HIS Unfading Beauty

Checking In

2011-01-05T10:17:00.000-08:00

First of all, I have to admit that I did NOT do well on New Year's Eve. I ate anything and everything that was put in front of me. And, y'all, I sat at the stinkin table with all that food lined up in front of me. Chips, dips, quesos, cookies, cakes, pizza, lobster & sauce ... oh my word.

What was I thinkin?

Well, I wasn't ... that is the problem.

So, when I weighed myself on Monday (yeah, I broke that rule too...), I was not surprised to find that I was up nearly a pound. OK, I actually WAS surprised ... surprised that it wasn't worse. But, I pulled up my big girl panties and set a course for change. I loaded up my favorite tunes on the faux-pod (that would be a fake iPod) and laced up my running shoes, determined to turn it all around.

Now, here is where I will make a confession. The last time I had run was December 5th. Yeah, nearly an entire month. I am ashamed. So, trust me when I say that it was the hardest run ever. I was appaled at myself for going backward, tired from lack of proper nutrition and just plain NOT in the mood to do it. I struggled through a mile. Walking nearly half of it, but I did it.

Then on Tuesday I did it again. This time running about .7 of the mile.

And this morning, I ran the entire mile.

I'm on my way back and I can feel it.

And, as of this morning, I am down 1.3 pounds from where I was last week.

This morning, as I was running, a song came on that summed it all up for me and my journey:

"good-bye to my old life,
I won't listen to those lies anymore.
You've given me New Life,
lovin You is what I was made for."
"What I was Made For" by Big Daddy Weave

When I was at the end and not sure I could go on, this song took my mind off of me and put it back where it belongs, on HIM. And, when my focus was where it belonged, I found the strength to keep going and finish what I had started.

And that, my friends, is the goal.

The Power of One ... or the POWER of The ONE!

2010-12-29T07:06:00.000-08:00

OK, I am beginning a new challenge today over HERE and wanted to let y'all know. I have seriously let things slide over the Holidays and have gained EIGHT pounds!

Oh. My. Word.

That is soooooo NOT acceptable.

So, back on the train I hop. I sent every last cookie and piece of cake to work with my man this morning and am re-working my food diaries to start on Wednesdays and am changing my weigh in days to Wed. too. And ONLY on Wed.! (That is a huge thing for me. If I weigh in too often it messes with my head!)

So, I am starting new. It means I will have to be very careful on New Years, but I can do that. Gonna start a mini detox between now and then and I WILL break out the running shoes again. Although, THAT may have to start tomorrow because of this stupid migraine (a SURE sign that my eating is outta whack!).

So, how about it? Wanna join me? New year, new you?

Here's the thing ... the challange is called "The Power Of One" and is centered around one person - yourself. Now, I an FULLY aware of where focusing on myself has gotten me. And, honey, it aint good. So, I am - for us who KNOW - switching it up. I am giving it to THE One and only One who can do it. I am gonna put all focus on "the power of THE ONE".

Cause, with HIM, I cannot lose ... or, ya know I CAN lose ... I can lose the weight!

So, what do ya say? Are ya with me?

So, here are MY goals:

**HEALTH - even if I stay this size forever, I want to be healthy. I want to watch my kids grow up and I want to be able to play with them while their young!!

**5K and 10K - yes ... and maybe even a half marathon. Although I may have just thrown up in my mouth a little at THAT thought!

**HIM - I want to find my TRUE identity in Him and make this body what HE created me to be. I want more than physical fitness, I want spiritual fitness too:

"Exercise daily in God - no spiritual flabbiness please! Workouts in thegymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever, You can count on it!" 1Timothy 4:7 (Message)

TGIFriday

2010-07-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

I love Friday ... Don't you? I kinda dread it - getting on that scale, but I look forward to it too. And knowing that y'all are out there keeps me going. LOVE that accountability.

