Nothing to it but to do it

Monday, October 12, 2009

I finally started to participate in the Team challenges I'd been putting off and I'm so glad I did. Little did I know how much incentive to work out a challenge would give me. I've set goals for myself before but this is different. I'm not aimlessly exercising, I'm helping out a team and my team mates. I don't know why, but this is making a big difference in my motivation. I guess I don't want to let them down and I realize that my active participation is important to the team.
There are great benefits other than getting healthy too. I'm meeting and connecting with some inspired, wonderful women and have made new Spark friends. All good things. I must say that I'm pleasantly surprised. Who knew this would make such a difference?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUNIAATROME 10/12/2009 11:22PM

Go girl! Report Inappropriate Comment

KATVHALE 10/12/2009 7:06PM

It is always more meaningful when you work with a team because you feel a part of something. I am so happy for you that you have new motivation and you are encouraged to encourage others too! You will do great and I know you will do your team proud!! Kat Report Inappropriate Comment

COOP9002 10/12/2009 5:39PM

Best of luck to you in meeting your goals. Sounds like you're ready to move forward. Report Inappropriate Comment

Back to It Again

Saturday, October 10, 2009

I have a confession to make...I've been a slacker. With my exercise, with my nutrition, with my water and with my attitude. I joined a Team that puts out challenges and I haven't accepted one yet. What happened? I don't have to look too hard to find the answer. I've been lazy. Plain and simple. Like a vacation from Spark-healthy living. I've been taking it too easy on myself and it's time for that to change. So what am I going to do about it? Well, I started today and accepted a challenge for exercise minutes this weekend. So far, so good. Got in a really good workout at the Y this morning and remembered to wear my pedometer. So far today I have 6,397 steps and I plan to walk after dinner. My nutrition suffered a bit as I had a Banana Moon Pie for breakfast...I have to admit it was delicious. 300 calories and no guilt but my dinner plans look much better. Leftover duck and brown rice with mixed vegetables. I'm going to take this one day at a time and try to 'get better' with each passing day. I know it won't happen overnight but I know what to do and I know I can do it, if I put my mind to it.
The time has come. Nothing to it but to do it. Starting now.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NERVOUSWRECKIAM 10/11/2009 9:44AM

I totally understand. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNIAATROME 10/11/2009 3:14AM

Well, first step done - others sure will follow. Keep it up friend! We are here to reach our goals! Report Inappropriate Comment

LISTLOADRUN 10/10/2009 7:37PM

sometimes in order to regroup and focus we need to take a step back - as long as you see what you need to do, there is nothing wrong with occasional down time :) Report Inappropriate Comment

CALIMAN1 10/10/2009 7:32PM

Sue, love the introspection....you have ad so much success and you will have more. Continue your journey and you will continue to inspire a community! Report Inappropriate Comment

Weekend Prayer Plans

Friday, October 02, 2009

Many people suffer from back pain and I'm one of those individuals. A few of my discs have decided to go their own way and it can cause me some pain, especially in the inclement weather. It's cold and rainy today and my back is acting up. I had plans to go to the Y after work and then come home and make a healthy dinner. Dinner plans haven't changed but I doubt I'll make it to the Y, unless it's to sit in the whirlpool and soak.
As I stated in my Activity Feed, I have the house to myself this weekend, til Tuesday, as my dh is hunting ducks in NY. I'm looking forward to some time alone with God, playing the piano, which I only do in private, and worshipping with abandon. My back pain will just have to step aside for now. I'm not going to let that stop me from my appointed (or is that annointed?) plans.
If any of you have a special prayer request, I'll be glad to lift you up in prayer over the weekend. Drop me a line. I'm here if you need me and I will gladly help you out, as you all have so graciously helped me in the past. I have the best of friends here at SP and love you all.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CALIMAN1 10/3/2009 1:48AM

Sue, I do have prayer requests if you would... My SIL, for preparation of her heart as she moves forward... My MIL, that she will be loved and helped through this rollercoaster of emotions that are already here. Same prayer for my wife. For me, just that I would be the supporter I need to be....and also, for my work, we have a lot of changes happening and need to make some personnel decisions..just that we will clearly see where our feet should walk... Thanks..I will pray about your back.... Report Inappropriate Comment

ME2448 10/2/2009 3:40PM

I will be praying for your back if you could pray for continued healing for me from my motorcycle accident. It is through prayer that I have come this far this fast and of course it was all God that kept me so safe during the accident. Report Inappropriate Comment

I_BELIEVE_IN_ME 10/2/2009 2:27PM

Have an amazing weekend!! hope your back gets to feeling better Report Inappropriate Comment

SHEILAHOPE 10/2/2009 1:31PM

Sue, I hope your back is feeling better soon. Sometimes it is nice to have some time alone. Enjoy it! Report Inappropriate Comment

Have you seen my appetite?

