I'm In A Charity Pageant And Need Your Support! :)

When I say the word “pageant”, what comes to your mind? I’ll bet they’re the same things that come to my mind as well: gorgeous girls, swimsuits, crowns, and of course “world peace.”

I don’t know if most people have a favorable opinion of pageants. Personally, I’ve never fancied them much. I’ve done a couple fashion shows, but they were non-competitive and all you had to do was model clothing. They were just for fun, and I was perfectly content with doing things like that (you might remember The Salvation Army Fashion Show that I was in, back in September).

However, the opportunity has come up for me to be in a pageant. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get involved, but this isn’t your standard beauty pageant. This pageant is the Salvation Army’s “Queen of Charities” pageant. The focus isn’t about outer beauty but rather, inner beauty (and there are NO SWIMSUITS! Hallelujah!). ;) The pageant focuses on the contestants’ poise and charitable works; and all the money raised benefits The Salvation Army.

Now THAT is a pageant I can get into! Not only will I get to fellowship with other women, but I will be advocating/representing my favorite charities (as well as raising money for one!). The added bonus is getting to dress up and be girly! How can I say “no” to all of that?!!

The only thing left to do now is wait for the big event; which is on April 18th (I will let you know when you can get tickets!). The only other thing I can do in the meantime is ask for support and sponsors. Even though this is an optional part of the experience, why would you want to be involved in a charity pageant and not raise money for charity? Therefore, I am hoping that my loving family and friends (and their businesses) will be eager to support this charity by sponsoring an ad in the program. If you’re a business, this would be a GREAT opportunity for you to advertise your company’s ad and information in the program (and support a great cause at the same time!). And, if you’re one of my awesome friends or family members, you can just send your amount along with a “best wishes” message for me that will be printed in the program! Oh, that would make me feel SO LOVED! ;)

Additionally, there is one more way I can raise money. I can have a “kettle” displayed at someone’s business. All I need is for a business to volunteer to promote it (and have written consent from you to do so). I will decorate and bring my kettle to you so that you can display it at your cash register (or wherever) and people can drop their spare change into it. I must have my kettle turned in by April 10th; so the longer it can be displayed, the better! Once again, all the money will go to The Salvation Army (and your business will look REALLY good to your customers as you show your charitable spirit of support!). The kettle money will also count as “votes” for an “audience choice award” at the pageant. The one with the most sponsors will be awarded as well. While I am not concerned about “winning” these awards, I am VERY concerned about trying to do whatever I can to encourage others to give generously for the cause (especially in an economy like this where organizations are getting less and less donations). This is not about “me”; it truly isn’t. Whatever “glory” I gain, I will give back to Him; because it’s not mine. This is about Christ and helping His people. My greatest award and achievement will be whatever hearts I can win to Christ through this (that’s always my goal!). I am already “titled” and “crowned” as a child of God. Nothing can top that!! I am an ambassador for Christ and a co-heir with Him. I’m already a “queen”, and winning or not winning a pageant won’t change that (2 Corinthians 5:20, Romans 8:17).

Below, you will find the information form. You can either give your information and check (payable to THE SALVATION ARMY) to me, or mail it to them directly (specifying that it is me that you are sponsoring). If you have any questions, let me know!! Remember, all of this is for CHARITY (and tax deductible)! All of the money helps feed and clothe people in the community and sees to it that children don’t wake up to an empty sight underneath the Christmas tree this year. My friend, Jama, is the coordinator of this event. She has told us all so many stories of how countless families have been blessed because of the kind hearts of people, like you, who give so generously. I can also say that personally, The Salvation Army helped a VERY dear friend of mine have a beautiful and special Christmas last year. That tearful and heartfelt moment full of happy children, a full refrigerator, and a stress free holiday couldn’t have been possible without the generosity of caring strangers; who displayed their faith by helping others. You have NO IDEA what a difference you will make in someone’s life; and it might just be someone you know!!

