Cleansing the Spirit...and the Body!

So, the current goal that I have set for myself is the goal of losing weight and being healthier. Although it may seem like a shallow goal, and in some sense it is, I am already learning that this goal has an impact on more than just my waistline. I am currently on day two of my "diet" if you will, haha whoa big accomplishment right? Not! But even still, after only being on it for two days, I am already noticing differences. All of the differences so far are internal, but they might prove to be more important than any external differences that will eventually show! One of the differences that I have noticed is my level of energy. After eating unhealthy and being inactive, I started to develop a sloppy, slow, grumpy way of going about.....everything. But now, I have more energy, my attitude is more positive and I am willing to take on more. In a sense, treating my body like the temple it is, is bringing me closer to God. I am no longer worrying about how I look, or how "fat" I feel, because I am improving my situation and I know that eventually, things will change both inside and out! Until then, some of the superficial fog and negativity is going away fast, and I have more energy and spunk to embrace everything I am blessed with, as well as challenge myself when I start complaining for no reason. I really feel like my choice to change my lifestyle is a choice that will leave me feeling cleansed physically and spiritually. Don't get me wrong, this new change is not a replacement for prayer, study, and fellowship, or anything else involving my relationship with God, but it is something that is getting me off of my lazy butt and helping me to be more positive and grateful about my surroundings. I look at it this way, taking care of myself=better attitude and energy level=less reasons to complain=less stupid junk for me to use to distract myself from the lord=respecting the lord more=more gratefulness=more praise towards God=stronger relationship with him!....haha I am not sure if that progression makes sense to anyone but myself, but hopefully it gives you some idea of where I am coming from on this.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV 

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.



Just in case anyone else has had the urge to take better care of themselves, here are some things that I have done so far that are really helping me out! (Just so you know, I am horrible at staying consistent and motivated on things like this, I usually stop after a day! Seriously! So the things that are motivating me are really working!!!)

Here is a list of things I am doing or using in my efforts to take better care of myself:

1) Just Dance! (or Just Sweat)...but seriously, this is a good workout if you do it full out and on the intense level....whatever form of activity it is that you enjoy, use it to your advantage and incorporate it into you workouts!

 

2. George Foreman Grill...this thing is epic! I just cut chicken breasts in half, tenderize them, bag them for the week, and then when I am home from a busy day and have a bunch more to do, I just season the chicken, pop it on the grill, mix a salad and my dinner is ready in less than 20 minutes...maybe even less than 15. And it is yummy and good for me! Love it!

3. Carnation Instant Breakfast...these little packets of amazingness mixed with low fat milk really help me out in the morning! They have important nutrients for the day, and make a great start for the day as far as food and nutrition go. They also have pre-mixed bottles, a little more expensive, but way more convenient. Either way, love love love.

4. The boyfee-haha yep. The boyfriend. His knowledge from going to school to be a personal trainer really helps when I don't know what to eat or do...I know not everyone has this, but way before him google and other friends who had similar majors or passions worked just as well!

5. Thin-spiration....here is the way shallow aspect of this whole process...but thinking about the fact that if I work on my body, I will be able to pull off any outfit, or fit in to anything more comfortably...and look good...it helps. And looking up fitness pins on pinterest, mixed with Marilyn Monroe pictures helps motivate me. She seems to have a similar body type...except WAY better. Haha I am aiming for that goal. I think that setting myself up to go after a shape that is similar to mine, and not unrealistic as far as looking like a skeleton is a good way to go about it. Who knows, I could be wrong lol. It just works for me for now.

6. MyNetDiary...This is an iphone app that helps you count calories, track exercise, and it even gives you a specific amount of calories to consume depending on your weight loss goal.

7. 30 Day photo challenge, fitness version!!!

 

8. Admitting that I am not as healthy as I should be! It seems simple, but over the years I have convinced myself that I am just "medium" or average...which led to excuses. I have finally admitted to myself that I am not just having a "fat day", or that I am in the middle, or whatever else denial leads to. I finally admit that I could treat my body better. It is already motivating me 10X more!

God=Growth!

Wow, so first off I want to mention how amazed I am at God's power, timing, and patience! I have not blogged on here in a long time...since Thanksgiving of 2011...whooooops lol! But in a sense, I am glad that I have not. It is truly insane how much growth there has been in my life over a course of only 5 months, and it is neat to look back at this blog this long after. It is almost like a mini-time capsule! That being said, it is time to do a maaaaajor update on what God has done and been doing in my life!

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about what God has done, is that he has ended my season of singleness. This in itself is not the big deal, what has happened because of it and after it is where a lot of the growth part comes in. During the end of December, I started really talking to a guy that had really just popped into my life out of nowhere. And during the time that he appeared, I was very adamant about being independent and single. I would harden my heart towards him on a regular basis. God not only showed his power in bringing us into each others lives, but he also showed his power by keeping Joel, my man :P, very persistent. Even when Joel would think he was doing good, I would post some silly comment on facebook about how much love didn't exist, or why I loved being on my own. But God built him up and kept him from being discouraged, and the crazy boy kept pursuing me in a Godly, patient, kind persistent manner. From that initial experience, I really learned that it is never good to make up your own plans and assume you know exactly what God wants for you. If I had kept believing that my plan was his plan, and if he had not used his power to strengthen Joel's heart and resolve, and break mine down...well ladies and gents, I would not be a part of the happy couple that I am a part of today. After God got us together, he has been building us and molding us ever since! Since this relationship has started I have been challenged by God about certain behaviors of mine. I have also learned about the responsibility of real love, as well as how it is supposed to be approached in a biblical way. This is something I have never known before! There is so much more that I have learned, and I am challenged daily by God, and now a man who he has sent to help him..haha I guess I just take that much assistance to learn things :P jk.

Before I bore you with too many more details, long story short, from a few months ago to now, God has completely flipped my world around, changed the plan that I thought was his and so set in stone, and he has confronted me and challenged me with so many new things. And he is still doing so because, that is what every ones entire faith journey consists of. It just goes to show that God's plans will always be better for you than your own, and that God's timing is THE timing. We can't get too caught up in what we want and how we want it, because usually God has a much better idea and plan. We just have to wait, have faith, and enjoy it! I am so excited for where my life is heading now, and so excited to think about the growth that has happened. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope everyone else is doing fantastic and learning and growing as well!

This was one of the first times that we spent time with each other (We are long distance and I met him through a friend). Interestingly enough, this was taken at a friend's wedding, and although many guys would be scared that they were going to a wedding with some girl they barely knew, he was excited to go, and going even made him feel even more confident in his decision to pursue me. God was moving his heart like crazy apparently lol! And mine! I would have normally been scared of someone with so much conviction about this sort of thing...lol but not with this kid.

This is from his second visit, we obviously don't like each other :P

Date night! He visited during Valentines day weekend and took me out :). In my silly plan that I was so convinced of, I believed that I was going to be having some lonely V-days for a few years.....just goes to show, God is full of surprises and blessings if you just relax and give it all up to him.

His most recent visit....yes my hair grew a lot...haha because it's those Jessica Simpson extensions, haha love these things!

Skyping! Haha he has grown attached to little Ty-ty! Haha he is the adopted father of this little butt! He was trying to talk to him and get his attention during this shot.