I'll try to keep this short, but I can't make any promises. There are a lot of days God lays something on my heart, and I end up preaching a sermon to myself. Today that happened on the way to work, and I felt very compelled to share, so here goes ....
I've shared before on this blog that my husband Justin and I are trying to have a baby. We've actually been trying for almost three years now. I never dreamed it would be this hard; I never imagined I would have three miscarriages, either. Growing up, I always just assumed that when my husband and I decided we wanted kids, it would just happen. And while it does for a lot of people (including a lot of people I know), that has not been our path. I have struggled with this in many ways, trying to figure out why this hasn't happened for us. I still don't have the answers, but there is a large part of me that feels it's happening so I can use my story as a testimony to encourage others. It doesn't matter what things look like on the outside, God is faithful. He answers prayer, so technically, I know how this story is going to end - with me holding my baby boys (and tears rolling down my face).
Here's where the sermon started on the way to work. I think about my boys constantly; they're not even here yet, but they are always on my mind. So, I was thinking about them and listening to Christmas music, which got me thinking about Baby Jesus. The reason some Jews didn't accept Jesus when he was born was due in large part to the fact that they didn't think God would send a baby to save the world. They believed God would send someone to help them basically take over their enemies (at least that's what I've been told). Because God didn't do things the way they expected, they missed out. I don't want to do that, so I've been praying a lot lately that God would show me what to do. We've considered adoption - if that's how God is going to give me my babies, I don't want to miss out. Anyway, back to Mary and Baby Jesus.
Think about it - how crazy, to the natural mind, does it sound for a virgin to have a baby. And for that baby to be the Son of God. And for that baby to grow up to perform miracles, die on a cross and rise from the dead. But because we've read the bible, we don't think the birth of Jesus sounds strange at all. We just think "Of course God would send a baby. Why would anyone question that?" But really stop and think about it. What if Mary had been your neighbor? Pretend you hadn't read the bible; you didn't know how this all turned out. How strange does all this sound?
You could apply this throughout the bible. Abraham and Sarah, 75 and 65 respectively, are told they're going to have a baby. Sarah tells Abraham to sleep with his maid to give them a baby (because all too often we think we need to kind of help God out with our own plans). We all agree it's dumb and think, "Come on Sarah and Abraham, just be patient; Isaac is coming." They didn't know that. They couldn't pop open the bible and see that when Sarah was 90 she would give birth. I can't imagine how she must have felt. I'm 32 and feel old because I haven't had a baby yet - and Sarah was supposed to just be patient for 25 years and simply believe?!?!
Joshua didn't know the walls of Jericho would fall; Daniel didn't know the mouths of the lions would be shut. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn't know they would come out not even smelling like smoke or that Jesus would be joining them in the fire. Jonah didn't know he was getting out of that whale's belly. We look at these great men and women of God and think it was easy for them to believe, but that's because we know how the story ends. It's harder for us to believe because we don't have our story in front of us to see how or when it ends.
But as I was thinking all this, God reminded me, we do know how it ends. Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, FOR GOD CAN BE TRUSTED TO KEEP HIS PROMISE." Hebrews 13:8 tells us Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. That means if he has done something once, he'll do it again because he does not change!!. We may not know exactly how he's going to answer our prayers, but we know he's going to answer. And we have the blessing of the bible to encourage us, telling us that he gives us the desires or our hearts and if we ask we will receive.
I know this has gotten long, but this really encouraged me today. I also really hope my train of thought makes sense. I hope I was able to put into words what God put in my heart. Whatever you're going through, God knows about. He hears you every time you pray; so just keep believing - you know how the story is going to end.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Shortcuts
Brace yourself, I'm about to get on my soapbox and go on a tangent. Early Sunday morning I was flipping through the channels and came across several infomercials for some sort of exercise program. There were promises that "in only 20 minutes a day, three days a week" I could have this incredible body. You can hardly watch primetime tv or listen to the radio without hearing an ad for some sort of miracle pill or shake or food additive that will allow you to eat whatever you want and still lose weight. I cannot begin to tell you how aggrevated I get at these gimmicks. That's what they are - gimmicks. You want to know how to lose weight and get fit? WORK HARD AND EAT RIGHT! You want to know how those people on tv get those amazing bodies? They WORK HARD AND EAT RIGHT!!! I'm sorry, but there is no substitute for hard work. Don't believe me? Maybe this will help:
Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) - "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."
Even the bible warns against taking shortcuts. There are numerous verses in Proverbs that talk about working hard and how those who work hard will be blessed but those who are lazy will be cursed. Believe me, I wish it was easy. I was the girl who tried every diet pill and drink I could afford. I didn't want to give up the fast food or sugary foods (especially the sugar!). I didn't want to workout - I absolutely hated to workout. I didn't want to sweat; I didn't want to hurt. If it hurt, I would quit or scale way back. I was bound and determined to find a shortcut. Luckily for me, God brought my husband Justin into my life, and he got me involved with CrossFit. I figured out that pushing myself in the gym actually felt good, and that putting down the cake and fries paid off. I am proud to say that I am 32 years old, and I am in the best shape of my life. I have abs for the first time; I'm not ashamed to workout in just a sports bra when it gets hot. I have muscles in the my arms; I have traps! I can do pullups and double unders, and I can run!! None of this came easy. There was no shortcut. I learned (and am still learning) to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. I have also gained more self confidence, self esteem and self respect than I ever thought possible.
