In The Gym

Saturday didn't disappoint at the Adventure boot camp for Women. What a fun way to work out. I absolutely loved it and wish I could do it more but Josh's schedule just doesn't allow it for the times it's available. They did a "fun" day because it was an open house so it was set up like an obstacle course and we split up into teams of 2-3. Heather, Chad and I were a team. The goal was to hit all seven stations before the hour was up. I, for the first time ever, did twenty-seven pull ups *it would have been just as awesome if I'd only done one because I've never done a pull up before*. I also did the awesome Manlia Ropes
for one minute I held both ends of the rope and slapped them onto the ground. It's harder than it looks and surprisingly fun. I knew it had been an awesome workout when I walked to the car already feeling the soreness. I took Monday off from the gym to fully recover.

I started a new diet Sunday along with Heather and Crystal. We are doing a 14 day fat flush (it's very simlar to the first phase of the South Beach diet) No Carbs/Sugar, and lots of protein. We are using an accu-measure
to record our results. We all have very different weight loss goals/needs so this will be the most accurate way to determine whose lost the most body fat instead of weight. I'm hoping I win so Heather and Crystal can make my car sparkle. :)

Today I did a lite day at the gym. One of the side affects from the diet is tiredness and I'm definitely feeling it. So I worked my legs for about 30 minutes and then abs for 20 minutes or so, then stretched.

Weigh In

When I started the diet Sunday I weighed 161. So that's another 1/2. But when I weighed it this morning I weighed

158.5

Oh yea! It's definitely a big motivator to keep up with this diet if I'm already seeing results like that.

I didn't measure again so the measurements are from Sunday.

Weight: 158.5

Waist: 32in

Chest: 38in

Hips: 39in

So I'm down 3lbs and another 1/2 inch in my waist. :)

In The Word

Over the last 14 weeks I have been learning the Era's of the Bible so that I am able to tell the story of the Bible in about 30 minutes (give or take) in chronological order by hitting the high points. Not only has it been an eye opening experience to how little I knew about the Bible but it has made reading the bible more enjoyable because I know where the stories fit in into the chronological time frame. Right now we are in the Judges Era of the bible in our chronological reading. So I though I would take this opportunity to share a little of what I've learned in this study.
The Israelites while in Judges go through a series of sin cycles over a period of 275 years.
There would be peace in the land and the Israelites would serve God.
Then the Israelites would do evil in the eyes of the Lord and God would punish them and they'd be enslaved. The Israelites would then cry out to God and God would raise up a Judge.
The Israelites would be delivered and they would be back to serving God and peace would be in the land only to start the entire cycle over again.

This cycle happened 7 time and some lasted as long as forty years and some as few as seven.

Aren't we just like them? I know I go through cycles very similar to the Israelites. I am so thankful God is willing to always put things in my life to bring me to my knees and focused on him.

In the Gym

Yesterday I did 30 minutes on the bike and went almost 7 miles. I absolutely hate the stationary bike. I feel like it only works one muscle group on your legs and my butt goes to sleep. But anyway after the bike I worked my arms and abs. I felt very sluggish yesterday so the workout was hard; it was even harder to get out of bed.

So today I made up my mind before I even left that I was going to do the circuit training. Thankfully the gym was not as busy today as it was Tuesday so I hopped on the elliptical and did the 4 ½ minutes of intervals. I was consistently doing .50 to .60 miles in 4 ½ minutes. My rest speed was staying somewhere between 5-6 mph and my sprint speed was somewhere between 10-13 mph (I started off going 13mph but my last run was closer to 10mph) I did five sets and in-between my elliptical intervals I worked my legs and arms. Today was a great workout despite the fact that my left ear is completely stopped up and it’s painful when I swallow (I hate allergies). I will be taking off tomorrow because Saturday I will be attending the “Adventure Boot Camp for Women” with SGT Reynolds. I am so excited and nervous about it.

In The Word

I know I haven’t blogged about my reading in a few days, and it’s not because I haven’t been reading I just don’t have any big revelation I want to talk about.
God is definitely working in my life right now though. He is working on my patience and my trust in him. I’m not really a big fan of him working on me in these areas but I’m sure that’s why he is doing it : )
I haven’t forgotten about my big news either, but nothing has happened yet so I have nothing to share yet.

