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!!