#Bod4God Back for More #21DF

Since completing the Bod4God program, I've done pretty good keeping up on the exercise portion of what I learned. My choices have changed and I have really felt growth in Piyo, which is definitely my continued workout of choice. I love that I work up a sweat, my heart rate goes up yet I don't have the jarring affect that the high impact exercises have on my joints (jeez how old am I?). Piyo has made me stronger than I ever thought. Strong enough I felt confident to participate in the Brookings marathon relay with a group from work. I had a 3 mile leg and did it in a little over 11 minutes/mile.

I have not done as well with the nutrition side. I struggle with portion control, and of course, my beloved bread, cheese and wine! Anjali has been a great coach encouraging me to take a variety of challenges, designed not only to challenge me, but also teach me something. I did a 5 day Shakeology challenge and discovered that I really do like that stuff -- with almond milk & a coffee syrup (salted caramel & s'mores are my favorite). Also discovered the girls like them so it may become a regular rotation for their breakfast.

And now I'm on the 21 Day Fix which is all about portion control. The program comes with these handy-dandy containers to help you get the right portion for each type of food: vegetables, fruit, carbs, protein, healthy fat, nuts or dressing. The program also allows for some cookie "fats" or other flavoring a in teaspoon increments.  And of course, as much water as you can possible drink

This was my lunch the other day. It took me quite a while to finish it all!! I'm simply not used to eating so many fruits and veggies!! While I haven't really craved sweets, I do find myself wanting more cheese (healthy fats) as I'm only allotted one portion of healthy fats each day.

I just finished the first week. I haven't weighed myself or taken any new measurements but I've enjoyed the challenge. We ordered in pizza last night,so I had to find a way to get some fruits & veggies. Fortunately, I picked up a bunch of frozen fruits and had bought some fresh kale -- kale chips where have you been all my life?!?

I'm really not looking to lose weight or inches. I'm hoping to come away from this having become more mindful about what I eat.

#Bod4God The 5K

As I was trying to decide between walking or running (aka jogging aka moving slightly faster than walking) the 5K celebration, Cris (aka my Body & Soul Boot Camp instructor aka the one who talked me into the study) shared this verse:

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially sin that so easily trips us up. And let us RUN WITH ENDURANCE the race that GOD has set before us.

It's not often you get a clear directive from the Lord. This was so abundantly clear that I knew at that moment I would need to at least TRY to run. To which God replied:

"'If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

Was I seriously having a conversation with God through His Word? Yes I was. I did a search on Pinterest for Biblical inspiration and was not let down, as proven by my previous  post. 13 different references. If I've learned nothing else in the past 2 years, when God asks something of you, the best thing to do is say Yes (and it's okay to do so begrudgingly, though it is better to get into the spirit of it). I think it helped that I didn't have a lot of time to think about what God was asking of me. I knew a 5k is approximately equal to 3.1 miles, though my concept of space isn't the greatest. But I didn't have time to "train" for this event. It was going to happen next week and I was going to run (aka jog aka move slightly faster than a walk).

So how did it go? Rocky, Maggie & Jessie came to cheer me on and even followed me, taking photos & videos along the way. I was the only one with a cheering section! I spent some time praying, thanking Jesus for running along side me and asking him to block the wind. I missed a couple of turns and the couple behind me was kind enough to get my attention to bring me back on track [I'm sure there's a great metaphor there]. I did end up walking with them for a couple of blocks, but we all ran the last stretch back to the church. And I finished, I crossed the finish line. As I told Maggie, it wasn't fun, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. I'm still no runner and I probably won't seek out those activities, but I now know I can do it. It's no longer a mountain in my way. I am able because He is able.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.

Thank you Jesus!

#Bod4God Run-spirational Verses

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Hebrews 12:1

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

When you walk, you won’t be held back;
    when you run, you won’t stumble. Proverbs 4:12

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding. Psalm 119:32

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:26

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

"'If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29

but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

#Bod4God He's Not Done With Me Yet

Is that really me?? I'm not done; don't know that I'll ever be "done." But I'm so much further than I was 12 weeks ago. And I've been able to do more than I thought. My "secret" is the timeless combination of eating less and moving more. Just like Pastor Steve Reyonlds says in his book.

 I'm watching what I eat -- counting calories, being mindful of what I eat. I've discovered that is my downfall: eating because the food is there or because I'm bored. I'm much less likely to mindlessly eat if I'm writing down what I eat because it is hard enough to guess portion size when I pay attention! And I am trying to be honest when I write down how much I eat.