My hope is that God would be glorified and that His light would shine in me as I participate in this! I know that money is tight for so many people, but I’m hoping that there would be an outpouring of support anyways! I know I have a lot of GREAT friends, so I’m expecting GREAT things! ;)

God bless you all, and thank you for supporting me!! Make sure that you give me (or mail) your contribution before the deadline of MARCH 15th!!! Thank you so VERY much!! ;)

EVENT PROGRAM ADVERTISEMENT ORDER FORM

Business Name:

Contact Person:

Address:

City:

State: Zip:

Telephone:

Ad Size (circle)

Platinum ($500) Gold ($250) Silver ($100) Bronze ($50)

Friends and Family ($25)

Amount Paid:

$________

Signature of Purchaser:____________________

Your advertisement will appear in the Miss Queen of Charities 2010 Pageant Event Program on April 18, 2010. In order to ensure proper placement, we request that you respond no later than March 15, 2010.

Please include this form and make checks payable to:

The Salvation Army

2901 N Clinton

Fort Wayne, IN 46805

The Pride Smasher

It was the weigh-in I had always feared; the one I was determined to never see. When you’re on your own it doesn’t sting as much, but it seems to crush you when it happens in a team setting. The scale at the gym showed me up a pound (mine at home showed +0.8). I felt horrible!

Jenni and Debbie reassured me that it happens. After all, it’s not like I was the only one. However, I had worked out every single day (as I typically do) and this wasn’t supposed to happen to “me.” Despite the “it’s ok” talk, I could hardly stand it! “No, it’s not! It’s not me!” I said. I told them I would go get my five bucks and be back to give it to them.

I was fighting back the anger and the tears as I went to the van to get my purse and eat my after weigh-in/before workout snack (hadn’t eaten much all day because of the pending weigh-in). I was so upset that I didn’t want to eat at all, but I knew I shouldn’t workout on an empty stomach. All I could think was, “I hate you, food! I hate you!” as I cried and forced myself to eat. I felt humiliated, angry, frustrated, and like a miserable failure. I never wanted to “add” to my team - not ME, not EVER! Even staying the same would be better than a GAIN! HOW could this have happened?

Well, I knew what had happened. The same thing that ALWAYS happens! Everyone hits their plateaus, but it was more than that. Every time I start losing my focus or relaxing a little too much, this happens. I haven’t been reading my verses lately and last Saturday, when I went to a birthday party, I totally threw caution to the wind. Of course, in my mind, I always think that I can afford to blow it every now and then. Normally, that would probably be true but it’s a huge risk to do that so close to a weigh-in. Not only that, but I knew I wasn’t as good as I could have been and I didn’t burn as many calories as I normally burn (even though I worked out EVERY day). Yet, I had thought that my good choices would outweigh the bad - but apparently not.

As I tried to process my emotions in the van before going back inside, I realized that it was so much more than just the extra pound. Sure, the humiliation, weight-gain, and paying-in was awful, but I had also had a rough day. I was feeling pretty bad physically. Since eating better (the majority of the time) I notice the difference in how I feel when I eat badly (and Saturday‘s screw-ups must not have worked out of my system yet). When I eat junk (and I highly suspect gluten) I have a lot of physical pain and generally don’t feel well. That day, I had seen an endocrinologist (well, the nurse practitioner). Some blood tests have also been done. So, I’ll see what’s up pretty soon, but I was frustrated nonetheless. My emotions had been messed with a little when it was suggested that I go low-carb to jump start my weight-loss (even though I told her I had already lost ten pounds). ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! I already measure food and count calories, and am trying to avoid gluten, and NOW I’m supposed to do one more stinkin’ thing?! Not that it’s an altogether bad idea, but really…….seriously…….ONE MORE THING?!!!! I don’t think so! I will try to be more mindful of my carb range, but I’m not going to “buy a carb book” or anything. I am not going to have my mind on food more than I have to!

