Challenge Results

Last Monday, I decided to do a mini Challenge  (from Monday - Friday) to finish out the month strong. Again, I was up a couple of pounds and weighed in at 213 pounds last Monday. I've been hovering around 210 all summer and was bummed that I was up at 213 again. My lowest over the summer was 208, but I've had trouble getting there again. So I wanted to put in some focus in last days of the month to see if I could make a difference in my weight loss. This is what I wanted to do and what I got done....

• Exercise daily ~ I exercised Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and NOT FRIDAY!
• Drink 100+ oz of water ~ Got all my water in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and NOT FRIDAY!
• Calories under 1700 ~ Weekly average 1681
• Blog daily ~ This should have been an easy one - as I love to Blog! ~ I got it done Monday, NOT TUESDAY, Wednesday, Thursday AND NOT FRIDAY!!

Not bad, I could be proud of this....But I'm not. I mean what's most important is moving more and eating less and I did that, and I lost 3 pounds this week, which I am grateful for, but what I'm disappointed about is I did not do what I said I would do. That's my frustration! These goals are not hard. They are things I really wanted to accomplish this week. But obviously  I let other things, again, interfere with my plan. Like what happened to FRIDAY? 

I spoke to my Daughter yesterday about reaching goals. I told her that I just have trouble getting things done. And she brought up something I thought was very insightful for me. She said, you know, when you are reaching for something, it does not have to be perfect! You just have to do it! CAN'T BE PERFECT ALL THE TIME! Just do SOMETHING toward reaching your goals. For example.....

On Friday, I knew I needed to do my exercise. The problem was I got up too late to do my regular things in the morning and I don't ever go to the gym on Fridays (so I did not even think about it) but I still could have taken a walk at my lunch time or in the evening with my hubby and I most probably should have done my physical therapy exercises anyway. I should not have given that up. So there are ALTERNATIVES I can do to get the goal done!

Water....Just get it done, it's not hard...just do it! 

Same with the calories. I just have to do this! 

Blogging....well I just got too wordy on one and could not get it out and then on one, I forgot to push publish, so I had to do it the next day. My daughter gave me some ideas on how I could have made this happen...I could have put out some little teaser of the ideas I had that would take time to write. At least I would have had something done and not missed a day.

So it does not have to be perfect and when setting goals......it seems I need to think ahead of  ALTERNATIVE things I can do in case my day gets away from me.

Soon I will be setting new goals for October and I am going to reach them!!

Here's last weeks Fitness Challenge Info:

Workout Summary:


Monday: Total 20 minutes 
20 minute~PT Stretches 

Tuesday: Total 115 minutes

40 minutes ~ Treadmill
20 minutes~PT Stretches
55 minutes~Water Aerobics


Wednesday: 20 minutes
20 minutes~PT Stretches 

Thursday: 57 mins

37 minutes~Treadmill
20 minutes~ PT Stretches


Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Total 60 minutes
40 minutes~Treadmill
20 minutes~ PT Stretches


Sunday: Total 20 minutes
20 minutes~PT Stretches

Weekly Total: 4 hrs  52 mins   (292  mins)

Work Out Reflection

Really boring!! Still limited with my back, which is frustrating. I felt good some of the days and push a little and paid for it the next day. Will I ever learn? 

Work Out Goals for This Week:

Hope to be able to do more this week. We shall see :-)

Keep focused!

Leap of Faith Continued...

The other day, I could not spend my day like I usually do....Doubting, looking at things from the outside ~ not engaging in life, being frustrated, stingy or sad. That day I set myself up to live!

So while driving to work, with my blog post wording (from the other day - Leap of Faith) still ringing in my ears, I decided that I was going to extend grace and politeness to my fellow drivers on the road. You see...usually...I'm running on the edge of late and have my drive time, timed to the minute, and I cannot have ANYONE get in my way. If they do....well I become this woman that I do not want to be. I'm mean, think awful thoughts about the person, swear (under my breath of course!), and then I arrive at work frazzled, angry and a smidgen late. Not good for a manager to do!! Not setting the example I want and need to set. Then this makes me even madder and then the day goes on......Sometimes good, but a lot of times, if I start my day off like that, the rest of the day does not go well.