Speaking of accountability, do you have someone to keep you accountable? I hope that you do, it is the ONLY thing that has kept me going sometimes. If it were not for Dedra, I would probably have given up long ago. Her texts, phone calls, messages and words of love and encouragement have kept me away from chocolate, gotten me out to run, helped me walk away from the fridge and basically seen me through more times than I can count. LOVE that girl! And then there is my sweet Shauna, if I did not know that she was gonna come walking through my front door every morning, I cannot tell you how many times I would've just turned off the alarm and rolled over. But she comes, I get up and we work out. Oh, yes we do...

So, this week we started week four of the C25K program - we honestly cringed and almost cried when we found out how long we were going to have to run this week. But we agreed to try it ... and we DID it. On day ONE. You should've seen us celebrating and high five-ing right there in the middle of the street! We were so very excited. We've also upped our continuous laps in the pool and are able to get through complete DVD's with no breaks now. It is AMAZING how our bodies are adapting. We marvel at the fact that we have both ALWAYS been consumate avoiders of exercise in ANY form, now here we are, six times a week, out there working our hineys off ... literally.

So, how are YOU doing? How can we help each other get through this? How can we help YOU?

How YOU Doin?

2010-07-16T19:52:00.001-07:00

(try to imagine that being said in my very best Joey Tribiani voice)

So, I messed up last week ... again ... and didn't post.

And, really, I was down and hit a HUGE milestone and have absolutely no excuse.

Please forgive me.

This week, however, I am up .3 but I did NOT go so far backwards that I crossed back over that milestone ... nope, still sittin pretty in that new decade of lower numbers.

Whew ... HUGE sigh of relief!

I'm not entirely surprised that I was up a tad this week ... I mean, I DID eat pizza yesterday.

(hangs head in utter and complete shame)

But I have worked out EVERY day this week - twice today! - and have every intention to stick with that.

So, as far as my fitness goals go, I have finished week 3 of the couch-2-5K plan that I am on. YAY! Also, I have been swimming laps a couple times a week. When I started I could do two laps at a time. Tonight I did one set of eight laps and one set of ten. WHAT?!?!?!?!?! And that was on top of a DVD workout that I did this morning.

Who AM I and what happened to the lazy woman that used to live here?!

I dunno, but I like THIS chick aLOT better!

So, how are YOU doing and how can I support YOU?

Friday Check In

2010-07-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Friends!

I am so sorry that I was not able to post last Friday. I was stuck - quite literally - in an airport in Canada. Long story. You can read all about it (told in parts that will equal a continuous story...) HERE.

Anyhoo ... moving on ...

I was on vacation all last week and was so afraid to step on that scale. When I finally did I realized that I had only gained just under three pounds - MUCH better than I was anticipating. I had a heck of a time finding someplace where I could get fresh - or even UNfried - veggies. I tried to eat healthy, but my mom and my hubby kept reminding me that I was on vacation and I could work off anything I gained when I got home.

Sure, easy for THEM to say!

We did, however, walk almost everywhere we went. Which meant, other than the last day sight seeing and the TWO days in the airport at the end of the journey, we walked AT LEAST 6 miles per day. Plus, I even managed to hit the hotel gym. I was pretty proud of myself there!

So, upon learning that I had gained, I set out to be VERY careful with my diet this week ... with moderate success. But I have worked out - ran, walked or did DVD workouts - everyday this week. The shin splints HAVE slowed me down a bit, but I am trying to push through.

Which brings us to this morning. I weighed in at .4 UP from where I was last time I posted ... but then (this may be TMI), after a trip to the restroom, I was DEAD EVEN with where I was last time! And, what IS it with me and .4? Cause last time I checked in I was - yep, you guessed it - .4 up. So, technically, I am STILL .4 up. Which totals just over 32 pounds down total.

And, I can deal with that!

Tomorrow I am going to have my run evaluated so I can get the RIGHT shoes and maybe get past these stupid shin splints and then I can get back on track. I do NOT think I will be ready for the Triathlon that I wanted to do next month, but I WILL do a 5K by the end of the year ... I promise!

So, how did YOU do?

Friday Check In

2010-06-18T03:27:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo sorry that I missed last week - so sorry! It was a crazy week, and then when I did weigh in, I had gained ... so I was a bit depressed.

