Time for a Change

I know everyone on the planet is saying this but it's about time I make some changes to my health before God makes them for me. I know that God isn't hankering to just be a part of these changes - He's wanting to BE the changes. I don't know how this is going to play out but I will be praying about it and starting to really make the changes to be healthy. The motivation has to come from God. I finally felt better after a Christmas sickness to get back to the idea of working out. I had one disappointment that I can't even bear to write. And another when I caught my profile in the mirror. But I'm not going to get upset. I'm going to God. Praying for the motivation and making healthier choices for eating and exercise as a form of worship. I love you, Jesus and loving you is going to remind me to learn to take care of what you've given me with more responsibility.

Overwhelmed and Off Balance

That's my downfall. I get overwhelmed and then the guilt heaps on. Right now, I have a thousand and a half things that I SHOULD do every weekend but it's been beautiful nearly every Saturday or Sunday of the last month. Here has been my thinking - I only have three months to enjoy the pool. June was a wash because of planning mom and dad's weekend and it was rainy. I'm not even sure I had a weekend to just read and lounge until right before the party.

So now that it's been nice I've been reading and hanging out in the pool as much as possible, there are things that aren't getting done. The dust bunnies have built up significantly. And a certain loved one made an observation this weekend that made me question that neglected chore. I've rehashed things since then and I still think that is an okay choice to make.

My hang up is that while making the sacrifice of clean for fun is an acceptable one, it still doesn't sit well. Lots of things have gone to h-e- double hockey sticks. Yard work, bank statements, filing, the list goes on and on....... And that my friends is how I roll - guilt, guilt, guilt. I neglect to find peace in the things that I am making an effort to keep caught up. I dwell on all the areas I fall short in. Know what's funny (other than the fact that every woman deals with this dilemma)? This happens every year. And every year I freak out about this time as the summer wanes, and I see how much I have to do. Funny part two? The world hasn't yet collapsed in a heap and neither have I.

So I've decided to put this in my faith/ prayer jar. I don't have balance - if I'm not killing myself, I think I'm a slacker and I'm susceptible to the least inclination or comment from others that way. So even when I'm seeking it, I can't find it. So - in yet another area of my life (following recently behind body image, weight loss, and selfishness - ouch!!) I am giving it back to God. If I don't have control, I think my world is going to implode. And deep down, I know better. I serve a God who has my best in each and every plan. He IS PERFECT BALANCE. So the only way I'm likely to have balance is to have Him - every day, all the time.

PS - In the realm of body image and weight loss, He's really been surprising me. In the last few weeks, I have lost 12.5 pounds. Without obsession, without deprivation of giant measure, and with out compulsion. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me - cause this stuff is off the chart NOT ME!!!

Biggest Loser EIP Update

Breakthrough week after two weeks of no movement. I lost 4 pounds as of Friday! There was a time when it would have been more - then again in a time not long ago, I would have been upset that my metabolism wasn't at the level of even 10 years ago. But I'm pleased. And it's a step in the right direction. And after today when I acted as Bob's electrician's helper, it made it all the more clear that I simply cannot continue to lug around this extra weight. It makes me feel FAR older. Many other parts of me can hang. My knees cannot and it's upsetting. I have to take better care of myself consistently and that means changing my perception of my body to match it's current state.

The competition at work is really encouraging. We are divided into teams but it's great how all of us have banded together to help each other. It's the human condition and barring the one guy now involved, a female affliction that we are never happy where we are. And this has helped to focus me on my goal of getting to a healthier weight - not a hot weight :).....

But this week gave me a kick start. Yeehaw! Let's keep it going!

Biggest Loser!

Well, I think God brought the answer. We are doing a weight loss competition/ support thing at work starting Monday. I want to do some praying about this but I am excited to start. I think the accountability and the competition will be a really good support to get me back into exercise and watching food and portions. Mom and Dad started Atkins and I'm going to go with that as the basic structure since it has worked for me in the past. It's been a long time coming and it's time. I know I can't do it alone so my mentor will be Jesus. I'm going to start the weekend by doing a little cleansing and then I'll be ready Monday. No obsession just self-control and a set of priorities that include God at the very top of my food pyramid. Here goes.....