You know, all I could think of when the low-carb stuff was mentioned was the fact that Jesus said all foods are clean (Mark 7:19). It’s about balance and moderation. If food becomes the focus and the obsession, this is just going to keep going in a bad direction. Counting calories is good accountability for me, but it’s not something I want to do forever. If there’s anything that “The Lord’s Table” course taught me, it was that I don’t want food to be my focus! I don’t want to drive myself crazy with the “wisdom” of people, doctors, and whomever is trying to tell me to do/don’t eat this or that. Gosh, we might as well not eat at all! Dairy is bad; except when it’s good. Carbs are bad; except for the “good” carbs (whatever that means). Meat is bad, gluten is bad, organic only, etc. We’ve heard it all! I try not to listen to all the “science” and restrictive nonsense, but it’s hard when food HAS to be a part of your life and someone is always out there telling you what to do to maximize your health, get thin, etc. However, we are told not to be deceived or let anyone judge and condemn us for our meat or drink. We should not destroy the work of God for the sake of food (Colossians 2:16, Romans 14:20). Whatever we do, or eat, or whatever, just do it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let’s not be deceived by “fine-sounding arguments“ (Colossians 2:3-4). It’s exhausting! Don’t you think?

I think what upsets me the most is the fact that I’ve been doing this so long and feel like all I am ever doing is chasing a 150 lb. golden carrot on pole that is strapped to my back. No matter what I learn, or how good/bad I do, I just never get to that golden weight. I’m SO TIRED of being the fat girl in this house! Everyone else can eat whatever they want! They don’t have to eat what I eat (and WON’T no matter how much I want them to try) and I can’t eat what they eat. It’s unfair to us all and it frustrates me when I’m trying to think of how to eat at home (and all eat the same thing). All I want to do is cry because this is the hardest thing in the world to battle because you can’t abstain from food. Everyone has to eat. It would be so much easier to just go cold turkey from just about anything else and never have to go near it again,…but this? I hate that this is always going to be a forever battle in my life! Those of you, like my husband, who maintain a steady weight with little to no effort (and can eat whatever/whenever you want), you have no idea how blessed you are!

All of this weighed heavy on my heart as I sat in the van. All I could ask was “why?” God doesn’t always answer the “whys”. Instead, he sometimes answers with another question. Mine was, “Well, what did you learn?” The temptation was to go with Satan’s twisted view: “I learned that no matter how hard I try, it will never be enough - and neither will I. I failed my team, my blog readers/supporters, You, and myself. I don’t want to workout here tonight. I feel like everyone is staring at me. I’ll just go home and workout.” However, I knew that those were lies and that the BIGGEST failure is if I refused to tough it out and face the gym (and my peers - who were already working out anyways). Furthermore, most of us know that if someone is trying to victimize you, you NEVER allow yourself to be taken to another location (your chances of survival drop). I immediately realized that if I allowed Satan to take me to another location, there was a chance that I would allow myself to engage in more self-pity, tears, etc. and excuse myself from working out at all.

Realizing the assault for what it was, I made up for my bad decisions by making a good one. I decided to force myself to look at and accept the blessing of failure; because I needed to fail. Sometimes, that’s the greatest gift that God can allow. Like Karen Kaehr once said, “when we’re broken, we’re teachable….God doesn’t waste our pain.” I remember that EVERY time I feel so low that I just want to give up (or give all to the point of overcompensation). I had to remind myself that it wasn’t “all or nothing” and that the weigh-in was a total pride smasher. I needed to know what it felt like to be a “gainer” instead of a “loser”. I needed to be reminded that I am not “above the law” and can’t “win” every time. Furthermore, I will be more compassionate of other “gainers”. I haven’t purposely looked down on anyone for gaining, but I admit that being part of a team has made me more adamant about not gaining. Hence, if anyone gained (my team or not) I would find it slightly irritating. Now, I am the “irritant”, and I needed that!

