Chocolate is my favorite food group

As I sit here writing this blog about better choices and eating healthier I’m eating a candy bar. It seems I get started on junk and that is all I want. That has to change!

I’ve been sharing my 30 day five part goals with you for awhile now and for the most part they work – when I stay focused and look at them every day. When I stop making it a starting part of my day then I lose focus. The only thing that has stayed a main part of my day is bible and prayer; that is suffering now that we are in the holiday season. My focus has shifted and my health needs don’t rank very high on my priority list.

Simplify that is my new focus. I’m going to set a long term goal and then short term goals to get me to the finish line; I’m going to keep it simple, start with 1 or 2 stepping stones (short term goals) and work to first balance that in my schedule and to master it so it is routine then add something new.

My long term goal is:

52 Pounds in 52 Weeks

Stepping Stone #1: Drink 64 – 70 oz water daily

How: I’m going to use the band method to accomplish this goal.

I’m a visual person so I have to have reminders of how much water I have drank and how much more to reach my goal. In the morning I will put 8 to 9 rubber bands around my 8 oz glass then each time I refill my glass I remove a rubber band. Also, I’m going to always have water with me no matter where I’m going.

Stepping Stone #2: 10 minutes aerobic exercise everyday

How: We have a workout program for our Wii that offers 3 – 10 minute step aerobic workouts. Ten minutes is not a huge commitment, when I’m able to do that without being winded I can add another 10 minutes.

I hope you will join me and set your own long and short term goals. More I hope you will keep me accountable and check me to see how I’m doing or ask when you see me eating a candy bar is that the best choice.

What does Can't mean

I had a teacher in 6^th grade that would not allow any of his students to use the word can’t. He said can’t means either I don’t know how or I don’t want to do it, all these years later and I still remember that. When I look at my goals from last month I want to use the words I CAN’T, but that isn’t the truth. To be honest most days I let other things get in the way until I Don’t Want To Walk, I Don’t Want To Plan A Health Menu, I Don’t Want To                                .

If you have not guessed yet I didn’t stick to my goals, however I still believe in my goals. I’m making just a few changes to them for the next 30 days:

1.     Spiritual ~ Proverbs 27:17

a.     Read and journal through Mark

b.      Read through Psalms in 30 days (5 chapters each day)

c.       Pray honestly (reading: Lord, Teach me to pray in 28 days by Kay Arthur)

d.      Encourage others to set goals and reach for them

e.      Pray at specific times each day for needs of others

                                          i.      8:00 – friends, family & school

                                         ii.     12:00 – Jalin and her team in Uganda

                                   iii.           5:00 – evening activities and those involved

2.     Food ~ Proverbs 21:20

a.     Increase my water to 64 oz each day

b.     Keep a food journal

c.       Make weekly menus

d.      Find new recipes

3.     Physical ~ 1 Timothy 4:8

a.     Walk everyday 2 – 3 miles

b.      Do 12 week workout plan with Nathan

c.       2 x’s per week do an EA Active workout

4.      Time Management ~Ephesians 5:15-16

a.     Create a 30 day schedule that blocks out everything that needs to be done

b.      Learn to say no to things that do not best use the time God has given me each day

5.      Emotional

a.      Surround myself with strong Christian woman who will motivate me to improve myself and grow in my relationship with God.

To help remind me each day I’m going to post a copy of my goals on the refrigerator to be a constant reminder of what I hope to achieve.

Encouragement

             Encourage: To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence.

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, you give me reasons why I can." ~ Unknown

Part of my goal for this month is to encourage my accountability friend, today she encouraged me. I invited her & another strong Christian friend to my home for lunch; we ate, talked and prayed together. When I do what God has placed on my heart, willingly, thinking I am giving something to another God turns it back around and blesses me. My friends gave of themselves to inspire me with hope, courage & confidence. I am a blessed woman and a better person having friends who love and encourage me.

I hope by reading this blog you are encouraged and I challenge you to find, if you don’t already have one, a friend to encourage. When you encourage her you will be amazed how God bless you.

So much for wise food choices

It is so hard to eat right when I’m traveling; I go for convenience more the healthy. We took a family trip to Atlanta this past weekend our daughter is on a mission trip and needed to meet her team there. I planned ahead and packed food so that we could 1.) save money & 2.) have good food choices instead of what fast food we found along the way. I made taco meat, put it in the crock pot and let that simmer while we drove the first half of the day, lunch was taco salad and fruit. I made fresh bread sliced it before we left and for supper we had turkey sandwiches & macaroni salad; we figured we saved about $50 by doing this. It was the next day that it seemed to all fall apart for me. We went to a Waffle House for breakfast and ate sausage gravy w/ biscuits and had a side of hash browns. When lunch came around I wasn’t hungry and since it was my birthday I was holding out for something better that a sandwich. After meeting up with our daughters mission team we went back to the hotel I ate a piece of fruit and waited until time to go to dinner.