I also began making changes in my diet. Please don't think for one minute that this was easy for me. I struggle every day with the food part of this, but I know that it pays off in the end. I slip up and eat things I shouldn't, a lot, but I try to minize the damage and get right back on track. I'm not going to lie to you - none of this is easy. It would be a lot easier to let myself gain weight or to continue to look for that miracle pill or potion that would make me skinny, but working out and eating right has become much more to me than just being skinny. I want to be strong; I want to be fit; I want to be healthy, and I'm not going to find that in some pill or powder.
This tirade is not meant to discourage anyone, but rather to encourage you. I want to encourage you to not be afraid of a little hard work or a little sweat. Once you get past the initial hurt, you will realize that your body is an amazing thing that is capable of so much more than you think. If you apply yourself, you can do some pretty incredible things. The reason these shortcuts upset me so much is that I know people are cheating themselves out of discovering how amazing they truly are. I've been there, and I don't want them to be disappointed when yet another lose-weight quick scheme fails.
I have watched so many people at CrossFit who came in and thought they were in way over their head. I have then watched them undergo a transformation; and while the physical change is great, the mental change is even more amazing. I see people gaining confidence in their ability and in themselves. They walk in with their head held higher, and they are now ready to tackle a WOD instead of being intimidated by it. Once again, that doesn't come from a bottle.
I know this has gotten kind of long, but believe me, it could be a lot longer. I could go on and on and on when it comes to this topic. I challenge you to believe that you are strong and capable of some pretty amazing things, so get out there and push your limits. Don't be afraid of some hard work or sweat or of getting a little dirty. The results are well worth it, and you will be so proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) - "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."
Even the bible warns against taking shortcuts. There are numerous verses in Proverbs that talk about working hard and how those who work hard will be blessed but those who are lazy will be cursed. Believe me, I wish it was easy. I was the girl who tried every diet pill and drink I could afford. I didn't want to give up the fast food or sugary foods (especially the sugar!). I didn't want to workout - I absolutely hated to workout. I didn't want to sweat; I didn't want to hurt. If it hurt, I would quit or scale way back. I was bound and determined to find a shortcut. Luckily for me, God brought my husband Justin into my life, and he got me involved with CrossFit. I figured out that pushing myself in the gym actually felt good, and that putting down the cake and fries paid off. I am proud to say that I am 32 years old, and I am in the best shape of my life. I have abs for the first time; I'm not ashamed to workout in just a sports bra when it gets hot. I have muscles in the my arms; I have traps! I can do pullups and double unders, and I can run!! None of this came easy. There was no shortcut. I learned (and am still learning) to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. I have also gained more self confidence, self esteem and self respect than I ever thought possible.
I also began making changes in my diet. Please don't think for one minute that this was easy for me. I struggle every day with the food part of this, but I know that it pays off in the end. I slip up and eat things I shouldn't, a lot, but I try to minize the damage and get right back on track. I'm not going to lie to you - none of this is easy. It would be a lot easier to let myself gain weight or to continue to look for that miracle pill or potion that would make me skinny, but working out and eating right has become much more to me than just being skinny. I want to be strong; I want to be fit; I want to be healthy, and I'm not going to find that in some pill or powder.
This tirade is not meant to discourage anyone, but rather to encourage you. I want to encourage you to not be afraid of a little hard work or a little sweat. Once you get past the initial hurt, you will realize that your body is an amazing thing that is capable of so much more than you think. If you apply yourself, you can do some pretty incredible things. The reason these shortcuts upset me so much is that I know people are cheating themselves out of discovering how amazing they truly are. I've been there, and I don't want them to be disappointed when yet another lose-weight quick scheme fails.
I have watched so many people at CrossFit who came in and thought they were in way over their head. I have then watched them undergo a transformation; and while the physical change is great, the mental change is even more amazing. I see people gaining confidence in their ability and in themselves. They walk in with their head held higher, and they are now ready to tackle a WOD instead of being intimidated by it. Once again, that doesn't come from a bottle.
I know this has gotten kind of long, but believe me, it could be a lot longer. I could go on and on and on when it comes to this topic. I challenge you to believe that you are strong and capable of some pretty amazing things, so get out there and push your limits. Don't be afraid of some hard work or sweat or of getting a little dirty. The results are well worth it, and you will be so proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Backroads
I am not a woman with a sense of direction. I absolutely adore MapQuest because I cannot stand the feeling of not knowing where I'm going. My husband can keep driving and be going in the right direction and somehow end up in the right spot. It doesn't bother him to not know exactly where he is or how he's getting where he's going. I like major highways, not backroads; despite the fact that I grew up on a farm and everything was back roads.
