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

ShapelyGirl Fitness

I am going to be starting something new to see if I can get a bit more discipline in my life. For the next month, I will be part of a group that is reviewing a series of work-out videos. We each got to choose the one that most interested us, and will be doing a blog each Monday through-out October. To say that I am twice the woman I should be is no exaggeration, but it is time to make a change. My goal is to get into better shape for the sake of my health. I have numerous health issues and regular exercise is one of the best ways to help manage them.

After looking over the choices, I wanted to select something that was reasonable for me. It is so easy to get "on fire" for a new idea, just to become discouraged at the huge difference between your hopes and visualization of what you plan to accomplish and the reality of just how much work is ahead of you. I admit that I hesitated in even applying for this, but was encouraged by Debra's philosophy and one comment in particular caught my eye. "Many years ago, I would eat all day long. I was depressed and extremely overweight. By moving and breathing I started to feel better physically and mentally. Once I was feeling better, I could make better choices in my eating - and in my life."  I know firsthand that this is true, but I also know me! I need commitment, accountability, and knowing that this is a group effort. I can't give up with all of these other ladies working so diligently. (yes, I am competitive. LOL! This isn't about who does the best; I am cheering them all on!! For me, it is about sticking with the program--- just like the others.)

This is also not just about what I can accomplish. I have a very good friend who has promised to pray for me daily, the support of the others who are taking the ShapelyGirl Fitness™  challenge, and I am relying heavily upon a favorite promise found in Isaiah 41:10. Fear may seem to be an exaggeration, but it is something I face: fear of failure to complete this, fear of starting something new, fear of slowly becoming more honest and vulnerable...the list goes on!! It took 50+ years for me to get into the shape I am, but my goal is to actively strive to be more healthy in body, spirit, and mind. Now I am not prepared at this time to give details other than I need to lose a minimum of half my body weight. I am also literally bigger around than I am tall!! However, instead of becoming overwhelmed at how far I need to go, I prefer to see what I can accomplish within a month of making healthy choices.

Debra Mazda's products are available at Shapelygirl Fitness Follow Debra Mazda on Twitter @DebraMazda or "Like" ShapelyGirl Fitness on Facebook.

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




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Tooting Your Own Horn

Perhaps the title is a bit misleading. This isn't a blog on bragging, by me or by someone else. This is more of a vent. We all have those little things that annoy us, and for me it is the use, or to be more accurate...the misuse of a car horn.

For a while I was walking quite a bit, but fell out of the habit. Well, after renewing my commitment to start again, I have quickly been reminded of one of the things I dislike about it. It is more convenient for me to walk along the sidewalk of a fairly busy road, and I prefer to walk at night. Without fail, I can guarantee at least one person will blow their horn.

There is one reason to blow your horn at me that is acceptable: You are about to hit me with your vehicle!! I am careful to look both ways before crossing the street, but perhaps your car is out of control. Or, chances are that you may not know that I have no intention of stepping out in front of a speeding piece of machinery. A bit paranoid, but okay.

 If you know me, I'm sorry, but I can pretty much guarantee I won't have a clue who YOU are...unless you drive something very distinctive...like the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile! Even then, I really prefer not to be honked at. These are usually prayer walks too, and I have to stop, repent my thoughts, and forgive you before continuing my conversation with the Lord.
If you don't know me, or for those who live in other areas and just like to honk at strangers, PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS FASCINATION TO ME!! 

While I am on the subject, the car horn is used appropriately to warn of impending danger. It is NOT or shouldn't be used to express annoyance. Again, I don't see the point.

Honestly, my distaste for the car horn is not reserved for when I am walking. If I am at home, and you show up UNEXPECTED and UNINVITED, DO NOT BLOW YOUR HORN and expect ME to come outside unless you meet one of the following exceptions:

1.  You are physically disabled and need assistance.
2.  A passenger in your car cannot be left unattended and has good reason to stay in the car. You know...a sleeping infant, etc.
3.  There is an animal or snake (or, in the case of one of my sons...Itsy Bitsy Spider is on your car window! *sigh*) between the car and you. I won't go out either if there is a angry animal or a snake...but I will call someone to come remove it. I can handle spiders! LOL!

Ok, rant is over!!  I just haven't done many random thoughts lately. I was going to do my latest cooking disaster, but returned from walk still annoyed about car horns. So, if you see me walking down the street....you can tell me about it later. :)

Milestones

Although I already knew the significance today holds for me, it brought a rush of memories back when I saw what I had posted one year ago today. (not ALL of the new FB features annoy me). I had posted the following:
Cindy Navarro is going for a walk since I just realized it is dark again. Hopefully it is much less humid tonight...or it will be a short one.

Everyone is probably thinking, "So? You often post something mundane like that!" And then people who haven't seen me in years are really confused since I used to walk for miles just out of the sheer love of walking. I have mentioned several times about the wreck I had 17 years ago. Locally, I'm sure there are several who noticed that I often had a cane, or even a walker, at times. Unless I knew there were plenty of chairs around, I was afraid to risk not having something to lean on.

Anyway...when I returned from walking that night, it was with tears streaming down my face and the awe that for the first time since Aug. 13, 1994, I walked 1 MILE...unaided!! It was probably a world record for the slowest mile ever walked, but I DID IT!! I couldn't think of anyone who would understand the amazing victory this was for me, but had to share my joy with someone!! I had been "talking" with a fairly new FB friend earlier, so when I saw another message, I shared my news. All I will say is that God led me to the perfect encourager!! :)  

This has also been a year of taking control of depression, which has plagued me for years. Have I conquered it? No. Nor do I walk every day. There are setbacks, but the recovery time is much quicker. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons for being sad... or not walking. Sometimes...I just don't want to deal with emotional or physical health. But, I have a God who constantly reminds me of His love (and, sometimes, that is through a friend either reminding me of God's love...or a  "Are you walking?" lol) 

Today, I am reminding myself to KEEP WALKING...both physically and in my spiritual walk. After a few days of physical inactivity, that mile today was harder, but worth the effort. As I journey closer to the time when I will forever be walking with my Lord, I want to increase my endurance and victories over physical difficulties and depression. So, this begins Year 2 and my expectations are...

 
 

...You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy ~ Psalm 30:11