So that day, determined to be different, I set out for my mornings drive. Well can I tell you first of all, that it was a gorgeous drive? It was sunny and kind of foggy. The fog, was laying low to the grown and looked all dreamy. Then the sky was blue and super clear and the temperature was crisp and cool. It was the perfect fall morning. Had I not decided to relax, I most likely would have missed this beautiful gift from God! Anyway, I'm driving along....I'm kind of on my almost running late mode...But I'm determined to not let that ruin my day. So I see this person who needs to turn in my lane, so I let them in with a wave and a happy smile on my face. This persons presence in my lane, causes me to not get through the light, they did though, and I wished them a happy day. Because of the lateness of my morning, I hit two school zones and had to go 20 miles per hour. This day, I did it happily and did not edge toward 25 miles like I usually do...I know....that's bad!!!! Merging onto the highway, again, I was happy to let people get into my lane and I moved over to accomodate others. I also did the speed limit to work ~ ~ all the way. When I got there, I was actually 7 minutes early! Now when I usually leave at the time I left that day, I would be about 2 minutes late. HOW IN THE WORLD DID THAT HAPPEN? I parked in my usual spot, in the north forty, and semi walked and skipped to my office. It was a joyous time for sure!!

Now here's the fun part, when I got into the building, it seemed they put in new lights or more lights ~ or something....because it was so bright and cheerful!! I literally checked it out, because it was so different than the day before. Even in our suite, every thing looked cleaner and brighter.

Could it really be that my attitude could make that much of a difference!?!?!?!

It must because things were different. I was different!!

That was a great day!

Here's the daily devotional I had that day.


Risky Obedience Comes With A God-Guarantee
by Jon Walker

“Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.” (Luke 19:26 MSG)

Risks of faith require us to take Step 1 before we see Step 2. God uses risks, large and small, to stretch us into a life of faith. The irony is that if we concentrate on the risks instead of God’s faithfulness, we fail to understand that the greater risk is remaining independent of God.

If we believe what we say we believe, then regardless of what we are able to see on the other side of a faith-related risk, the reality is that God is there. What may appear to be a no-guarantee situation actually comes with the greatest guarantee of all — a God-guarantee — that he is working everything out (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11).

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of attempting things that are impossible unless God gives you his strength to do them.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of loving other believers so deeply and richly that you prove to the world that you are filled with God’s inexhaustible love.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of loving your seemingly unlovable neighbors, just as God loved you even when you appeared unlovable.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of changing your priorities to match God’s priorities, in faith sacrificing what you cannot keep for the things that can never be taken away.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of telling others about Jesus and teaching them how to faithfully follow him (Matthew 28:19–20).

God guarantees you will succeed when you take the risks of faith he asks you to take. What step of faith have you delayed because you’ve been uncertain about God’s guarantee?

Give God permission to clear any obstacles in your life that keep you from trusting his promise (that, in itself, is a risk that requires faith, isn’t it?).

Have a fantastic day - Stretch yourself!!!

Stay focused!!!!

Leap of Faith

A few months ago, my 3 1/2 year old Grand Daughter got a new trike. It's pink, very sturdy and cute! She was so excited to get on it....when it was in the house!! When we got outside, donned with her helmet, getting on that thing was another matter!

After some coaxing and persuading, we finally got her on the trike. I can so picture her sitting on it with her happy and triumphant face. So adorable!!

Then you could see her countenance change when she realized that she now had to do something...Something she's never done before...Something that might be fun, but she's not sure because she's never done it before. You could see that she really wanted to, I mean she wanted to please her parents and grand parents who were so happy for her and encouraging her to do this really big thing. She was excited....But!!!

After some time, she made several attempts at trying to ride the trike. Could not quite coordinate the peddles and handle bars and all of the various instructions and encouragement that was directed towards her.  And after a short time, in a moment of frustration, she started to cry and wanted off of that trike. She quit!

Today...she's a wild woman on her trike!! She peddles super fast, lets her Papa (my Hubby) ride on the back, and she even rode down a fairly large hill while we were camping!! Scared me to death!

So amazing what time, confidence  and a little faith will do!!!

I am really  curious as to what happened that made her decide that she wanted to ride that trike. What pivotal thing happened? What decisions did she have to make to even try? What fears did she have to put aside to be able to do this amazing thing?

I want to know these things.....

Because I'm at that moment!

In my weight loss and fitness journey and in my life....I've stuck my foot out and tried to do some things. I got my toe wet....I kind of liked it, but when the waters got rough, I pulled my foot back, turned my back on life and kept myself protected...Fear and trepidation have set in and made themselves at home.

Right now....I'm tired of this....I'm ready to move on....

