ShapelyGirl Fitness: Week 1

OCT 8th PROGRESS, STRUGGLES, and BREAKTHROUGHS POST:

 Last Monday morning, I woke up with plans to start this week right and exercise my spirit, body, and mind: a new week, a new beginning. I turned on my computer to go to my daily devotion email, and saw that I had several FB messages from family members. The news that my aunt who has always been a 2nd mom to me was in a coma due to a ruptured brain aneurysm pushed all thoughts of anything else from my mind. Between numerous phone calls, setting up a message center for family to communicate on Facebook (and doing most of the updates), a couple of trips to the hospital, Aunt Sula passing away on Thursday, and the funeral...and a week that already was filled to the brim with other concerns...this has been challenging!

Needless to say, much of last week is a blur. However, I did at least part of the workout dvd 4 times last week. I am so horribly out of condition that I expected to struggle, but the emotional toil hit me even harder than expected. Some days I only did 15-20 minutes or used one of the shorter workouts. Right now I cannot do all on the tapes, but I keep trying. There were also a couple of those days when I would sit for a couple of minutes, and then get started back. But, I felt encouraged to keep going by Debra Mazda and the other ladies. In the past, I would have simply tossed this aside...and grabbed something to eat while bemoaning my inability to do this. Not only did I keep "stress eating" under the control much better, but I was able to bypass the temptation a few times and did part of the workout instead. I even lost 2.5 lbs this week.

 Sat. night I heard a message on Discipline by Ed Young Jr. A lot of what he said struck a chord, including, "you determine in advance that you are going to do it. No matter what. That works in everything. Your walk with the Lord, health, etc..." It is vital to make a plan...and stick with it! At the church I attend, the message was on JOY but this verse leaped off the page to me: "Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." ~ Philippians 3:19 (emphasis mine) How often have I been guilty of letting my thoughts slide to wondering what I will have for lunch...while listening to the sermon?  OUCH! I need discipline!!

However, I also thrive on humor. A friend who is encouraging and praying for me through this knew I was in desperate need of a laugh last night (and that I often have a cup of coffee in my hand!), and sent me this cartoon. So, it has been a week of sorrow, pain, and loss, but also a week of wisdom from the Word and pastors, encouragement from family and friends, and a new determination to press forward. I have the peace of knowing that my aunt loved and served Jesus Christ and that I will see her and other family members again when I go Home. Tears and laughter (sometimes at the same time) have been a major part of week one...but I have survived and will continue moving...

I received a free copy of this book/Ebook/Product to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.  #cwareviewcrew #ShapelyGirl Fitness