BUT, as this is an accountability system, that is no excuse.

So, please forgive me.

OK, this has to be VERY quick as I am headed to the airport soon to pick up my mommy. And then, later this afternoon, she and I are headed to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Yesiree - I am gonna get me a stamp on my passport!

So, last week I started P90X with a friend around the corner ... and I gained 1.2! Everyone tells me that it's because of the strength training building the muscles. But I was still bummed.

This week we started a couch to 5K program on top of that AND I did a Slaughter Boot Camp workout! And I got shin splints. Lovely.

BUT, I am down from last week and am .2 from being completely caught up to wear I was three weeks ago, so I am thrilled! All together that would be 32 since January! YAY!!!

So, how did you do? Are you stayin strong? If not, let us know how we can be there to support you. If so, let us know how we can cheer you on!

If you think about it this week, please pray for me. I will have absolutely NO control over food so it's gonna be all in portions and such. I did call and make sure that the hotel has a gym and a pool, so no excuses. Also, please pray for my little family while I'm away. The girls will be doing VBS next week so it will hopefully keep them busy. But, Sophie is a total Mama's girl and Hattie, well, Hattie is gonna need some prayers as it will all be a huge transition. And my man, well he is patient and kind, so I know he will be OK, but please pray for him. Thank you so much!

OK, sound off ... ready, GO!

Friday Check In

2010-06-04T06:42:00.001-07:00

OK ... let me just say that I broke TWO rules this week. I completely failed on my water intake (especially over the weekend) and I weighed myself on Tuesday.

I KNOW!

I am soooooo fired.

But, I really amped up the workouts this week. And it seemed to pay off.

After the weekend, I knew that it was not gonna be pretty and when I weighed on Tuesday AM I was UP THREE POUNDS! YIKES! So I kicked the workouts into high gear and really watched what I ate, but again, totally failed on the water part. I REALLY need to work on getting it all together at the same time!

OK, so after all of that, I weighed this morning - I had lost since Tuesday, but am still up .4 from where I was last week. I am OK with that though because I know what I did wrong and am determined to fix it.

Also, on Thursday I did a MAJOR workout - Slaughter Boot Camp. It's a military style workout with obstacle courses, running with sandbags, up downs and everything. THEN, I got up this morning and did a Jillian Michaels' Last Chance Workout. My workout Diva friend Jane explained that you will always weigh more right after a workout, so I am hoping that explains it. Either way, .4 is nothing to cry over. I just need to keep my attitude up and carry on.

So, how did YOU do? Let me know! Let's support each other!

Friday Check In

2010-05-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! That was the day most of us agreed to weigh in and sound off. So, how did you do?

I was not excited to weigh in. I honestly felt that I had not done well this week - I was warding off a migraine that was trying to take me down for a couple days and then yesterday was ... well, it was just a bust. SO, I only got one REAL workout in all week. I got mini stuff in and was careful about food and drank more water than I had in WEEKS ... and it paid off. I lost 3 pounds this week, bringing the grand total to 32 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK, so my goals for this next week are as follows:

*KICK IT in the workout department! I need to just get up and do it!

*Step it up in the water department (although I did MUCH better this week, I still have a long way to go!)

*REALLY step it up in the food department! I'm gonna let you in on a secret and tell you that one of my major goals here is to have healthy food in the house for my HUSBAND to choose from as well as myself. He is having some major back pain lately and I know it's because he has gained some weight lately. (Now, do not get me wrong - I still think he is hot stuff, I just want him around for as long as possible!) I think we BOTH need to surround ourselves with better choices so that those are easier to make than the wrong ones! PLUS, I need to make the choices available for my sweet girls. Teach 'em right early!

OK, so let us know how YOU did and what your goals are!

We are in this together, remember? Let's love, encourage and carry each other through!

Back On The Train

2010-05-24T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hey there friends! I've decided it's time to get this baby back up and running. I don't know about you but I REALLY need to get serious about this fitness thing. I had been doing GREAT - and then the move happened and I lost my mojo. I even gained two pounds ... BUT, I did lose those two again, so I am back to where I was before the Nashville/Atlanta extravaganza!