Now Fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in the whole land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.
-Joshua 24:14-15

Week 3

In the Gym

Well SGT Reynold’s didn’t disappoint Saturday. Josh worked out with us too so that was a real treat. SGT Reynold’s worked out our entire body Saturday and boy did I feel the consequences yesterday (in a good way) : ) So much so that I didn’t go to the gym yesterday, I also disparately needed to sleep in because I was exhausted. Josh was such a good sport and finished the entire workout even though he was exhausted (He hasn’t worked out in over a year and has never worked out like that). I did run one lap around the gym and it felt pretty good until Sunday morning so my calves are still not healed. I am getting so frustrated with the whole thing. Maybe I’m just not cut out to be a runner but I’m not giving up yet I’m going to try and give it a few more weeks.

Today I still didn’t feel like going to the gym but I got up anyway. The gym was abnormally busy today so I opted out of doing circuit training because I knew it would be hard to keep an elliptical open if I wasn’t staying on it. I worked out on the elliptical for 30 minutes and went a little over 3 miles. Then I did some ab work and finished with a few arm machines and some stretching.

Weigh In
So I am pleased to announce that I lost a whopping………….

1/2 a pound

I know, I know, I should be happy and I am glad to finally see a change on the scale but I’m really looking for bigger numbers. I’m considering doing a 14 week jump start kind of diet with Heather. I’ve never been good at those kinds of diets and that’s why I haven’t decided for sure. I hate to set myself up for failure.

So this week’s results

Week 3
Weight: 161.5
Waist: 32 ½
Chest: 38
Hips: 39

So I’m down ½ a pound, ½ and inch in my waist, and an inch in my hips. Not bad, not bad at all.

In the Gym

Today is mine and Josh’s anniversary so I wanted to make sure I worked out hard this morning because I know we are going to go eat dinner out and go to a movie (I will also be eating a small breakfast and lunch to hopefully off set the dinner tonight) : )

I did circuit training again today because it burns off the most calories for me. I did the elliptical today instead of the bike. My legs are a little sore from biking yesterday but I did 5 sets on the elliptical 3 going forwards and 2 going backwards. I did ab workouts in-between elliptical sets. I am starting to notice that I’m building strength, I did a few planks today and normally I can’t hold out the last .30 second set but today it was a LOT easier. It is always a motivator to see that your hard work is paying off.
Tomorrow I will be working out with SGT Reynolds again. I can’t wait to see what she has in store for me. : )

In the Word

I love the book of Joshua. It’s like a great novel full of suspense, action, and drama. In today’s reading we had the Crossing of the Jordan River, The Stones of Remembrance, and The Battle for Jericho. So many amazing things I could focus on. If you can’t tell I’m having a hard time picking one to highlight.

Ok so one thing I’ve always liked about the Crossing of the Jordan River was:

Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during the harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priest who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. -Joshua 3:15-17

A few things:

1. The river was at flood stage. I always picture the Wolf River at flood stage and it’s almost touching the bridge in Collierville. That’s a lot of water and it’s flowing extremely faster than normal. So God was really showing off.

2. The Priest who were carrying the ark had to have some major trust. The water didn’t stop flowing until their feet touched the water, not before. And remember it’s at flood stage so this more than likely wasn’t a calm river.

3. The water piled up in a heap at a town called Adam. This always makes me think about how when Jesus died on the cross for all our sins, our sins were piled up in a heap all the way to Adam’s sin. Our sins were all wrapped up in to one and put on Jesus and were all paid for. What a great picture of God’s redemption in the Old Testament

One last note: If you’ve been reading the Chronological Bible and have gotten behind due to Deuteronomy and the re-giving of the law, now is a great time to get back in. Don’t worry about catching up just pick up on today’s date. : )

God is Good

In the Gym

Today I couldn’t resist anymore and I worked out my legs. I did SGT Reynold’s Circuit Training. I got on the bike and did intervals of 1.00 minute normal speed then .30 seconds as fast as I could go, for 4 ½ minutes. Then I jumped on a leg machine and did 60 reps then did something with my arms either a machine or free weight for 25-30 reps. I did this for 6 rounds (Bike, Legs, Arms repeat) The last round on the bike I did .30 seconds of normal speed, and 1.00 minute as fast as I could go for 4 ½ minutes. I finished with 10 minutes of stretching.