You're probably beginning to wonder where I'm going with this. Well, the other day I was reading the bible when God showed me something I had never seen before. I've read the story of Israel leaving Egypt many, many times; but this time I saw something new. The following is from Exodus 13 (NLT):
17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.[c] Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
I guess I just always assumed there was one road out of Egypt and that's the path the Israelites took, but that wasn't the case. It wasn't the shortest route or the easiest way, but in the long run it was the best way. God helped his people avoid battles with the Philistines, which he knew would frustrate them and side track the plans he had. It also set up one of the greatest miracles in the bible - the parting of the Red Sea. That day the Israelites saw the power of God on display and saw firsthand that God was fighting for them. Also, in destroying the Egyptian army, God's people didn't have to look over their shoulders or be worried that the Egyptians were coming after them.
There were well over 6 million Jews that left Egypt that day. You know someone in the group was asking Moses why they were taking this road. I'm sure there were several people informing Moses that there was a better way to get where they were going. It was shorter and easier, which as humans, is the path we want. We want things to be smooth and easy; and if it does happen to get rough, we want that road to be super short.
I think we all have to keep in mind that God can see the big picture; he knows what will happen if we take that "main road". Don't get discouraged if things don't go the way you thought they should; maybe God is saving you from a battle or setting up for an incredible miracle. Just trust that he loves you more than anything and would never lead you down a path that would hurt you. In the end, God's way is the best way, and he wants to bless you beyond belief. Maybe it's ok to not know exactly what road you're on because God does.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
You're probably beginning to wonder where I'm going with this. Well, the other day I was reading the bible when God showed me something I had never seen before. I've read the story of Israel leaving Egypt many, many times; but this time I saw something new. The following is from Exodus 13 (NLT):
17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.[c] Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
I guess I just always assumed there was one road out of Egypt and that's the path the Israelites took, but that wasn't the case. It wasn't the shortest route or the easiest way, but in the long run it was the best way. God helped his people avoid battles with the Philistines, which he knew would frustrate them and side track the plans he had. It also set up one of the greatest miracles in the bible - the parting of the Red Sea. That day the Israelites saw the power of God on display and saw firsthand that God was fighting for them. Also, in destroying the Egyptian army, God's people didn't have to look over their shoulders or be worried that the Egyptians were coming after them.
There were well over 6 million Jews that left Egypt that day. You know someone in the group was asking Moses why they were taking this road. I'm sure there were several people informing Moses that there was a better way to get where they were going. It was shorter and easier, which as humans, is the path we want. We want things to be smooth and easy; and if it does happen to get rough, we want that road to be super short.
I think we all have to keep in mind that God can see the big picture; he knows what will happen if we take that "main road". Don't get discouraged if things don't go the way you thought they should; maybe God is saving you from a battle or setting up for an incredible miracle. Just trust that he loves you more than anything and would never lead you down a path that would hurt you. In the end, God's way is the best way, and he wants to bless you beyond belief. Maybe it's ok to not know exactly what road you're on because God does.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Obedience
Realizing you're wrong is one thing; admitting it and correcting it is a whole different ball game. I started this blog because I felt God leading me; I felt like he wanted to use me to encourage others (and myself) through words. Relunctantly, I started. I didn't figure anyone cared what I had to say. I didn't have a blog that would give people tips on cutting their grocery bill in half or how to make homemade soap. I didn't think I really had anything to offer. I had that argument with God, but he really didn't see things my way, so I started. Then I got away from writing, but the thought would cross my mind; and in my spirit I knew that's what I was supposed to be doing. Just little thoughts and things that might encourage someone. Well, I'm back, obeying what God wants me to do.
I have two step daughters, and I'll admit, when I tell them to do something, I expect it to be done. So why should it be any different with me and God. He is my father, and the bible says to honor your father and mother. Lucky for me, God is much more patient than I am; and he's willing to forgive me over and over again.
I don't have all the answers, and I slip up many, many times each day. But I think that's where a lot of us are, and I hope this blog will help you remember that God loves you more than you will ever know. No matter how many times you fall, he's right there to pick you up and wrap his loving arms around you. Really think about that - the King of the Universe loves YOU!!! He cares about what is going on in your life and wants to help make your life even better than you can imagine. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. We don't have kings, but think back to when they did. If you were "in" with the king, your life was pretty good. People knew not to mess with you or they would have to deal with the king. God is more powerful than any earthly king ever was, so if he's on your side, no one can mess with you! Hopefully, today as you face the challenges of daily life, you'll remember that God is right there with you, and he is on your side.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
I have two step daughters, and I'll admit, when I tell them to do something, I expect it to be done. So why should it be any different with me and God. He is my father, and the bible says to honor your father and mother. Lucky for me, God is much more patient than I am; and he's willing to forgive me over and over again.