No matter how much we would like to think so, this isn’t “The Biggest Loser.” Not everyone is going to lose every single week. Our real lives aren’t a reality show and we can’t expect the same degree/rate of success. Our personal bests are good enough and if we have “gains”, it really is “ok”. Well, not REALLY “ok” as in “it doesn’t matter” but “ok” in the sense that if we are all at least putting forth a good effort, we don’t have to shame ourselves. I don’t have to feel bad. My gain wasn’t the result of a complete lack of effort. Who knows, it could be muscle gain or just the stockpile of the small mistakes starting to catch up. Overall, I’m happy with how I do and even though I am tempted to agree with Joy that my “the scale isn’t all that matters” talk from last week is rubbish, I think I will still stick with that line lol. ;) The gain sure does entice me to think that the scale really does hold all the sway, but deep down, I know it doesn’t. Like I said a while back, it can “Judge A-Weigh” but my true progress can’t be measured with a scale!

I paid my five bucks and worked out at the gym that night. Even though my Monica wasn’t there (missed you, girl!) I did treadmill and weight-machines (Blake wasn’t there either!). It wasn’t the most fun I had had at the gym, but it was definitely one of my more focused times (and I feel I ran/strength trained well). I left the gym feeling better and it’s always nice to vent via exercise rather than venting through self-pity (or a big food binge of comfort!). I also felt peaceful as I got ready to drive home. I had a “be still” and “breathe” type of moment. It felt nice and relaxing. Praise God!

This is going to be a better week! I am going to refocus the way I should and do a better job of listening to my wonderful personal trainer: God. I am also going to do my best in the next level of the Power 90 workouts (which I started today). I definitely burned more calories (and I think I felt it more too) so hopefully, that will show in the days/weeks to come!!

Thank you, everyone, for your support (and for reading my updates). I’m always happy to share the good/bad with you and what I learn along the way! God bless you all!!

Ten! :)

It’s always fun when you can surprise yourself. This past weigh-in was definitely a surprise! I didn’t expect to really lose much (and even feared a gain). I had had at least one day where I really went over my calories (and that was Saturday) and I figured that would really sabotage my weigh-in on Monday. However, I was careful on Sunday and made sure not to eat or drink a whole bunch before the weigh-in on Monday. So, my scale (and theirs) showed a one pound loss!! Praise God for that! That means that since starting Fit Life five weeks ago, I have lost 10.2 pounds (weight loss percentage: 4.93%)!! ;) I’m 196.8! All glory to God!

It seems like our team, and pretty much everyone, is doing well! Regardless of who’s your teammate or not, everyone is always happy for each other’s losses (at least I am!). Being able to encourage each other and celebrate our successes together is such a blessing!

Working out together is great too! Monday is the only day where I am not a “loner” and working out at home. I always look forward to working out with my teammate, Monica, and seeing my other blue shirt brethren (as well as everyone involved in Fit Life). It’s always a joy to see Joy (and God only knows how much I love that gal; and I appreciate her heart so much!!). I also love seeing Jenni because she is always fun, positive, and motivated (even if she’s killin’ us with some wicked exercises that should not be attempted that many times by a human body!). Yeah, Blake wasn’t there, so we got our strength training done in Jenni’s class (on the ball). Monica and I looked at each other and we were like, “I miss Blake!” LOL. Who would have ever thought that we would prefer the torture of P90X more than Jenni’s version of torturous pain?! She said we would probably be sore, but seriously, I am not feeling it to any sort of degree like I did with Blake’s exercises (even though we were all suffering greatly on those balls!). While I am grateful that I am able to walk (unlike last week lol) I kind of missed the insane pain, in a way. After you feel better 3-4 days later, you do feel like you’re stronger lol.

