I have heard that it is better to set a goal...not an unrealistic one..but to set one! Make sure you that have something to strive for, something to keep you motivated to improve yourself or to improve the things around you!
We are approaching the season that I LOVE to do 5K's! I would never think that the words I LOVE 5K's would ever come out of my mouth! :o) I do have one thing though..I do them in the fall! There are some good ones in the summer...but I just can't bring myself to do them in the summer just yet!
In all of this journey that I have been traveling on, I have different friends who have challenged me along the way to keep going! There are days that I would have already thrown in the towel and wave the white flag of surrender. But along comes an encouraging word or something that will catch my attention and really just spur me on!
Well this time is like no other! I am highly considering doing my first ever 1/2 marathon! My friend has told me that doing a 1/2 marathon is like doing a 5K with a 10 mile chaser!! LOL...It's the 10 miles that get me! I am confident that I can do a 5K! I have done a few!...so I have started to put myself on a training schedule..from now until November!
The first week my goal was 15 miles..I managed to go over just a little! This week...it so at least make it 13 miles with an improved time! So little by little I am getting inspired and encouraged to see what is going to happen with this!
So I challenge each of you...find something that will encourage you to get moving..where it is to the end of your driveway...a walk down the road...a walk around the block...a mile, a 5K a 1/2 marathon or for those that already do a 1/2 how about a whole marathon (which my friend with the 10 mile chaser comment is planning on doing)...just do something good for yourself!
Don't let life pass you by because you can't do something...a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step!
Keep on keeping on!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Things lost on the journey...
Who has ever gone on a trip and lost things? I know I have, especially traveling with three children!!!
Over the last little bit I have been reading the Made To Crave book by Lysa Terkeurst. I read a chapter each day and answer the questions that are at the end of the chapter. Today was a good chapter: Chapter 18 Things Lost, Better Things Gained.
As I read this chapter and answered the questions at the end, then headed out for my walk this morning, there really was a stirring in my spirit about all that I have encountered over this summer of travels. What things have I lost and in the process what great things have I gained!
Victory won't stay long if I start resisting and disliking her essential requirements of sacrifice and repentance!
Lysa uses in her book a scripture in and through the book. It is really starting to ring home with me. "Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial...I will not be mastered by anything" 1 Corinthians 6:12
Some actions are not sinful in themselves, but they are not appropriate because they can control our lives and lead us away from God! WOW...when I read that this morning....my eyes were opened! How many times have I grabbed a snack or ate something that I really didn't need but felt like I either deserved it or this little bit won't hurt! I didn't write it down and so I felt like I wasn't accountable for it! Well those things add up...with the calorie count, points count etc...the old thought pattern of if I don't write it I don't have to count it, does me no good.
Another thing she said today was this:"What if this whole journey of getting healthy could be more about what we're in the process of gaining than what we're losing? In the midst of losing chips and chocolate, there are things to be gained. Things that unleash my weighted down soul, re-inflate my defeated attitude, and set loose a hope that maybe, just maybe, I CAN!
One statistic that she points out is that was published by Science News was that researchers found junk food to be measurable addictive in lab rats: After just five days on the junk food diet, rats showed "profound reductions" in the sensitivity of their brains' pleasure centers, suggesting that the animals quickly became habituated to the food. As a result, the rats ate more food to get the same amount of pleasure. Just as heroin addicts require more and more of the drug to feel good, rats needed more and more of the junk food. "They lose control," one researcher says. "This is the hallmark of addiction."
Another thing that was in this chapter was from Anne Jackson: DON'T Trust the scale! Most people will attempt working out and eating better for about a month; when they don't see a big difference on the scale, they give up.
Trust the effort you are putting into getting healthy. And keep going! Not only are there changes going on in your body that you can't see, there are changes going on in your spirit-with your discipline, your courage and your willpower. Keep going!
If we only focus on what we're giving up, will make us feel constantly deprived. And deprivation leads to desperation, frustration, and failure. But courage fills my hear, mind and soul with everything alive and possible and invigorating.