So! Today I declare a new beginning! I have reset the scale and am starting fresh.

Who wants to join me?

Many of us did this together last spring and then, slowly but surely, we all kinda fell off. There is safety - and accountability - in numbers, we all know that. So, let's use it to our advantage. I say we stand together against the flab!

Here is what I propose:

*Weigh in ONCE a week - (I KNOW this is a tough one, but I have learned that weighing in only once a week takes a lot of stress off.) We all fluctuate a bit here and there, so by weighing once a week - at the same time each week and wearing the same thing (I choose first thing in the AM and buck nekked!! - TMI?) we get a true picture of what we are dealing with. I will be weighing in on Fridays - although I did weigh this morning to get a starting point set - you can pick any day of the week that you want, no pressure.

*Workout - Some kind of activity, you pick the level, at LEAST 5 times a week. Walk, run, Shred, Zumba ... whatever - you pick. Just STICK TO IT! I know, for myself, I like a little variety so I will be pulling out a DVD, hitting the treadmill or heading out the door for a walk/jog/bike ride/swim. Whatever you choose to do, just DO IT! And, stick to it!

*Share/Vent/Encourage - this works soooo much better when you don't feel like you are in it alone. I know that having Dedra counting on my texts/calls is HUGE in getting me motivated. I could NOT have come this far without her! So, pick a partner and do whatever it takes to keep yourself motivated and on track! We can even use this sight as a way to do that. We can be each other's sounding boards!!!

WATER - Drink it and drink a LOT of it! Seriously, this alone will make a difference. The minimum amount we should be drinking is 64oz per day. I have even heard that if you divide your weight in half you should be drinking THAT number of oz. (I don't know about you, but for me, that is a WHOLE lotta water!! I know some people even set a gallon as their goal. Whatever, just drink it! (Here is a trick. I am NOT a water drinker - I like a little flavor with my drink - so I fill my water bottle to just below the top and then top it off with a little crystal lite. Just enough to flavor it up - makes all the difference in the world!)

Lifestyle - do NOT think of it as a diet, think of it as a lifestyle. If you go hog wild and completely deprive yourself you are so much more likely to fail. SO, eat thoughtfully. I am not saying never have pizza or cake, I am saying do not eat like that for every meal. THINK about what you are putting in your mouth - if you want pizza have ONE piece - not ONE pizza! If you want cake, have a couple bites, just enough to enjoy it, but not so much that you will be miserable and feel guilty afterwards. And if you do fall, shake it off and jump back in. Also, compensate - you had pizza for lunch? OK, have a salad for dinner, go an extra half mile, do an extra 10 minutes on your treadmill - just make up for it. It's OK - one fall does NOT a fail make! Just get back up on the horse and ride on! One day at a time and one VICTORY at a time!

Rethink "Victory" - Does victory, in your mind, mean reaching the goal weight? Well, that is - for some of us - a LOOOONNNGGG way off. So, rethink your victory - make them small and think of it as one day at a time. For example - you passed on the fudge covered oreos? VICTORY! You made it through the Shred and only cursed once? VICTORY! You got ALL your water in today? VICTORY! It is all in the way ya look at it. SO LOOK HARD if you have to, but find your victory today!!

OK, who is in? Let me know and let's do this together! Accountability ladies!!!

I love you tons and we can do this thing!

Here we GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Reality

2009-05-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

Can we just all say that now that we are shredding together that 30 days is FOREVAH LONG?

That's it.

Pressing in....sore, tired muscles and all.

And, I know that some of you know this already....but, level 2 is ridiculous.

I will survive. We will survive.

Hugs...
Fran

We can do this thing...

2009-05-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

We won't grow weary with "the Shred." No we won't. :)

It was hard over the weekend because we were out of town and so busy and I couldn't workout Saturday or Sunday. Bleh. A hotel room and a bunch of kids is tough when it comes to the workout scenario. But, no condemnation here.

