Time to get to the Gym

So I had a bit of an awakening this morning - a mental jarring - by my 3 1/2 year old. Here's how it went. Still dressed in my pjs, I was standing at the changing table getting Dawson dressed when Caiden came up to me and patted me on the behind. (That is his way of getting my attention sometimes. And, he thinks its fun.) Then, he said,

"Momma, your bottom is smooshie." (pardon if my spelling isn't exactly correct on this one.)

My reply...my thought...I said nothing, laughed a little and decided that its been way too long since I've been to the gym.

Have a happy day!

Late Night Snack Attacks

I'm really struggling with something that you'll probably think is so dumb. The fitness trainer at the YMCA told me that we sabotage our diets a lot of the time by eating right before we go to bed. The calories we eat at that time of day aren't processed since we are not active and convert directly to fat.

He advised me to not eat anything 3 hours before going to bed. This has been torture! Once the boys are in bed and we're on wind down from the day, the first thing I want to do is find something to snack on. Its not necessary unhealthy snacks but I want to be eating something at that time of the day. So...help me with this. Do you have any tips or do you share the same crazy cravings?

Where I'm Coming From

I'm been really feeling "weighted down" lately but not because of the extra weight I need to lose. Some days, I am overwhelmed by my ministry position and the tasks that I am feeling God calling me to. Then, sometimes I just feel like I'm not doing anything but walking through life - totally just letting it take where it takes me. That's not a great feeling either because I totally want to be in God's will and doing exactly what He wants me to be doing.

Please don't misunderstand because I'm not complaining about where God has me right now. I'm just wondering if I really need to be challenged in these areas or am I missing the point that God is trying to show me. Am I missing out on something else He wants me to be doing?

I recently read a women's devotional that spoke to me with these words, "we can either keep our minds on what we're missing, adding even more weight to the work in front of us, or we can keep our heads in what we're doing finding joy in simple things, seeing opportunity in ordinary tasks, discovering a new side of God in our mundane moments."

After reading this, I found myself thanking God for where He has led me and for what He has given me to do. Although challeneged and totally stressed out at times, I can't think of any secular job where I can truly feel the satisfaction of doing God's work. Even at home, I'm trying harder to look at each moment, each situation as a mother and wife as though I'm serving God.

Weekly Update

Well, last week was a good week in the weight loss department. On Saturday, I was 2.6 pounds lighter than last week...yeah! I was really focused on drinking water last week and trying to log all of my points. Its hard but if you stick to it and stay focused, it sure pays off. I'm hoping for another great week.

One of the gals that keeps me accountable in the weight loss department lost over 5 pounds last week. Way to go, Lesley! Talk about determination and focus. You really inspired and encouraged me. Hang in there gals!

Mommy Bliss

Not much to blog about in the weight loss department this week, I'm just trying to drink my child's weight in water, exercise regularly and watch what I eat...hoping that on Saturday the scale will weigh me lighter. So, since there's not much going on there, I thought I'd share a converstaion that happened today with my oldest son, Caiden, who's 3 years old.

Just so you know, Caiden is not an overly lovey, dovey child. In fact, at this stage in his life sometimes he doesn't even want to kiss his momma (which disturbs me at times). I usually settle for a hug or knuckles when he refuses the kisses.

Today, before tucking him in for a nap, we were both sitting on his bed reading a book. All of a sudden, he leans over to me and says in the cutest voice ever,

"Mommy, I love you."

and gave me a quick hug around the neck. Aaaahh...I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. It was pure mommy bliss!

Good Ol' H20

I did a fitness orientation at our local YMCA to help get me acquainted with some of the equipment and also to get me motivated to branch out in my exercise routine. In talking with the trainer, he told me that I needed to drink 6-7 20 ounce bottles of water a day. WOW! I knew I needed to drink water but it never occured to me that I needed to drink that much. I'm not sure why it hadn't clicked until today. I have been drinking about 2 of those bottles a day. I know, water is so good for you. It helps our bodies work so much better. So, in addition to exercising this week, I'm going to just drink the good ol' h20. This is a reminder to you to join me!

It all starts with a movie

In the first opening seconds of the Disney movie Car's, Lightening McQueen begins a pep talk reminding himself to "focus..." A few seconds later, his "focus" turns to food and he remembers that he didn't eat any breakfast. (Side note: Yes...I have seen this movie about 450 times!).

I started the new year last week with the key word in my mind being "focus." I have become very determined to get to my goal weight (about 30 pounds from where I'm at now) by the time we go on vacation on May 17th. But, much like Lightening McQueen in Cars, my mind has been turning to food and I'm losing any focus that I began with.

The overeating and succumbing to cravings during Thanksgiving and Christmas have further sabatoged by thinking. I have to re-program, re-focus and start anew.

Yes, a New Start. Will you join me? Oh, and let me know if you need a pep talk. I often do! Thank you Lord for creating do-overs.