One of the last things she said was this: "Oh, what a difference. Jesus doesn't compare. Jesus doesn't condemn. Jesus doesn't exaggerate. He simply says, "Hey I love you. Just as you are. But I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So, let's fully turn from those things that are not beneficial for you."
Last Saturday, I set a goal for myself and how far I wanted to walk in miles this week. Today is Thursday and it was a bit easier today why? Because I have learned that I can't do this without God! I have decided to praise God for each and every step! Pray for friends and family during this time, but keeping on with the praise. When it starts to get tough and my legs are getting tired...I start praising!
Another thought came to mind today as I was walking! What we truly want to do in life, we make time for it! We make time for Facebook, we make time for TV, we make time for eating, we make time for shopping...but when it comes to something like eating healthy or exercising, we can come up with a million excuses as to why we can't. It's too expensive, it takes too much time, etc...I don't have time in my day. I have figured out that if I really want it bad enough...I will make time for it! So I set my clock earlier in the morning, get up, spend time with God first thing (well 2nd...I go to the bathroom first ;o) ) reading his word, and doing my devotional. Then I take 1 hour for myself to get to walking! Then when I am back home...I am ready to start doing the things I need and want to do!
Be encouraged that the things worth doing or having are worth fighting for!
Keep on keeping on!
Over the last little bit I have been reading the Made To Crave book by Lysa Terkeurst. I read a chapter each day and answer the questions that are at the end of the chapter. Today was a good chapter: Chapter 18 Things Lost, Better Things Gained.
As I read this chapter and answered the questions at the end, then headed out for my walk this morning, there really was a stirring in my spirit about all that I have encountered over this summer of travels. What things have I lost and in the process what great things have I gained!
Victory won't stay long if I start resisting and disliking her essential requirements of sacrifice and repentance!
Lysa uses in her book a scripture in and through the book. It is really starting to ring home with me. "Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial...I will not be mastered by anything" 1 Corinthians 6:12
Some actions are not sinful in themselves, but they are not appropriate because they can control our lives and lead us away from God! WOW...when I read that this morning....my eyes were opened! How many times have I grabbed a snack or ate something that I really didn't need but felt like I either deserved it or this little bit won't hurt! I didn't write it down and so I felt like I wasn't accountable for it! Well those things add up...with the calorie count, points count etc...the old thought pattern of if I don't write it I don't have to count it, does me no good.
Another thing she said today was this:"What if this whole journey of getting healthy could be more about what we're in the process of gaining than what we're losing? In the midst of losing chips and chocolate, there are things to be gained. Things that unleash my weighted down soul, re-inflate my defeated attitude, and set loose a hope that maybe, just maybe, I CAN!
One statistic that she points out is that was published by Science News was that researchers found junk food to be measurable addictive in lab rats: After just five days on the junk food diet, rats showed "profound reductions" in the sensitivity of their brains' pleasure centers, suggesting that the animals quickly became habituated to the food. As a result, the rats ate more food to get the same amount of pleasure. Just as heroin addicts require more and more of the drug to feel good, rats needed more and more of the junk food. "They lose control," one researcher says. "This is the hallmark of addiction."
Another thing that was in this chapter was from Anne Jackson: DON'T Trust the scale! Most people will attempt working out and eating better for about a month; when they don't see a big difference on the scale, they give up.
Trust the effort you are putting into getting healthy. And keep going! Not only are there changes going on in your body that you can't see, there are changes going on in your spirit-with your discipline, your courage and your willpower. Keep going!
If we only focus on what we're giving up, will make us feel constantly deprived. And deprivation leads to desperation, frustration, and failure. But courage fills my hear, mind and soul with everything alive and possible and invigorating.
One of the last things she said was this: "Oh, what a difference. Jesus doesn't compare. Jesus doesn't condemn. Jesus doesn't exaggerate. He simply says, "Hey I love you. Just as you are. But I love you too much to leave you stuck in this. So, let's fully turn from those things that are not beneficial for you."
Last Saturday, I set a goal for myself and how far I wanted to walk in miles this week. Today is Thursday and it was a bit easier today why? Because I have learned that I can't do this without God! I have decided to praise God for each and every step! Pray for friends and family during this time, but keeping on with the praise. When it starts to get tough and my legs are getting tired...I start praising!