It's ok if we don't get our 30 days in 30 days.

Press on sisters! We will always support one another.

Love you girls,
Fran

Whole Heart Faith

2009-05-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! I'm going to take a break for the next few days and wanted to tell you about it. So I decided rather than "reinvent the wheel" I would repost something I wrote for my own blog over at Your Word is Life this morning.

I'm praying for you all and can't wait to hear all about how God is working and moving in each of our lives as we seek His Face and encourage one another with what He says to each of our hearts!

Blessings,
Dori

WHOLE HEART FAITH, WEEK 1
by Dori Cook

I know that on yesterday's post I said I would be taking a break from online activity. And I guess by writing this I may be breaking that fast. But the truth is that I have agreed with my friend, Leigh, to participate in her Whole Heart Faith Challenge. And her Whole Heart Faith Challenge and my Whole Heart Faith Thing goes along with this computer fast that God has called me to this week. And so after I hit "publish" on this post, my aim is to walk in obedience to the fast that God has called me to for this week.

I told Leigh this morning that my Whole Heart Faith "Thing" was going to be the idleness that I have experienced for some time that has turned into "idolness." Now, I'm not sure that "idolness" is a word, but work with me here.

The idolness of idleness is a contributing factor to every other form of idolatry in our lives. Think about it.

When I'm idle...

...I watch too much tv.
...Spend too much time on the computer.
...Spend too much money.
...Ignore important things that need to be done around the house.
...Eat too much.
...Exercise too little.
...Ignore important relationships that need nurturing.
...Miss opportunities to follow where God is working.
...Dwell on negative attitudes and thought patterns.

The list goes on, but the most important thing that suffers when I'm idle is...

...I don't spend enough time in prayer and Bible study.

And I feel it. So over the next few days, weeks and perhaps months. I'm going to seek God's face like never before and ask Him to make me useful, productive and on task for Him. Laying aside the idolness of idleness, I'm believing God for a radical change in my heart and in my life.

I opened up my e-mail inbox this morning to make sure there were no pressing work-related items there and I saw a post from Proverbs 31 Ministries. It reminded me of this passage in Numbers:

"…Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord..." Numbers 15: 38b & 39a (NLT)

Just like Leigh decided that she would show you her scales so you could see how much her idol weighs, I want to have a tangible, visible reminder of this walk of Whole Heart Faith. When I read the scripture above I was reminded of the little blue cords that we wore around our wrists during the Believing God study by Beth Moore. I'm tying mine on today to remind me of the benefits of being busy for God and the hurtful results of idleness or "idolness."

Will you join me? What is something that God is calling you to have a Whole Heart Faith over? Pop over to Leigh's blog to read her heart on the matter. You can read her introduction HERE and read her Whole Heart Faith, Week 1 post HERE.

Just like I told a friend a moment ago in an e-mail, the times are precarious. Everywhere I turn, my faith is being challenged by a world that wants to discount the power that our Creator God has over His very own creation. I need all of the reminders I can get to be radical, sold-out, whole heartedly steeped in, drenched in an "if I perish, I perish" kind of faith!

To walk it with friends -- both those down the street and those here on the internet -- is precious! Let's do this and let's encourage one another!

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Waiting on Him,
Dori

In Response ...

2009-05-05T05:52:00.001-07:00

I started this out as a comment on Teri's post, but it got long and I wanted to share it with all of you too. So, here ya go:

I know it is discouraging - I have so been there. Starving myself and working hard and getting nothing in return ... I was there in November! But then I saw on Biggest Loser where Bob's team was just not losing so he looked at their food diaries and saw that they were actually eating too little. Yes, eat healthy foods, but give your body something to burn or it will start to store it up.

I know it SEEMS like that would be counterproductive but it isn't. Your body burns the "fresh" stuff first and then goes for the stored stuff. If it doesn't have enough fresh it just stores. You need protein and complex carbs to fuel your body as well as nourish it.

