need a fitness pal?

I guess with the recent nice weather we've had, my ruined on the first day "New Year's Resolutions" that pertained to better health and fitness have had a boost.  One of the best online resources I've found in the last week has been My Fitness Pal.  I've tried to use exercise & food intake trackers online before, but I always get discouraged because they're not very user-friendly or there are not many foods that they actually have the nutritional value for and you have to enter it yourself.  But, I have been SO impressed with My Fitness Pal so far!  There are tons of foods that already have the nutritional information available and lots of exercises to choose from to help you know how many calories you are burning.  If you need a boost in your health & fitness routine, then check this out for some great online help!  ...Oh...and...it's FREE!  So sign up and check it out!

Oh...and another tip...if you become a fan of Itunes on Facebook right now then you can get 15 FREE SONGS!  What a great way to score some upbeat workout songs!

i'm still alive!

Wow...I've been completely out of the blogging world for quite a while. I figured I had better post today so I can atleast get one post in for June! I wish I could tell you that I haven't been blogging because I've been working out every day, but...that could not be farther from the truth! I haven't stepped foot in the gym since May...unbelievable. And my stomach and thighs definitely know it. (ok...and the rest of my body!) I was on a roll at the gym and then comes the beach, VBS, and laziness...it all crept right up on me. There. I have confessed. Tomorrow is July 1st and I'm going back in. Good thing I paid for a whole year so I HAVE to go back!

To catch you up, in the month of June we did go to the beach and had a wonderfully relaxing couple of days with Justin's parents. Jazz turned 1 and we celebrated with cake and dog treats! We ate our first cucumber from the garden...yum. Justin is so proud of his "crop." It's amazing and I hope to share some pictures soon!

Also...I had LASIK eye surgery!! I've wanted it for YEARS and thanks to my wonderful parents...it's reality. The surgery was completely amazing. Each eye took 5 minutes and by the next morning my vision was 20/25. It hasn't been that good since 1st grade. Unbelievable. Justin watched the whole surgery and it was amazing. I can see the clock when I wake up! (At least if I squint through the clear eye patches I have to wear when I sleep for the next few days). I'm so thankful and hope that when I go back to the eye doctor in 2 weeks my vision will be 20/20. What a blessing!

Well...welcome back to our lives. Hopefully the month of July holds a few more blogs and a few more workouts!

fore!

So, I literally played golf 3 times last week! I haven't even played golf 3 times in my life before. I'm telling you, I'll do anything for my husband! Justin really did talk me into going to the driving range a few times and trying out golf, which I know he did not have to ask his wife to do! But, I'm thankful...so far I actually like it. And hopefully I'll continue to like it because we are now members at a local (cheap) golf course! I think that we will really enjoy the time spent on the golf course together. We have been much more "active" lately (aka: we really haven't been in front of the tv very much at all!) because Justin's been playing basketball with some guys and I've been going to the gym several times a week now. I definitely like this more "active lifestyle" we have going recently. It's much easier in the Spring to want to get out and do fun things.

On Saturday morning we had a final rehearsal for the children's musical (which went great on Sunday!), then we went and played 9 holes of golf. We hung out in the afternoon with Justin's parents, then after dinner we decided we wanted to go play some more golf since we are now "members." We walked 7 holes that night and I was so exhausted that I didn't make it to the early service on Sunday morning. I think this could be a fun new form of exercise!

I spent part of last night looking for some "girlie" golf clubs on ebay to match my girlie glove and pink towel (my only girlie golfing items I currently own!) Today, I realized that I guess I am now officially a golfer because 3 tees came out in the washing machine. All from my pockets!

I think Justin wondered what exactly he had gotten himself into when I told him I was going to store some lotion in my golf bag because my hand gets to dry in the glove! The things Justin puts up with! I love him!

taking every thought captive...easier said than done!

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

These verses have intrigued me ever since discussing them in a women's bible study this past year. We looked at what exactly it means to "take every thought captive" and discussed how difficult this can truly be for each of us. Our minds were stirred when we began to define "taking every thought captive" by "thinking about every thought." This may seem redundant and even confusing, but to me, it makes a lot of sense, especially in conjunction with Philippians 4:8.