Moving more. My goal is 5-6 classes each week. Between Body & Soul bootcamp and our personal trainer, getting one or two more in isn't difficult. I do much better when I have the accountability of a class -- someone to tell me what to do next & many someone's who will ask where I was if I'm not there.

We have 2 more groups in this study. The last one is a 5k or walk "Celebration." I'm still trying to decide which I'm going to do. I know I need to challenge myself and do the 5k, if only to say I've done one and never need to do another. I'll see where God leads me!

#Bod4God My Team

One of the reasons I decided to start the Bible Study was for this very reason: a Team. I think this is one of the reasons I've struggled with losing weight. No team. While the local team was not what I expected and one I still don't really feel connected to, I've discovered I have more of a team than I realized.

Team Member #1: God. This one is the key. I had never asked God to be on my team before. Oh, I'd asked him to help me lose weight but my expectation was more along the lines of "please let me wake up a size smaller" or "help me resist the temptation of the chips I just bought" (why did I just buy them??). This time, however, it was a different kind of ask. My asks are less for the physical and more for the emotional and spiritual strength to continue on this journey. And now 

Call to Me & I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

I had no idea the things my body could do. God has given me the spiritual support I've needed to get to where I am right now. I've lost 10 pounds since January and I owe it all to Him.

The rest of my team: I realized recently that while I don't have a local team, God has given me people who support me through technology from a distance. Montana friends on the FitBit app or Twitter challenge me and encourage me to keep going. The friends God brought me to there are long lasting friends who will encourage my Walk and my walking.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17
Two people are better than one, for they can help each other success. Ecclesiastes 4:9

My team is not what I expected, but they are exactly who God had planned. Little did I know what he had planned when He put me on the path to meet Diane, Becky and Kristi.

And of course, my husband. He is a bigger part of my team now that we are working out together. We have 4 more weeks with the personal trainer and I can't wait to see the fruits of our labor.

#Bod4God God vs. Society

"I deserve this ... I've worked hard ... I am working out tomorrow ... Just one won't hurt ..." How many excuses, rationalizations have I used throughout my life to justify the choices I have made and continue to make. I rationalized several cake pops that Jessie and I made while Maggie was at a sleepover. I justified the bowl of ice cream at the Girl Scout Sunday event ("I'm going to the gym twice tomorrow, I can have this.") But who am I trying to fool? Other people don't really care -- in fact, they probably nod along, agreeing that it's okay for me to cheat "just a little bit." But they don't have to face my mirror in the morning, or the scale tonight!

In reality, that one bowl of ice cream or extra cake pop probably didn't make that much of a difference in what the scale will say tonight. And if I really wanted to, I could use all sorts of "tricks" to get that number to go down -- especially if I wait to have supper AFTER the weigh in. But one small bad choice leads to another, to another, to another that's just a little bigger and soon the choices are much bigger than I imagined.

Pastor talked about temptation yesterday and talked about how you need to make your decisions regarding temptation BEFORE you are in the situation. If I bring a healthy lunch to work, I'm much less likely to head for fast food. If I decide I'm only going to have 2 Girl Scout cookies before I open the box, I'm more likely to only eat the 2 I take. If I know where we are going to eat, I can decide before we get there what I'm going to order, so I can just avoid the photos of the burgers and fries. By making the decision first, I am taking away some of the power of the temptation. I can be one of those people with the will power to walk away from the french fries.

This is not what society tells us. Society tells us that we should do what makes us feel good in the moment; we shouldn't have to deprive ourselves of something wonderful which will make us feel good right now. It really hit me as I was reading some of the past devotionals in Lysa TerKeurst's "Made to Crave Devotional" book. Day 3 and 9 both touched on this. In day 9, she is talking about a situation with her son, but this sentence covers so many other indulgences:

"...had indulged in an area God wanted to preserve, yet the world told them they deserved." pg 36

And in Day 3, she writes about Acts 5:29 where Paul writes:

"We must obey God rather than man/society."

The addition of the word "Society" is from me. It's not just those that we know, which is usually what I interpret "man" to mean.  I changed the verse in my devotional book so I would remember to ask: What is society, media telling us me? Honestly, society gives us conflicting messages: we must look a certain way to be "beautiful", but we are also to indulge, to live for self, enjoy life. And haven't we also been told that God just wants us to be happy? So if God wants me to be happy, why not have that bowl of ice cream? 