I don't have all the answers, and I slip up many, many times each day. But I think that's where a lot of us are, and I hope this blog will help you remember that God loves you more than you will ever know. No matter how many times you fall, he's right there to pick you up and wrap his loving arms around you. Really think about that - the King of the Universe loves YOU!!! He cares about what is going on in your life and wants to help make your life even better than you can imagine. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. We don't have kings, but think back to when they did. If you were "in" with the king, your life was pretty good. People knew not to mess with you or they would have to deal with the king. God is more powerful than any earthly king ever was, so if he's on your side, no one can mess with you! Hopefully, today as you face the challenges of daily life, you'll remember that God is right there with you, and he is on your side.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Me vs Everyone Else: No Comparison
For as long as I can remember, I have been a competitive person. I grew up on a dairy farm and all my cousins were boys; I learned to try to beat them at everything. I played sports when I was younger and games with my parents, and my mission was clear - win! That philosophy hasn't changed much as I've gotten older. I can turn pretty much anything into a competition, which is a quality that can be very helpful. It can help push me to work harder and get more done, faster. However, I'm beginning to notice that more often than not, that competitive feel is a hindrance.
I constantly find myself comparing virtually every area of my life to those around me or that I grew up with. Before I met my husband, I looked at essentially everyone around me who was married, and I felt like my life didn't measure up because I was still single. These days I find myself comparing myself to others in the gym and in nutrition most of all. If used correctly, this could be a great thing. It might help me push through a few extra reps to get a WOD done faster or keep me from reaching for that donut that sounds so wonderful. Bad thing is, it typically just ends up making me feel bad about myself.
Justin (my hubby) and I have been on a physical and mental nutrition challenge. We're working on eating perfectly Zone and being positive in our thinking. We have working on this for a week and a half and have a cheat day planned for July 4. Monday (July 2) was a very hard day for me in the nutrition realm, and I told Justin that I couldn't wait for our cheat day. He told me he had gotten to the point in his nutritional journey that he didn't even really want a cheat day. He is not the first person to say this, but I felt like a total loser because I still absolutely live for my cheat days. I began asking why eating clean had gotten so easy for Justin, while it was still such a struggle for me. I was comparing myself to my husband and feeling like I was losing, badly.
Then it hit me: I am not my husband! Simple, right? But I needed to remember that we are two completely different human beings, so I shouldn't compare myself to Justin. He is so amazingly disciplined and makes eating clean look so easy. I envy that and wish that I didn't still crave sugar and other highly processed carbohydrates on a pretty much daily basis. I have, however, realized that food will most likely be a daily battle for me the rest of my life. Parts of it may get easier, but healthy eating is probably something that will never be simple for me. As I sat at my desk Monday, I began thinking about all the things I used to eat. Not only the types of food, but the huge quantities of food I always ate, and I had another realization - choosing healthier foods in smaller quantities is happening more often than it used to. So while it feels like I still want those foods every day, I am not giving in to those cravings as much as I used to; and that's progress.
So, I'm not Justin. I still want my cheat days, and that's ok. Because that's me, and I have to remember I was created to be exactly how I am. The way I am is integral to God's plan for my life; so instead of constantly comparing myself to everyone else around me, I am going to focus on continuing to make strides in the right direction and being proud of exactly who I am. And that is pretty fabulous! This new frame of mind also includes not leaving the gym every night beating myself up because I didn't go faster or lift more weight. It means being proud of the fact that I worked out hard. It also means knowing there are good days and not-so-good days; and if today wasn't the greatest, there's a chance that tomorrow absolutely will be. But if it's not, I'll give it what I've got and be proud of that. Maybe God is going to use my struggles to help others around me, and that would be pretty awesome!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
I constantly find myself comparing virtually every area of my life to those around me or that I grew up with. Before I met my husband, I looked at essentially everyone around me who was married, and I felt like my life didn't measure up because I was still single. These days I find myself comparing myself to others in the gym and in nutrition most of all. If used correctly, this could be a great thing. It might help me push through a few extra reps to get a WOD done faster or keep me from reaching for that donut that sounds so wonderful. Bad thing is, it typically just ends up making me feel bad about myself.
Justin (my hubby) and I have been on a physical and mental nutrition challenge. We're working on eating perfectly Zone and being positive in our thinking. We have working on this for a week and a half and have a cheat day planned for July 4. Monday (July 2) was a very hard day for me in the nutrition realm, and I told Justin that I couldn't wait for our cheat day. He told me he had gotten to the point in his nutritional journey that he didn't even really want a cheat day. He is not the first person to say this, but I felt like a total loser because I still absolutely live for my cheat days. I began asking why eating clean had gotten so easy for Justin, while it was still such a struggle for me. I was comparing myself to my husband and feeling like I was losing, badly.
