Another goal for 2014 is to get a handle on weight and fitness. This week I began working with "The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer" to go along with my reading of "Never Say Diet" both by Chantel Hobbs.
So here is a bite-sized look at the upcoming four weeks (including this one):
1- Go to the gym five days a week and do 30 minutes of cardio each day and three days of circuit training (I belong to Planet Fitness and they have a nice 30 minute circuit section for this).
2- Do not diet. Just be sure to eat breakfast each day. Don't worry. I will be worrying about food intake later. Too often I have tried to do it all at once and failed miserably. This time I am going to focus on one thing at a time. Consistency in working out and not skipping meals is my first step.
3- Starting January 14th - Begin Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Study with "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst. I have already downloaded the book to my Kindle (I have the book floating around the house somewhere), I picked up a "Craving God" devotional (only $5 right now) at Family Christian Store, and last night I ordered the Made To Crave Journal and Conference Call Bundle. It is an investment, but worth it for me (and I did save quite a bit on the devotional). I have participated in the conference call portions of all the studies that I have been in, and it has been invaluable for me. I need all the extra support and motivation I can get.
4- Measure myself. BLECH. This is all a part of my goals. As much as I want to look at the scale constantly, I know that it will depress me. So I have promised to weigh in once a week and measure as well. The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer has a place for all of that so I am using it to keep me honest. :)
How are you working on your goals? Are you breaking them down? Do you have any fitness goals for this year? Any suggestions for how to stay committed?
Time to check in:
Week one of sticking with my new goals is going great. I again have not changed my eating habits really but I have been more intentional in what I do. I have gone to the gym five days this week, and I am happy for that first victory. Like I said, eating is not really changing yet, because I am trying to just establish this new habit like Chantel Hobbs did. My weight has gone down though, and for that I am grateful. It was nice stepping on the scale and not seeing 170.2 lb. I was a bit nervous. Actually I was a lot nervous.
This is what I promised to do last week:
1 - Giving it to God.
I am literally asking God moment by moment for His strength. I've had weak times. This has been vital.
2 - Read "Never Say Diet" by Chantel Hobbs (taking notes if necessary)
I am still reading Chantel's book and learning so much. I am not looking for "peak" moments in my life rather than getting my good feelings from food. Big peak moment this week was finding that my blog post about Debbie Macomber's book "Starry Night" was linked on her website! Not a bad peak! Actually a great one! Better than I ever imagined!
3 - Go to the gym five days a week.
I've been hitting the gym just like a job. Five days a week. I can't wait for that time when I am not feeling so winded. :)
4 - Not worry about what I eat for a month, finish Chantel Hobbs' book "Never Say Diet" first. I will be making a point of drinking more water though.
I am drinking more water and I am also drinking green tea instead of going on coffee all day. I still drink about two coffees in the morning and I do not really plan on stopping, but once I am in the office I switched to green tea. I am still working on the book. I am also eating celery with almond butter for a snack before I hit the gym. It seems to be giving me just the energy I need. It also makes a great snack at other times of the day. :) I never thought I would enjoy that.
5 - I will also hold onto a new Bible verse a week.
This week's verse:
1 Corinthians 10:31
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is
faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but
with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may
be able to endure it.
I have no idea what will be in store for me this week, but I know one thing...I'm not going back to okay.
Time to make a change.
A number. A horrifying number. 170.2
I looked at the scale and thought I was going to cry.
Let me tell you about it.
About 2 1/2 years ago, I agonized over my weight. Since my thyroid went bust on me, I was on a sliding scale going up up up. It was not a pretty site. When I got married I was in Juniors size 3 and small shirts. At my most disgusted 2 1/2 years ago, my jeans were up to size 14. Slacks and khakis were even worse! In my desperation, I went on the HCG diet.
First, I had read about it in a magazine. The women went to a clinic of sorts and would get a shot and follow a very restrictive diet. Second, my friend Diane came into the studio and had shown a serious weight loss. She told me how she was on the HCG diet and that it was her second round and that it was amazing. She then told me that she gave herself the shots. I thought that was just crazy, but her weight loss was amazing. I decided to see a doctor about it and go for it.
I stepped on the scale my first day and wanted to cry. I weighed 170 lbs. I muddled through and followed the diet like my life depended on it. After 30 days. I had lost 28 lbs. I then lost 6 more pounds. I was elated. I looked great. I felt great.
Then slowly, it all came back.
I felt like I was on a see saw. First I went from 136 to 140...then I was 148. Then I dropped down to 145 only to leap up to 151. This last year was the worst. I would see saw up and down up and down, and all I could think was "Please don't go back to 170! Please do not go there!"
And then...this week...POW
170.2
*GULP*
To be honest. I am not surprised. My jeans and pants hurt. I am cranky. I am winded easily. And the scale sadly doesn't lie...well it can lie a bit with manipulation and a little funny balancing act, but even then the pants don't lie. You know you have to make a change when you'd rather wear yoga pants and you aren't into yoga.
So now what?
I'll tell you what. I cracked open a book. This book
Yes, I opened up "Never Say Diet" by Chantel Hobbs. I wanted to breeze through it and get the answers in one sitting. I was ready to just read non stop and get moving, but I didn't. Why? Because that is what I do. I race through things and get results, but they don't last. This time I am doing it all differently. This time I am taking my time. I don't mean that I am going to mosey through this to the point where I lose interest. I have simply made a choice to do what it takes and not rush myself to results.
That is the difference in me. Before I wanted results now. If I didn't have results in a reasonable amount of time, I would give up. Even if I had results from a good diet, I couldn't hold onto it, because I simply could not stand eating the way I was.
Now I am believing that this isn't a sprint it is a marathon. I thought I would share a little bit of what I am up to in order to be accountable.
1 - Giving it to God. I learned that I really, really cannot do this alone. I need the Lord's help, because I am so very weak.
2 - Read "Never Say Diet" by Chantel Hobbs (taking notes if necessary)
3 - Go to the gym five days a week. Now, Chantel started going six days a week when she made her own decision on changing the way she thought and more. I would like to commit to six, but I do not dare. She suggested making it like a job. As I work five days a week, I am going to put in five. I can vow to do that.
4 - Not worry about what I eat for a month. This does not mean I will be eating all the garbage I can get in me. I am simply not going to work on changing my eating habits right now. I have only read up to chapter 5 so far, but one thing that stuck out to me was not taking on too much at once. First I am going to get that gym habit in and get this "Never Say Diet" digested (so to speak). Then I will start to work on my intake. I will be making a point of drinking more water though.
5 - I will also hold onto a new Bible verse a week. This week's is:
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3
After the above, I'll work on this book "The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer" also by Chantel Hobbs.
For now, I will not be posting more about this until Saturdays when I will check my weight. That is another thing I have learned. I don't know if Chantel mentions it in her book yet, but I have realized that I can be highly influenced by how the numbers look on my scale.
Okay...off to read.
