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I look at everything in my life and ask the questions, "what does this tell me about myself?", and "what does it tell me about God?" My journey to health was no different. I wanted to learn about my strengths and what things I needed to work on. I started this journey dealing with being overweight, some healthy issues and simply feeling frustrated because I was not getting any better.
In the first picture above, I had just started this journey. My daughter and my husband were working out with me. I began doing things I had never heard of before, such as a burpee. It was really difficult. I wanted to give up each day, even before I started. What helped me keep going was the accountability I had through my daughter and my husband.
One of the first things we need to incorporate into our life change is accountability. Do you have a friend or some one you can partner with to help you stay the course? It's easy to quit when no one is watching or holding you accountable. Having a workout partner is helpful because some times we get discouraged. Having someone walking with you helps you be encouraged to keep going. It is helpful having someone to hold you accountable because you sometimes want to quit when you don't see quick results. However having an accountability partner can help you keep the goal in mind. I held on and finished the 30 day workout routine we were doing as a team. I did see some results, but I was mainly excited to know I was able to complete something.
The lesson I learned about myself is if I set my mind to something, I can accomplish it even if it is difficult. What I learned about God is, He does help me when I find myself facing some difficult life changes/choices. Jeremiah 32:27
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? When I felt I couldn't make it, I would remind myself that God would help me to accomplish my goal.
In the second picture above, I purchased Shaun T's, "T25" workout. I began doing that with the goal in mind that I wanted to win the T-shirt when I completed it. This workout was even more difficult than the first one I attempted. The workout required me to work out for 25 minutes for 6 days and stretching on the seventh. Once I was able to accomplish the first four weeks then I had to step it up and do the next set of workouts for the following four weeks. I began to get stronger and I could see more muscle development in my body. When I got my shirt I took some pictures to share with my FB family. The lesson I learned from the T-Shirt was this, the T-25 on the front reminded me that sometimes we go through some "test" that want to discourage us. Whether they are 25 minutes, 25 hours or 25 years, however we can keep attacking and know that in the end we will win. The back of the t-shirt said "Nailed it" I took that to mean two things, I could "Nail" whatever stands in my way if I continue to keep moving towards my goal. I also took it to mean every difficulty that stands in my way, Christ "Nailed it" to the cross so that I could W.I.N. with Christ.
The last picture above, was me completing a challenge to do Insanity. Let me just say, insanity is insane! That one, I really wanted to quit. The warm up was an entire workout in itself. Yet, I was able to call on the strength within myself to help me continue to do the workouts. The lesson I continue to tell myself through the journey was we all come across some "insanity" in this life. We face these difficulties and they can make us want to give up. However if we keep moving forward we grow and are better able to obtain to goal we set out to reach. Now, as you begin to become better, the workout shifts, just as it did with the T25 workout. I had to then challenge myself to be able to accomplish the next level of the workout. I was able to overcome the "insanity" and accomplish the goal. What I realized is I became stronger. I am now able to run when before I would get tired after only a few moments. Now I can run/walk for long periods of time.
So what's the overarching lesson I want to share with you? You can reach your goal. As a Christian, I rely on my faith to help me reach my goals, so prayer and reading God's Word has been my main source of help to remind we I can accomplish all things through Christ that strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) When I got discouraged, I made sure I had a support team to encourage me, challenge me and to hold me accountable. In fact, for some you can use these relationships to do weight in's with each other to help you keep up with your lost and to talk with someone if you need to make adjustments in your process.
Furthermore, I had to be willing to keep stretching myself, hence the workout challenges I did. I am currently doing a challenge with my husband for his job. The Walk challenge. It makes me count my steps to make sure I am getting at least 8,000 steps daily (I have averaged 10,000). Our goal is to take 448,000 steps by November 16th. I have already surpassed that goal. Now I am getting ready to re-do the T-25 challenge.