Then it hit me: I am not my husband! Simple, right? But I needed to remember that we are two completely different human beings, so I shouldn't compare myself to Justin. He is so amazingly disciplined and makes eating clean look so easy. I envy that and wish that I didn't still crave sugar and other highly processed carbohydrates on a pretty much daily basis. I have, however, realized that food will most likely be a daily battle for me the rest of my life. Parts of it may get easier, but healthy eating is probably something that will never be simple for me. As I sat at my desk Monday, I began thinking about all the things I used to eat. Not only the types of food, but the huge quantities of food I always ate, and I had another realization - choosing healthier foods in smaller quantities is happening more often than it used to. So while it feels like I still want those foods every day, I am not giving in to those cravings as much as I used to; and that's progress.
So, I'm not Justin. I still want my cheat days, and that's ok. Because that's me, and I have to remember I was created to be exactly how I am. The way I am is integral to God's plan for my life; so instead of constantly comparing myself to everyone else around me, I am going to focus on continuing to make strides in the right direction and being proud of exactly who I am. And that is pretty fabulous! This new frame of mind also includes not leaving the gym every night beating myself up because I didn't go faster or lift more weight. It means being proud of the fact that I worked out hard. It also means knowing there are good days and not-so-good days; and if today wasn't the greatest, there's a chance that tomorrow absolutely will be. But if it's not, I'll give it what I've got and be proud of that. Maybe God is going to use my struggles to help others around me, and that would be pretty awesome!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The Tongue is One Strong Muscle
My husband Justin and I are very aware of the importance of physical health and the role nutrition plays. We work to fuel our body and our workouts with good foods, but I believe some times we forget a very important aspect of health - mental health. I believe each and every day the majority of us determine our own mental health. You can get out of bed grumbling because it's early or because you don't want to go to work, or you can get up rejoicing in the fact that God has created another day and is ready to present you with opportunities to touch people's lives. It's all in your mindset.
Don't get me wrong, being positive does not mean ignoring your circumstances. There are many mornings I would rather stay in bed and not have to hear my alarm clock, but it's important to quickly replace those thoughts before they turn into words. I read a great saying this week - "Your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your character and your character determines you destiny." So you have to watch more than your words, you have to watch your thoughts.
The bible talks a great deal about the power of our words. It tells us life and death are in the power of your tongue (Proverbs 18:21). When Jesus talked about having faith that moves mountains in Luke 11, he said we could have whatsoever we say. Faith isn't ignoring your circumstances - you just know and confess that God is bigger than anything your facing and that you know what you are facing isn't going to last forever.
Justin and I have really put an emphasis on this in one area. We want children, but it hasn't come as easily as we would like. We have had lots of opportunities to speak doubt and frustration about the situation, but we have really watched each other to make sure that doesn't happen. We have by no means been perfect, but we have tried to make sure that we don't dwell on those negative statements; we quickly switch back and thank God for our healthy babies. We talk about them like they are here and call them by name. There is not a doubt in my mind we'll have children. We don't deny the struggle, but we know that God hears our prayers and has promised to give us the desires of our hearts.
Maybe you need a mental check of your own. Watch your thoughts and words over the next few days (or seven like we're doing). Are you speaking life into your life and the lives of those around you, or are you being negative? Every time you open your mouth, remember, you have the opportunity to either speak life or death into that situation. I guess that's why they says if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Mental & Physical Nutrition Challenge Day 1 Update:
As with many things, day one was fairly smooth. Motivation was high! I had opportunities to get frustrated and be negative; but I made myself stop, and I quickly replaced those negative thoughts. On the food side, the hardest part was just not eating between meals/snacks. Eating Zone meals and snacks was easy, but I found myself wanting to grab a handful of cashews or a little bit of cereal in between meals/snacks. It was very hard not to nibble while I cooked dinner, but I didn't give in. I don't want to have to start over!
Dinner tonight was excellent! This is my version of taco salad (I don't do lettuce) - ground beef, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and black olives. I measured out everything according to the Zone and then dug in! As long as I don't verbalize a negative thought the rest of the evening, day one is in the books. Just six days to go!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Don't get me wrong, being positive does not mean ignoring your circumstances. There are many mornings I would rather stay in bed and not have to hear my alarm clock, but it's important to quickly replace those thoughts before they turn into words. I read a great saying this week - "Your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your character and your character determines you destiny." So you have to watch more than your words, you have to watch your thoughts.
The bible talks a great deal about the power of our words. It tells us life and death are in the power of your tongue (Proverbs 18:21). When Jesus talked about having faith that moves mountains in Luke 11, he said we could have whatsoever we say. Faith isn't ignoring your circumstances - you just know and confess that God is bigger than anything your facing and that you know what you are facing isn't going to last forever.
