I gotta say that what I started did not pan out the way I thought. My first year in my thirties is almost up and I have blogged a whopping 16 times including this one.
It was harder than I thought to blog weekly let alone daily. Life sure has a way of, well, getting in the way. Busyness is a problem with me and I often wonder if I am running my life or is it running me? And really, there lies the problem. I am not supposed to be running my life. God is.
I struggle with letting go of the wheel. I struggle with asking Him his opinion let alone what He wants. Can anyone relate?
I will say that I am a little more patient and a little more quick to listen. I am learning what it means to truly worship God. (I will give you a hint. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with you and EVERYTHING to do with Him)
I have a lot more to accomplish before this first year is up so I better get crackin'.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Speaking of habits...
I have started a new "habit" if you will.
I OFTEN get my day started without any prayer time. Yes, that one is constantly glaring at me from my "list". You know how your day goes when you start it off that way. So I came up with a partial solution. It can't replace my own quality prayer time by myself but it is a darn good substitution on days that don't start off the way I intend.
I have started praying with my kids on the way to school. Why has it taken me so many years to start doing this? I should have been doing this from the get go. Now I have the opportunity to get my day and theirs started off in the right frame of mind. It also gives them an opportunity to express any concerns or praises they would like to pray about.
I have really enjoyed this and it is helping us stay connected throughout our day. I can ask them the outcome of something we have prayed about and then we can rejoice or pray some more.
My hope is that I can instill these good habits in my kids early on so that they won't struggle with it as they get older.
I OFTEN get my day started without any prayer time. Yes, that one is constantly glaring at me from my "list". You know how your day goes when you start it off that way. So I came up with a partial solution. It can't replace my own quality prayer time by myself but it is a darn good substitution on days that don't start off the way I intend.
I have started praying with my kids on the way to school. Why has it taken me so many years to start doing this? I should have been doing this from the get go. Now I have the opportunity to get my day and theirs started off in the right frame of mind. It also gives them an opportunity to express any concerns or praises they would like to pray about.
I have really enjoyed this and it is helping us stay connected throughout our day. I can ask them the outcome of something we have prayed about and then we can rejoice or pray some more.
My hope is that I can instill these good habits in my kids early on so that they won't struggle with it as they get older.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Time flies when your wasting it.
Wow. Where have I been? Don't know if I have enough time to type it all out.
Know what I have discovered? It is really hard to break crappy habits. My biggest one...wasting time doing things that are of no use or benefit to me. How does that passage go again? Ah yes...
"I'm full of myself-after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge."--Romans 7:14-23 The Message
BAM! There it is right there. I don't have what it takes in and of myself. The answer is Jesus. I have to give myself, intentions, decisions etc. over to Him daily if I want to gain any ground. By His grace I will replace bad habits with good ones. Habits that will better me and further His Kingdom.
Know what I have discovered? It is really hard to break crappy habits. My biggest one...wasting time doing things that are of no use or benefit to me. How does that passage go again? Ah yes...
"I'm full of myself-after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge."--Romans 7:14-23 The Message
BAM! There it is right there. I don't have what it takes in and of myself. The answer is Jesus. I have to give myself, intentions, decisions etc. over to Him daily if I want to gain any ground. By His grace I will replace bad habits with good ones. Habits that will better me and further His Kingdom.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Eleven pounds down!
I lost 11 lbs!!! I am about to jump through the roof!
I really did not expect that big of a loss. I am so motivated right now. I can't wait to work out again. And on the days when I am dreading the work I will remind myself of how good this feels. Not only am I becoming addicted to the high of a good workout but I am relating differently to food. This is new territory for me. In the past I let how hard I worked out determine how much or what kind of food I ate. No more. I am ready to replace those old bad habits for good healthy ones for good!
Now...who is ready to sweat?
I really did not expect that big of a loss. I am so motivated right now. I can't wait to work out again. And on the days when I am dreading the work I will remind myself of how good this feels. Not only am I becoming addicted to the high of a good workout but I am relating differently to food. This is new territory for me. In the past I let how hard I worked out determine how much or what kind of food I ate. No more. I am ready to replace those old bad habits for good healthy ones for good!
Now...who is ready to sweat?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Let me catch you up...
I have mentioned before that the kids and I take martial arts. Every year they have this weight loss challenge and for the life of me I don't know why they choose this time of year to do it. They call it the ICan Biggest Loser Challenge. The challenge is to lose at least 15 lbs is 7 weeks.(Never mind that Thanksgiving is right in the middle of these 7 weeks) Whoever loses the most gets a prize; I'm not sure what it is.
And I don't care because all I want to do is win! I want to be the biggest loser! (I'm not competitive or anything) So I meet the challenge head on. I start off with 20 minutes on the ellyptical followed by some crunches and push ups. My goal is to add one minute to my workout everyday until I reach 30 minutes and then I will up the resistance level after that. Well not only did I achieve that goal, but I surpassed it by pulling off 6 two a days in the first week! I lowered my caloric intake by a good thousand calories, I stretched, I drank tons of water and then the first weigh in came. 2 lbs gained! 2 lbs people!
I was devistated!
I did the ugly cry all the way home!
Now, I knew exactly what had happened. It is what always happens when I start working out. I add muscle. So it is a good thing in the long run but it is so frustrating when you want to see the needle move in the other direction! I decided that this would either make me or break me. Was I going to go back to my old habits and drown my sorrows in halloween candy or was I going to lower my head and plow through? I chose the latter. It is time for a change. I got up the next morning and got back up on that ellyptical and watched what I ate.