Finally, the more you stretch yourself, the stronger you will get. My youngest daughter still says she can't believe I am the same person when she looks at older pictures of me. She tells me mommy, you were pretty, but you just don't look the same now. You look younger and now people think you are my older sister (I love that). The truth is, I am not the same person. I care more about myself. I realized I am worth all the effort I have taken to get in shape. In fact, I realized staying unhealthy was actually unfair to my family and selfish on my part. Why is this unfair to my family, because if something happens to me, who would have to take care of me? My family would! So getting healthy wasn't only for me, it was to make sure I give my family a better me.
I end this week's post simply to encourage you to keep investing in yourself. Even if you don't see the results yet, in time you will. Sometimes you'll have to make some adjustments because some things won't work for you, but that's okay, keep going, simply don't give up. Until next week, I pray for your success as you continue to W.I.N. in health.
I asked you to share last week how you track your food or workout. This is what one reader shared:
I have been using myfitnesspal to track my food. water and exercise. Thank you for all you do to help encourage others!!! (Cora Ruppe)
In the first picture above, I had just started this journey. My daughter and my husband were working out with me. I began doing things I had never heard of before, such as a burpee. It was really difficult. I wanted to give up each day, even before I started. What helped me keep going was the accountability I had through my daughter and my husband.
One of the first things we need to incorporate into our life change is accountability. Do you have a friend or some one you can partner with to help you stay the course? It's easy to quit when no one is watching or holding you accountable. Having a workout partner is helpful because some times we get discouraged. Having someone walking with you helps you be encouraged to keep going. It is helpful having someone to hold you accountable because you sometimes want to quit when you don't see quick results. However having an accountability partner can help you keep the goal in mind. I held on and finished the 30 day workout routine we were doing as a team. I did see some results, but I was mainly excited to know I was able to complete something.
The lesson I learned about myself is if I set my mind to something, I can accomplish it even if it is difficult. What I learned about God is, He does help me when I find myself facing some difficult life changes/choices. Jeremiah 32:27
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? When I felt I couldn't make it, I would remind myself that God would help me to accomplish my goal.
In the second picture above, I purchased Shaun T's, "T25" workout. I began doing that with the goal in mind that I wanted to win the T-shirt when I completed it. This workout was even more difficult than the first one I attempted. The workout required me to work out for 25 minutes for 6 days and stretching on the seventh. Once I was able to accomplish the first four weeks then I had to step it up and do the next set of workouts for the following four weeks. I began to get stronger and I could see more muscle development in my body. When I got my shirt I took some pictures to share with my FB family. The lesson I learned from the T-Shirt was this, the T-25 on the front reminded me that sometimes we go through some "test" that want to discourage us. Whether they are 25 minutes, 25 hours or 25 years, however we can keep attacking and know that in the end we will win. The back of the t-shirt said "Nailed it" I took that to mean two things, I could "Nail" whatever stands in my way if I continue to keep moving towards my goal. I also took it to mean every difficulty that stands in my way, Christ "Nailed it" to the cross so that I could W.I.N. with Christ.
The last picture above, was me completing a challenge to do Insanity. Let me just say, insanity is insane! That one, I really wanted to quit. The warm up was an entire workout in itself. Yet, I was able to call on the strength within myself to help me continue to do the workouts. The lesson I continue to tell myself through the journey was we all come across some "insanity" in this life. We face these difficulties and they can make us want to give up. However if we keep moving forward we grow and are better able to obtain to goal we set out to reach. Now, as you begin to become better, the workout shifts, just as it did with the T25 workout. I had to then challenge myself to be able to accomplish the next level of the workout. I was able to overcome the "insanity" and accomplish the goal. What I realized is I became stronger. I am now able to run when before I would get tired after only a few moments. Now I can run/walk for long periods of time.
So what's the overarching lesson I want to share with you? You can reach your goal. As a Christian, I rely on my faith to help me reach my goals, so prayer and reading God's Word has been my main source of help to remind we I can accomplish all things through Christ that strengthens me (Philippians 4:13) When I got discouraged, I made sure I had a support team to encourage me, challenge me and to hold me accountable. In fact, for some you can use these relationships to do weight in's with each other to help you keep up with your lost and to talk with someone if you need to make adjustments in your process.