Justin and I have really put an emphasis on this in one area. We want children, but it hasn't come as easily as we would like. We have had lots of opportunities to speak doubt and frustration about the situation, but we have really watched each other to make sure that doesn't happen. We have by no means been perfect, but we have tried to make sure that we don't dwell on those negative statements; we quickly switch back and thank God for our healthy babies. We talk about them like they are here and call them by name. There is not a doubt in my mind we'll have children. We don't deny the struggle, but we know that God hears our prayers and has promised to give us the desires of our hearts.
Maybe you need a mental check of your own. Watch your thoughts and words over the next few days (or seven like we're doing). Are you speaking life into your life and the lives of those around you, or are you being negative? Every time you open your mouth, remember, you have the opportunity to either speak life or death into that situation. I guess that's why they says if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Mental & Physical Nutrition Challenge Day 1 Update:
As with many things, day one was fairly smooth. Motivation was high! I had opportunities to get frustrated and be negative; but I made myself stop, and I quickly replaced those negative thoughts. On the food side, the hardest part was just not eating between meals/snacks. Eating Zone meals and snacks was easy, but I found myself wanting to grab a handful of cashews or a little bit of cereal in between meals/snacks. It was very hard not to nibble while I cooked dinner, but I didn't give in. I don't want to have to start over!
Dinner tonight was excellent! This is my version of taco salad (I don't do lettuce) - ground beef, black beans, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and black olives. I measured out everything according to the Zone and then dug in! As long as I don't verbalize a negative thought the rest of the evening, day one is in the books. Just six days to go!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Importance of Nutrition: Physical & Mental
"You are what you eat."
Does that thought scare you? It kind of does me; although, it doesn't scare me as much as it used to. I have made progress and now eat healthier than I ever have in my life. It has been a long, slow and some times frustrating journey. I'm not where I want to be, but I've made progress. I think that it the thought process we as CrossFitters should all have. Fitness is a life-long journey. I don't have to be able to do a kipping pullup, a muscle up or a 200-pound backsquat today, but I am working toward those goals. Just like with my nutrition, I don't have to be perfect or have the exact perfect balance everyday of carbs, protein and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. I just have to make sure I am working down that path. Just like my performance in the gym can always be better, so can my diet. This is a very difficult concept for me because ...
"You are your own worst critic."
... I can beat myself up with the best of them. You can ask my husband. If the WOD was 'Beat yourself up for time', I'd be the fittest woman on earth. It's easy for me to encourage other people, celebrate their small victories and tell them not to get discouraged, but I am awful at practicing what I preach. That is why Justin (my husband) and I are embarking on a seven-day physical and mental challenge. Our diet is the physical side. For seven days beginning Monday, June 25, Justin and I will eat strict Zone, focusing on strictly measuring our meals and getting our carbs from fruits and vegetables. That part will be challenging, but the hardest part for me will be the mental challenge. For seven days, we will work to consume only positive words and thoughts. I will not tell myself that I can't do something or that I am not good at something. I will work to replace those thoughts with positive ones, such as "I can do this," "I will give this everything I've got," and "I am getting stronger and better." I will not compare myself to other people or be negative. If I have a negative thought, I must immediately replace it with a positive one. If I verbalize a negative thought, the challenge immediately starts over; and if the mental part starts over, so does the physical part. If I want to have a sugar cheat, I better be positive!! I will keep all of you posted, and I promise to be honest.
I understand the importance of nutrition. Nutrition is the basis of our training. According to Coach Greg Glassman's pyramid, if your nutrition isn't sound, your metabolic conditioning, weightlifting, gymnastics and sport will all suffer as well. That means you can't ignore nutrition and just focus on training; they go hand-in-hand. Like I said at the beginning, what we do as CrossFitters is a life-long journey; so even if your nutrition isn't going to be perfect, start making positive changes. Get headed in the right direction. You will start to notice a difference in your performance and in the way you feel. Take a challenge of your own. Eat better for a week or two and see how you feel. I know I've rambled (I could keep going, believe me), but this is a subject I am getting more and more passionate about, but I haven't arrived myself. We can all work on getting there together!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Does that thought scare you? It kind of does me; although, it doesn't scare me as much as it used to. I have made progress and now eat healthier than I ever have in my life. It has been a long, slow and some times frustrating journey. I'm not where I want to be, but I've made progress. I think that it the thought process we as CrossFitters should all have. Fitness is a life-long journey. I don't have to be able to do a kipping pullup, a muscle up or a 200-pound backsquat today, but I am working toward those goals. Just like with my nutrition, I don't have to be perfect or have the exact perfect balance everyday of carbs, protein and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. I just have to make sure I am working down that path. Just like my performance in the gym can always be better, so can my diet. This is a very difficult concept for me because ...
"You are your own worst critic."