So often during the day, thoughts enter my head that are simply NOT TRUE. And every day I have to simply (yeah, right) think about every thought. Since working out and eating right is currently my big struggle, here's some of those untrue thoughts I deal with:

"If I don't eat this piece of cake now, I'll never get to enjoy it" - NOT TRUE, because even if I don't eat it now, it will still be there later...if I decide to eat it then.

"The waitress placed these hushpuppies here, I must eat them" - NOT TRUE, because no one is holding a gun to my head, making me eat them. (Dealt with this just tonight at dinner!!)

"If I go workout I won't have time to wash the dishes!" - NOT TRUE...just an excuse...odds are I'm not going to wash the dishes then, anyway!! Oh, my thoughts are deceiving!!

Ok, so these are corny examples, but the best I can think of right now. You get the picture, though. It is easier said that done to "take every thought captive" and think about "whatever is true." Especially those tiny, apparently unharmful thoughts. But God knew we needed practical passages like these to spur us into a greater relationship with Him.

Our lying thoughts can display themselves in so many ways. What thoughts do you need to continually take captive? For me, its usually thoughts of inadequacy when ministering to young pregnant women at work, thoughts of the food I just HAVE to have, thoughts of laziness when I need to be productive, etc, etc.

When looking at 2 Corinthians 10, we see that Paul is talking about spiritual warfare. I had to stop and think... am I applying this correctly in my life? Well, for me, when I am letting my fleshly desires for food and laziness rule my life, I am less than effective for God's kingdom. When I am struggling with these issues and relying on Christ to help me take every thought captive, I am then relying on His strength to help me overule my fleshly desires...desires that Satan can so easily (unfortunately) use to make me less effective in kingdom work.

One commentary puts it this way - "[Paul] took captive to the obedience of Christ every perception and intention of the heart that was against God. Our actions reveal our thoughts. We should not cling to thoughts that do not conform to the life and teachings of Christ. Paul did not walk according to the flesh or his worldly desires; instead he conquered the flesh. He explains his strategy in 1 Cor. 9:24-27: 'I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.'" (Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary)

One word I am no good at - discipline. Another word I am obviously not so good at - obedience. Thankfully God is so patient with me! Thankfully I am not left to work through my struggles on my own! I want to be honest with you all. As God is working in my life, I hope to encourage you as well. I also feel that it keeps me more accountable to put things in writing.

As God helps me to be more disciplined in these areas of my life, I pray that He will allow me to serve Him in even larger areas...all for His glory!

_______________________________

Apparently my seminary days are still with me...I didn't mean to write you a paper!!

Oh, and even though we went to a seafood restaurant tonight where I would usually eat a "heart attack on a plate" dinner, I chose broiled flounder, side salad, and steamed veggies. Not one hush puppy touched my lips even though Justin made it very clear how unbelievably good they were! I must say, I felt much better than if I would have eaten an entired fried plate of food. One victory at a time :)

update

So...I'm still kind of feeling out of the blogging world lately, but I wanted to share with you an update. I did join the gym yesterday after my free trial week was over. AND...I'm signed up for an entire year...no backing out. I had to go the cheaper (in the end) route and hopefully this will totally motivate me with the money already spent! And...here's an update on the puzzle if you're interested....somehow in the course of a week, it's completely done!!! (And I didn't even put a piece in!) Apparently some ladies are working a little too hard on the puzzle and not their workout. hmm... :) just kidding!


Here are some healthy accomplishments in my life lately!....

• If you know me, this alone is incredible...I have not had any fried food in atleast 21 days (that's when I started counting)
• I have worked out 5 of the last 7 days...good start!! :)
• I have been making extremely better food choices lately...though not without my slip ups!
• For the first time this season, I'm currently watching Biggest Loser knowing that I have actually worked out this week! Ha!

I have totally loved working out these last few days. I've already enjoyed getting to talk to some new women...I've even met some ladies from our church that I hadn't met yet. God is so good as He has given me the will to change this area of my life. We'll be at the beach in less than two months and now I have a wedding at the end of August...HUGE motivation!!