Another thought came to mind today as I was walking! What we truly want to do in life, we make time for it! We make time for Facebook, we make time for TV, we make time for eating, we make time for shopping...but when it comes to something like eating healthy or exercising, we can come up with a million excuses as to why we can't. It's too expensive, it takes too much time, etc...I don't have time in my day. I have figured out that if I really want it bad enough...I will make time for it! So I set my clock earlier in the morning, get up, spend time with God first thing (well 2nd...I go to the bathroom first ;o) ) reading his word, and doing my devotional. Then I take 1 hour for myself to get to walking! Then when I am back home...I am ready to start doing the things I need and want to do!
Be encouraged that the things worth doing or having are worth fighting for!
Keep on keeping on!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Special moments on the Journey!
When I do my walking I listen to upbeat music that gives a steady pace to walk! Yesterday I was going to get in 3 miles to work on a goal of 15 miles in a week...I had been praying as I was making this last half of the walk...God you are are to have to help me with this goal! This is nothing that I can do myself! I am pushing myself to new levels in my fitness and need your help! And the song that started to play was Ain't no mountain high enough!!! God spoke through a secular song!! LOL... it was just what I needed to keep going! I am sharing the words to this song because it really does say what God says to us a lot!!! Enjoy and I hope you smile like I did yesterday!
Listen, baby
Ain't no mountain high
Ain't no vally low
Ain't no river wide enough,
If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call my name
I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry
'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you
Remember the day
I set you free
I told you
You could always count on me
From that day on I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way,some how
'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you
No wind, no rain
My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart
If you ever need a helping hand
I'll be there on the double
As fast as I can
Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you
Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
Keep on keeping on!!!
Listen, baby
Ain't no mountain high
Ain't no vally low
Ain't no river wide enough,
If you need me, call me
No matter where you are
No matter how far
Just call my name
I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry
'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you
Remember the day
I set you free
I told you
You could always count on me
From that day on I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way,some how
'Cause baby,
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you
No wind, no rain
My love is alive
Way down in my heart
Although we are miles apart
If you ever need a helping hand
I'll be there on the double
As fast as I can
Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you
Don't you know that
There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
Keep on keeping on!!!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
What's ahead?
"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are
living our fears." - Les Brown
I saw this quote in an email that I got! Really made me stop and think! Do I sometimes sabotage myself because I am afraid of being successful? Am I afraid to know what life would be like if I truly were at a healthy weight?
I sit and ponder these things from time to time. I guess now is one of those times. I am normally NEVER up this early...but have a lot on my mind...a lot of things going on in my family...My first born leaves for college on Sunday (all be it he is just across town...but leaving none the less), my sister is buying her first house...so excited for her, one of my cousins just had surgery on her knee due to breaking her knee cap in 5 places, I have 2 aunts that have been really sick....
While in Phoenix this summer one of the services that we sent to was speaking on achieving the dreams that God has for you. I have to say that I was never really encouraged to follow my dreams up until the last several months. I have always been afraid of failing.
These last few weeks, I have really just longed for something. God blessed me with a chance to speak to Ken and Austin Andrews from Biggest Loser 11, then God has been stirring things in my heart. Don't be afraid to succeed!
So as I headed back to my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday (Friday) for the first time in 5 weeks due to summer travel...I wasn't sure what to expect on the scale...but it was down! I knew the Wii said I was down, but I had forgotten what my last weigh in was at the last meeting I attended! I had already done a mile and a half at the park and was ready to go! I was so encouraged to be back with my buddies! It truly does help to have encouragement from people who have been down that road before!
So as I type this-be encouraged- it is OK to succeed! It is OK to follow your dreams! Why? Because you are worth it!
Keep on keeping on!
living our fears." - Les Brown
I saw this quote in an email that I got! Really made me stop and think! Do I sometimes sabotage myself because I am afraid of being successful? Am I afraid to know what life would be like if I truly were at a healthy weight?
