Explanations

The S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. Initiatives are my continuing attempt to sanely address my ongoing issues of trying to attain a manageable state of optimum health through conscientious eating and regular exercise.  As a dropout from many, too many,  attempts to "lose weight" I have come to the conclusion that what supposedly "works" for others, is not going to work for me.  I have tried to keep food diaries, exercise logs, carb and fat counts, and have read book upon book about how best to do those things with little or no success.  I give up!

S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. of course, is an acronym for Simple Tactics to Release Energy Needed for Gaining Total Health. and I am trademarking this right now, so that when I am successful (which I will be!) I can market this strategy, make millions and pay someone to cook for me, clean for me, and keep my newly toned body in shape, while I jet off to speaking engagements all over the world.

The emphasis is on simple.  What has always derailed me is the tediousness of keeping track of every bite that went into my mouth, every minute on the treadmill, the number of reps of any particular exercise and the constant fixation with the desire (and the continual failure) to lose weight--as if that had become one of my most important challenges in life.  My most important challenge in life is to live it with a new and deepened awareness, but that does not mean keeping records or measurements or searching for the next new thing that will promise me what has eluded me for so long.

So, out go the "diet" books, the food and body scales, the tape measures, the food diaries, the programs that probably would work if I would just follow them.  What comes in is my drawing from my own STRENGTH, my writing, my creative pursuits, my faith, my attention and my effort to live not just conscientiously, but consciously.

I know all I need to know to bring my body back to the state of harmony it was in when it wasn't forced to adapt to all the crazy things I put it through.  I will be guided by hunger, by fullness, by a need to move in ways that are enjoyable, by a need to eat foods that are tasty and good for me--not just physically, but emotionally (and so "forbidden" foods will be a small part of my diet--my true "diet" and not just some weight-loss plan)  I will be inspired by a promise to honor the body that produced and nourished five children, that continues to serve me in ways I could never count and which, amazingly, has not let me down in any way, but has worked more or less perfectly for 53 years.

So, don't expect recipes, strategies, ways to increase calorie burn, or to "cheat" on your diets with food substitutes, etc.  There are places ad nauseum you can go for such information.  But do expect some thoughtful reflection on how to live and eat consciously, with greater awareness and enjoyment.  I won't promise you anything, except to keep the posts as interesting as possible and to write daily.