Following thru but, not for the right reasons

   An Update for week 4

  Wow what a couple weeks I have had.   My eyes were opened up to A LOT of my short comings and I was devastated.   But first, I want to share the good news that lead me up to the bad news.

 I went to visit my son in Richmond, Virgina a couple of weeks ago, and that was the last time I checked in for the the Peak 313 challenge.  The time I got to spend with my son was nothing short of feeling God's love. I quickly realized that He planned this and put it all together for me.  

 My son didn't get to play (and that was the main reason I had to go, was to watch him play).   Just watching him come out on the field was enough for me.  As I was buying my ticket and walking in to the stadium, an aunt, that I love dearly and can talk to for hours, called.  I was so over come with emotion that my throat closed up and I literally couldn't talk.  I had to hang up and text her my explanation, while fighting tears of pride, excitement and love that only a parent can explain. I was getting to see MY SON! play football on Friday night for the first time.  

 Here is some back ground on the different states:  At the age of 12 he decided to go move to Virgina with his dad to establish a relationship with him.   My son and I have a very close relationship and he wanted that with his dad also....so now I only get to see him a couple weeks in the summer and when ever school schedules work out for a random Christmas visit.  

  The game itself was wonderful, but God even threw a bonus in there for me.   My son is also dating my best friend's, from my military days, daughter.  They came to watch him play also.  So, it was a wonderful reunion.  His team even came back from trailing the entire game to win in the last minute of play and the defense was able to hold the opponent at the goal line to win by 3. I was defiantly was quoting lines from "Facing Giants"  like Brick Wall! Brick Wall.....One more down!! ( my daughter turned to me and said I have watched that moving too much)

 The next day our two families met at the State Fair and enjoyed some wonderful time together.  Sunday morning, in my quiet time with God, I realized then that He set this all up just for me.  I felt His love wrapped around me all weekend and was just soaking in it, watching my kids sleep in our hotel room

  I was able to stick to the Metabolic Research Center's meal plans I have been on since my last visit up there, even taking the kids to eat pizza and my favorite food group...fair food....I lost 1.5 pounds while on this trip.  I was able to keep up with the exercises for the week also.

 Here comes to the bad:

  While wanting to share my happiness with my family and tagging my group in our pictures and location on Facebook...I accidentally  tagged someone that wasn't there.  This caused a ripple with my husbands family and an early morning phone call to my husband.   So, when I got the phone call while on the road and about 12 hours from my home, I was trying to figure out what was going on...so there went on my happiness from the previous two days.  I sorta went on an internet fast, except for my work.  

 During this period, I try to focus on how I could have prevented this, and handle the situation better.   Trust me!  I handled this so badly, that, this is the exact behavior the enemy loves and uses, especially with non-believers...who claim to be Christians and refuse to go to church because of hypocrites. My words were twisted and apology was never heard in the retelling of the incident.  

 I realized that I was more concerned at what my father-in -law thought of me, than I was of what my Heavenly Father thought of me at that moment.   I was/am crushed.   I could blame it on sleep deprivation, shock, hurt, or any number of things...but what it boiled down to was, I failed in my test to show how I am any different from the secular world.   

 I also realized that my dedication  in the exercise challenge was the competitive nature in me....So, as I was praying, it came to me that I need to forfeit by not checking in.  This was very difficult for me. But, for me to follow thru with the actions and requirements of this challenge and not take credit of  "how good I am doing" and just do it for the right reasons.  

  I am not going to imply that God told me not to check in, but putting aside the "how good I am"  "Yay Me!" mentality was a lesson I needed to put in check.   Now! I am doing if for His glory alone; as He is rebuilding my temple.   

 I thank Clare at Peak313.com for showing me some fun exercises that I have been able to enjoy these past 4 weeks and I am still going to finish strong on week 6,7, and 8. I have learned more scripture than I have in the past as the Bible has it written, not in my words.   My exercising, these past few weeks just have taken a different role than what the challenge was about.   I am exercising more the "sitting still and knowing He is God" muscle and leaning on Him and not myself.  Without this challenge, it may have take a lot longer for me to learn this.

 Oct 6, 2012  with my daughter

June 25, 2012 with my son

 Weight loss update!  I have lost 25.5 pounds as of today  ( half way to my goal)  

    Dear Father,  I thank you for your promise that You will use what was meant for evil for Your Glory,  Thank you Father for Jesus,  for when  I fail you, He had already paid the price and I am found faultless in Your eyes.  Thank you Father, for allowing the sanctification process, where we grow in our short comings as we listen to You, our Teacher, as you show us where we fail.  In Jesus' name, I love You

Goals...

 My goals not met

  Today is the day that I was trying to be another pant size down and it didn't happen....even with the extra effort of exercising.  At first I was a little down because, even with the hard work and staying consistent on my diet plan and exercising...my hard work should have paid off.

 I was gently reminded that I need to hold my head up...maybe God had another goal in His plan set for me than my size reduction....maybe it was a size increase.  The increase was the size of my faith in God.   I had given Him this project of reconstructing His temple in me.  I am elated with His progress in me.