In the Word

Let me just say:

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME! ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!

I can’t go into details yet but God is really showing off. Yesterday I had many moments of doubt, frustration, fear, anger, and anxiety. If God was testing me I would say I made a D-. Josh on the other hand is passing with flying colors. He has been absolutely amazing.
Nothing is set in stone yet so I’m trying not to get my hopes up. But even if it doesn’t work out God gave me the encouragement I needed and the reminder that he is in control and has been orchestrating this from the beginning. I hope to be able to update in a week with full details.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
-Matthew 7:11

Philippians 4:6-7

In the Gym

Today I worked out my arms and abs; I’m trying to stay away from things that work my calves so that maybe come Monday I can run without any pain. I incorporated a lot of the training Heather has been teaching me using the free weights and I also did a few of the machines. I am doing lighter weights and more repetitions to help tone my muscles instead of bulking up. I “lifted weights” for about 45 minutes and then stretched for a little while and then joined Allie on the bike for about 12 minutes at a very leisurely pace so I wouldn’t aggravate my calves. I am ready for my calves to heal so I can start my cardio again.

In the Word

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts as you live in Christ Jesus
-Philippians 4:6-7

I am so thankful for memorizing scripture. God laid this verse on my heart just when I needed it. Last night Josh and I got some news that was a little hard to swallow. The house we are renting will no longer be available to rent come August. So once again we are on the hunt for a place to live. Let me just say; I AM SO TIRED OF MOVING!!!!! I would really like to stay in one place longer than a year (Josh and I haven’t done that in our entire five years of marriage). Please be praying for us; that we will trust God and not have a spirit of anxiousness and worry. Please pray that God will open the doors WIDE to another place for us to live sooner rather than later. I know God has a plan for us and I don’t doubt one little bit that he will provide because I’ve seen him do it for us time and time again. Thanks for your prayers

Seriously?!

Weigh In

Bleh. Nothing to report, as always.

Week 2
Weight: 162
Waist: 33
Chest: 38
Hips: 40

I am so beyond frustrated. I worked my freakin' butt off this week and watched my calorie intake with still no result. I didn't expect a huge jump this week but half a pound would've been nice, something to show for all my hard work. Anyway I'm going to keep at it and hope for better results next week.

In the Gym
Today SGT Reynolds met me at ATC to give me some help with my workout. She left me with my head spinning trying to figure out what to do  I didn’t have as much time because we spent a while walking around the gym and talking. So I got on the elliptical for 25 minutes with no resistance and kept the pace at 6.5 to 7.0 mph. I did the first 10 minutes going forwards, the second 10 minutes backwards, and finished going forwards. In the first 9:00 minutes I went a mile, by 18:00 minutes I had gone two miles. With the five minute cool down I was able to do a “5K” (3.10 miles). I considered going for a run outside when I got home but my calves have been feeling really good and I almost hate to aggravate them again. Maybe I’ll try to go for a run tonight.

Circuit Training, and a Mule

In the Gym

Today I went to Bellevue’s gym with SGT Reynolds. We did more circuit training. And let me tell you, circuit training is the most intense workout I’ve ever done. Your heart rate stays up and boy do you break a sweat. I’m looking forward to incorporating it into my daily workouts at ATC.
Thursday I went to ATC and worked out legs, and introduced Allie to the Russian Twist. Friday I took the day off due to Nate Dawg running a fever (but I made up for the day off today)
My calves are feeling great and I’m hoping for a good run outside Monday with little to no pain. Monday is also weigh-in day. And surprisingly I’m looking forward to that as well.

In the Word

Josh and I have an opportunity to go to Honduras this summer for a mission trip. We have been praying about it, and have decided that if God wants us to go he’ll provide financially. We have really been struggling because we would need more than just the expenses for the actual trip, we would also need money to cover the week we’d be gone because Josh doesn’t get paid vacation, and money for passports (I knew they were expensive I just didn’t realize how expensive).
So where’s the line? How do we sit back and let God handle it and yet still be proactive? How do we know when God has shut all doors? As of right now we have about a month to get the money together for the passports or we would have to spend even more to get them here on time.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked but the LORD’S unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:8-10

I'm trying not to be a mule.....