I am eager to see what my next weigh-in will be. Next time should be even better because now, I am past my “time of month” PLUS I have my P90 program now!! I have been using it since I got it about the end of last week. Granted, I’ve only done the beginning/introductory type phase so far, but I’m wondering if I should have just gone for P90X. I guess I will see once I do the tougher phases. ;) I like that the time goes fast and that it burns a decent amount of calories, but I sort of get bored with how much repetition there is. However, I needed to change up my exercises so I will keep with it. Maybe it will be better when I try the other workouts. At least it’s nice to have more exercises to choose from rather than JUST Turbo Jam (though, I am missing Turbo Jam!). What I will like even MORE is when the weather warms up and I can run on the Greenway again!! Sooooo looking forward to that!!

Well, that’s the update for this week!! Thanks for reading and thank you all for your support!! And in celebration of the "Big Ten" lost, watch this hilarious video of a Japanese guy trying to speak English! It came to mind because there is a part where this guy says ten a bunch of times lol. I've heard that the Japanese have some very strange game shows; and this is no exception! Mitch and I laugh so hard every time we watch it!! So, here's to hoping that I will lose "ten, ten, ten, ten...." more pounds!! LOL

Judge A-Weigh!

In the beginning, weigh-in days are exciting! The first couple weeks or so, the scale tells you lots of nice things and your momentum builds. Then, after you’ve stabilized a little, the scale says, “Sorry. This weigh-in is not an instant winner. Thank you and try again next week!” Yeah, the meager consolation is that there isn’t a gain, but it's still a little disappointing.

That’s where I’m at right now. Last week, I lost one pound. This week, only two tenths of a pound which brings me to 197.8 pounds. I didn’t think it could get much skimpier than a one pound loss, but TWO TENTHS?! Ok, I AM grateful that I didn’t gain anything, but it’s frustrating when you know you’re doing pretty well (and exercising EVERY day - burning 3,000 or more calories every week) and it’s not paying off! It’s aggravating when you feel like you look and feel better (and KNOW you really gave it your all) and there is nothing to supposedly show for it.

However, the gym scale said differently (-3 pounds) but that's because I was concerned that it would show zero (or a gain) because of what I weighed at home. So, I made sure not to eat/drink a whole lot and just have a snack AFTER the weigh-in, and have dinner after my workout instead of before going to the gym. That must have made the difference. Though, their scale and my scale now say the same (usually, theirs is two pounds more than mine). So, I hope that doesn't mess up next week's weigh-in somehow. Guess I should do the same thing for next week's weigh-in too! ;)

I think our team is doing pretty well! There were several members that I didn't see at the gym, but there were four of us that did a P90X lower body workout with Blake tonight (and we were all feelin' it!). It was intense; and we weren't even using weights! There were two times where my legs totally gave out and I fell down - but I guess that's a good sign that it's working lol. ;) I can't wait to get my own DVDs later this week (though, it's the basic P90 and not 90X - I'll work my way up to that!). I've been doing Turbo Jam for so long, and I think transitioning to a better and more intensive workout routine will help me to start progressing again. The body needs something fresh or it will get too used to what you're doing and quit working for you.

With this in mind, I'm not thinking too much about the scale itself. It can't accurately judge success in every sense of the word. Though, to most of us, the scale seems to be the defining factor of progress. It’s the judge’s gavel that confirms a verdict of success or failure. Each weekly weigh-in feels like “judgment day”. However, as I pointed out in my recent article on Examiner.com, the scale doesn’t reflect the total picture of growth and victory (please, feel free to read that article!).

Success is multi-faceted. It isn’t merely confined to one aspect; namely, the scale. There are so many variables in the mix and the scale only measures one of them. The scale can only tell me what I have lost or gained in physical pounds. It cannot measure gains or losses emotionally/mentally/spiritually. Yet, as humans, we have the tendency to think one-dimensionally and so we cheat ourselves out of depth.

If I’m honestly looking at the many views of this bigger picture, I like what I’m seeing! I can truly say that I’m proud of my progress and that I’m not a slacker (or a “jacker” lol). While I’m not perfect by any means, I’m more self-controlled than I have been. I feel like I’m being more accountable and that my portions are better controlled and that I am making better choices. I am also trying to push harder when I exercise, and I hardly have a day where I DON’T workout. I always say that I will have one rest day, but exercise is now so much of a habit (even though I don’t always like it) that I feel annoyed if I don’t do SOMETHING.

