Replacement Plan

They (don't ask me who, I don't have a specific group,) say that to get rid of a bad habit you have to not just stop doing it, but replace it with something else, preferrably something better.

Well, I'm starting a replacement plan. I need to replace my unhealthy physical and spiritual lifestyles. I'm an emotional eater and that's got to stop! My head and my heart still feel like the trim, slim twenty-something of my college days, but those clothes on the sale rack below the size of 18 are telling me NO WAY, FATTY PIE! So, I'm going to replace my soda with water, if a sugar craving strikes, I'll try some juice, not much mind you. I'll replace my sugar (read candy, cookies, and more candy) cravings with a spoonful of honey. Seriously, have you ever tried to have more than one teaspoon full of honey. ACKKKK! It'll gag you, trust me, I know. Lastly, I'm going to replace my craving for Doritos and Lays Potato Chips with something crunchy yet low fat, like veggies or (cringe) rice cakes.

I've been tested for celiac disease, which runs in my family. I was 'borderline' yet my carb craving has always won out. Well, I'm going to try an experiment. This feels safer than just cutting it out, like the aforementioned atrocious habits that are being replaced. My experiment is going to be for 12 weeks. I'm going to eat gluten-free for 12 weeks and see if I don't feel better. I'll let you know how the gluten-free, sugar free effort goes. If it goes as well as my last attempt, seven years ago, I'll be on my way to becoming half the woman I am.

So, moving on to my Spiritual lifestyle changes. This is embarassing to admit but since this blog is for posterity, I won't sugar coat things. (What?! Did I hear something about sugar; Where?!) I've been terrible at daily scripture study and consistent daily personal prayers. It's not that I don't want to do it, it's that I haven't put the proper priority on it. I KNOW that I need to do it. I was a missionary for 18 months and saw the difference it makes in one's daily living. Yet, I've become lazy. Which is a lot of what's gotten me into my problem of being a HEAVYWEIGHT. Well, I'm shedding off the heavy coat of laziness! It's too hot in this place of Sunshine and Heat to be wearing that thing! If I don't shed it, I risk ending up eternally in a place of HEAT without the Sunshine! YIKES!

So, I'm going to replace my 15 minute snooze with 15 minutes of prayer and scripture reading. I'm also going to replace my 1 hour of loafing in the evening with pleasure reading or writing (actual books, not just blogging) and physical exercise. I'll report on this too, because I'm realizing that I need to be accountable.

My dear loving husband, Mr. Website Guy, is "body-blind" bless his heart. He doesn't care that I've grown and expanded in ways not so flattering. Well, I'm a lucky to woman to have a man who doesn't put me down or say mean things to me because I've failed to maintain my pre-wedding figure. But, you know that's exactly why he deserves to have a wife who wants to work hard to be that 'pretty, petite, pride and joy' on his arm. So, I'm going on a replacement plan! Do you have a replacement plan?