... I can beat myself up with the best of them. You can ask my husband. If the WOD was 'Beat yourself up for time', I'd be the fittest woman on earth. It's easy for me to encourage other people, celebrate their small victories and tell them not to get discouraged, but I am awful at practicing what I preach. That is why Justin (my husband) and I are embarking on a seven-day physical and mental challenge. Our diet is the physical side. For seven days beginning Monday, June 25, Justin and I will eat strict Zone, focusing on strictly measuring our meals and getting our carbs from fruits and vegetables. That part will be challenging, but the hardest part for me will be the mental challenge. For seven days, we will work to consume only positive words and thoughts. I will not tell myself that I can't do something or that I am not good at something. I will work to replace those thoughts with positive ones, such as "I can do this," "I will give this everything I've got," and "I am getting stronger and better." I will not compare myself to other people or be negative. If I have a negative thought, I must immediately replace it with a positive one. If I verbalize a negative thought, the challenge immediately starts over; and if the mental part starts over, so does the physical part. If I want to have a sugar cheat, I better be positive!! I will keep all of you posted, and I promise to be honest.
I understand the importance of nutrition. Nutrition is the basis of our training. According to Coach Greg Glassman's pyramid, if your nutrition isn't sound, your metabolic conditioning, weightlifting, gymnastics and sport will all suffer as well. That means you can't ignore nutrition and just focus on training; they go hand-in-hand. Like I said at the beginning, what we do as CrossFitters is a life-long journey; so even if your nutrition isn't going to be perfect, start making positive changes. Get headed in the right direction. You will start to notice a difference in your performance and in the way you feel. Take a challenge of your own. Eat better for a week or two and see how you feel. I know I've rambled (I could keep going, believe me), but this is a subject I am getting more and more passionate about, but I haven't arrived myself. We can all work on getting there together!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
That First Step
I'm baaaack. Sorry about the short hiatus, but we were moving from Rogersville to Branson. We're starting to get settled, and it is so nice to live so close to the gym. It was a hectic couple of days, but it didn't have to be. When the gym began to come together, Justin and I began praying that somehow we would be able to move to Branson. We knew it would take a miracle from God to help get out of our house in Branson. One morning during praise and worship at church, I really felt God tell me, "Get ready to move." After church I excitedly told Justin what had happened, but we never did any packing. Our disobedience cost me sleep and both of us a lot of stress.
We were believing God for a miracle, and he was trying to help us out and make our lives easier; but we chose not to act. How many times in our lives have we been believing God for something and really felt that we should take a step of faith, but never did anything? Had Justin and I just obeyed, life would have been a lot simpler. It really is amazing that we ask God for so many things, but we are so hesitant to take one small step. If we believe, God will do the hard part, but we have to be willing to step out in faith.
So, my challenge this week doesn't have anything to do with food or exercise directly. I challenge you to believe God to help you with every area in your life, big and small. That is followed up by a challenge to be willing to step out in faith, knowing God is faithful and will not leave you hanging. Maybe this challenge does have to do with diet and exercise. Maybe you are believing God to help you eat better and workout more regularly or to lose weight. God won't do thrusters for you, but he definitely wants to help you through the workout and bless your results. It's so comforting to know, you don't have to do anything alone - but you do have to be willing to do something.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
We were believing God for a miracle, and he was trying to help us out and make our lives easier; but we chose not to act. How many times in our lives have we been believing God for something and really felt that we should take a step of faith, but never did anything? Had Justin and I just obeyed, life would have been a lot simpler. It really is amazing that we ask God for so many things, but we are so hesitant to take one small step. If we believe, God will do the hard part, but we have to be willing to step out in faith.
So, my challenge this week doesn't have anything to do with food or exercise directly. I challenge you to believe God to help you with every area in your life, big and small. That is followed up by a challenge to be willing to step out in faith, knowing God is faithful and will not leave you hanging. Maybe this challenge does have to do with diet and exercise. Maybe you are believing God to help you eat better and workout more regularly or to lose weight. God won't do thrusters for you, but he definitely wants to help you through the workout and bless your results. It's so comforting to know, you don't have to do anything alone - but you do have to be willing to do something.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
If it's easy, is it worth it?
So ... I had read that the first three days on the Zone diet would be the worst of my life. Thankfully, I can report my first three days haven't been that bad. I've had a few moments of hunger, but the hardest part has been not nibbling in between meals and snacks. I grew up on a dairy farm, which is why I believe I am a grazer. Those cows looked so happy just eating all day! Anyway, I am trying to be patient because I know it takes time to see results from nutrition and exercise.
Because I am a grazer, I tend to think about food all day long. Since I am trying to only eat at certain times, I have to continually remind myself why I don't eat all day long. I tell myself I want to be healthy for my husband and our future children; I tell myself it is important to me to turn in solid performances in the gym and nutrition plays a huge role in that. Lately I've been reminding myself that it is easier to just eat whatever I want and that sometimes the easiest way isn't the best. I have dealt with body image issues my entire life, and I am finally getting to a point where I am happy with my body. Am I satisfied with my body? No. I want to get stronger and increase my metabolic conditioning (met con for all you CrossFitters who want to learn the slang). Am I proud of the way I look? You're darn right I am! I have worked hard to earn the body I have now. I have taken responsiblity for my own appearance and health, and I am proud of that. If it was easy, everyone would look like Stacie Tovar (check her out below). But it's not easy, and I am proud of my hard work.
