's motd Thurs July 8, 2010

[Guest guest]

OVER THERE, OVER THERE...!

Thursday, 08 July 2010

"Dear : My husband is deployed in Afghanistan. We were married just three months before his deployment. When I said good-bye to him as he was preparing to leave the country, he looked at me and said, 'Please take good care of yourself while I'm away, honey.'"

Well, I've been so stressed since my husband left that I've been gaining weight...lots of it. Every time I think about him being overseas, I walk into the kitchen and throw myself a little pity party...and eat! My husband E-mails me as often he can. And I don't have the heart to tell him, since he's left, that I've gained all of this weight. I've put on 40 pounds! I know he would be upset with me. So when he asks questions about my weight, I always tell him that I'm doing 'just fine.' But as you might imagine, I'm very unhappy in this body. I really want to lose weight before my husband returns home. Only thing is, food is such a source of comfort for me. So , can you help? Love, Debbie."I don't know exactly how many of our men and women are serving the USA around the world. But it's sad to say that many of them are in dangerous areas of combat. Hundreds of thousands of our fellow Americans are stationed at military bases worldwide. And I can't tell you how many letters I receive from spouses, moms and fiancees who have loved ones in harm's way.

I can only imagine how lonely our soldiers must feel, being in those distant, far away lands, so removed from the people they love. But they know they're there for a purpose...working to keep peace in other countries and, in the process, to keep our own country safe. Of course the loved ones they leave behind stateside are lonely and missing them every bit as much.But if you're one of those loved ones left behind, I have to tell you something. Turning to food for "comfort" is not the direction you want to take. You shouldn't turn to food, you should turn to your family and friends for comfort and support. And you have to turn to yourself to gain the courage you need to take good care of yourself while your loves ones are away. They deserve that from you and you deserve that from yourself.

I'll tell you what I tell the people who write me facing these issues. When you're healthier, you're better able to deal with the stress and heartache you feel from missing your loved ones. And when you exercise everyday, a lot of that stress leaves your body in the shape of little droplets of moisture called...sweat! Exercise not only rids your body of calories but it helps rid that mind of yours of stress, too. While your loved one is overseas, you should follow a healthy eating plan along with regular exercise to get that body & mind of yours in better shape.Here's another bit of motivation for you. When that special person you love returns home safe and sound, they'll be so full of joy, not only seeing you but...seeing how good and healthy you look! Keep that scene in your mind and let it motivate you to keep going!By the way, I pray every night for our soldiers overseas and for the loving family members they leave behind. Let's all do that, okay?Love,