Furthermore, I had to be willing to keep stretching myself, hence the workout challenges I did. I am currently doing a challenge with my husband for his job. The Walk challenge. It makes me count my steps to make sure I am getting at least 8,000 steps daily (I have averaged 10,000). Our goal is to take 448,000 steps by November 16th. I have already surpassed that goal. Now I am getting ready to re-do the T-25 challenge.
Finally, the more you stretch yourself, the stronger you will get. My youngest daughter still says she can't believe I am the same person when she looks at older pictures of me. She tells me mommy, you were pretty, but you just don't look the same now. You look younger and now people think you are my older sister (I love that). The truth is, I am not the same person. I care more about myself. I realized I am worth all the effort I have taken to get in shape. In fact, I realized staying unhealthy was actually unfair to my family and selfish on my part. Why is this unfair to my family, because if something happens to me, who would have to take care of me? My family would! So getting healthy wasn't only for me, it was to make sure I give my family a better me.
I end this week's post simply to encourage you to keep investing in yourself. Even if you don't see the results yet, in time you will. Sometimes you'll have to make some adjustments because some things won't work for you, but that's okay, keep going, simply don't give up. Until next week, I pray for your success as you continue to W.I.N. in health.
I asked you to share last week how you track your food or workout. This is what one reader shared:
I have been using myfitnesspal to track my food. water and exercise. Thank you for all you do to help encourage others!!! (Cora Ruppe)
Healthy Eating
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Avocado Grilled cheese Sandwich
1/2 Avacado
1 tablespoon of pesto sauce
1 slice of cheese (I used provolone)
2 sliced of wheat bread
lettuce leaf
Olive oil & butter
Preparation: spread the pesto sauce on your bread (I used a tomato based one because my daughter can't eat nuts). Add the cheese and the avocado slices. I sliced the cheese and put the avocado between the cheese slices. In a pan put a little olive oil and a small pat of butter. Put the sandwich in the pan and cooked/brown on both sides until finished. I opened the sandwiches and added some lettuce. You can change this sandwich and add meat or tomatoes if you prefer.
Vegetable broth
I believe it is important not to waste your food. I juice several times a week and that produces a lot of food pulp. I began saving that pulp to make my own vegetable broth. After I juice I pull out any seeds or large pieces and then I freeze it until I am ready to use it. When I am ready to make the broth, I take the pulp and add it into a pot with water. I add seasons, salt, pepper, vegetable seasoning and garlic. I boil the pulp for about 20 minutes until the vegetable pulp infuses the water. I will taste to make sure it is the flavor I want, if not I add season. When it is finished I remove the pulp. If you have a cheese cloth that is the easiest way to get rid of the pulp. I simply poured it off (it took some time but I got it all out, see picture above). I use this broth to make rice, or soups. The one above had beets so it was red. If you use the beets it will make the broth change the color of some of your soups, but the taste is great.
1/2 Avacado
1 tablespoon of pesto sauce
1 slice of cheese (I used provolone)
2 sliced of wheat bread
lettuce leaf
Olive oil & butter
Preparation: spread the pesto sauce on your bread (I used a tomato based one because my daughter can't eat nuts). Add the cheese and the avocado slices. I sliced the cheese and put the avocado between the cheese slices. In a pan put a little olive oil and a small pat of butter. Put the sandwich in the pan and cooked/brown on both sides until finished. I opened the sandwiches and added some lettuce. You can change this sandwich and add meat or tomatoes if you prefer.
Vegetable broth
I believe it is important not to waste your food. I juice several times a week and that produces a lot of food pulp. I began saving that pulp to make my own vegetable broth. After I juice I pull out any seeds or large pieces and then I freeze it until I am ready to use it. When I am ready to make the broth, I take the pulp and add it into a pot with water. I add seasons, salt, pepper, vegetable seasoning and garlic. I boil the pulp for about 20 minutes until the vegetable pulp infuses the water. I will taste to make sure it is the flavor I want, if not I add season. When it is finished I remove the pulp. If you have a cheese cloth that is the easiest way to get rid of the pulp. I simply poured it off (it took some time but I got it all out, see picture above). I use this broth to make rice, or soups. The one above had beets so it was red. If you use the beets it will make the broth change the color of some of your soups, but the taste is great.