Now I have you caught up over the last couple of weeks. I have been working really hard and eating right. I did notice yesterday that my clothes fit better and that is encouraging. I weigh in tomorrow night so I can't wait to let everyone know how I am doing. And even if it isn't a big drop, I am going to be proud of what I have accomplished and hope that it is an encouragment to someone else.
And I don't care because all I want to do is win! I want to be the biggest loser! (I'm not competitive or anything) So I meet the challenge head on. I start off with 20 minutes on the ellyptical followed by some crunches and push ups. My goal is to add one minute to my workout everyday until I reach 30 minutes and then I will up the resistance level after that. Well not only did I achieve that goal, but I surpassed it by pulling off 6 two a days in the first week! I lowered my caloric intake by a good thousand calories, I stretched, I drank tons of water and then the first weigh in came. 2 lbs gained! 2 lbs people!
I was devistated!
I did the ugly cry all the way home!
Now, I knew exactly what had happened. It is what always happens when I start working out. I add muscle. So it is a good thing in the long run but it is so frustrating when you want to see the needle move in the other direction! I decided that this would either make me or break me. Was I going to go back to my old habits and drown my sorrows in halloween candy or was I going to lower my head and plow through? I chose the latter. It is time for a change. I got up the next morning and got back up on that ellyptical and watched what I ate.
Now I have you caught up over the last couple of weeks. I have been working really hard and eating right. I did notice yesterday that my clothes fit better and that is encouraging. I weigh in tomorrow night so I can't wait to let everyone know how I am doing. And even if it isn't a big drop, I am going to be proud of what I have accomplished and hope that it is an encouragment to someone else.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Blah....
I have been sick for a week. Apparently 30 doesn't mix well with healing. Who knew. I am learning alot about myself as of late. I TOTALLY eat when I am stressed (am I repeating myself here? maybe I have already discovered this...ah...dementia...gotta love it!)
I have got to learn to deny my flesh. I really want to stop this cycle before it is too late. To anyone who is at a healthy weight, tell me, what is your secret?
Speaking of anyone...is there anyone out there actually reading this or am I just sending these thoughts of mine out into the deep abyss?
And if you are reading, are you in the same boat? Can you relate?
I have got to learn to deny my flesh. I really want to stop this cycle before it is too late. To anyone who is at a healthy weight, tell me, what is your secret?
Speaking of anyone...is there anyone out there actually reading this or am I just sending these thoughts of mine out into the deep abyss?
And if you are reading, are you in the same boat? Can you relate?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Man, I wanted to get in another post for September. Oh, well.
Well the rest of September got away from me. Currently, it is 1:30 am and I am taking care of a sick 3 year old. He is resting comfortably now and I can't sleep, so here I am.
I have been doing much better on my eating and exercising as of late. Not where I need to be but we are on the right track. It always amazes me how much better I feel and how much more energy I have when I exercise. Why do I ever stop? Certainly things get in the way or a routine is disrupted by something or other.
I have been doing yoga first thing in the morning followed by some cardio on the ellyptical. I think I spelled that right. Since starting work, I have a fiber bar for breakfast and a slimfast shake for lunch. My problem time is when I get home from work. It isn't that I am just sooo hungry but rather I'm stressed and just want to unwind. Yes, I am an emotional eater and that really stinks. My job is pretty hectic and when it is over all I want to do is sit on the couch and munch away mindlessly if front of the tv. I am not sure how to replace this bad habit. I am usually drained at the end of my work day and know that I have much more to do when I get home and I just need some down time. The problem is I usually get myself into trouble by snacking while I am trying to relax and gear up for house work, after school activities, dinner etc.
The solution, however, is easy and staring me dead in the face. I really need to keep the tv off. I am already screaming "nooooo" in my head. It is just so nice to "zone out" for a while. Ideally I know I should get me some of that nature sounding music, you know, with the waves crashing or birds singing in the rain forest. I should get a cd of that, comp a squat in the floor, open up my bible and begin to pray and meditate. But that, you see, takes effort on my part and my flesh cries out and I give in. Ughhhh. here we go around the same stupid mountain.
Would you pray for me? Specifically for strength to stand up against my flesh. To be of the Spirit...to tell satan..."it is written, 'man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from God's mouth'".
I have been doing much better on my eating and exercising as of late. Not where I need to be but we are on the right track. It always amazes me how much better I feel and how much more energy I have when I exercise. Why do I ever stop? Certainly things get in the way or a routine is disrupted by something or other.
I have been doing yoga first thing in the morning followed by some cardio on the ellyptical. I think I spelled that right. Since starting work, I have a fiber bar for breakfast and a slimfast shake for lunch. My problem time is when I get home from work. It isn't that I am just sooo hungry but rather I'm stressed and just want to unwind. Yes, I am an emotional eater and that really stinks. My job is pretty hectic and when it is over all I want to do is sit on the couch and munch away mindlessly if front of the tv. I am not sure how to replace this bad habit. I am usually drained at the end of my work day and know that I have much more to do when I get home and I just need some down time. The problem is I usually get myself into trouble by snacking while I am trying to relax and gear up for house work, after school activities, dinner etc.
The solution, however, is easy and staring me dead in the face. I really need to keep the tv off. I am already screaming "nooooo" in my head. It is just so nice to "zone out" for a while. Ideally I know I should get me some of that nature sounding music, you know, with the waves crashing or birds singing in the rain forest. I should get a cd of that, comp a squat in the floor, open up my bible and begin to pray and meditate. But that, you see, takes effort on my part and my flesh cries out and I give in. Ughhhh. here we go around the same stupid mountain.
Would you pray for me? Specifically for strength to stand up against my flesh. To be of the Spirit...to tell satan..."it is written, 'man does not live on bread alone but by every word that comes from God's mouth'".
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