One heart, one blog

 decided that I am only going to keep up one blog. God is stirring my heart towards something, not really sure what it is.  


www.christdrivenmom.blogspot.com

I will only keep up one blog.  I've imported my posts from the other blogs, and have provided a label on the side for easier finding!

I hope this isn't too inconvenient for you.  However, if it makes THAT big of a difference in your life, you may want to seek God regarding your priorities.  LOL

Lovetoyou!!

YAY! for good food choices!

2.2 lbs this week!

Since Dec 29 I've lost 4.6, I feel like it's going slow, but at least in the right direction :)  Weightloss is one of the few things in life that is a positive when it's a negative :)

Yesterday my world was a little crazy. The car place called, totaling our Corolla, my computer was running super slow so the thing that should have take me 1/2 hour, I spent close to 2 hours on and its still not done, tons of choices, everyday stress.  And just the thought in general that I am going to disappoint someone... ugh:/

I needed a minute. A minute of peace.  So after work, I went to Roma's.  Soup and Salad.  That's it, not gnocchi, no pasta, no dessert.  It was so good. It's hard when you stress eat to make good choices, to change your 'I want' to 'I need'.  I want carbs and sauce to I need veggies and protein, but like all good choices in life, I am not sorry I made that one.

So there you have it this week's results.  Also think I am going to start drinking apple cider vinegar!  click the link and read!  Good stuff!

On the right track

People give me a weird look when I tell them 'no bread/no dairy'.  So much so that it makes me doubt that I am making the right decision.  It's not easy, I LOVE dairy! LOVE IT!!  Thank God I love lebanese salad with chicken (Fattousch without chips)! Because it seems that it is a once a day staple in my life!  Need to learn to make the dressing myself!!

Yesterday we had Phyllis's party!  The menu: Lasagna and bread, salad, veggies and dip, hummus, and we had fruit!

I will tell you that after I ate the Lasagna, my stomach HURT!  and I gained a pound!

And so, I know I am on the right track for MY BODY!  I don't know about your body, but I know mine.  And it is telling me, no bread (wheat), no dairy.

So this morning's breakfast?
Eggs with broccoli & green pepper & a side of tomatoes! and iced tea of course!

Small Choices

So I am reading today Gen 19 I get to verse 20


"Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared."


That town was small, and Lot wanted to flee to it to have his life spared.  


Do you ever think of your sin as small?  Like someone else is doing something much worse?  Last time I checked there isn't a rating system.  And a lot of times it isn't big things that get us.  it's eating a few little extra pieces of chocolate  or deciding not to exercise, it's only one day right?  


WRONG!


little things do add up.  Just like losing 1 pound leads to 2, 2 to 4, 4 to... you get the picture.  It can go in the opposite direction.


Today I went to the Auto Show, Supplier preview days.  I could have easily hit up one of my favorite places, oh, it's just one time.  Except that while I was changing my clothes, I was HATING everything I put on.  Making poor choices, no matter how small they are takes us from where we want to be, or who we want to be like (insert Jesus here).


Tomorrow some of my friends and I are gathering for dinner and bible study, and it was supposed to be cake because it was my birthday.  You wouldn't think it would be a big deal, but I didn't want cake.  I wanted fruit, because cake just isn't a good choice. And I think most of us in our group are trying to better our eating habits. What is the point of having cake if no one eats it??  So I asked for fruit, because, this small choice is important to me (I want my friends to be healthy too!)


This Sunday we are celebrating Phyllis's birthday.  Lasagne and Cake.  Oh boy.  I will have a really nice salad (I make awesome salad with lots of veggies!), homemade dressing (so we know what's in it), cut up fruit.  I might even have chicken, just so it's a better choice for me to eat.

And you want to know a funny new thing I've decided to do because my friend Lindsay inspired me...  After I go to the bathroom, I do 10 squats.  Minimum of 60 a day (which isn't hard, I usually round out about 100 a day EASY!) and my friend Vicki is going to show me some quick exercises too!

Free!

If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed! John 8:35


So today, the day that I decide that the only choice is a good one! I am sure that there will be days when I want ice cream (and get it) but not today!

I posted earlier about no bread and no dairy. It is what is best for me!

Did you know that stress can make you fat?

Oh, I’ve got a double scoop of stress today.

But my God is bigger than that!