My satisfaction, happiness, contentment in life is not to come from my body, how it looks or what I put in it. I cannot continue to define my happiness by what society tells me should make me happy. God has seen fit to put me here in this time and this place for his purpose, not to be "happy." Doing my best to keep this body healthy is part of my obedience to God, part of my stewardship of this world. As I continue on this journey, I will do my best to choose to look to God for my contentment, which will lead me to better choices.

#Bod4God Week ... something

The past few weeks have been a bit of a blur. Maggie's Girl Scout troop started cookie sales. We had a long weekend and Rocky & I went to see Alton Brown's live show (fantastic, wonderful, 3 hours that flew by AND I got my cookbook autographed -- even if I didn't get to meet him). I've actually been busy at work. It's been cold and snowy and COLD. I'm still getting up at 0'dark:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Body & Soul Boot Camp. I'm loving Piyo on Mondays. And I'm getting to about half of the Tuesday/Thursday Women With Weights classes. Rocky and I have also started working out with a personal trainer.

And I'm FINALLY seeing some results. My pants are getting looser. The scale is starting to move in the right direction (so so close to 10 pounds down).

It's interesting to me that it has taken this competition for things to really get kick started in my body. I had started the Bible study to be able to dig deeper into my relationship with God and hopefully find that lasting motivation. I don't know that I'm getting that from this study. This group seems more focused on the nutrition, exercise by bringing in speakers such as physicians, dietitians, a yoga instructor. And I'm not feeling connected with my group. Which is disappointing to me. I've been praying for godly friends. I'm frustrated and feel like I'm not getting anything out of it. And yet this is working for me. 

God is working in my physical body. He is working on my temple to make it a holy place for his spirit to reside. So even though I expected to see more of a spiritual change from this study, it's not what God has planned. He is using this time to make changes to my earthly vessel and teaching me that I can do this ... With Him. Trying to do this on my own was futile. 

And interesting that at this very moment, I finally get this week's memory verse:

"Each of you should know how to possess her own vessel in sanctification and honor." 1 Thessalonians 4:4

Only God can help me know my own vessel, to care and honor my body for him.

#Bod4God Esau and the Isrealites

One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau said to Jacob, "I'm starved! Give me some of that red stew!" (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means "red."). "All right," Jacob replied, "but trade me your rights as the firstborn son."
"Look, I'm dying of starvation!" said Esau. "What good is my birthright to me now?"
But Jacob said, "First you must swear that your birthright is mine." So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the first born.
Genesis 25:29 - 34

Short-sighted much? Esau was so short sighted, so into the moment, that he gave up his rights as the firstborn, essentially giving Jacob the entire inheritance of Isaac for some lentil stew. He could have at least waited for a steak! But, how often do I do the same? "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips." What have I been turning down because I would rather eat something tasty? With each decision I make that choice and, as such, I should take time to weigh the options rather than mindlessly going with what feels right in the moment. Take today as an example. I made the choice to not work out today. My husband invited me to lunch and, as we hadn't been to lunch together in sometime, the decision to spend time with my husband made much more sense. I made a healthy lunch choice and am happy. And I know it was the right decision overall.

This story of Esau has come up in both books I'm reading. So I decided to look into it a little more. [and I really want to dig into it further, but for now, an overview will do]. Esau was a man of the world; he spent most of his time hunting and very little time in his father's tents. To Esau, the real value was out in the wilderness, not sitting in camps. Isaac loved Esau best. Perhaps Isaac loved that Esau was everything he wasn't. And perhaps that bugged Jacob a bit, especially if he was listening to Rebecca who was doing everything in her power to put Jacob in control of the household. I'm sure she thought Jacob would be the son who would watch over her after Isaac passed while Esau would still be out in the wilderness, hunting. I wonder if she knew where her scheming was leading?

As a man of the world, Esau probably did not care much for the covenant that would come from the blessing. As a man of the wilderness, Esau probably did not see the entire value of what he was giving up by handing over his birthright for some lentil stew (seriously, this big burly man didn't even demand a steak??) He didn't even bother to look for another place for food. Isaac was not a poor man, surely there was somewhere else Esau could go to get food that wouldn't cost him so much. And Jacob was there to take advantage of the situation. [Though, if you look further down the story, Esau did get his inheritance as Jacob was no longer in his father's camp when Isaac passed.]