Maybe that's what happened for my Grand Daughter....Maybe she just got tired of not being able to do what she really wanted to do. I can't really find out how it all happened for her, but I'm guessing....She faced her FEARS!!! Took a LEAP OF FAITH...and got on that trike. I'm sure she struggled a little, but I'm guessing after a short time, she found success and simply started to ride!!

So that's it....I'm ready!

For today...I'm going to push aside my fears and I'm going to do plunge into this life. I'm going to start living like I want to fly down a hill on my trike....by the seat of my pants....on the edge of my seat!!! No more sitting back, protecting myself and staying safe. It's time to live!!

How about you...Are you with me?

Keep focused!

This is one of my daily devotions today...


Risk Your Life, Get More Than You Dream

by Jon Walker

“He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.'” (Luke 19:26 NIV)

Jesus once told the story of a master who gave three servants each a sum of money to handle while he was away. When he returned, the first servant told the master he’d doubled the money through investments, and the second said he’d made fifty percent profit for the master.

But the third servant, in essence, said he’d been afraid the master would punish him for making mistakes, so he hid the money in the cellar until the master returned.

The master rewarded the first two servants, saying those who handle small matters well will be given greater responsibility. But he rebuked the third servant, saying, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag” (Luke 19:26 MSG).

In order to live a life of faith, we must take risks. Not just any kind of risks, but ones that are specifically directed by God. These God-nudges push us beyond the border of our “State of Independence,” where we live by sight, into the “State of Grace,” where we live by faith.

As Pastor Rick often says, when we do not live by faith, we live faithlessly. Any decision independent of God is a faithless decision. Jesus calls you to risk your life for God, but he also guarantees that God will always be waiting for you on the other side of each and every step of faith you take.

God is for you. He says, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.”

What step of faith is God asking you to take today?

Are you running?

So many times in my life, I've been told things I need to do....things I must do for myself and it's usually things I don't want to hear. Many times, I've close my ears and ran away from the information that might benefit my life. I'm just too stubborn to be told what to do...

I've known people who do this....I shared the other day that I had a friend who was whining about being fat and I told her that I would be happy to help her and maybe even be her accountability partner....The minute and I do mean the minute she could break away from me, she literally ran out of the building. She could not get away from me fast enough. Obviously she did not want my help! She ran away!

Have you even done that?

I do it!

Why do we do that?

For years and years my mom told me, to lose weight, I needed to take in less calories and move more....I bet I've heard that for 40 years and I refused to listen to her. Well first of all, it just seemed too simple....I mean to lose weight, I always felt like I had to do more, complicate it, make it HARD to get it to work. Not anything so simple as eating less and moving more....

But for me that's what it takes. (Now I know there is more to this, there's the emotional side of things, hormones, stress etc) I get it, but the bottom line....eat less and move more!

I heard yesterday....again someone giving me advise that I don't want to hear....and I totally want to run away from this advise and not accept it and that is....my physical therapist told me that it may take 8 weeks for my back to heal....Well I just don't want to hear that. I don't want to spend 2 more seconds being denied what I want to do and that is I want to move this body, I want to strengthen it and get it in shape so I can row! Remember I want to go to the Senior World Olympics when I turn 50....

And dang it....It seems every time I get close to doing this, I get an injury. First time I was committed to doing it I got sick and they thought I was having a stroke - it took 5 months for them to finally diagnose me with Hemi Facial Spasms. Then I had the chest wall contusion, knee problems, tennis elbow and now my back. (All of these injuries in the past year and a half)

Shouldn't there be a limit on how many injuries one must suffer? I think I've had my fill!!! Sick of it!

Anyway...I guess, I'm not going to run away from this....I'm going to put my focus on  getting stronger, doing every thing they say to do and I'm taking these 8 weeks and I'm going to get well!

I will row ~ ~ one day!!

No more running!! I'm going to face what is, do what I need to do and reach for my goals!!

How about you do you run away?

Keep focused!

Mini Challenge

OK summer is over and fall is here....we have just 5 days until October. How about we do a mini challenge....

I need to focus....

This week this is what I will do....

• Exercise daily
• Drink 100+ oz of water
• Calories under 1700
• Blog daily

Are you with me?

Keep focused!

Brokenness to RESTORATION / / Fitness Challenge Info

Yesterday I saw something that really affected me the whole day. I could not stop thinking about it.

This whole thing reminded me of how I once was...

We have some friends who owned a home that had been in the wife's family for decades. It was beautiful inside and out. The grounds were magnificently groomed, they were park like, with cement picnic benches, bird baths, exquisite florals in all colors and varieties and the most lovely trees. This property also had a pool, which I coveted and it had the most magnificent view of the valley below. It truly was breath taking!! A place where you knew God's hand was right there sculpting it and loving it to perfection. It kind of looked like this on the outside..... 