Friday, September 25, 2009

I don't know what's going on in my head or my body but I haven't been hungry lately. That's really odd for me. I've stopped eating after dinner, which was a conscious choice but I could very easily skip breakfast, like the old days. I lost 5 pounds in a week. That has been unheard of for me lately. I had been on a plateau for months and this weight just dropped off. I recently had my bloodwork checked and everything came out aces. So what's happening? I'm eating to fuel my body but not my bad habits. Maybe it's the stress of having a sick loved one or maybe my body is adjusting to less food. I read a blog that suggested to eat only an amount of food the size of a clenched fist, which is the normal size of our stomachs. I took that to heart and it is working. I'm getting calories and fat and carbs within my range and still I'm losing.
I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth I guess. Just wondering where my appetite went.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BIENEGOLD 9/25/2009 5:20PM

That happens to me. I just cannot eat while I'm stressed at all. Unfortunately, my body tends to reward it with big losses. I really wish it wouldn't. Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETHEART11 9/25/2009 3:11PM

I wish that would happen to me! Report Inappropriate Comment

CALIMAN1 9/25/2009 3:03PM

Sue, that is exciting. I found that happening for a while for me, but I go in streaks, though not bad ones...I snack like it's going out of style, but luckily I snack on largely positive options....oh, I still have my moments, but they are fewer and farther between! You are doing great and, oh, what's that thing in your rear view mirror...Ummm, it's called a plateau....now we can wave "bye bye" at it together! Report Inappropriate Comment

CANDICANE32 9/25/2009 2:58PM

I think your appetite found me. I've not had an appetite for a while and it has returned. Happy for you. Maybe I can pass it on to someone else. Report Inappropriate Comment

Sharing a devotion

Thursday, September 24, 2009

This is going to be a long post so grab a cup of coffee and your Bible and I hope you get as much from this as I did. It's a devotion from David Wilkerson and I felt compelled to share.

He writes: "As I was in prayer, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart about four expectations that God's people should trust Him to bring to pass. These expectations are based on absolute promises the Lord has made to us. Our God is a promise-maker and a promise-keeper."

1. EXPECT TO BE REWARDED AS YOU DILIGENTLY SEEK THE LORD. "God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)
You can ask in faith for a token from the Lord to encourage and rekindle your confidence. God is always on time, and He knows you need a ray of hope and good news in your time of testing. Expect Him to keep His promise to reward you now, when you are in greatest need. God cannot lie-He has said He rewards those who diligently seek Him-so seek Him daily. And truly believe this will be your season of great spiritual blessing.

2. EXPECT TO SEE EVIDENCE OF A PROGRESSIVE MIRACLE IN YOUR LIFE. "With God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27)
I have written about instantaneous miracles and progressive miracles. Progressive miracles start in unseen, quiet ways and unfold little by little, one small mercy at a time. You are now in such a miracle. Expect to see God working in mysterious ways, unseen to the human eye. This should be the season you can say, "I don't know how it will come to pass-I don't see much happening right now-but I believe God set into motion an answer to my prayers the very first hour I asked."

3. EXPECT TO ENTER INTO GOD'S PROMISED PLACE OF REST. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God...enter into that rest." (Hebrews 4:9, 11)
The recent year has been one of the most stressful for many believers. It was a year of incredible calamities, problems and trials. Now the Lord desires that you trust Him to bring you into His promised rest. God never intended His children live in fear and despair. We need a reckless faith, a trust in Him in the face of fear and trouble. Now is the time to lay it all on Jesus.

4. EXPECT THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE ALWAYS "IN HIS TEMPLE." "Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:19)
The Holy Spirit abides in the heart of every believer. His is omnipresent throughout the world and universe. I face each day acknowledging that He is here in His temple to comfort and guide me, encourage and anoint me, to reveal the glory of Jesus Christ in ever-increasing revelations. He desires that you expect Him to make His presence manifest to you, and more so each passing day.

Believe these promises. Lay hold of these four expectations. and you will see marvelous things in this season of your life.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DARLENEK04 9/24/2009 7:35PM

Wonderful...I really enjoyed reading this. I have always like David Wilkerson......... Thanks for posting it.. Darlene Comment edited on: 9/24/2009 7:37:22 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

CALIMAN1 9/24/2009 3:48PM

Sue, thank you for sharing such an encouraging post....I think based on how work has been going for me, that place of rest is what I really long for right now. On Saturday, God willing, am taking my 2 youngest on a hike....greatly looking forward to that. Keep us in prayer...they have never walked real far with me, so this will be a test... Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNIAATROME 9/24/2009 12:51PM

A great and encouraging post. Thank you, Sue. I'm glad you too were encouraged. Take care. Report Inappropriate Comment

KATVHALE 9/24/2009 12:41PM

David Wilkerson knows his God and so do I!! He talks about how God takes care of our every need and I find that so true in my daily walk with my Abba. DH and I just returned from a week's vacation. We had a pile of mail to sort through upon our return and one envelope in particular only reinforced the fact God does supply our needs. We had recently changed our insurance coverage on our home and what did we have in the mail but a refund check from our former carrier!! It covered most of the cost of our vacation and we even called both companies old and new to make sure we could cash the check! If you remain faithful to Him, He will always prove faithful to you. In His Name, Kat Report Inappropriate Comment

MSSIS2 9/24/2009 11:59AM

Thank you for sharing those beautiful words. Where would we be if it was not for the Lord Jesus Christ. The devotional was direct and to the point. Be blessed and know that the Lord loves you. Report Inappropriate Comment