Esau's shortsightedness reminded me of another story where God's people were ready to give up on him because of a lack of food. Exodus 16 tells of when the Israelites were not just wishing they were back in Egypt, but wishing they had DIED in Egypt where they had meat and bread to eat [and were slaves]. They had not been away from Egypt for a week and they were ready to return FOR FOOD. I kind of get it. Think about the wonderful foods they must have had access to in Egypt. The Bible doesn't say what they ate, and one would think that as slaves they probably didn't have the best food, but whatever they did have must have sounded good after their supplies had run out. And I can assume there was some eye-rolling from Moses, who most surely had MUCH better food in the palace that he gave up when he embraced his roots.

I have never truly been hungry. I have claimed to be starving on occasion, but the fact that I am in a weight loss challenge makes it pretty clear that I've never wanted for much! I've been in positions where I've had to scrounge up a couple of dollars to buy milk, spaghetti and sauce so I could eat for the rest of the week. I've taken home leftovers offered to me by friends. And honestly, for both Esau and the Isrealites, I believe they were "starving" much like I was. A shortsighted starving.

So, the morale of the story? Be mindful about food. Think about what you are about to put into your mouth and decide "is it worth it in the long run?" Because if you decide it is worth it, you do not have to feel "guilty" about enjoying lentil stew or a Venti Raspberry Mocha with Whip.
       

#Bod4God A Super Bowl Workout

We are football fans in our house. So of course, we were going to watch the Super Bowl. We don't go anywhere or really do anything special, but we enjoy watching the game and the commericals. And this year the girls were excited to see the Katy Perry Half-Time show. I was excited to see Lenny Kravitz, but very disappointed he only participated in part of "I Kissed a Girl." There was more Missy Elliot than Lenny in that show! But I digress.

One of my workout buddies mentioned that last year she and her viewing friends found a "Super Bowl Workout" list -- quick bursts whenever something happens in the game. So I went to Pinterest to see what I could find. I found a couple and decided to give it ago. About half way through the first quarter, I realized that the one I had chosen was put together by either A. someone who knows very little about football, or B. someone who REALLY likes burpees. Seriously, 10 burpees for every first down. Rocky asked me, after the 2nd first down, if I was really going to do them for EVERY first down. I quickly switched to push-ups for each 1st down and then to every other first down. The game became more exciting and I rather gave up on the exercise part to watch around the 3rd quarter.

As I was thinking about this little exercise [pun intended], I thought I could come up with something better than I found. Though I do have several months to implement and perfect!

Touchdown: Push-ups equal to the points on the scoreboard
Extra Point: 1 burpee [because I don't like them, but I know they are good for me!]
2 point conversion: 2 burpees
Field Goal: 30 second wall sit
Safety: 2 burpees
Penalty: Full sit ups equal to the number of yards in the penalty [5 yard penalty = 5 full sit ups]
1st down: 10 push-ups
Interception: 6 banana/supermans
Fumble: 30 seconds high knees
Time Out: Squats until play resumes
Sack: Tricep dips equal to the number of yards lost

What would you add??

Why you can't trust a scale #Bod4God

Ah the dreaded scale. I've spent most of my adult life trying to avoid it. We don't have a scale in our home, I've never spent money to purchase one and have zero plans to. It was my least favorite part of my OB visits when I was pregnant, even though I never gained that much. And once I really began working out, I tried to stay away, though it's there, asking me to come over, just a quick check, no one will know.

Except me. And when I would go, what I saw wasn't exactly encouraging. It rarely moved. In over a year of increased sweating, that darn scale simply refused to move much. This is something that would have stopped me from returning in the past. But this time, this past year, I haven't stopped. For whatever reason, I've continued to go, always thinking that eventually, someday, it's GOT to start working.

And now here I am in a weight loss competition. I lost 3 pounds in the first week, which I was proud of until I found out what some others had lost. One lost almost 15 pounds in the first week! I felt myself slipping into the old thoughts of "if you can't be the best, you shouldn't do it." But why should I let someone else's success diminish what I did? Here I am finally, FINALLY, seeing the scale move after so much time and I'm feeling bad because it wasn't as good as someone else?? Someone who perhaps wants to lose a lot more than I do. Their success has NOTHING to do with me. I can't let other's successes or failures define where I am or should be on my journey.