On the inside this couple put around $70,000 of upgrades that included granite counter tops, plush carpeting, rich paint and beautiful fixtures. It truly was a gorgeous home.

Unfortunately, this couple who were also beautiful on the outside, had a lot of problems, on the inside ~ within themselves and their marriage. And after a few short years, they were divorced and needed to sell the property. Due to the depressed real estate market this property, has been on the market for a couple of years, in fact it's still for sale to this day. 

Yesterday we drove by and got a glimpse of what poor choices, brokenness and neglect can do to things and to people.....

Today this is what the house looks like... (this is not the home, but it looks like this)....

Can I say.... devastating! As we were driving to the property we almost missed it....there was nothing left that reminded me of the once beautiful home except for the swimming pool. If that had not been there, there would have been nothing to remind me of what it once was.

The worse part is the wife has left the state and no one has heard from her and the husband turned back to his old ways and is using drugs again.

This is what going your own way ~ off the path, brokenness and neglect can do....

This is how I ended up a year and a half ago. Broken, lost, fat ~~ not just fat, but morbidly obese, out of control and losing my life.

It wasn't supposed to be this way.....

I was created lovingly by my creator and was once lovely and perfect in His eyes and of course in my parents eyes. As life battered on and the waves of situations and circumstances hit me, my beautiful exterior began to fade and as I allowed this to happened to me and being most neglectful, I soon began to look unlike the once beautiful person I was meant to be. I'm not talking talking just about outward beauty, but also the inside part of how I thought about myself and lived my life. I was not living like someone who was taking care of herself.....I was more like on a crash course to destroying myself. Most positive that was not God's plan for my life!

I was slovenly, disrespectful, negligent, abusive, hateful and just plan ugly to myself. I did not care what happened to me or my body. I allowed it to become dilapidated, broken, stretched out and almost unusable. And how I thought about myself....well I almost imploded on myself.

Thank goodness there is hope!! And restoration!!!! And a way out!!!! The Lord finally opened my eyes before it was too late and I began a journey that has changed my life! 

With some simple changes (some not so simple - but doable), focus and time I am being transformed from a broken down mess into the woman that God had in mind. I am rising up! I am living life!! I am being restored!!

How about you...Where are you on this journey?


Now on to the Fitness Challenge....

Fitness Challenge ~ ~ I am quite sure that Jessica will kick my butt this week again!!!!!.....

Workout Summary:

Monday: Total 45 minutes ~ Weights
                      30 minutes - Stretching


Tuesday: Total 20 minutes - Stretching

Wednesday: Total 20 minutes - Stretching

Thursday: Total 40 minutes - Treadmill
                         20 minutes - Stretching


Friday: Total 46 minutes - Treadmill
                     20 minutes - Stretching
Saturday: Total 0 minutes


Sunday: Total 20 minutes - Stretching




Weekly Total: 4 Hr 21 minutes   (261 mins)


Work Out Reflection
Getting better every day. My back is healing and I'm able to do more - Yeah!!!

Work Out Goals for This Week
Continue on with physical therapy and stretching and get back to my normal classes.

Keep focused!

More Honesty

I don't know what's come over me...But I feel like I need to confess....

My weight loss ticker is off....I'm not 208 pounds right now.....I'm finally back to 210 pounds. I was holding at 215 pounds for a while and even saw 218 when I reweighed myself one day (I'm sure I had on super heavy clothes.....Ahem)

Whew....glad that's off my chest! I will not be changing my weight loss ticker...can't be spending the time doing that, because it won't be saying 208 pounds for long.....The scale is moving!! Five pound weight loss!! Woo hoo!!!

The other thing I needs to confess.....

I've been reading blogs today and I see a lot of hurting, struggling, frustrated people out there. And according to my Hubby and Daughter....I've been kind of one of those people. Here I'm thinking I super positive and uplifting in my posts and they both said I've been kinda whiny on my blog and in real life.....Oh that hurts!

My Daughter told me..."You first whine...then you encourage with something positive." She said, "What I want to see is RESULTS."

"GULP!!!".....

What I'm hearing is....Stop talking about it, stop thinking about it, stop wondering about it, STOP WHINING ABOUT IT...... JUST DO IT!!!

So I took the criticism and made some changes and they worked!

I really put in effort and focus this week and the results are coming in!

How about you....Are you making things happen?

Keep focused!