Went to a restaurant we found on line with high reviews. I had steak, grilled shrimp, baked potato, sour dough bread and salad. Oh so good, oh so full. My son had told the hostess that it was my birthday and when we were ready to go just waiting for the bill out comes the waiter with this huge piece of chocolate cake. And guess what, we ate it also (not all of it).

The next morning I fixed deviled eggs, reheated our left over steak, put out the bread and divided the rest of the cake; that was breakfast. To make a long menu short 5 Guys burgers & fries for lunch, ice cream and many other less health food choices.

Do I give up no? I do 30 day dares so that I have small goals to reach for and I can see my start/finish line easily. I just pick up where I was and make better choices the next day.

Only those who dare to fail greatly can achieve greatly. Robert F Kennedy

30 day Challenge

30 Day Challenge

September 1^st – 30^th

1.       Spiritual ~ Proverbs 27:17

a.       Read and journal through Proverbs using the NIV bible

b.      Read through Psalms in 30 days (5 chapters each day)

c.       Pray honestly (reading: Lord, Teach me to pray in 28 days by Kay Arthur)

d.      Encourage my accountability friend.

e.       Pray at specific times each day for needs of others

                                                              i.      8:00 – friends, family & school

                                                            ii.      12:00 – Jalin and her team in Uganda

                                                          iii.      5:00 – evening activities and those involved

2.      Food ~ Proverbs 21:20

a.       Increase my water to 64 oz each day

b.      Keep a food journal

                                                              i.      List what I eat w/calories (when possible)

                                                            ii.      Keep track of what I drink

                                                          iii.      Make weekly menus

                                                           iv.      Find new recipes

3.       Physical ~ 1 Timothy 4:8

a.       Walk everyday 2 – 3 miles

b.      Do 12 week workout plan with Nathan

c.       2 x’s per week do an EA Active workout

4.      Time Management ~Ephesians 5:15-16

a.       Create a 30 day schedule that blocks out everything that needs to be done

b.      Learn to say no to things that do not best use the time God has given me each day

5.      Emotional

a.       Surround myself with strong Christian woman who will motivate me to improve myself and grow in my relationship with God.

 

Daily Exercise

Warm Up

Stretches

*Walk

Cardio

Minute Work out (1 min. ea. Jump Rope; Jumping Jacks; High Knees; Slides)

Sprints

Core

Sit ups

Push ups

Squats

Flexibility

Yoga

Cool Down

Walk

Stretch

·         Improve time: walk the mile faster than the week before. Check time mid week

 

Then your body will be healthy, and your bones will be strong

I didn’t accomplish my goals this month and I didn’t lose weight but maintained. My clothes feel looser and more comfortable so that makes me feel better. I do have more energy and I have a desire to do more than before.

Part of my goal this time was to read through the book of Proverbs. I decided to keep a Proverbs journal, this month I read from the New Century Version bible in September I will read the New International Version. Each day I pray for God to open my eyes so I can see what He is teaching me, to clear my mind so I can understand His teaching and to open my heart so I can apply the teaching to my life and be able to show Gods grace and love to others I meet.

Here are a few verses that God pointed out to me that helps me control my eating more than my eating control

Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success. Don't depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong. Then your body will be healthy, and your bones will be strong. Proverbs 3:6-8

          This verse is full of if then promises ~

If I remember the Lord in everything then you will receive success.

If I don’t depend on my own wisdom, respect the Lord & refuse to do wrong (make bad food choices) then I will have a healthy body and strong bones.

Wise people's houses are full of the best foods and olive oil, but fools waste everything they have. Whoever tries to live right and be loyal finds life, success, and honor. Proverbs 21:20-21

My house should be full of all the best foods and empty of all the things that are not good for me. This is a verse that I need to apply to my grocery list, I still buy foods that are not healthy at all but I tell myself it is good for me.

Control yourself if you have a big appetite. Proverbs 23:2

There are days that all I want to do is eat, even if I’m not hungry. I need to learn control my eating and to turn to water instead.

When you are full, not even honey tastes good, but when you are hungry, even something bitter tastes sweet. Proverbs 27:7

Keep me from lying and being dishonest. And don't make me either rich or poor; just give me enough food for each day. Proverbs 30:8

Prayer – Lord teach me not to lie to myself about my food choices but please give me just the right food and amount that I need for each day.

