Dani's journal 9- CCCIII

Just to give you all an idea how to count points this week.
Today I ate

Breakfast - 2 pieces of ww toast with cheese and ham. One with cream cheese the other with normal cheese. - 2 pts ( not three because I chose not to have fruit)

Snack - 1/2 banana with sf pb. 1pt

Lunch - broccoli chicken pasta with cheese 2pts (pasta was veggie but I am not taking a pt for that) yogurt no sugar light- 1 pt

Snack- coffee sf, sf chocolate 1square 1pt

Supper- 3 rice cakes whole grAin, 1 sausage, salad, 1/2 glass apple cider - 3pts

try not to drink juices with added sugar, no points for them. Sf Coffee and tea are free.
I will not eat any more tonight.

Animo, Ladies!
Be consistent and it will pay off.

Crunching with ya

Dani Joy

Sharla's Journal 3, CCC III

Whoopie! I finally made it a whole week drinking my water! I didn't think I could really get it all in, but I did and I didn't feel like I was floating away either. I guess my body is getting used it.

This week I did not have as much time to do an hour of exercise, but I did get in at least 3 days of an hour and the other 3 forty minutes. I weighed myself on Wednesday and I was down to 60.1 kilos, yeh!

My sleep I get at least 7 hours a night and on Saturdays I can usually get 8. My menopause does keep me awake at times but it is getting better with time. I guess I am going to have to have a lot of patience. My awake time I use to pray so now you know that I pray for all of you during the night hours:)

This week for exercise I walked and did my DVD of Johanna Hall. I have found that when I do her program that I really burn the fat and calories, and her program is not strenuous. She has a great metabolism booster that is fantastic. It really works! My sister who has a lot of physical problems is able to do her program too.

Sad to say I have lost a couple of points because when I made a visit the other day I ate 2 cookies with sugar. :( I am going to have to try harder.

Thanks ladies for your comments, may the Lord bless you this week,

Sharla G.

Sarah W's Journal #1

With a week almost coming to a close I really feel that this challenge is helping me out so much. I've been more mindful of my food choices, water intake and exercise. Since we're coming up on the hottest months in Botswana (Southern Africa) I find that I am enjoying the pool more and more for exercise. I have a group of fellow missionary ladies who meet in the mornings at 6am. It's a good accountability circle and we always have a fun time doing water aerobics and talking about everything under the sun. This morning we witnessed a beautiful African Sunrise! :)

I am not sure what my numbers will be this week.....pounds and inches wise, but I know that I am feeling better and well, that's the big goal for me is to have more energy and feel better in the day. If there is no weight loss or inches lost I will still consider this week a victory for me......better choices and adding more exercise is huge! What victories have you had this week so far? :)

Dani´s Fitness Journey

 Before    and     After  35 lbs lost in 11 months.

I am totally thankful to the Lord, who has been my strength and Joy through this fitness journey. The more I got in shape, the better I felt to serve Him and my family. In no way, do I want to put fitness before service to Him. My check and balance is my Hubby and you all.

My dear sweet friends, let´s continue to keep our focus on the Lord Jesus and how He made us. Psalm 139 is a psalm I have needed since I was a teen. We are perfectly made in His image. He knows us, but this doesn´t mean we let our bodies go down the drain.

I will explain more in later posts the blessings of being fit and healthy in so many areas. Let´s keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. 

Now...

Who am I?  I now know who I am to be for the Lord, but here is the testimony of my journey.

A country girl:  I grew up in upstate, "hickville", NY. I was never a very heavy girl, but there were some who made fun of my big butt. I was a little self conscious about that. I played soccer and softball in high school and this helped me stay fit. I loved being active. I loved sports!

When I went to college I vowed not to gain the freshmen 15. I actually lost weight. It was great! However, as  a short term missionary in Paraguay the summer of 1995, I was in a car accident. Thank God for saving my life. All I broke was my collar bone, but between that and the Dulce de Leche (like pure carmel spread) I gained 15 lbs. yuck! But, I was young. Got it back off fast and furious!

A Collegant:  Best shape I was in college. Weighing in at 117! Played soccer, softball, basketball and swam! Don´t think there was anything I didn´t try. Had to do it all! That´s me in the front in the white, trying to get as close as I could to my boyfriend. That was off limits at PCC as many of you know. :)

A Married Women: Mrs. Joseph Contreras! Yes, I got married before I finished college but, I was the happiest graduate around!

We then went on to teach and preach (my hubby did the preachin´of course) at Sun Valley Baptist Church in El Paso, TX. We had a great year!