Boot-Camp

Wow! Heather (aka SGT Reynolds) kicked my butt! I was such a weeny too, but it was an amazing work out.
My favorite was the Russian twist (Heather correct me if I name any one these wrong)

Heather and I did this back to back and passed the weight to each other. I love working my obliques
My least favorite, well that's a little harder to narrow down. I had a few I disliked. But if I had to pick I'd say it was the fire hydrant.
I did it with a five pound weight. Talk about some major burning.
I did the "Boot-Camp" for an hour and then we stretched.
Thanks SGT Reynolds for your time and putting up with my whining :) you could definitely be an amazing personal trainer.

Taking A Break

In The Gym

Yesterday I got the counsel of three friends, who happen to be an occupational therapist, pharmacist, and hardcore athlete, about my calf pain. The OT believes its inflamed/aggravated tendons. She said it’s a good thing that it’s my entire calf and that I can’t pin point it to one place because that would make her think it was a torn tendon. I was advised to cut back on my running and just do two days a week to give my tendons more time to heal, and to take an anti-inflammatory. I will now be running just on Mondays and Fridays. And on Wednesdays I’ll get on the elliptical and up the resistance to help continue train me for endurance.

Today was mine an Allie’s sleep in day so I didn’t go to the gym, but I am going to a friends house later who has been doing a Boot-Camp program and she is going to put me through the abs boot camp. I have to say I’m a little nervous but super excited. I will update about it later today.

Calories Yesterday
Yesterday I ended the day under my calorie intake by 196 calories before working out, and 730 under after workout. I’m telling you guys, if I haven’t lost some weight come Monday, even if it’s only half a pound, I’m going to be one discouraged girl.

In the Word
Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall-Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” But (I love BUT’s in the Bible) be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you. Deuteronomy 9:1-3

What a comforting thought to know that I have a God that goes before me to fight my battles. Do I always take comfort in that and allow him to do it, probably not. I definitely have a spirit of fear and anxiety. But I’m often reminded “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Eating for Free

Well I made it to the gym! Yay! :) Today was leg/ab day and if my little "LoseIt" app is accurate I've burned more calories today then I've eaten. That's a good feeling :) It's like eating for free!
I did arms for about 35-40 minutes my favorite arm machine is the "Triceps Press"
I don't know why it's my favorite but it is.
After that I did about 15-20 on my abs.
I had a little time left so I decided to jump on the Stair-master again. I upped the resistance to 15, and boy did it make a difference. I only went .38 miles this time which is 656 steps. Boy did i break a sweat today.
Now I'm going to go eat an apple or something because I'm starving! :)

Questions and Reminders

In the Gym

I haven’t been able to work out today, yet. Josh had to be at work today at 5:00 this morning instead of 7:00 and there was no way I was going to the gym that early! I plan on going when Josh get’s home from work. I’ll try to post about it later.
I did want to post about my Calorie intake yesterday because I have a question, so all you hardcore dieters help me out please.
My daily Calorie budget is 1,126 (I think I put 1,133 yesterday but after looking again it’s apparently 1,126) I burned approximately 437 calories yesterday. So my question is do I still eat within my 1,126 budget or do I now have 1,563 calories to consume? I’m very confused by it.
Yesterday I consumed approximately 1,158 calories (32 calories over the 1,126, or 405 calories under the 1,563) I’m thankful for the Iphone app “loseit” because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.

In the Word

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:10-14

How quickly we forget about God’s blessings and begin to take credit for all the good things in our life. It’s so easy to take God out of the equation when things are going well, and it’s easy to take credit when things are going well.

Josh has been such a great reminder to me these last few weeks to praise God at all times. Work has been really slow for Josh’s company and he’s had off a few days and hasn’t been working full weeks. On the days he’s off and is at home, and we are saying our bedtime prayers with the kids he always says “Thank you God for LETTING me get to stay home with my family today and spend time with them”. Each time he prays it, it shocks me. In my head I think he should be praying “God please let work pick up, please don’t let me lose my job, why are you allowing this to happen?”

God has continually provided the money each week, with side jobs and with his company paying for hours he didn’t even work (not a mistake, they just take care of their employees) God is definitely using this to work on my heart and making me learn to trust and praise him at all times, even when things aren’t going the way I think they should.