I'm back...I think!

So...I've never been a gym member...not really my thing, I guess. :) How interesting that it quickly becomes "your thing" when you're 8 years out of high school, no longer playing sports (for the past 8 years), not walking around a college campus anymore, married and getting fat. Anyone there with me?? (please say yes!) Yes...I'm just plain getting fat. I know that can be a relative term...but I know it's true for me.

I know it's true because I have clothes in my closet that are four sizes smaller and haven't been worn for years. (I'm definitely holding on to the past!)

I know it's true because I get winded when walking the steps a few times in our house.

I know it's true because I somedays I'd rather wear Justin's gym shorts than squeeze into my own (sooo sad).

Anyways...you get the idea...it's time to face reality. Amazingly, God is so patient with me. My eating habits and lack of exercise are too often acts of flat out disobedience and definitely not respectful of this earthly body God has given me. Knowing this, I've prayed and prayed for God to help me eat well and have the discipline to get up and work out. He's given me the desire (which I know is definitely Him, not me). Now it's time to do my part and work along side the Holy Spirit's work in my life. No more being lazy.

This is where you come in. (Yes...you...reading this!) Help me...pray for me...ask me how the workouts are going...encourage me to eat well. I know you will because I know if you're reading this you care about me or atleast care about reading what I have to say. So...thanks for your support.

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Now...to share the gym stories...

I haven't officially joined the gym yet. Last Friday started my free trial week and I plan to join after its over. I actually heard about this gym that is right down the road from our house from a sweet "Senior Saint" in our church. I wanted to check it out because its literally 30 seconds down the street if I drive...so I knew even I could get myself up to drive 30 seconds to a gym! (A minute might be pushing it! - sadly, I know my own nature).

I went last Thursday to checkout the facility, had a tour from a nice lady, but couldn't help noticing that everyone working out at the time as well as my tour guide was over 50. Not that I have a problem with older women, but I was starting to wonder if this was the place for me. I continued getting the tour...nice equipment...beautiful, feminine decor (it's a women's only gym)...friendly people...nice pitchers of water to enjoy...puzzle to work on while you cool down...nice locker room, you know...very modern. But...rewind..."puzzle to work on???" Yes...this is the moment that I seriously thought, "This might just be an old lady gym!" I mean, the only place I know that has puzzles laying out to work on is in the retirement home! I was seriously laughing inside and probably always will when I walk past the puzzle table!

I kept an open mind, however, and came in Friday for my first workout. Same old scenario...everyone was over 50 when I got there. Eventually, a few women in their 40's came in...I started to not feel so young. It honestly hadn't bothered me though, because the last thing I need for my self-esteem is a gorgeous 20 year old working out right beside me. I feel great when I'm surpassing the women around me (even if it's because they have back problems or something!)

Today was the first day I've gone back since last week. I just did not want to get out of bed before work on Monday and Tuesday. I am not a morning person in the first place so every day is a battle to get up without snoozing 10 times. Well, my workout today was great. AND there were some women there a lot closer to my age!! That excites me. One of the reasons I want to go to the gym is to meet some ladies in the community. Hopefully I can build some relationships while working out. Gotta bring as many positives to this workout scenario as I can!!

I look forward to working out more. I have felt great both days when I worked out. Working out always makes me more conscious about my food choices as well. Unfortunately, as the day goes by I start to be more slack about my choices. I've been trying not to eat after 8, which gets difficult when Justin doesn't eat until after choir practice on Wednesdays. So...we headed out to McDonald's tonight to get him some dinner. I was weak and had a Hot Fudge Sunday, but...surely it balances out since we walked there! Yes...that's right...I truely have too much temptation before me every day. McDonald's is RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from our house. Honestly and sadly, my biggest weakness. I'm proud to announce however, that I have not had fried food in 15 days! Quite an accomplishment for me, the ultimate fry lover.

Anyways...I'm rambling...but hopefully giving you an idea of how desperately I need your prayers and encouragement. I know us women have to stick together!! Thanks for letting me be honest!