Then we wanted babies! Joseph remembers me saying, "I want a baby." I deny it now, but I guess, I really wanted to start having a family then.

A Mommy: Well, this is what my first pregnancy did to me. Or I did to me. I am not proud of this picture, but I have to face it. We were on deputation, traveling all over the place, eating badly, and not exercising. Oh, we tried to exercise and eat better but look at me! It didn´t work. It wasn´t enough. I did not stay fit. I was in denial. and for many years after I would be in denial or down about my size.

 Since my babies were born ( the last one in 2001), I have tried to get all the baby fat and weight off.

Here are my babies! Yes, they are worth it! But I just knew I could feel better about myself.

Isaiah is now 14

Andrew is 13

Michael is 11

Yes, I had a baby a year! It about wrecked my body! Can you believe, not only did I get bad vericose veins, and extra weight, I also lost the hearing in both ears? Praise the Lord, they were operable. I now have a prosthesis in both ears. 

Basically, I had been at the weight loss yo- yo for about 8 years. Every time we would go to the states I´d gain weight.

When we got back to Spain, in July 2008 after our second furlough, I really tried to get in shape. Jogging on the beach, early morning swims, and biking, but then we started home school. From the end of August 08 to January 09, I sat on my sofa in the evenings studying for the next day or just vegging and munching. This routine got me frustrated and wanting to do something about it ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Missionary, Mommy, teacher,  January 2008:

 (163 pounds, 74 kilos)

 It was after much prayer and after much desiring to be back to my healthy pre- baby self, that I embarked on my fitness journey. I much prefer to call it a fitness journey as oppose to a diet. Diets change, and that was my problem. My body kept changing. I needed something permanent, long term. That is why I am calling it my fitness journey for life.

We had purchased a stationary bike last year and I hardly got to use it because I was so exhausted all the time. My hubby even asked me if we should sell it. That upset me. I knew I was going to use it. Just didn´t know when or how.

January and resolutions. I really am not one for making and sticking with resolutions, because I know that by February they are moot. I just would rather quietly start something between me and the Lord, maybe even write it down. 

This is how my Fitness Journey began. It was a prayer at the time. Then right at that time I found some friends who were starting to lose weight too. Some of them were bloggy friends I had never met before, but I began to realize I needed this encouragement.

I cut out all white sugar and added more veggies and fruits. Started eating whole wheat breads and lot less empty carbohydrates. This alone started the weight loss on a roll.

It was March, when I joined Sarah F´s  Getting Fine in ´09 challenge,  at All Pain and No Gain, I had lost 10 pounds and wanted to keep going. Wanted to encourage others and needed the encouragement myself as well. Sarah, had so many great ideas. I loved how encouraging she was. When I saw how many calories she was burning, I upped my work out. It was another bench mark in my weight loss. Here is my picture after that challenge, which I amazingly won! 

In August, I ordered four things that would change my outlook on exercise and change my muscles drastically. The book, Making the Cut, and three dvds by the author, Jillian Michaels. She is not a conservative girl, but she knows fitness and health.

Right away, I put myself on her 30 Day Shred dvd and her 30 day diet. The combination of these two, changed my muscles in one month! I dropped one inch in all areas! It was incredible! It was at this time that I reached 30 pounds lost.

9 months into my fitness journey -

 Before                and...              After 30 lbs lighter and toned!

I have my sights set on a picture of myself playing soccer my junior year of college. Why not? Why not shoot for my best? That was the best I had ever felt in my whole adult life. That´s several inches and another 5-10 pounds. I will keep on my fitness journey for life. It´s a must!

So who am I?

 I´m Danielle Joy Contreras – A Hip hoppin´ Missionary Mamma , aka - Dani Joy

This is me in August 2011, minus the 40lbs! Keeping my weight at 123, and working out at least an hour 4-5 times a week. 

I have gained a bit back, but my ultimate goal is 122. I just want to say I got back down to my college weight. I see it possible this time around. Also, I see how hard it is to maintain. I need all your encouragement.

June 2011 - Women´s 5k race

December 31, 2012  Isaiah (14) Michael (11)Andrew (12 1/2)
 Me in the middle weighing about 132 lbs. 10 lbs over my  ultimate goal.

 2014 with my 14 year old son Drew! Still at it! I turn 40 in August of this upcoming year, my bucket list is to hit my peak weight and fitness! 

I am glad you decided to join us for our seasonal Challenges! You will get what you put into it.

 So ladies, LET´S CRUNCH IT, Spring it, and Sweat it all year long!