So, back to this competition. My plan was to only get on the scale Mondays at Bible study. The consistency of the same scale would be a better measure of my success [or set-backs]. Except I let my curiosity get the better of me & I got on the scale before spin class. Once again, when I saw the number was less than before, I started letting it affect my mood. Which is exactly what I don't want this to do.

But here's the thing: while I'm happy the number is going down, for a number of reasons, that number hasn't defined me in a very long time. I'm still more about how my clothes fit, how do I feel and making sure I can keep up at Disney! I am more than a number on the scale; I am a child of the King.

#Bod4God Week 2

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

The lust of the flesh. I have always read this as referring to sexual sins. While that is the primary definition, Lust also refers to a "passionate desire for something."  Crave, cover, want, longing, yearning. Obviously that can cover more than sex, though with a negative connotation. The other night, we watched "Cutthroat Kitchen" and the first challenge was sliders. Man, those sliders looked good. And the next day, I wanted a slider. During my noon weights class, those sliders crept into my brain. Sliders. Hamburgers. I could smell the wonderful aroma in my head. And then we went to Cubby's (a sports bar) for supper. I didn't completely give in to the lust of my flesh as opted for a side salad with my plain cheeseburger. But it was lust. I lusted after a hamburger; it penetrated my thoughts when I should have been thinking on other things. And that lust took me to a place I hadn't planned to go that night. [How easily does lust do that?]

And there is that word again "Crave" A strong desire for something, to want greatly, to yearn for. No mention of food at all. So why do we immediately go to food with crave? There are other more important things I should crave: time with my husband, hugs from my daughters, walks with the Spirit. These are things I need and things I do have a strong desire for, things I yearn for. Yet it seems kind of weird, uncomfortable to say I crave these things. Is it because Crave seems to have a negative connotation, much like Lust does? Crave gives an impression of weakness. Can I use it for strength? I am weak without the Spirit. I need the Spirit to fill me so I can change my cravings for food and set my sights on things not of this world, of better and more important things.

On Monday, Cris asked us to come up with a one word reason for why we were there. 2 came to mind for me: Community and Crave. I ended up going with Crave. I think I chose it because I'm also reading "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst. I've had this on my list for a while and finally bought it and a devotional companion. In the very beginning, this told me I picked up the right book:

Like I said before, I KNOW the stuff, but this is about finding my want to. And sometimes, it's just takes a little push.

#Bod4God Week 1

Closing in on the end of the official first week. Last Monday was the weigh in. Can I just say that I want the scale from the Wellness Center? I realize scales are a little different but that one seems to like me more. The official numbers:

Weight: 173

Neck: 12 1/4

Bicep: 12

Chest: 38

Waist: 37 1/2

Hips: 43

Thigh: 24 1/2

Calf: 15 1/2

Weigh in is each Monday. There is a large group speaker about motivation, nutrition, exercise, etc. then we break into small groups. The leader of our small group wasn't there last week and her sub seemed to flounder with what to do. I'm hoping there is more discussion and digging into the book this Monday. I'm not doing this to learn others' "tricks" for losing weight or being healthy. I'm tired of hearing "if I can do it, you can do it."  I'm doing this to find my true motivation and to grow closer to God.

The memory verse for this week was Matthew 16:24-25:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

This must be important because Jesus says it six times in the Gospels. Twice in Matthew and Luke and once in Mark and John. So okay, how does this apply to me in 2015? What do I need to deny? What cross(es) do I need to pick up? What is preventing me from fully following Christ?

It is and has been obvious to me since I started exercising that food is my issue. I haven't been able to lose weight or get my clothes to fit better with exercise alone. I do better when I actually track what I eat (even if I'm a little off on portion sizes). When I did track this past week there was only one day that I went over my goal and that day included the choice to both go to Starbucks AND have a couple of glasses of wine. I need to deny myself these indulgences.

My cross? What do I need to pick up? I'm not sure. I've started drinking more water, trying for 48 oz each day and I've eliminated pop. I've also started to hear a small voice speaking to me about sugar. I am reading more labels and trying to keep high fructose corn syrup out -- though it's in EVERYTHING. Many things I'm reading right now talk about completely eliminating sugar. Wow. Not sure this is my cross, yet. 

I am here for the next 12 weeks and I'm hoping to see a lot of results: physically and spiritually.

#Bod4God Why?