I also feel like my strength, energy, and endurance is building. My stress level is lower and my mood also seems to be improving (well, aside from this “time of month” which is more than likely factoring in with my stalled progress at the moment). I also continue to hear others say that they can see the changes in me (and my clothes DO fit better; or are getting bigger as I get smaller).

The bottom line is, there is no ultimate measuring stick for progress. It’s different for everyone and there are lots of ways to see/measure success! No one can look down on me; not even the scale! ;) I’m giving it my all, and that will always be good enough. It sort of reminds me of how Jesus asked his disciples about who others said He was. They gave all sorts of answers, but then He asked “who do you say I am?” Peter saw and knew Jesus for who He was, and confessed Him as the Christ and Jesus blessed him for it (Matthew 16:13-20). Yet, later on, Peter was the very one to deny Christ when he was questioned by others after Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:75, Mark 14:71-72).

We are all "Peters". Sometimes, we display amazing faith, confidence, and success and sometimes we don‘t. Whether it’s weight-loss or not, we’re not going to be perfect (Romans 3:23). Everyone has their high points and low points, and usually things don’t turn out exactly the way we hope or think they should. However, we shouldn’t be asking a scale, people, the media, etc. “who do you say I am?” We should continue to ask God, “who do you say I am?” Why? Because God’s answer isn’t based on how good or bad you do (Ephesians 2:8-10). It has NOTHING to do with you and no one or nothing can influence God‘s view of you (John 8:15, James 4:11-12). On the other hand, the world ALWAYS has an ever-changing answer of who we are supposed to be based on the current trends, sciences, doctrines, and personal opinions. No one can keep up (or measure up) to that! It’s impossible; not to mention ridiculous (1 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 2:4). We don’t live to please men, but God (Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4). Why try to earn the approval of the world and their “salvation” when Christ’s blood is what paid it all and sets you free (1 Peter 3:18, Galatians 5:1)?! You’re not under law, but GRACE (Romans 6:14, Galatians 2:21). Praise God! Aren’t you glad that Jesus doesn’t have a “jury of your peers” influencing His verdict on you?! ;) I think we would all be doomed if he did! I don’t want the scale, Hollywood, or the fitness gurus sitting beside Him saying “by our calculations, she’s no good!”

That, my friends, is the most WONDERFUL thing about Jesus! Whenever you ask Him “How am I doing? Who do YOU say I am?“ the answer is always the same, because HE never changes like the world does (James 1:17) His answer is based on love, compassion, mercy, understanding, and grace. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). There is no judgment or condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1-2). He loves and accepts us completely and unconditionally and gently molds us through His loving discipline into the likeness of His Son (Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:6, Romans 8:29). He doesn’t roll his eyes, crack the whip, and say “Well, you screwed up! Straighten up! What’s the matter with you? Can’t you do anything right?” (actually, that’s what Satan says). Rather, His Holy Spirit assures us and builds us up with the fact that we are His children and He loves us (Acts 20:32, Ephesians 4:16, Romans 8:17). NOTHING can separate us from the love of Jesus (Romans 8:35-39). It’s an amazing comfort to me, because on days like this where I am tempted to feel like I’m not “good enough” because of a scale, Jesus says: “I’m proud of you! I accept you! Don’t give up! I am with you, always!” (Romans 15:7). Thank You, Jesus, for never leaving me and giving me the strength to do all things (Philippians 4:13)! I WILL get there!

So, my dear scale, judge a-weigh! Ha ha! You can measure my outsides, but you can never measure my heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Neither you, nor anyone else, defines me or my growth and success! I am defined by Christ, and my Daddy is proud of His princess!! I know I have many brothers and sisters who are proud of me too, and we are all in this together!! God bless you all!!

"Every Pound Lost Is A Battle Won!"