Yes, I struggle with food. The first thing I want to reach for when life gets a little crazy! Ice cream, pizza, yum! But I know that is no way to live, trapped in a prison I built myself! I am an overcomer! I have overcome so much because of His love and grace, and this too will be overcome! I will be free!!!

I stopped today and got a Lebanese salad with chicken today and it was sooooo good! I think I could eat them EVERY day! And I just might.

You see, my life is different. I have joy and peace and it lives in me! But who can see it hiding behind all this fat. I wonder if people judge me, heck, I judge myself. I hate that about me. I hate that my pants are too tight, that I don’t look cute!

I hate a lot of things… but one thing I know of… whatever is ahead of me is NOT bigger than the power behind me!

SO HERE I GO!

And God be with me, I am meeting with some beautiful ladies… and they chose to go out for Milkshakes… that will be a water for me please!

Making progress, using wisdom

Praise the Lord!  those two added pounds are gone. 

I've been praying about what to do about this weightloss and this life changing stuff going on.  I've been thinking about times when I've felt my best.  I've been thinking about nutrition...

I am going back to the way that I know I feel better...  No bread no dairy.  Limited carbs. Carbs that are only whole.  No processed crap.

Go ahead and debate me on this.  But this I know...  bread (pasta too) and cheese make me sick.  When I eliminate those things from my life and then try to re-establish them, make me sick.

Wheat makes me run to the bathroom (you get the picture)
and cheese keeps me out of the bathroom (I think you're smart enough to catch this too).

So why do I want to put things in my body that make me feel crappy? 

Oh I don't know.  I'm stupid.

I've been talking to Phyllis about it. 

So that's where I am.  No bread.  No dairy.  20 carbs a meal.

I can still eat yummy potatoes! 

That's all I got.

what a day!

What a day,
Oh what a day.
My baby brother ran away,
And now my tuba will not play.
I'm eight years old
And turning grey.
Oh what a day, Oh what a day.


Whenever I say oh what a day instantly that poem repeats in my head.  LOL  It's by Shel Silverstein. 


Today was not about food.  It was about Jesus. I clung to Him all day! It was a rough day, a day I wanted chocolate, and cheese and tortilla chips, and arabic food... and... but instead I stuck with it, knowing that success = doing what is right/long periods of time.


My plan was a walk in the morning, but I missed my queue to get out of bed.  So I went in the evening.  I even didn't want to do that at 8pm but I reminded myself that it was part of the plan, and in order to hit the goals I have set out, a walk was needed.  30 minutes, 1.72 miles.  I wasn't setting any speed records, but I was out!  and about!  I was moving faster than I have moved in quite awhile.


I had a good weekend, I ate very well.  However, I weighed myself and I was up two pounds, that's frustrating.  But I'll keep doing what I know is right!!


So that's it. A little frustrating, but I know what to do. Going to just keep doing it.


Phil 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Good planning + some exercise!

I normally do a really good job of plotting out what I am going to eat, usually have a few points to spare (just in case hunger strikes). Today I really tried planning out my meals even though today could have been sketchy.  Plus helping Aunt Janice move meant I only went over my recommended daily points by 3 but I got a lot of activity points in all the moving!  So yeah!  

Tomorrow it's back to work and back to the routine, which makes things easier!  I've got my salad planned for lunch, eggs for breakfast, salad for dinner!  And lots of yummy fruit for snacks!  

I am going to brave the cold in the morning and get my mile in early!  

YEAH for planning! and YEAH for exercise!

Eating and choices... you can't always get what you want...

Remembering that we eat to live not live to eat is difficult some days. Especially on the days when things don’t go exactly as planned. I thought I was going out and had it planned… but it didn’t work out.


I had lunch today, I’ll admit the cheesy enchiladas or the turkey burger looked more enjoyable that the salad from the salad bar I ate… and let’s face it, you better know what is on those salad bars or you could ‘think’ you’re doing well, when WHAMMO! Not so good!

My salad consisted of chicken breast, spinach, beets, an egg , chic peas, and some vinegar and oil (don’t be fooled by ‘healthy’ salad dressings that are full of sugar… Then it happened, I took a bit into those beets and they were sweetened! GAK! I LOVE LOVE LOVE beets. I can eat them straight out of the can, and have… but sugared up?? Gross! I wanted to throw it in the garbage and go get something else. That’s dumb. So I ate my salad… and then had some oatmeal later. Did I happen to tell you? I hate oatmeal. I found one that is palatable. But I don’t like it.