  I first was feeling the pang of discouragement by hitting a plateau in my weight loss; which is lasting way too long for me. I kept seeing that I have 30 more pounds I would like to lose.  What I didn't see was all the positives going in this process.  I didn't gain any weight back and I realized that I wasn't failing at weight loss...I was winning the battle of not throwing in the towel.  I really do not like to exercise, but the videos I have moving along with at Peak313.com has really been fun...and  I have been able to stick with it for 4 weeks so far (1 more week to go for the challenge.)   That is another win!  I feel so much better physically and mentally,  that is the bonus prize in my book.  

 God is doing a magnificent work in me, and I was only focused on what hasn't been happening.  This is a serious WOW GOD! moment for me.  I am my own worst enemy.  

  I try to always remember that it is in God's time and not mine....but I struggle with this when I want something too much.  I am so blessed that I have God living within me.  I get these loving reminders if I be still and listen.  He has put some wonderful cheerleaders in my path, some that were so unexpected but very much cherished.  

 I got on the scale this morning and I am so happy to report that the scale has shown me 4 pounds down since last Friday....God is so good!  I have an official weight in this afternoon.   Hopefully, after I get back from my trip I will have a couple of before (July 17) and after ( 8 weeks) pictures to post to show His wonderful physical rebuilding.  I can't wait to see the finished product.

 The hardest thing, so far, has been the scripture memorization.  Last weeks verse " For everything in the world- the cravings of a sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does- comes not from the Father but the world. 1 John 2:16; still is giving me problems.  I can memorize it, recite it...but it doesn't want to stay....I do believe I should make this my verse of the year....to make it be part of me.  I am so convicted by this verse.   

  

  Father, thank You for you loving reminders.  Thank you for revealing Your answer to my prayers.  You have Your reasons for my struggle as I learn from these challenges.  I know you care about my physical condition, buy it is my heart condition You seem to be focusing on now.   I love knowing that Your plan is perfect. I pray that I adopt Your plan and my plan and continue to honor you with all I do.   Please bless all those that read this, as they are struggling too. 



  UPDATE FROM TODAY'S WEIGHT IN:  I have lost at total of 24 pounds and 33.1/2 inches since July 17th, 2012.   One more pound and I will be half way to my goal.

Update for week 3 Peak 313 challenge

Update for week 3~

  Wow, it it really the end of week 3 and beginning of week 4 already!  This is the longest I have committed to an exercise of any sort since I was in my 20s.  Week 3 was another crazy week for us,so...we continued on with the multitasking exercising.  

  I had so many irons in the fire this week, but yet...I am really much more sore now than I was the first week of exercising.  The new move I added was doing round house karate kicks as I moved thru the house...

 I struggled with the verse this week...I think it was more because of the Word was more convicting of me this week and my sinful nature didn't want me to make it mine.   I still have it on my desk to make sure it stays in my heart and not just memorized. It took me until Sunday night to say it without having to look.   

 Saturday I got to have a lot of fun with my niece, Sister ( n-law) and my daughter...we went to our local corn maze...do I get extra credit for 4 hours of exercise....between the jumping pillow and all the walking....I could barely walk Sunday.

 For my diet, I was put on a special menu to try to bump me out to this plateau I am in.  I have only lost about 1 pound this week, but still retaining water.....however...I have gone from a size 18 to a size 10 (sorta...I can zip them with out having to lay down..but not too comfortable to wear...) since I started at Metabolic Research Center's weight loss clinic in July and my BMI has gone down.  I have to really focus on  who is doing this remodeling of my body...this is where this verse really hits home.  I really can not do anything with out God being in control and totally giving Him my burden.  I will not take credit for this loss, and I felt a little too much pride welling up. ( plus..I have 30 more pounds to go)

This week...I am going to be traveling from Alabama to Virginia to go watch my son play football.   So, my diet and exercises are going to have to be a little more creative this weekend~  I am sure I can find many things to do in Richmond.  

 I have had so much fun with Clare's J.Lo exercise;  I have caught myself walking like I have resistance bands on my feet.  I love to do those Monday thru Friday while I am working at my desk along with a cardiac blast to re-energize myself; instead of reaching for a snack or caffeine. I work both arms and legs while working and do the cardio on the elliptical 3 nights  a week.   I was trying to work my triceps with one of her U Tube exercises, but my band was too short..and back to the sporting goods store....Now I am ready.  My sister in law and I have been encouraging each other with the exercises via the phone and texting...I am really blessed to have her to encourage me.   I am averaging about 40 minutes of exercise a day 3 days a week and 30 minutes on the off days...WOW!  something big time has changed in me...or more like....something GOD sized has moved in me...because honestly...it had to take an act of God to make me exercise in the first place.....

 

  http://www.corndodgersfarm.com/

            This is our local corn maze web address if anyone is from the Headland, Al area.    Best non-exercise feeling exercise I have done in a long time.

Yes, this is me jumping on the air pillow with my daughter....the bonus of being overweight....you can jump really high and knock the scoffers down....  We had a great time together.