I am taking that lesson to heart this time and it is working. The LA Weightloss stuff I am doing uses real food that I buy at the store and prepare myself, the portions are measured out and proportioned correctly (with a food diary to keep track) and they satisfy without leaving me stuffed. Even working out it is just enough! I would be more than happy to share - I can make copies of everything and get them to anyone who wants them.

Teri, measure yourself and keep that track that way - it can be a truer test than the scale. I do both, because even if I hit a plateau with the weight the measurements remind me that I am losing.

I hope that this is helpful and not preachy.

I love y'all and we are in this together ... that is why we have this blog - to lift each other up and help each other carry on!

I don't know about y'all, but I know I NEED this!

I NEED YOU!!!

A Tad Bit Discouraged

2009-05-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

So, this morning I got up at 6:00 for my daily trek on the treadmill and it felt SO good! Then I opted to just wash up a little instead of showering so I could SHRED after going to pick up the girls I babysit. (For those of you who don't know me, I work as a childcare giver two days a week for two cute little blonde hair, blue eyed girls! They belong to my dear friend Meeghan, who is a teacher and works two and a half days a week because she job shares with another teacher.) While I was at Meeghans house this morning I decided to jump on her scale to see how it compared to my scale, because my scale said I haven't lost a single pound. Much to my surprise, my scale was wrong. I am actually ten pounds heavier than I thought. So, not only did I NOT lose weight, I'm also starting ten pounds heavier. I wanted to cry. (Just so you know, I went out and purchased a new scale which confirmed what Meeghan's scale read.)

Meeghan is an amazingly thoughtful friend and she blessed me with a gift card for Target as a "YAY! You did it! You made it through your freshmen year!" gift! (I know. She is amazing, truly.) So instead of purchasing more fat clothes, or my favorite trail mix only available at Target, I picked up a Dancing With the Stars Latin dance exercise DVD.

I will not let the scale discourage me again. I know I am moving my body more everyday than I have in the last nine months. 30 minutes on the tread mill, 20 minute SHRED and 40 minute Latin dancing. I am eating all the right things. My portions are small. My snacking is planned out every day and it is all really good stuff.

I know I am doing everything I can possibly do to get this weight off, and if it seems as if I am a little obsessed about this thing, I am. I'll admit it. You can't know how discouraging it feels to be up 35 lbs in a year. It is just not good. All of my summer clothes are at a size I am comfortable in, and I am going to get back to that size. I am determined to live a different lifestyle.

I have a theory as to why I packed the weight on. This time last year I was VERY stressed. (Remember Frannie?) I had a ton of really intense heart stuff going on and I think I was just really down. After I decided to go to school I think the stress abated some but then as soon as school started I have been on high speed, going pretty much non-stop. Sleeping about 4-5 hours a night, running around like nuts all the time. Trying to balance my school life with my main priority--my family. I don't have a house keeper, nannie or a chef! (Haha!) I powered through all of this year and I think that even though I loved it, there was still an underlying level of stress that sort of never went away.

I feel like I am coming down from it now, and I am really glad to be creating new habits, because they can only help me next school year!

The true benefits of fueling my body with good nutrients and working out are that I am sleeping better at night, I have more energy and I am finding it easier to turn my brain off at night. (Something that has plagued me for forever!)

So I'm sticking with it! (And staying off the scale until I start to feel my clothes feeling different!)

Well, that's all!

Observations from Day 6

2009-05-04T09:38:00.001-07:00

Hi Y'all! I just thought I would share some observations I have come up with in the midst of my 6 days with Jillian ...

* If the girl doing the "easy" moves is the one with the best body, shouldn't we ALL just stick to the easy moves?

* Jillian is an amazing trainer but, it would seem, not too good in the math department ...

Note to J - A "couple" denotes TWO, so please do not say "a couple more" and then go off on some tangent while we are laboring through a whole heck of a lot more than TWO Static Lunges with Bicep Curls. Thank you very much!

* I have one big problem with the push up section of the workout (other than the fact that on day 2 my weak arms gave out and I ended up kissing the floor!) - I have two children and one husband who likes to eat late night snacks in the family room ... the push ups not only cause much pain in my arms, they also bring me face to face with the fact that I need to vacuum my rug a little more often.

