SexyBack Challenge Check in

I have not posted for several weeks now about the SexyBack challenge. There are several reasons for this.

1. I've been busy - not a good excuse, but I just haven't made the time.

2. I started this challenge one week after I had already started eating healthier. I did it because I thought it would be great to have a group of people to do it with and help hold me accountable. However, I was still in the mindset of "dropping weight quickly" when I signed up for it. I hadn't quite made the connection to an overall healthier lifestyle that wasn't completely focused on my weight. Since I started, that focus has changed dramatically.

So, honestly, I haven't wanted to blog much about it, as I am trying really hard NOT to focus on the numbers. I have not been getting on the scale weekly. In fact, I haven't been on it for almost the entire time. Because this time, it isn't about a number on a scale for me. It's about continuing to make healthy choices daily that lead to overall better health. Do I want to weigh less? Absolutely! However, knowing myself as well as I do, if I continually get on the scale, that will become my focus. And, I don't want that anymore. This is not a "diet", it is a way of life for me now. It is about taking control of my eating (including emotions), and learning to take care of the body that God gave me. I have tried almost every "diet" there is, and this time is different.

I am working out consistently three to five times per week. I have implemented a healthier eating plan that consists of smaller meals throughout the day, more fruits and vegetables, and very low sugar. This is working for me. I am continually seeing the change in my clothes and my inches. My body is changing. Do I think the weight is dropping off? Probably not. Why? Because I am doing very intense kettelbell workouts that are building lean muscle. I am naturally a muscular person, so my weight when I first start building that muscle back up is always higher.

Do I feel better? ABSOLUTELY!! I am amazed at the difference in my mood and overall feelings when you start taking time for yourself and taking care of yourself.

Am I grateful to have found people who are on this journey with me? Absolutely. I learn something from what others who have a different perspective than me are doing.

So, there's my multiple week checkin. Hope you are having a great week!

Vision

"If the size of your vision for your life isn't intimidating to you, there's a good chance it's insulting to God." Steven Furtick

I read this quote in his book titled "Sun Stand Still." It was pretty mind blowing to me. When had I stopped having a vision for my life? When did just getting by in life and working towards what the world told me I needed take over? When did I settle for good enough?

I am really struggling with this question right now. I know that God has a vision for my life. I know he had one many years ago. However, I chose to continue to work towards what I thought was best for me. Sure, I believed in him. Sure, I was a Christian. But, I wasn't letting him guide my paths. I was choosing my own path and asking for him to help me with it when I felt like I needed help.

Now, as I am feeling led towards new directions, I am really wrestling with this. Nothing is clear to me at this point. The only thing I know for sure is that God has a plan. I just have to keep trusting him and obeying when he asks me to take small steps.

One of those small steps was attending the Quitter conference last weekend. I thought that maybe I would have some lightbulb moment while I was there. I didn't. However, what I did feel was hope and clarity that I am moving in the direction that he wants me to go. And to be honest, it's kind of exciting to watch this all progress on a daily and weekly basis.

What is your vision for your life? Has it always been clear to you? I'd love to hear from you!

I am not ready for this

Tonight, my two sons and I went on a bike ride to a park in the next subdivision. They are 8 and 5. While we were cutting through another park, I was following behind the boys. There were two little girls playing in the park, and I suddenly heard an excited voice say (insert 8 year old girl squeal here) "That was Jonah!!!", then "I can't believe I just saw Jonah!!!", and "I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited!"

I laughed at first. Then, I wanted to slam on my brakes and turn around. What??? Surely those cute little girls weren't talking about being excited to see my son, right? These are the moments when I realize that in my mind sometimes, he is still 2 or 3. Nevermind that he is riding long distances on his bike, and that we were going to the park so he and his bother could show me how great they are on the bike ramp at the skate park. He's my little boy! Girls surely can't be interested in him yet, right?

The rest of the ride had my mind spinning. He's going into third grade. I remember being excited to see cute boys when I was that age. I also remember boys having no clue why girls got so excited and silly when they were around. That is Jonah. He is going to be much like his Dad in that area. He will be oblivious to the fact that girls are very interested in him, because he will be too busy doing boy stuff and thinking about how to fix something or create something new.

When Rick and I started dating, I could never understand why his Mom was so protective of her boys. What harm could I do? And now, here we are. Full circle. Not only do I understand her hesitation of not wanting her sons to get hurt, I feel like I am going to be even more protective as a Mom! Especially when it comes to Kaden. But, he's another story for another day....

It also doesn't help that they are both really cute boys. I know, I know, I may be just a little biased!

My Top 10 list from the Quitter conference

This past weekend, I attended Jon Acuff's Quitter conference, in Nashville. It was based on his book, Quitter, but it took the concepts and actions to a deeper level. Here is my very own top 10 list.

1. Jon Acuff is even funner in person than he is in print. I didn't think that was possible. He is truly entertaining, yet provides great advice and challenges you to step out of your comfort zone.

2. Twitter is perfect for conferences. I think I tweeted more during the conference than I have in the last few months combined! There were so many tweet-worthy tidbits. It was fun to see people at the conference start following each other. I'm looking forward to keeping in contact with them to see how their dreams progress. 

