40 days to a healthier me

Today starts my church's 40 days of prayer and fasting ending on Easter Sunday.

Our theme this year is 'Just what the doctor ordered: A walk through the book of Luke'.

Sunday we read through Isaiah 58-True Fasting. We also touched on 7 reasons to fast. After the sermon, our pastor challenged us to give up something for the 40 days. For some that might be a meal, for others it could be something material, for others it could be something that they've been meaning to give up. Along with giving up something, we're also asked to add something to our lives-something to make it better.

This year, I am giving up soda (that stuff is way too addicting) and yelling at my children. I am adding to my life, healthy eating, exercise, daily devotions and learning to deal with my kids in a calm, Biblical manner.

I am the kind of person who instantly resorts to yelling-it's not pretty and something I'm very aware that I do way.too.much. WAY.TOO.MUCH. My kids seem to think that unless I yell, I don't really want them to listen. It drives me crazy, lol.

So for the next 40 days, I'm becoming spiritually, emotionally and physically healthier. I'm going to work on my relationship with God and with my kids. We've already discussed how mom wants to stop yelling at them. They are aware that it will take a lot for me to do this and I might mess up and will need their forgiveness. I've also challenged them to give up something, too. They're still thinking about that. Together we'll work on these 40 days together.

In the end, my prayer is for us to learn to put God first and all the other pieces will fall into place.

Sexiest Man Alive?

It appears that the latest talk other than Gen Patraeus' affair (a whole other topic but related to this) is the cover on the new People magazine-Sexiest Man Alive-Channing Tatum. I couldn't even begin to tell you who he is other than an actor. Don't ask me what he's been in because I won't be able to answer you.

Looking at his photo from People.com, do I think he's the sexiest man alive? No. Do I think he's good looking? Sure, but you won't find me oogling over him-or anyone else who is famous for that matter.

Why? 

Matthew 5:28 says- ²⁸ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

I find that the verse also applies to women lusting after men. If I find a man sexy and I dream of being with him-I'm committing a sin and not honoring my husband or my wedding vows. Lust can destroy a marriage. 

You may not think that thinking someone other than your spouse is sexy can hurt anything but it can. It starts as a look, thinking someone is hot, sexy, good looking and it can work up to lust which can then blossom into unfaithfulness and possible divorce. It may not happen with that star you think is sexy but believing that is looking at a star as sexy can cause you to wonder closer to home. Why give into the temptation? Why take the chance?

If you are interested in learning more on the destructiveness of Lust, take some time to listen to this Family Life podcast.

Day 4-There is always an excuse

I hate to exercise. To me it's boring...really not fun and a waste of my time. I'm so busy...I get up, get the kids off to school, start working, take a lunch, work some more, make supper, get the kids cleaned up, kids to bed and then it's my bed time. I don't have time to exercise.

Yesterday, our Pastor said-You have time to do whatever you want to do. It's true. I do. I have time to exercise, I just chose not to most days.

I did manage to squeeze in some this weekend. we walked around the mall-it wasn't a fast pace but it was more than I do some days. I also played some football with my kids. What a great reminder about why I need to exercise. Man am I out of shape.

Tonight I could exercise...but instead I'm here blogging-great excuse right? Ok, it's not and I am getting off here to go exercise. My husband may not be home but I'm still making an effort to exercise tonight. Thanks to my boys for entertaining their sister so I can.

Weekly goals

I didn't do so well last week on my goals. I started out strong and then I fell flat and didn't pick it up.

Here are my goals for this week

• Read one chapter from the Bible each morning
• Read one chapter from The Bible Questions book
• Exercise three time this week
• Eat healthy
• Drink more water
• Track my calories

I narrowed the list a little this week. I may have tried to do too much last week-overwhelming myself.

Here's to a better week.

Post Election 2012- One way you can make a difference

The video below is from Inter-denominational Disaster Relief through NaLEC. And organization based out of the Bronx in NYC. They are collecting and distributing supplies for those affected by Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy.

If you are in central PA and would like to donate-you can drop off supplies (water, baby supplies, hygiene products, bleach, blankets, etc) at Christ Wesleyan Church in Milton M-F 8-5 or Sunday mornings. Monetary donations are also being accepted.

Our country needs to know that we can rely on each other for their needs when disasters happen. Why wait for the government to help, when WE can.

I am helping out-won't you?

Day 1 on my weight loss goal

I am excited to report that I did well on day 1 of my weight loss journey. I probably could have done better had I made a healthier choice at Burger King yesterday but overall, I did well. I managed to put in a half hour of wii fit exercise last night. I didn't do a lot but what I did do made me realize even more how important this journey is for me and my family.

Many, many years ago, I was a skinny girl who was able to eat anything and everything and not gain weight. Back then I was a lot more active than I am today. I had a retail job where I was on the go for 8 hours of the day. I also hadn't been through 3 full pregnancies and the heartache of 2 miscarriages. How I could even had thought at 130-140 lbs that I was fat, is beyond me but I did think I had a belly. Ha, how naive I had been.

Some ask why I want to lose weight-I want to be healthy for my kids and my husband. I want to be around for a long time to enjoy my family and with genetics already against me, do I really need my weight to be against me too?

What am I going to do to lose weight? Eating healthier-a more balanced diet and exercise. There are many weight loss programs out there-many that will offer you a quick way to lose weight, but I want to do it naturally. I want it to be a life long change. 

At lunch yesterday, I told my husband and kids my plans and they were supportive. I told them that for a half hour each night that my husband is home, I would like to spend it exercising. Last night when I said it was time to exercise, the kids set up the wii for me, they did some of the activities with me and they even offered me tons of encouragement. It made this mom very happy :)

Day 2 is here and while my husband isn't home tonight, I do have the day off, as do the boys, so I think I'll be able to get at least a half an hour in of some form of exercise-maybe we'll rake the leaves today. I can baby wear and rake-that has to be good for burning calories right?

Today I vow to obey and lose

I feel that God has been calling me for a while now to lose weight and to blog about it. I have no idea why, nor do I know how he will use it to make a difference. All I know is its time for me to listen-so here goes.

This number I am about to give is horrible, it's not one I share with just anyone and one I don't ever want to admit is mine. I don't even like that my husband knows it and we don't have secrets.

I do think that in order for me to be honest and to share I have to admit what that number is-ready??

205-my weight as of this morning.
150- my goal weight
1 1/2 lbs my goal to lose each week
July 2013- when I should be able to meet my goal.

Will you join me in this journey? Will you support me in this journey?