That is what I try to remind myself every time I see a commercial for cake or drive by a fast-food place and smell the wonderful fat that my french fries would be cooked in. Which is more important, temporary pleasure or long-term results? Don't get me wrong, some times temporary pleasure is more important, but I am trying to make those moments fewer and further between. I honestly believe it all comes down to mindset. If you're long-term health is a priority (and I believe it should be), always take a breath and ask yourself how important this food really is. If it's important, I am all about cheats, go ahead and enjoy it; but I think you'll find, you will want to turn it down and you'll thank yourself later. The bible tells us our body is not our own and that it is the temple of the Holy Ghost. We've been given a huge responsibility to take care of our bodies because they do belong to God. Hopefully, you'll treat your body well and honor God in doing so.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Because I am a grazer, I tend to think about food all day long. Since I am trying to only eat at certain times, I have to continually remind myself why I don't eat all day long. I tell myself I want to be healthy for my husband and our future children; I tell myself it is important to me to turn in solid performances in the gym and nutrition plays a huge role in that. Lately I've been reminding myself that it is easier to just eat whatever I want and that sometimes the easiest way isn't the best. I have dealt with body image issues my entire life, and I am finally getting to a point where I am happy with my body. Am I satisfied with my body? No. I want to get stronger and increase my metabolic conditioning (met con for all you CrossFitters who want to learn the slang). Am I proud of the way I look? You're darn right I am! I have worked hard to earn the body I have now. I have taken responsiblity for my own appearance and health, and I am proud of that. If it was easy, everyone would look like Stacie Tovar (check her out below). But it's not easy, and I am proud of my hard work.
That is what I try to remind myself every time I see a commercial for cake or drive by a fast-food place and smell the wonderful fat that my french fries would be cooked in. Which is more important, temporary pleasure or long-term results? Don't get me wrong, some times temporary pleasure is more important, but I am trying to make those moments fewer and further between. I honestly believe it all comes down to mindset. If you're long-term health is a priority (and I believe it should be), always take a breath and ask yourself how important this food really is. If it's important, I am all about cheats, go ahead and enjoy it; but I think you'll find, you will want to turn it down and you'll thank yourself later. The bible tells us our body is not our own and that it is the temple of the Holy Ghost. We've been given a huge responsibility to take care of our bodies because they do belong to God. Hopefully, you'll treat your body well and honor God in doing so.
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Monday, May 28, 2012
Starting Over
So, I didn't realize it had been about a year since I had posted anything. I am now back and vow to be more committed to the blog. I want to share my struggles and triuimphs and everything in between in hopes to encourage those who read this. I want everyone to realize that they are not alone in anything. God promised that he would never leave us or forsake us, and I believe that includes the most mundane aspects of our every day lives. A big part of my life now if CrossFit Branson (CFB) and the challenge of being a trainer. I will be sharing tips and feelings about working out and nutrition. I hope this blog will be helpful, and I will always do my best to answer any questions any of you have.
Over the weekend, I read several articles about the advantages of the CrossFit Zone Diet, so I have decided to give it a shot. For the next four weeks, I am going to be as strict as possible in following the Zone diet and just see what kinds of results I get. Basically, the Zone features a menu where each meal is made up of protein, carbs and fats (yes, fat can be good!). I won't go into a lot of detail here, but if you want to read more, click here.
I am working on changing my attitude towards food. I grew up in a home where we ate constantly. My mom and both grandmas are incredible cooks, and I absolutely love food. I have found that if I am happy, I want food. If I am sad, I want food. If I a stressed, I want food. If I am award, well, you get the idea. I want to begin to look at food more as fuel for my body instead of an emotional thing. I am excited to see how my performance in the gym is affected and how I feel physically. I am hoping for more energy and hopefully increased strength - that's where a lot of hard work at CFB will come into play. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes!!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
Over the weekend, I read several articles about the advantages of the CrossFit Zone Diet, so I have decided to give it a shot. For the next four weeks, I am going to be as strict as possible in following the Zone diet and just see what kinds of results I get. Basically, the Zone features a menu where each meal is made up of protein, carbs and fats (yes, fat can be good!). I won't go into a lot of detail here, but if you want to read more, click here.
I am working on changing my attitude towards food. I grew up in a home where we ate constantly. My mom and both grandmas are incredible cooks, and I absolutely love food. I have found that if I am happy, I want food. If I am sad, I want food. If I a stressed, I want food. If I am award, well, you get the idea. I want to begin to look at food more as fuel for my body instead of an emotional thing. I am excited to see how my performance in the gym is affected and how I feel physically. I am hoping for more energy and hopefully increased strength - that's where a lot of hard work at CFB will come into play. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes!!
This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."
You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!
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