I sit and ponder these things from time to time. I guess now is one of those times. I am normally NEVER up this early...but have a lot on my mind...a lot of things going on in my family...My first born leaves for college on Sunday (all be it he is just across town...but leaving none the less), my sister is buying her first house...so excited for her, one of my cousins just had surgery on her knee due to breaking her knee cap in 5 places, I have 2 aunts that have been really sick....
While in Phoenix this summer one of the services that we sent to was speaking on achieving the dreams that God has for you. I have to say that I was never really encouraged to follow my dreams up until the last several months. I have always been afraid of failing.
These last few weeks, I have really just longed for something. God blessed me with a chance to speak to Ken and Austin Andrews from Biggest Loser 11, then God has been stirring things in my heart. Don't be afraid to succeed!
So as I headed back to my Weight Watchers meeting yesterday (Friday) for the first time in 5 weeks due to summer travel...I wasn't sure what to expect on the scale...but it was down! I knew the Wii said I was down, but I had forgotten what my last weigh in was at the last meeting I attended! I had already done a mile and a half at the park and was ready to go! I was so encouraged to be back with my buddies! It truly does help to have encouragement from people who have been down that road before!
So as I type this-be encouraged- it is OK to succeed! It is OK to follow your dreams! Why? Because you are worth it!
Keep on keeping on!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
What kind of journey have you been on this Summer?
Whew..here we are almost at the end of summer! Getting ready for back to school time!!! Changes in store for our family! We have one leaving for college this weekend!
We have been traveling ALL summer!!! Left our house June 3 and was home for a few days at the end of June then left again July 5 and just got back home a couple of days ago.
What was my mindset this summer? To do the best I could with the situations that were before me! Normally my mindset would have been..oh I'm not at home, I'll just do what I want! How did that work out for me? Well better than I thought!!! I managed to only go up 1.5 pounds! Which could be as simple as water weight from sitting so much in the car or the hotter climates that I found myself in this summer! What ever the cause, I am starting to get myself back on track and getting back in control of the choices I make!
This past week in Phoenix, I had the wonderful honor of meeting Ken and Austin Andrews! They were contestants on Biggest Loser 11! What a great source of inspiration and encouragement they were and are to me! They both encouraged me to keep pushing myself and to take care of myself.
I don't know how many of you are like me...you tend to put yourself last because there is someone else who needs more help than me! Well it was pointed out to me that if I don't take care of me, who is going to be there to take care of my family?
So whatever you faced this summer-if you stayed on track and had a very successful summer or you fell off the wagon and had a not so hot summer--it's time to start taking care of yourself! You are the only you there is and no one can take your place!
So like I have told myself...just because you fall off the wagon doesn't mean you wallow around in the mud hole having a pity party!!! Pick yourself up and get back on the wagon!!
Keep on keeping on!
We have been traveling ALL summer!!! Left our house June 3 and was home for a few days at the end of June then left again July 5 and just got back home a couple of days ago.
What was my mindset this summer? To do the best I could with the situations that were before me! Normally my mindset would have been..oh I'm not at home, I'll just do what I want! How did that work out for me? Well better than I thought!!! I managed to only go up 1.5 pounds! Which could be as simple as water weight from sitting so much in the car or the hotter climates that I found myself in this summer! What ever the cause, I am starting to get myself back on track and getting back in control of the choices I make!
This past week in Phoenix, I had the wonderful honor of meeting Ken and Austin Andrews! They were contestants on Biggest Loser 11! What a great source of inspiration and encouragement they were and are to me! They both encouraged me to keep pushing myself and to take care of myself.
I don't know how many of you are like me...you tend to put yourself last because there is someone else who needs more help than me! Well it was pointed out to me that if I don't take care of me, who is going to be there to take care of my family?
So whatever you faced this summer-if you stayed on track and had a very successful summer or you fell off the wagon and had a not so hot summer--it's time to start taking care of yourself! You are the only you there is and no one can take your place!
So like I have told myself...just because you fall off the wagon doesn't mean you wallow around in the mud hole having a pity party!!! Pick yourself up and get back on the wagon!!
Keep on keeping on!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)