It is time to set a new set of goals. I will be praying about what God wants me to work on so that I can move down the path God has set before me. I cannot do this without God’s guidance. I will post my next set of goals. I will start on September 1, 2011. This won’t be an easy time to start since I will be traveling that weekend.

Pray with me, ask God to give me the wisdom I need to set theses goals and ask God to give you the needed wisdom to set your own health and fitness goals.

I'm a fool

Wise people's houses are full of the best foods and olive oil,
but fools waste everything they have. Proverbs 21:20

I want to fill my house with good food

Wise =

  Having the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting

  Having great learning; erudite.

  Provided with information; informed

Wisdom =

  The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.

  Common sense; good judgment

  The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge

Fool =

  One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding.

  One who acts unwisely on a given occasion

Foolish =

  Lacking or exhibiting a lack of good sense or judgment

          I have a hard time saying I’m wise, especially when I keep making the same foolish choices. I know what is right – the right foods to eat, the right amount of sleep to get and the right duration of exercise. Do I always eat the right food, not unless ice cream and M&M’s is right; do I get the right amount of sleep, not always; & do I exercise enough, no not even close. I walk 2 ½ miles twice a week and I’m doing core exercise 3 – 4 times a week. I need to up my exercising I know that, my excuse is the heat or I don’t want to go without my husband, oh I could come up with several.

          One of my goals for these 30 days is to have a menu so that I make wise food choices. I have not taken the time to put in practice. It won’t be too hard it just means taking the time to do it and then doing the shopping that goes with it. I have a plan for how to lay it out – have “theme” nights, pasta night, soup & salad, crock pot night, pizza night, and so on. So all I have to do is plan out 5 or 6 menus (plan a leftover day). It isn’t that hard to do it is just a matter of doing it. I’m the one who is sabotaging my efforts.

          I have support from my family on eating healthy. I have this support mostly because they don’t want to cook but they want to eat. Everyone enjoys whatever food I cook, no picky eaters, so all the excuses I have are my own. So that brings me back to I don’t act wise, I’m rather foolish when it comes to my health. That doesn’t have to be the end of it though with God’s guidance I can become wise about my choices.

I want to be a blessing

The good people who live honest lives will be a blessing to their children. Proverbs 20:7

          Growing up I watch my mom smoke and saw her health deteriorate with every puff. As a teenager I vowed I would not smoke or date/marry someone who smokes, I would not watch another person ruin their health or put my children through that torture. However I have chosen to use food for my comfort and I have allowed food to make me less healthy. I must be honest with myself about food and my health. I’m doing better about making food choices but there is a long way for me to go. By making my health a priority then I can be around for much longer and my children can be blessed.

          My new goals for the next 30 days (July 18 – August 18) I hope by sharing this you are encouraged and see that you can be healthy and not feel like something is lacking in your life.

1.    Build a stronger relationship with my Lord and Savior: Sit in His word

a.    Read a Proverb a day: The average month has 30 days and there are 31 Proverbs.

b.    Journal what God is teaching me

c.    Pray honestly

d.    Read and Reflect on devotionals

2.    Keep a food journal

a.    List what I eat w/ calories

b.    Mark water intake and other fluids (coffee, soda, kool-aid)

c.    Make weekly menus

d.    Find new recipes

3.    Be active: continue my walking routine

a.    By the end of these 30 days I will walk 3 miles a day.

b.    on day I walk with my accountability friend I will walk again on my own (harder/faster)

c.    2 times a week do a workout

4.    Mange my time: Time for me is as important as time people want me

a.    Use my calendar mark what I need to do each day (daily goals)

b.    Schedule time for: bible study, exercise, T.V./Computer

c.    Eliminate things that keeps me from accomplishing my goals

The lies I tell myself

          Over the years I have told myself I can’t afford to lose weight, if I lose it then my clothing won’t fit and I will have to buy new clothes. If I have to buy new clothes where will the money come from? I still can’t buy a whole ward robe, at least not all at once, but I don’t have to; I can use a belt until I have the money to replace my pants. I also have several pairs of pants in my closest from when I lost weight before. I thought I had given them away but recently I discovered I still have them. Now I don't have to believe that lie because God has shown me the solution. It will be fun to go shopping for new clothes when I have the money to do it.