* I USED to vacuum said rug once a day, but since beginning the Shred my arms are too weak to vacuum at all.

* Jillian is an excellent trainer, but, it would seem, a little lacking in the musical appreciation department. Not only did she pick extremely uninspiring music to go with this workout but she. also, cannot keep a beat to said sad music.

* Are Anita's abs for sale?

* Has anyone watched the intro montage closely? Cause I am thinkin it is gonna be a serious long time before I can do that one arm, up on your side, the other had on your head pushup thingy! Not to mention some of the other methods of torture I witnessed Jillian inflicting on those poor girls in the intro!!!

* Is it just me or does anyone else picture Jillian's face during the punches!?

* Is it just me or does anyone else feel like they're gonna fall on their face during the but kicks?

* Is it just me or has anyone else ACTUALLY FALLEN during the calf stretches?

* Is it just me or does anyone else feel foolish and VERY old during the split stretches? VERY un-limber!!!!

* Is it just me or is anyone else COMPLETELY and UTTERLY Blessed to be doing this with the best friends a girl could possibly ask for?

XOXOXOXOX
Becky Jo

Anyone Else Stressed?

2009-05-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Oh, girls, I know you are!! We're all living this Life and it's tough sometimes!

I was thinking about it today. We had such a full afternoon yesterday. The kids are coming down with "crud" and I hit a wall today in exhaustion. It wasn't pretty. We just stayed home from church.

Usually, when I encounter this kind of stress and fatigue, I default into snacking, overeating, and more snacking. Plus, today I made my oldest's Spiderman Birthday cake - recipe for ultimate crash of healthy eating. Oh My!

Well, I cannot say it was complete victory, but I didn't go crazy! Hallelujah!

This stress-eating thing will be a huge obstacle to my healthy, BALANCED living as I go through this season of life (selling a house, moving, buying a new house, making new friends, etc.) if I do not let Christ remind me of the boundary lines that have fallen for me in pleasant places! (Psalm 16:6) Let me tell you siestas, I'm in hot pursuit of Christ's peace here. I'm tired of buying the lies that the food will make me feel better. It is not true!! May I, in Christ's power, say no and turn in prayer to find my satisfaction and fulfillment in Him alone.

I covet your prayers as I take my stand against the Devil's scheme in this area of my life. I'm going to do my best to be strong in the Lord and in HIS mighty power (Eph. 6:10-11) Tomorrow, my "shred" is supposed to arrive. The exercise should help relieve tension too, right?! Tell me, girls, how'd this weekend go for you?

with much love,
rachel

Not a Pretty Sight...

2009-05-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I had an all day study day. (Or, shall I say, I had an all day twitter day with study breaks in between? :) ) I had a final at 6:00PM so I never really had the time to SHRED until I got home from class. The only problem with that is the family is home in the evening. So, in order to keep with my personal goals, and not make excuses to skip the SHRED, I just went right ahead and did the dumb thing. Right in front of my husband. It wasn't pretty.

Let me just tell you a little about my husband. While in high school he competed at the national level on a Marine Physical Fitness team. His team won the national championship. Paul (my man) ended up winning second place in the nation. SECOND PLACE IN THE NATION LADIES. Needless to say, his body hasn't changed much since then. (We celebrate our 20 year high school reunion this summer.) I'm not even kidding, he has an amazing body. He still has a six pack. He isn't crazy obsessed about fitness, he just likes to be active now, but yeah, he is hot. In fact, I really don't know why the man would want to even touch me. Thank God that while Paul has a smokin' body, he didn't fare so well in the eyesight department. So during those non-clothing-wearing-times, he pretty much can't see the wonder of pale flab that has become his wife! (Nor can he see that I am in fact a hugh stretch mark, from just above my belly button, to the scar where they cut my kids out of me.) Thank God for small favors!

Anyway, I sucked it up--my pride that is, and sucked it in--that one would be my tummy, and just did the stupid SHRED. And I lived. And my husband is a gentleman, because he never even said a word.