A weight-loss competition thru church? I've heard about programs like this but never participated. I've never been a big dieter and while I've always *wanted* to lose weight, I've never actually wanted to put forth the necessary effort or give up all delicious things. I kept hoping for a quick fix -- I mean eventually ONE of those diet pills has to work, right? When we moved to Brookings, I finally ran out of excuses to go to the gym (cheap rates, classes included and a 5 minute walk from my office? BOOM each excuse gone). I started going to classes like spin, Women With Weights (kind of a circuit training) and my new favorite Body & Soul 6 am bootcamp. I had hoped that just working out would allow me to continue to enjoy all those yummy foods. My 40+ year old body disagreed. Then my bootcamp instructor mentioned a Bible study she was leading at the church we have been attending. As I've been seeking a community here and seeking the right motivation to actually lose weight I decided to sign up.

The study is called Bod4God and uses Scripture to show you {ME} how to honor God and commit this earthy body to his glory. The kick off included Pastor Steve Reynolds speaking about his experience and showing us just a few of the many places God talks to us about our body and food. The very first story that involved people (Adam & Eve) included temptation with FOOD. Satan understands the power food can have over us and has used it from the start. He has even convinced us that gluttony isn't *really* a sin. How many times do you hear about a prayer request to eat less or drink more water or to find time to exercise more? How many church events revolve around food? We eat as a part of fellowship; we gather around the table to enjoy each other's company and food. And doesn't Jesus ask us to remember him with wine and bread (oh, if he only would have included cheese!!!)?

So what is it I hope to get out of this? What are my goals and more importantly, what is my motivation? It has to be more than just getting my pants to fit or to live long enough to see my grandchildren or even to be healthier. Because while those are excellent reasons, it hasn't been enough in the past and I know myself well enough to know it won't be enough in the future. I need to find the desire, the need, the motivation that will last and will be enough to sacrifice the good foods that God has given us to enjoy -- just in moderation! 

Follow me here and on Twitter (#Bod4God) to see if I can find this motivation.

Colossians 1:16 for by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

The Journey Continues

Last year, I purchased a Fitbit to "assist" me with my health journey. I don't want to call it a weight-loss journey because that's not my ultimate goal. Health is my ultimate goal. I am still looking for that "one thing" to keep me motivated and I don't know that there can be just "one thing." I put on some pounds over the end of year holidays. I love to eat. I love food. I will probably never crave a carrot. But I am learning that no matter how good that doughnut tastes in the present, I'm usually regretting the choice within the hour (hello sugar crash!).

So back to my Fitbit. I wear it on my wrist and I have 2 different colored bands to change it up a bit. I use it as my morning alarm clock (and have only slept through it once!) and when I reach my step goal and the bit buzzes in celebration, I get excited. So I was really excited to see my year in review that recently came through my email. 910 MILES! 2.1 MILLION steps! I guess I should have realized, but holy cow. It is amazing to see it right there. Now, I do wish they included total calories burned because spin class, lifting don't show up in the number of steps I took [yeah, 788,000 calories burned!] nor does the number of active minutes (which I'm not able to find a total for).

I try to track food as well, but I'm not sure I'm doing the best job of estimate portion sizes.

I like that the Fitbit helps keep me going. I'm trying a few other things right now as well. Mostly because I need to figure out my motivation. I want to be healthy so I can live a long time and enjoy my girls growing up and maybe my grandchildren. I want to be able to enjoy this life and world with my husband. And I know I need to honor God by taking care of everything he has entrusted to me, which includes this body. I joined a Bible study at our church called "Bod4God." We had the kick off on Monday and start the weigh ins next week. I need to take some pictures for a comparison. My goal is 15 lbs over the next 12 weeks. 

I plan to write about this journey. Prayers for safe travels are appreciated!

Changes?

Progress!! While my weight continues to fluctuate, I feel like I am seeing some progress in the mirror. I need to work on my eating habits. My Vegan for Lent was extremely unsuccessful. As I'm standing in line to wait to pick up my latest Bountiful Basket -- which I really decided to do because we NEED to eat more fruits & veggies and I need to be more deliberate about just serving them. Taking an apple or orange with my lunch each day will help me from grabbing Cheez-its. I'm swearing off pop. I probably need to take some time away from wine. Drinking my calories is such a weakness.

I know I can't do this alone. The spirit and flesh are weak!! I have started beginning my days reading through the Bible on my phone and my prayers include strength to eat right and not skip the gym. I know with His help I'll get there. And even if my weight doesn't change, at a minimum I'm healthier and can keep up with the girls!!

