Things are going fairly well here, the stock seems to be maintaining, and we really cannot complain about the weather . Feels like spring is fast upon us.I have even heard reports of Pussy Willows!!
Not sure about that around here but maybe soon
On the other hand , anything is possible! 



In January, I posted about a resolution of sorts. Not so much a diet , but a plan to eat better , and exercise , and get to feeling a bit more like myself. Well in point of fact it is a diet, I have been following Weight watchers online and in the last month and a bit  have lost 9lbs. It feels slow, but I think I am doing OK. After all I didn`t gain it all overnight either. Anyone who has struggled with weight knows how incredibly frustrating it can be. Overall I feel like it has gone pretty well, haven`t tripped and fallen face first into a buffet or a cheesecake...yet.
But I also haven`t made it to the pool. Between work and weather, and getting hurt earlier in the month I just haven`t gotten it done. But I will.
For whatever reason, I was feeling a little blue and defeated yesterday about things and seriously considered drowning my sorrows in a large cheeseburger and fries . I didn’t but I sure though about it. I looked at little miss “Whoa Dammit” and a couple others and wondered if I really have the stuff anymore to work with them .Achy sore , chubby , and arthritic, and frankly feeling my age a bit . So I did what I always do , I went for a walk , filled water tanks, and took out mineral , by the time I got back in the house ,I noticed something. I wasn`t limping, my back and hip didn’t hurt! After lifting the pails and hose reel I actually felt pretty OK. 
Don`t get me wrong, I still have bad days , but Yesterday was a good one . 

somehow this was left out of the post; I coached Special Olympics  several years ago. and the joy we found in watching our teams succeed at theirs goal was truly outstanding .They gave no quarter , and just dug deep to be the very best they could be each day, and although I was Coach" I believe they taught me more that I could have dreamed 

Which of course led me to go find this video  Standing outside the Fire    (tissue warning) I was reminded, a) how much I love this song ,and b)we can live or we can push our limits, and take chances , and Really live .In doing this we may get a few more bumps and dings along the way , but it is worth it in the end .


So let me quote the Special Olympics Athletes Prayer  for you , and  for me to be reminded 
Let me win 
But if I cannot win 
Let me be brave in the attempt

So as we march for spring I wish you all the success in your goals, and will keep slogging away at mine . And may we each get there! Anything is possible! 

11 comments:

GoLightly said...

Oh, you are so terrific, I don't always know what to say anymore!

I'm cheering for you, FV, always will.
ATTAGIRL! What you just wrote ...

Brought a tear to my eye, just mentioning the Special Olympics. All people are special, but you, my dear Fern.
Well, if I had a gold medal, I know where I'd send it.

Thanks for being there.

Country Gal said...

I am in the same boat with weight and aches and pains ! I have always had a weight problem even as a kid ,then one year I got my weight down to 130 -125 see I am short but stocky boned and back then I was a bike rider for long distance as well and was on bike all the time . Then 6 years ago Menopause happend and still is happening I got sick and then 40 pounds extra had come on . I am always struggling with weight and have done every weght loss there is out there but now a days I just walk every day with our Miggy weather permiting, play with her out in the back yard , go for walks taking photos and try to eat healthy if it drops off thats great if not but no extra comes on thats great to . This year if my body will let me I am going to get back into my bike riding and still do my walking ! Good luck it is tuff believe me I know ! Have a great day !

Shirley said...

If we all had perfect bodies, who would we love to hate?
I'm trying to make the right choices in eating this year, and to a sweet tooth/chocaholic like me, believe me, it's tough. The mirror is not my best friend these days.

Crystal said...

I been trying to get in better shape to, and after my lesson on Saturnday I know I still have a long ways to go. But try I will. I do notice sometimes too its hard to get motivated to do something but once you start it turns out not so bad!

kden said...

I feel your struggle but it sounds like you are taking the right approach by not looking for the quick fix. Just keep the slow and steady approach and vowing to be healthy. Congrats on your loss so far and will look forward to updates now and then.

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Nine pounds is nothing to sneeze at chica! Way to Go!!!

That is one of my all-time favorite songs, BTW. Pretty dang good words to live by...if you want to L.I.V.E. life!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

somehow this was left out of the post; I coached Special Olympics several years ago. and the joy we found in watching our teams succeed at theirs goal was truly outstanding .They gave no quarter , and just dug deep to be the very best they could be each day, and although I was Coach" I believe they taught me more that I could have dreamed

Cut-N-Jump said...

There seems to be a few of us in the club this year. Walking is a great way to start. You already own shoes- You WIN!

9 pounds is awesome. Keep at it and it becomes habit. The stuff that's not good for you- won't even appeal to you anymore.

Although I look forward to hopping on the bike 3 nights a week- my newest endeavor- some nights I really have to push myself to go to the next street over and not cheat on the workout. Cheating and cutting it short never got anybody anywhere and gaining the weight? Yeah it didn't cheat and only add a pound here. Nope- it went full bore and brought friends. Dammit!

I would like to see about 30lbs of it go somewhere else. Not just some other part of my body either.

Janice said...

Hey don't you dare put yourself down....9 pounds is a lot...you should be proud.I too am having a lot of trouble shedding the weight and I really need to....it is really becoming a bad thing. I was thinking of the on line Weight Watchers...maybe I'll give it a whirl. I love that Song by the way it is a favorite of mine.Oh and by the way my friend you can do anything....not a doubt in my mind!!!!

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Thanks all , you are so wonderful and supportive Love you all!

Nicole said...

Oh you are doing a fantastic job with your weight loss goal. Unfortunately it is a lot easier to put it on than it is to take it off. I hope you took some before pictures because you'll be so glad you did when you get to your end result!