The Next Big Step...

So...on this road of weight loss and fitness, I've learned a few things about myself...

~ I've got a long way to go, but it's like eating an elephant...one bite at a time. 

~ It's also like the tortoise and the hare...slow and steady.  (At the same time, I would love to be the hare!)  But I know the habits I've developed in the past 12 weeks are life-long habits; and I'm proud of myself for doing that.

~ I don't have to treat every meal like it's my last one...

~ I can be satisfied with much less...wow!  That's a huge one for me.  It's always been about quantity.  This one was proved to me last night.  We had steak for supper (first time since I've been on the plan).  My hubby has learned to grill my steak to perfection.  I asked for a specific number of ounces when he bought my steak (which he lovingly complied with).  I looked over at his steak...it was twice the size of mine...and I thought, "I want his steak...and mine!"  But after eating my half-size steak and sweet potato, I was completely satisfied.  Maybe more than satisfied.  I was amazed that I was thinking I could have eaten less and been every bit as satisfied.  I'm telling you...that's huge for me!!

~ Moving really does make me feel better...Moving really does make me feel better...Moving really does make me feel better.  (I'm repeating this so I'll believe it!)  I hate to exercise...I just hate to exercise.  But I know that it's a piece of the puzzle I'm missing.  So, I'm taking the next big step...heading out the door today to join the gym.  Oh, I know...I don't have to spend money on a gym to start moving.  But I've been sitting on my lazy rear end for all my life not spending money on a gym...and so far that hasn't worked!  So, maybe if I feel the pain in my checkbook, I'll start to feel the pain...and the gain...in my body!

I'll let you know how it goes...

Just an update on the progress...12 weeks, 15.8 pounds, 6.25" lost.  Long road still ahead...but it's a start.

Nothing Compares...

Nothing Compares to the eventful 9 days we have had...

Nothing Compares to meeting your first grandchild...Trindon Lars Ball was born March 10...a precious 7 lbs. 2 oz bundle of joy...

Nothing Compares to snuggling that sweet little baby...or counting his toes...or watching him respond to his mommy's voice or his daddy's laugh...

Nothing Compares to realizing that there really is a circle of life...that seeing your child have a child of their own completes that circle...

Nothing Compares to feeling as though you own the world when you hold new life in your arms for the first time...

Nothing Compares to knowing you are far richer for having witnessed the miracle of life...

Nothing Compares...

And yet...there is Something beyond comparison...Someone beyond comparison...

If it were not for the mercies of our Father in Heaven sending his only Son to die on our behalf...to pay the price for the debt we owe...we would never know that there really is something that Nothing Compares to...

As rich and full as I feel today for having this remarkable miracle in our life, I share in the words of this song...

I've heard all the stories
I've seen all the signs
Witnessed all the glory
Tasted all that's fine
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord...

(Thanks to my sweet husband for the inspiration for this blog post...and to Third Day for the song...)

Life in the Slow Lane

So...I was so excited to have five days off (in a row)...still glad I have those days off, but for a totally different reason...

I had a list (surprise, surprise) of things I wanted to get done.  Nothing monumental, no emergency things, just little things that would make my life easier...but, instead of racing through that list of to-do's, there's been a slight change in plans.  I've (again) done something... or something's been done to...my back.  So, while I would love to say I checked off 12 things on my list, I've really only accomplished 1 thing...rest.  I'm not blogging this for sympathy, just pondering why this has happened now.  To be perfectly honest, I think I know why...my focus has been, well...out-of-focus for a while.  Too consumed with "me."  A verse comes to mind..."I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)."  Except I've left out the "through Christ" part and emphasized the "I" part a lot of the time.  That's a difficult confession to make...aren't I supposed to be beyond that in my spiritual life?  Yes, but when my focus is out-of-focus, the focus is on me and my abilities, not on what Christ can do through me...for His glory.

So...as my plans for these five days have changed, I'm praying my focus will also change from what I can do to what Christ can do through me.