Blessed (and Frustrated)

As I walked back from spin class this afternoon, I waffled on whether or not I really am frustrated. My weight doesn't seem to have changed and my clothes seem to fit the same. My thighs are still big, but wait, is that some muscle definition I see there? And how lucky am I to work 5 minutes from the gym? A gym that doesn't charge extra for classes?


We just "survived" a long winter -- bitter cold, snowy/windy days -- but we were never hungry. I wasn't ever worried about surviving the winter. We always were warm and had plenty of food.


Our little family is healthy. Trips to the doctor come once or twice a year and the most illness we have to worry about is a cold here & there or a splinter.


Today, the sun is shining, there is a slight breeze. I can hear bird singing. So my pants are a little tight. Today I am going to be thankful that I have pants! I have the clothing I need to protect my body -- which is strong, even if it has a little fluff. It is my body. I am still on this weight loss journey. I enjoy my spin and weight classes. I like my fitbit, which helps me stay on track with my food and my steps. I want my body to be a Holy Temple for God; I want to be disciplined so I can enjoy that one Girl Scout Thin Mint without wondering where the entire sleeve went! I want to be able to enjoy the spring weekends by walking or playing with my girls and not worry about being winded once we get to the park.

14. Therefore my friends, flee from idolatry. 21. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord & the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table & the table of demons. 1 Corinthians 10:14, 21

Food is not my reward and exercise is not my punishment. I'm doing a 4 week Bible Study in preparation for Easter and this was last Friday's verses. It stuck with me this weekend -- what are my idols? Has exercise become one? Food is -- definitely. It's time for me to spend more time with the Lord, taking time to pray before hitting the snacks at work! One bag of Cheez-its is all it takes to throw off my calorie intake! So I'm learning and remembering that I cannot do this alone. If I seek God's guidance and assistance, I CAN make this happen.

Frustration

I'm starting to become frustrated. Starting, well, not really, it's a feeling that's been bubbling for some time. I've been working out for almost 6 months, logged over 360 miles and 40 hours (of distance & time that I actually recorded). I've sweated and returned to work flushed, a flush that lasts at least an hour after spin class. I've added lifting weights. Yet, my clothes aren't fitting better and the weight is not coming off. Now, I know that the weight didn't come on overnight [even if it seems like it did].

I now realize I have to change my eating habits if I'm going to get this going. I need to get this jump started and working out alone is not doing it. So I think I'm going to start the Daniel Fast a little earlier than planned. It's taken some prayer consideration, but I'm feeling led to start working this into my regular diet. I'm starting to look at meals and think, "could I make this Daniel Fast friendly?" Could I have black beans instead of the meat?  Would I still enjoy it? Would I feel full?

We shall see ...

Sore sore sore

So much truth here. Weights class. I've been to 3 classes so far and I love it! I think I've finally figured out this gym thing. I do not do well at the gym on my own. If I'm in a class, I push myself harder, faster.  

It is amazing how sore various muscles can be after just 30 minutes of weights. I'm excited to see where I am at the end of this semester.

Who IS That?

Ugh. Is that really me? Yes. Yes it is. A year ago, all the weight I lost after I had Jessie started creeping back. In the last year, I've put on more than 20 pounds and gone up 2 sizes. 

I started really noticing the gain when Maggie & I went to Girl Scout camp & my shorts were a bit snug. Then my rings started feeling tight. Suddenly none of my clothes fit right. I kept telling myself I'd do something about it later. Later never really comes, does it? Until, well, you just HAVE to do something or just give up. 

So when we started work at SDSU, we also joined the Wellness Center. With Rocky's alum status and both of us working, we got a huge discount. And classes at the wellness center were included. After a few weeks I decided to check out the spin class.

I spent last fall going to spin class, averaging probably twice a week with a goal of getting to the gym 3 times a week. Unfortunately, the scale kept going in the wrong direction!! Which means more drastic measures need to happen.

 This is me right now. A little definition, but way too much fluff. My plan is to continue going to spin (and loving it), trying to hit all 3 classes at lunch time. I decided to add a weight class twice a week and start watching what I eat, adding more fruits and veggies, less processed food. I'm also planning to attempt the Daniel Fast over Lent (not just for weight loss, but those will be other posts). But, I'm not putting out a numbered goal. I'm not on a "diet." I want to be healthier and I want my clothes to fit.

I want to track my progress, my successes, my 2nd chances (not failures :) and see where I end up!