21 Day Fast - Day 1

I woke up today with the full intention of doing my 30 minute workout.  The alarm went off.  I clicked snooze.  And my thoughts turned to my relationship with God and the commitment I have made for the next 21 days.  Two lines from a chorus I learned as a child entered my head: “I will enter His gates with thanks giving in my heart; I will enter His courts with praise.”  The snooze on the alarm went off again.  I clicked it off again – not ready to leave the thoughts and prayers behind.  So, I began to meditate on those lyrics from the song and pray about today.  Plus, it was warm in my bed lying next to my husband, and I was not ready to get up yet.  The alarm sounded again; and I clicked snooze.  I started thinking about how I felt physically – since at this point it was obvious I was not getting up to work out.  I vowed to do it this afternoon when I got home from work.  Physically, I feel good.  I feel stronger than I have in a long time.  I wake up rested; my back has healed nicely.  I know I am doing good things for my body – better things than I was, at least.  So I am excited about this fast and what it can do for my spirit.  The tones of the alarm break in, I press snooze.  Now it is painfully obvious my husband has to be awake, too, so I ask a few questions to get us on the same page for the day, and go back to praying about this season in our lives, and another emotion emerges: Nervousness.  I am nervous about the unknown.  How will I do this?  Am I strong enough, mentally?  Will I remember to pray and SEEK God when I am hungry or feel weak?  How will I fill the long boring hours that tend to happen at work?  Thankfully, this week should be pretty busy, but what about the 2 weeks after that?  The alarm sounded, for what would be the final time.  I turned it off, cuddled for a few more seconds with my husband, and made the decision to write about it.  So, with a prayerful mindset, I fired up the laptop, and wrote this.  God put this verse in my head (which was revealed during the sermon titled “First” from this past weekend):  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33. So, as I start day 1 of my 21 day season of seeking, I am starting here.  Humbled, scared, nervous, and READY!  I am excited to see what God shows me during this season.  I am excited to try new things with my diet.  I am driven to see how I can do this.  I know, with God, I am strong enough to do this.  This is a busy week – back to work, starting the new semester, a very emotional and trying funeral on Wednesday, starting a new volunteer position on the Executive board of my sorority on Sunday.  But, all of those things came to my because the enemy is upon me.  Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns. Matthew 16:23. I am committed to this fast.  I am committed to see it through and to help others in my life that have chosen this path as well.  Not only my husband, but the church staff, life group members, host team members, and friends.  This, Lord, is my prayer to you today.  Guide me, direct me, use me.  Amen.

New Year - UPDATE!

I did so well for the first 2 weeks!  I am not wearing my back brace AT ALL,  and I worked out 5 of the first 7 days (WOOT!) and not quite as much the week of Christmas and New Years! *sigh*  But, I went on a 4 day road trip to Texas for the Alamo Bowl, and walked a LOT during that day, so I was still active.  Also took a 4 day break from Shakeology during the trip, but all in all I am still on track and still proud of my accomplishments.

All that to say, I am taking a little detour.  I really think this is for the better in LOTS of ways.  My husband and I are participating in a First of the Year 21 day fast with our church, LifeChurch.tv.  Here is a link to the event on Facebook for more information.  I am still doing Shakeology for breakfast, and I plan to work out 3-5 days a week with Shakeology - The Workouts.  I really hope this will jump-start me into a new year of fitness and healthy!  21 days without meat, dairy, sugar or animal by-products is a good way to start!  I am so excited to see where this journey takes me mentally, spiritually, and PHYSICALLY!  Here's to a new year and a new ME!

Single Step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  ~Lao-tzu

Today was my single step.  I got up early, I put on some work-out appropriate clothes and shoes, loaded the DVD into the player, and I leaned forward to PRESS PLAY!

Today’s work out: Shakeology – The 30

I figured, I have to start somewhere!  I have been using Shakeology as a meal replacement for breakfast for about a month now, and I feel so much better!  When I started the shakes, I was still battling the bulging disk (between L4 & L5) in my back.  I was still in a brace 24 hours a day, and pretty miserable without it.  Since then, I have been weaning myself off the brace – down to about 4-6 hours a day (mostly while sitting at work or in a car), and I can actually bend over!  So, the time had come to start moving!

Since the Shakeology workouts were already in my hands, I figured it was a great place to start.  I would say I was able to do about 80% of the work today.  I did the modified jumping jacks with Lisette, only about ½ of the push ups (on my knees), and had the worse time putting my hands under my hips and lifting up!  Since I didn’t have any workout weights on hand, my husband fetched me two cans of corn we had on hand for a holiday recipe he will be preparing tonight.  It was funny, but it worked!  LOVED working my shoulders!   I also was a bit uncoordinated on the knee lifts, but I know it will get better!

With only about 12 minutes left in the workout, my number one daughter came out of her room complaining of a tummy ache.  Less than 2 minutes later – I heard her puking in the bathroom.  I was DETERMINED not to let this slow me down, so I sent my husband in to help her and just kept on working!  Thankful for him and his parenting abilities this morning.  He HATES puke, but #1 Daughter is old enough to care for herself some, so she was OK with minimal assistance.

I felt SUCH a since of accomplishment when the workout was over.  I was hot, sweaty, and my heart rate was up.  I felt GOOD. I felt triumphant!  I felt like I was finally doing something good for myself.  I hope to keep doing The 30 for awhile until I can get all the way through it, then I will move to The 50!  Now, if I could just get my husband to do it with me…