3. Jon Acuff knows how hard it is to follow your dream. He's a living example of what can happen when you provide the passion and hard work required. And, he's willing to share his ideas in order to help you realize your own dream too.      

4. He has an amazing team supporting him. The flow of the conference was well thought out, and the presentations were really creative. Kudos to everyone involved! I loved hearing from his wife, Jenny, as well. That was a nice personal touch.

5. I am not alone in wanting to do something meaningful with my life. There were 180+ people there, who are all wanting to make an impact in the world. I am looking forward to connecting with more of them and learning their stories.

6. It can be done! You can make a difference. There were multiple stories of people who are living it and doing it. It's always great to hear practical examples, and to be reminded that every great idea started out with someone taking the time to cultivate it and take steps forward.

7. Freebies are always an added bonus! We got some really cool things that were unexpected. A Hello Somebody watch that I am loving (check out their website, as each item helps fund starving children overseas), a Dave Ramsey leather journal, and a Quitter t-shirt. It was a really nice touch.

8. Twitter people are real people. This is something that can easily be forgotten. You can get caught up in their number of followers or their success, and it's easy to forget that they are real people facing real issues, just like you.

9. Be realistic about your dreams and what it will take. Ben Arment also spoke and he is really great at giving you the hard facts about what you need before your dream can happen. He has an amazing way of inspiring you and challenging you to figure out how you will fund your dream.

10. Our dreams matter. The world desperately needs us to follow them. This really hit home with me. We can change the world. But it requires all of us doing the hard work to figure out our dream, and then make it happen.

I am still in the process of determining what my dream looks like. I have some recurring thoughts and am working on clarifying them more in the near future. The Quitter conference was a great way to help spur this conversation in my head!

One month....Done!

This is my weekly check in for the #SexyBack11 challenge. I can't believe it's been a month already. As I've said previously, I am staying off of the scale. I have been doing very intense kettlebell workouts and know that my body is changing in muscle definition and shape, but not necessarily in the scale right now. In order not to get discouraged, I am staying away from it. Because, I FEEL GREAT!!

Here's my tracking information for this week:
         Inches lost: 2!
         Workouts: 5 (3 kettlebell workouts and 2 walking)

It is amazing how much different you can feel in just a short amount of time. I am looking forward to continuing to work on eating healthier, making better decisions about food, and consistently working out.

Check In - #SexyBack11 Challenge

Week 3 of the #SexyBack11 challenge is complete (and week 4 for me personally). I feel great! I am focusing primarily on eating healthier and working out, so I am not going to be weighing in this morning.

I have started an amazing workout routine at a kettlebell studio. Wow! Talk about an intense workout. They took all of my measurements, and really emphasize not getting on the scale, which has also been my focus. They are also an incredibly encouraging and motivating group. I am looking forward to getting to know some of them better!

Here are a few key indicators for me that my changes are making a difference.

1. I am fitting into my clothes better, and some are way too big already

2. I have more energy

3. I have a strong motivation to work out consistently

4. My cravings have significantly decreased

So, for the #SexyBack11 challenge, I will now be updating you on how many times I worked out that week, as well as inches lost. Every few weeks, I'll check in with my weight also.

Here are the results for this week!
           Kettlebell workout - 4 times this week
           Walking - 2 times this week
           Inches lost - 1 1/2!

I am so thankful to be on this journey towards better health. I have a very supportive group of friends and family that are helping me and encouraging me. If I can help encourage you too, please let me know!

Have a great week!

Morning of reflection

Last Friday, I finally took the morning to be by myself and focus solely on having a morning of quiet time, prayer, and reflection. My Pastor has encouraged me to do this for some time, but I never made the time to actually do it. Wow! It was so incredibly peaceful and serene.

One of the places I ended up was a forest preserve with a Japanese garden and island right by the river. I had been there before, but only in a rush. I never took the time to see the beauty all around me.

One of the first things I noticed when I was off the beaten path, were these trees. They were not straight, like many of their neighbors. They were stretching and reaching across the path. I couldn't help but think about what a great analogy that is for where I feel I am right now. God is stretching me in so many areas, and although it can be painful, it is also beautiful!

The next area where I spent a considerable amount of time was next to this lighthouse, which was right along the river. I loved how it is cracked and aged, but still standing strong, providing light to those around it.

I spent the majority of the time sitting next to this lighthouse reading my Bible, studying, and praying. I had specific people I was praying for, as well as asking for direction in many areas of my life. Romans 12 was the area where I spent the most time that morning.

I am in the process of eating healthier, and trying to make better decisions. This verse continued to resonate with me. "I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him." Romans 12:1

I am also in the midst of determining some life changing steps that I believe God wants for me. To this point, not many things have been clear. So, the following verse was very applicable as well. "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2

Wow! God was definitely speaking directly to me through these scriptures that morning!

Here are a few other pictures that I took that morning. I finished the morning feeling restful, peaceful, and with my soul restored. I would highly recommend carving out some time to have a day of reflection. I never could find a way to have a whole day, but the morning worked incredibly well for me. Next time, I'll plan for the entire day.