Well, this was the week. After two consecutive weeks of 3-4 pound losses, I hit a “one-er” this week. Though, as one friend pointed out on my status on Facebook, “every pound lost is a battle won.” Amen! So true!!

I am grateful for every single one of those pounds lost! Since starting Fit Life at church, I have lost 9 pounds in three weeks (praise God)! That is a HUGE step up from how I was doing prior to that! Even though I have been working out consistently for some time, I have tried hard to work out even more. There has hardly been a day where I haven’t worked out in some way. And, when I do work out, I try to push a little harder and give as much as I can.

It also helps that my exercise is finally worth the time and effort I put into it now that I am doing better with my eating. The accountability of being on a team, plus trying to stick to better foods and a calorie range, keep me in check. I overeat far less when I am being mindful of what/how much I am eating. In “The Lord’s Table” course, they advised not to do such things and to only eat when hungry and to focus on Christ and not the food (and they say things like calorie counting encourage the food focus). While I do agree with what they are saying, I know that we are all individuals. When I tried sticking with what they were saying, it wasn’t enough for me because I didn’t know when to STOP eating. Tracking what I’m eating helps remind me what a good portion size is and how much is “too much.” Not only that, but I still enjoy foods that I like and I’m not restricting myself by being extremely rigid with the calories 100% of the time. Balance and moderation are, indeed, the key to success.

I also continue to read some food related Bible verses every day and pray for the strength and desire to keep doing well. Nowhere is it more vital than when I am grocery shopping. So many times, I see things that I want to get (especially if it’s on sale) and I pick it up, look at it, read the nutritional info., realize it’s not worth it, and then put it back (more often than not). It pays off to listen to nudges of, “Put it back. You don’t need this….don’t lie to yourself and pretend like you would have self-control with THAT in the house.” Christ keeps me honest. He reminds me of the fact that one “can’t eat what’s not there” and that I shouldn’t even tempt myself with foods that ALWAYS cause me to lose self-control. For right now, at least, they don’t have any business being in my home. I am going to continue setting myself up for success. It’s such a simple thing! Don’t bring crap into your house that is going to make you screw up! Keep buying the stuff you SHOULD be eating!

Speaking of which, I always notice that when I eat foods I “should“, I DO feel better! More often than not, I eat 4-5 fruits/veggies a day now. The more I do that, the more that I feel like I am honoring God (and myself) by putting beneficial foods into my body. I also notice how bad I feel physically/emotionally when I eat too much (and when I eat a greater portion of stuff that isn’t always good). You are what you eat; you get what you put in. Nothing is “off limits”, but there are “limits” to everything. Paul says the same thing in 1 Corinthians 10:23: “’Everything is permissible‘—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible‘—but not everything is constructive.”

So, that’s my update for this week! The only other thing I was going to say was that I used the treadmill for 35 minutes at the gym yesterday while I was waiting for Blake to get there. Then, he did show me some P90X exercises. One of my teammates told me that it was intense and to let her know if I could still breathe afterwards! ;) While I could still breathe, Blake said: “You might be a little sore tomorrow.” Heck, I was already feeling it! You know that feeling after you get done working out on some equipment, or roller-blading, or something like that? Yeah, well, my arms and upper body felt like that! LOL! I felt like something was still weighing them down after I has finished (and it felt strange to move!). It was over 40 minutes that I worked out (but well worth it! Over 1,000 total calories burned last night!). ;) Though, I think I will start out with P90 (and order that first) and then work my way up to P90X. It was pretty obvious that while I COULD “bring it”, it took all I had to do so! ;) Blake said, “not bad.” LOL! I had feared that going by the fact that I couldn’t even do a machine assisted chin-up that I was REALLY going to have a hard time (I felt like such a wimp when I could barely pull myself up!). Hopefully, in a few months, I will have built up some strength! ;) Though, I was pretty proud of myself! I gave it my best and for a girl, I did pretty well!! ;)

Thank you, everyone, for your support!! God bless you all!!