So, if I can do it...YOU CAN TOO!

I Heart Jillian!

2009-05-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know the title of my post is curious, but you see I have alot of making up to do with Jillian. Because, frankly, I called her everything I could think of yesterday while I was doing Day 1 of the Shred. I told someone yesterday that I would HAVE to go back today and do it because I needed to apologize!

Seriously, ya'll, there was loud screaming in my playroom while I was doing jumping jacks for the first time in years and crunching abs that haven't seen much more than a bend since childbirth! Then I gave up screaming at Jillian and just began to call upon The Name! Yes, I begged Jesus to help me get through it. And He did!! I finished all 20 minutes with only a few short breaks to catch my breath. Considering I wasn't feeling well yesterday, I was amazed that I got through it.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26)

Or better yet, here is my paraphrase of that verse:

"With a woman who has spent the last 16 years of her life eating any and everything that she has ever wanted, had two pregnancies and never tried to work off the excess pounds and wondered how the 80 something pounds packed on -- the 30 DAY SHRED IS IMPOSSIBLE, but WITH GOD even Jillian Michaels kicking your ever-widening butt for 20 minutes every day is possible!"

And so I'm about to head upstairs for Day Two.

But I go with this in mind...

I love the LORD for many reasons, but today I'm thankful for an "all things are possible" kind of LORD!!

Blessings,
Dori

Sojourning Siestas

2009-04-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

Girls, I just cannot tell you how exciting this is going to be. I love to encourage and be encouraged. Especially when things are hard like this.

So, as I am about to embark on some crazy kinda life change adventure, I'm overjoyed to be with you and share the journey together.

Ya'll are just amazing and I love you to pieces!

Skeered!

2009-04-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Just want y'all to know that I'm a tiny bit scared to start this Shred mania tomorrow (Friday) but I am and will think of you as I sweat and carry on like a mad woman for 20 minutes.

Here we go!!!

It's never ever too late to get in on the bandwagon.

We are simply here to hold your hand and cheer you on!!

Hugs!
Fran

Can't even begin to thank you...

2009-04-29T07:55:00.001-07:00

I just can't begin to tell you how much all of your prayers, emails, gifts (I am ALL about the gifts, people), cards, phone calls, text messages, etc., have helped me over the last 6 weeks or so.

I will share with y'all that if this had happened even two years ago, I would have run like the wind. No WAY would I have stuck around...I would have let "someone else" handle it. Just call me when it's all over and it's all good.

God had another plan. And part of His plan was that Beth would be pulled into our church via her boys (God uses anyone and everyone) and by the way the girls in our bible study reached out and accepted Beth from day 1. The fact that we were doing Esther...for just a time as this...is not lost on our bible study group. Nor was it lost on our Pastor who brought it up at the graveside service for Beth.

Yes, this sucks. Yes, it's hard. Yes, I am sad and grieving and will be for an undetermined amount of time. But I am also able to recognize some good out of all of this. I was able to get to know Beth in an entirely deeper way. A God-Heart connection (pulling the God Card as my bff, Lori says). We prayed together. Worshipped together. Learned about God together. Being with her over the last 3 weeks of her life...the hardest damn thing I have ever had to do. Ever. And I wouldn't change it. Period.

All of you helped me get through it then. And continue to help me now. I am so thankful for each of you. To say that sounds...trite and totally nowhere near the depth of my feelings, but I have a plan. Well, okay, GOD has a plan. That plan is for all of you to be a part of my life...and He has been showing me how to love you as He loves you. He did that by the way you loved me.

Thank you.

I love you.

Susan

Here We Go ...

2009-04-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Hi girlfriends! Here we go - this is where you can come to vent, brag (in a Godly kinda way!!!), ask questions, support each other, be held/hold accountable, and love on each other. NO judgement, just love and support! I cannot wait to start this journey with y'all!

I picked this pic for our profile pic ... but only til we can all get a shot together! Feel free to post photos on the sidebar if there are ones of you together ... like the one of me and Teri ... Hmmm, think I will go find it now!

I love y'all!
Becky Jo