          I am so sad when I see a picture of myself looking fat, old and frumpy. I’m tired of feeling fat, old and frumpy also. If you haven’t noticed yet there aren’t any pictures of me on this blog for you to see and won’t be until I have lost at least 50 pounds. I don’t do a lot of things because I get depressed when I don’t look the way I think I should, which is partly colored by the world’s view of beauty. I don’t agree with what the world says beauty is but I can’t seem to get it out of my head. I want to be accepted and viewed as pretty, but before someone else can do that I have to accept myself and believe that I'm pretty. When I voice my honest opinion about myself people say they don’t agree with me but they don’t share what they see either. Just another lie that Satan tells me that I’m trying to learn not to believe.

          It felt so good yesterday when I weighed myself and the scale showed I lost just over 8 pounds in 30 + days. My goal every month is 5 pounds so I’m ahead of my goal. I was excited, happy and almost jumping for joy. It felt like I just hit the winning shot just as the buzzer sounded to end the game. I will be this happy again when my weight goes down next month and when it shows to the point that people start asking 'have you lost weight.' I’m ready to say ‘Yes I have, thank you for asking.’ I won't let Satan take this victory from me. He is trying to whisper lies in my ear but I'm not hearing him.

          I’m sure Satan will try to find another lie for me to believe, he’s good at that. And I will have the choice of believing it or kicking him to the side so I can move forward. I won’t let him control my weight any longer; he is too much to carry around.

          Soon I will let you know my new goals for the next 30 day dare. I’m still praying about what God wants me to do to become a stronger, healthier and more fit me. It is so much easier to 1.) do it with God; and 2.) write it down so that I have the reminder, accountability.

THE RESULTS ARE IN

I had planned on giving my dare results before leaving for my trip however time did not allow that to happen. So let’s go over the dare I made with myself, it was with myself only – it was what I wanted to do to make a better me.

Here is part of my first post for us to review

Why 30 days? In 30 days I leave for Brazil and I want to feel energized and to have that feeling I have to be healthy and fit. I HAD THE ENERGY TO KEEP UP WITH MY TEAM WHO IS YOUNGER OR PHYSICALLY MORE FIT THAN I AM. IT WAS THE DAY THAT I RAN AROUND WITH 3 OR 4 PRESCHOOLERS, YES I WAS WINDED BUT NOT EXHAUSTED AND DIDN’T FEEL LIKE I NEEDED TO GO CURL UP IN A CORNOR SOME PLACE TO REST. I WAS SO ENCOURAGED BY THE WAY I FELT AT THE END OF EACH DAY.

To be healthy and fit I have to change my habits. I HAVE CHANGED MY HABITS AND I ENJOY EATTING BETTER AND WHEN I GET PLENTY OF WATER (AT LEAST 8 – 8OZ CUPS) I HAVE SO MUCH MORE ENERGY.

To get started I'm setting 5 goals.

1. Spend at least 30 minutes every day in God's word MOST DAYS I GOT THIS MUCH TIME OR MORE WITH GOD. I WANT TO IMPROVE ON THIS GOAL HOWEVER.
2. Pray! Pray! Pray! I COULDN’T GET THROUGH MY DAY WITHOUT THIS. I PRAYED MANY TIMES DURING THE DAY. GOD GIVES ME THE STRENGTH I NEED TO GET THROUGH EACH DAY AND I CAN’T DRAW ON THIS STRENTH THAT GOD WANTS ME TO HAVE IF I’M NOT GOING TO HIM.
3. Get active: (Walk every morning, at least 1 mile; Walk every evening, at least 1 mile; Workout 3x's a week), find someone to walk with at least 2 days a week. ON AN AVERAGE WEEK I WALKED 6 DAYS A WEEK MOST OF THE DAYS WAS ONLY ONCE A DAY. DUE TO OTHER ACTIVITIES I DIDN’T GET A MORNING AND EVENING WALK EVERY DAY. I WAS ALSO WALKING OVER 2 MILES AT A TIME. I NEVER DID GET MY EXTRA WORKOUTS STARTED. LOOKS LIKE THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH THIS GOAL
4. Make wise food choices I ENJOYED LOOKING FOR HEALTHY WAYS TO EAT AND PREPARE MY FOOD. YES I DID HAVE CHOCOLATE BUT I DIDN’T CRAVE IT HAS MUCH SINCE I WAS GIVING MY BODY OTHER GOOD FOOD
5. Manage my time: set a time each day for my bible study and walks or workouts (an appointment that I must keep). By doing this it causes me to be accountable. LET’S JUST SAY I HAVE LOTS OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THIS GOAL

So there it is the RESULTS of my 30 Day Dare! J     Well there is one result that isn’t here yet, the result of the unwritten goal. I would like to lose weight as a result of my exercise and better eating.

                                                   

Drum Roll, Please

8 pounds in just over 30 days!!!!!!