God,
Thank you for providing for my family.
Thank you for giving me extra time to spend with my husband.
Thank you for giving me gentle reminders that you are ALWAYS in control even when I feel like things are completely out of control.
Thank you for loving me even when I doubt you.

In Tune

In the Gym

Today was a Cardio day and because I’m trying to prepare for a 5K this June I normally run on the treadmill. Well I have been getting SEVERE pain in my calves while running, not shin splints but pain in my calves. I found that running outside doesn’t hurt near as bad. Something about the ‘mil definitely aggravates it more. So today while Allie was running her 3+ miles on the ‘mil I hopped on the stair-master for 15 minutes at level 10 resistance followed by a 3 minute cool down. I went .60 miles and unfortunately didn’t catch how many steps I went. After that I decided to work on my arms because besides losing weight they have been my biggest focus because of the lovely strapless dress I get to wear for my Mom’s wedding in April. I did the circuit machines because something about the free weight area scares me. I feel like I enter the “man zone” or something. I did four different machine and about 30-40 reps on each machine. After that Allie was done with her run, so we did a few crunches and stretched. After watching the weather I realized that the rain wasn’t going to be coming for a while so I decided I would try to squeeze in a run before Josh had to head for work. Allie was nice enough to join me in my neighborhood and run at my snail’s pace. I ran 1.20 miles in 13:21 minutes and I cut .40 seconds off my last run of 1.20 miles.

Now for the weigh in…………

Allie and I have been hitting the gym for 11 weeks now and we’ve been to the gym 39 times in those 11 weeks plus a few extra runs outside. In December we started talking about going to the gym together and at that time I weighed…………………………172 lbs (ack!) but mysteriously between December and our first day of working out I lost 10lbs. I guess me just talking about going to the gym scared a few pounds away. So on week 1 January 3rd I weighed in at 162lbs, my waist measured at 35in, Chest at 40in, and Hips at 41in. The first two weeks I gained a few pounds (I’ve been told it was muscle gain) but by week three I was back down to 162 and that’s where I’ve stayed. So as of today:

Weight: 162
Waist: 33in
Chest: 38in
Hips: 40in
Goals: I would LOVE to be at 120-125 again but I feel like that might be asking for too much because that was pre-wedding weight. So I’d be happy with 130-135 and in my size 5 jeans again (which I haven’t gotten rid of). I’m going to be tracking my Calorie intake and my calorie budget is 1,113 a day. For those of you that know me, you know that this will be extremely hard for me because I LOVE to eat and love starchy foods. You all can help hold me accountable :)


In The Word

So we are in the lovely book of Deuteronomy in the Chronological reading. Not a whole lot of revelation going on for me right now. But yesterday the Sunday school lesson was amazing. And it really challenged me. The lesson was on hearing God, and recognizing his voice. I can recognize God’s voice when I’m sitting still and asking certain question and looking for answers. But what about when I’m busy running around trying to do my daily routine? Have I missed promptings by the Holy Spirit? Have I missed teachable moments with my children? Have I missed opportunities to witness to someone? I know without a doubt I have. I need to learn how to tune into the Holy Spirit and hear his voice even when my crazy life is being, well, crazy. What would my life look like if I was constantly in tune with God, and listening for his promptings? What would yours look like?

Joining the blogging world

So I’m finally joining the blogging world. I’ve been blogging about funny things my kids do for about two years now (you can check out that blog here), but blogging about me always seemed a scary thought. I was inspired by my amazing friend Allie (You can see here blog here) She has been blogging about her journey of becoming a runner and she’s an amazing cook so she shares her amazing recipes with everyone as well. Because of her blog she has inspired many people to get active in the gym and in the kitchen. She’s a pretty awesome person : )

My goal for my blog is to talk about things God has revealed to me in my personal quiet time and things I’ve learned in bible studies that I attend. God has really been working in my life the past year and I want to be able look back on this blog and remember the amazing things God has been doing in my life and also share with others.
I also plan to blog about my weight loss goals and my progress in the gym as I strive to be a runner. I am going to be doing some really scary things on here like posting my weight and measurements *eeek* but I really feel that if I’m sharing that information it will push me to do better with my workouts and diet plan, hey I might even put up progress pictures.
I plan on Monday being my “weigh in day” So tomorrow will be the official first day of my blog.