But I know that eating something because I wanted something ‘better’ is not the best way to get the results I want.

That’s a lot easier to say, than do. What I ate satisfied my hunger. What I ate was good for me.

But it’s a struggle everyday.

And if you’re wondering… I am bringing my own lunch from now on, and will have back up dressing in the fridge at work (I make my own so I know what’s in it – and it tastes GOOD!!)

I know I'm writing a lot, but when I struggle and work through things... I write... it's what I do...

ugh

In the pure tradition of being honest, I am disgusted with myself.

My pants are cutting off my circulation.

Ugh.

And I stepped on the scale this morning only to discover that I weigh more than I've weighed in a decade.

Say it with me.

Ugh.

Yes, I know, this doesn't define me.

Yes, I know my pants size doesn't determine my heart.

Yes, I know Jesus loves me.

But it's me who is not thrilled with who I am.

Being disappointed did not stop me this morning, actually it motivated me to get my act together.

I read the bible.  I was a little confused because I thought i was told that Noah was a drunk and God used Him anyway... however in Gen 3 it says that he was righteous... I need to figure that out because it's bugging me. Either way, I am thankful that God uses me inspite of me.  In spite of my mistakes.  In spite of my short-comings.

I packed my breakfast (hard boiled eggs). Logged my food for the morning including my snacks for the day.  Instead of a cake for my birthday, my friend brought me fruit :)  she knows me and loves me!!

I will do my exercises this evening.  100 crunches, 60 pushups (I did 50 yesterday), stretching, and walking a mile and thinking about doing my kettle ball DVD. 

And for the record, not that you asked, if I would have been able to pick between Bob and Dolvett... Dolvett all the way! 

Also going to make this Broke Bean Stew

oh boy... here we go!

I am an all or nothing kind of girl.  which makes it tough to take things slow.  


A few months ago, i set out a plan on daily living.  really living.


One does not become overweight over night.  And one does not get back into shape overnight.


I got the clearance to run the marathon.  I have to take it slow.  LISTEN to my body.  I am always inspired by Biggest Loser.  While some eat ice cream while it's on, I did crunches (100) and push ups (50) and lots of stretching.  


I announced on facebook that I would be doing the marathon.  I will.  But I've got to have a plan.


So here is my life plan.  I'm also tracking it on my calendar so I see the stickers of what has been accomplished.


I'm a little nervous.  But nothing (that's right - nothing) is impossible with God.


2012 is about healing.


Mind 
Body
Heart


That means I have to work on all those to be the woman that God intends for me to be.


I like to think of it as living life in 3D.

Diet 
Devotional
Discipline 

It is such a great way to think about it! For some people losing weight may be a diet, a quick fix to lose weight, but to me, it’s about what you eat, the good and the bad (and sometimes the ugly!).

Merriam Webster says Diet can be defined as:

a : food and drink regularly provided or consumedb : habitual nourishmentc : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reasond : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight 
2: something provided or experienced repeatedly

I wrote out my own Real Life Plan:
Diet:
Stay within my WW points (32 + 47 extra)
Drink 96 ounces of water (minimum) – that’s ¾ gallon
Eat 5-7 servings of fruits and veggies (must be 0 point per WW guidelines)
Eat whole grains instead of ‘white’ carbs
Don’t overstuff myself – hey… what’s wrong with leftovers?
Eat in-between meals – but it must be a fruit or a veggie + protein

I am not going to limit myself with “don’t’s” as long as it is within my points.

Devotion:
Read my bible everyday
– I am in a study with friends with daily reading of the Chronological Bible on Youversion
– Memorize one scripture a week
– Dieter’s Prayer Book Devotional
– Live Loved/My Utmost for His Highest Devotional
– Journal/Blog
– Live Phil 3:13-14 EVERYDAY!

Discipline:
100 sit-ups everyday
Get 6-7 hours of sleep a night
Walk (soon run)/Go to gym 4 days a week
Read a God honoring book a month
More reading
I will be reporting out the good, the bad, and the ugly on how I am doing!


And by the way... I can't wait to get my shiny cape at the end!! I hope to see you there!!