Funny How Things Work Out

We have heard it said that it's best to work out with a workout partner, but what if you can't find someone to go to the gym or workout with you???  Where do you find your encouragement, and accountability???  I know some can dig down deep and can do it without help.  I am not one of those people.

I am one of those people who thrives when she can feed off the encouragement (both received and given) of others.  I had prayed for God to put women in my life that can help me grow and not let me stay where I am.
That's where God shows off!  He presented me with not one but two ladies!  They may not live here with me, but thanks to Facebook and the internet we have become close and are able to encourage and support each other.

Encouraging those wonderful ladies keeps me in the gym, and working out.  I know I can't honestly stay home and not workout if these ladies might call me needing to know "if I can, you can".  Staying focused and helping them find helpful information also helps me to see what is out there and keeps my mind on the goal when a huge food temptation shows up or a chance to do something besides go to the gym.

Thank you ladies!!!!

Good and Great

I am going to start a journal.  Not a 'these are my deep personal feelings' journal, but a more focused journal.  I have never been a fan of the mushy kind of journals.

I am going to start an evaluation journal.  1) What did I do that was good, but not great?  2) What can I do to change it for the great?  3) What did I do today that made me feel like a rock star, whether big or little?

I think if I keep the evaluation journal, it can work two fold.  I can keep myself focused on making each step count, and I can look back and see the progress I have made.

Yesterday was a crazy, non-productive work-out day.  However I was able to strengthen some vital relationships, had the confidence to make the right small choices, and was aware of what and how much I ate.

So I could get upset that I had big plans to work out, and they got completely overridden by others needs, OR I could realize that no one is going to remember in the long run whether I worked out that day or not, but they will remember the time we spent together.

I like to think that if I died tomorrow, people would remember how much I cared for others, and was available for those with needs, NOT whether or not I was in shape.

Confidence, Where is it really???

I am reminded of the song "Blowing in the Wind" tonight, only with lyrics changed a bit.  "How many times must I start a workout regimen before I can work through my excuses to find the goal?"

How is it some people can just make a decision for something and just go for it, complete it, and shine?  Or is that just what we see?  Do they also struggle with 'can I do it?', 'will it matter?', 'is this just a yo-yo or can I make actual permanent changes?' that tend to paralyze me?  

I can call it what I want to, give it some fluffy name so I feel better about sitting on the couch not doing anything, but the truth is I lack confidence.  I lack confidence in myself to actually do the work.  I lack confidence that I can make long term changes.  I lack confidence that it will even matter.  I lack confidence that anyone will notice and I won't hear any 'atta girl's.  

However, I am learning.  I am learning that I don't NEED confidence in the long term.  I don't NEED confidence in anyone noticing and hearing affirmations from outside sources.  I don't NEED confidence of me doing the work every day.

I have learned on very long hikes, and some very long workouts, that if I look at the end, I freeze.  However if I look at the moment now.  Now where I can make a choice.  Now where I take each step for what it is: A VITAL PART OF THE JOURNEY!  

I have confidence in choosing water over soda a choice at a time.  Not forever, not tomorrow.  I have confidence in today!.  I have confidence in choosing to pack my lunch instead of going for a baconator, large fries, and large coke.  

If I had stayed constant in my journey, I would not have learned about where my confidence comes from.  I would not have learned EXACTLY what it means to die to myself daily and let Christ live through me.  I would not have been able to feel the completeness of accepting His new mercies, new chances each glorious morning!

So here I am in what I am calling No-Fault November.  We, as women, are so hard on ourselves that this month is going to be about the steps.  Not the destination.  Not next month, Not next week.  Enjoy each step in its own right and every choice is a chance for a do-over!

Back Online

     So what has been going on since my last post?  Started going to The Rush in Asheville while I was working over there and lost almost 20 lbs thanks so my wonderful trainer and my dotfit armband (March to June).  However, I am not good with change, so when I left that job, I wasn't going (it is about 20 miles from the house) anymore.  Good news is that I didn't gain any weight while I was looking for a job...  which I was very surprised about!  I have watched my darling husband lose 45 lbs doing Tony Horton 10-Minute Trainer and now has started Insanity.  I have found a job that I absolutely love and my time is more open in the mornings, so I am going to start doing the 10-Minute trainer in the mornings before I go to work (doing all 3 workouts/per day for a 30 minute session), and on the days there is just one session, I will be doing the Zumba on the Wii.  NOW, that being said, am I going to stop going to the gym??? not at all... I am just going to have the flexibility to not think of the gym as a "have to" and as a "get to" and get to spend some time with my dear friend who started going over there... We will suffer through the Monday Zumba class together... and get to enjoy some grown up time...

     As long as I keep with the supplements N8 picked out for me, and DO NOT EAT after 10pm, I will be doing great, but that little orange monster that they used on the Weight Watchers commercials shows up at my house every night at 10pm and I am craving salty food like a crack head... it is really is pitiful... I know it is all in my head, and I just need to drink my water, and go to bed, and realize that whatever show is on is not as important as the calories I am about to mindlessly eat.  On that note, whoever gave Jeshua the box of Everlasting Gobstoppers this am, I love/hate you.  lol  This is where my inner sugar junkie has presented her ugly self today...

Philippians 1:20   "...and Christ shall be magnified in my body..."

Made Some Adjustments

So, I know it has been about a month since I have posted.  In that time, I started a new job and thought I would be able to run after work.  However, as we know our plans don't always go as we think they will.  So I knew I needed to adjust my sails.

So I knew a friend of mine when to the Rush Fitness Complex, and I was checking out their page, as well as a few other gyms in the area.  I was surprised that only the Rush responded.  So I met with them on a Thursday and joined on a Friday.  Got hooked up with a trainer, and are planning on working with her on Tues, Thursday and Saturday.  So far have done this past week, except for Thursday when we had to go to SC.  Already have next week scheduled and ready to go.  

I am super excited to reach my goal of 130 by Christmas!!!

No More Excuses!!!

I got professionally fitted for running shoes today!  It felt like Christmas, but without having to wait to open the present!!!

I have no more excuses!  I have the shoes, and I even bought some clothes to match my shoes, lol.  Foot Rx Running of Asheville gives 30 days to return the shoes if they don't fit right, so I am going to have to get all I can out of my trial period.  Can't wait to see how they do!!!

Back in the Saddle Again

After feeling like a was on the losing end of sickness this week, I finally felt similar to a person today.  It is so much easier to feel good when God gives us a beautiful sunny day.

I ran 1 min/walked 1 min out about 1 mile, then walked 2 min/ran 1 min back.  Entire Run/Walk took about 35 min.

While I feel like a champ, I don't think I was/am entirely over the crud I had/have because now as long as I don't take a deep breath, I am okay.  However if I take a deep breath, it hurts and when I very first got home, deep breaths had a funny "taste" to them.  But now as long as I talk quietly (N8 is loving that) I am good to go.

Now I know this was the second hardest run (1st being the very first run), because it is very hard to get up after a 2 week time off.

But now I'm back.... to let you know... I can really shake it down (get a good run time).  :-D