Dani Joy

Last week's post

Hi! I still haven't posted from this past week, but it's been one of those busy fast going weeks. I did measure partially, so I will post the achievements (-6.5 cm total loss) It must have been my no bread days plus the running I'm doing! I wish I were more faithful, but I only get to run some days a week. It feels great after the first couple of kilometers! My weight was 56.4, so the same as my lowest this time around. Not sure if it will go down ever, since I take my "liberties" and compensate with exercise.

Left thigh 51.5 (-1.5)

Right thigh 52 (-2)

Hips 95 (-1)

Waist 71 (-2)

Saturday was Father's Day here in Spain. We had a great time. We had a brunch made out of WHOLE WHEAT bacon and cheese biscuits, a mixture ofpotatoes, eggs, bacon and VEGETABLE stir, and some DARK CHOCOLATE pastries.It was Father's Day! Then we went to Terra Natura (a zoo) for the morning and walked up and down the world seeing different animals. We did not sit for any shows. Then we drove to my sister's and had coffee and well, other things to go with it ;)

In the evening I tried to compensate with level three of the Shred and walking to the store with my husband (he takes huge steps, so I get out of breath and happy). But he went and chose some supper the kids would like cheese and bacon on pastry dough. I used fat free sour cream, and accompanied it with carrots. I avoided the chips (not hard, since I don't care for those).

This was a fun day, but I don't believe I lost any weight or cm. I remind myself that building memories with my family is very important as well!

Have a great week!

Last week's post

Hi! I still haven't posted from this past week, but it's been one of those busy fast going weeks. I did measure partially, so I will post the achievements (-6.5 cm total loss) It must have been my no bread days plus the running I'm doing! I wish I were more faithful, but I only get to run some days a week. It feels great after the first couple of kilometers! My weight was 56.4, so the same as my lowest this time around. Not sure if it will go down ever, since I take my "liberties" and compensate with exercise.

Left thigh 51.5 (-1.5)

Right thigh 52 (-2)

Hips 95 (-1)

Waist 71 (-2)

Westerday was Father's Day here in Spain. We had a great time. We had a brunch made out of WHOLE WHEAT bacon and cheese biscuits, a mixture of potatoes, eggs, bacon and VEGETABLE stir, and some DARK CHOCOLATE pastries. It was Father's Day! Then we went to Terra Natura (a zoo) for the morning and walked up and down the world seeing different animals. We did not sit for any shows. Then we drove to my sister's and had coffee and well, other things to go with it ;)

In the evening I tried to compensate with level three of the Shred and walking to the store with my husband (he takes huge steps, so I get out of breath and happy). But he went and chose some supper the kids would like cheese and bacon on pastry dough. I used fat free sour cream, and accompanied it with carrots. I avoided the chips (not hard, since I don't care for those).

This was a fun day, but I don't believe I lost any weight or cm. I remind myself that building memories with my family is very important as well!

Have a great week!

Rosa´s First and Last CCCII Post

Rosa is a friend and fellow sister in Alicante, Spain. She is a breast cancer survivor, and has been working to eat healthy ever since her battle over cancer. She and I met at camp in Madrid this past summer. She shared her testimony with me and we prayed and encouraged each other.

She writes in this letter below that she has tried all kinds of diets, eating healthy with no avail. Her dr. Finally gave her the ok to exercise. She and her daughter made a pact. Rosa committed to one hour of walking and her daughter to studying as she was struggling in school. They really encouraged each other.

Evidence by her points and the 17lbs lost, Rosa deserves a prize!
She did not measure that I am aware of, nor did she post due to not being able to in English too well. She did read the blog often, and sent me several e mails along the way.

Way to go, Rosa! En hora buena!

Dani Joy for ROSA



Feliz Navidad!!
Que tal querida Daniela como ha ido estos días tan especiales?

Queria darte las gracias por la bendición tan grande de haberte conocido este verano,si ,por haberme ánimado con tú testimonio y tu voluntad de trabajar duro para ayudar a otras mujeres, pues ha sido de aliento tu blog .

No se si te conte que unos días antes de tu invitación al blog tuve que ir al doctor para algo y le pregunte sabe no puedo perder peso ? que debo de hacer ?.Me pregunto que era mi comida habitual ,y me dijo yo creo y estoy convencido que si no haces ejercicio no bajaras de peso ,y yo pense pero si me duele todo mi cuerpo y no puedo hacer nada con mis huesos .Me vine frustrada pero en mi mente estabas tu con el ejercicio y el médico .

Pero cual fue la sorpresa de una vecina animandome a perder y una amiga mia creo que la conoces Mari Cruz Coloma me dijo lo mismo hacer ejercicio y se comprometio que todo los jueves me llamaria o yo la llamaria para ver resultados. Al día siguiente tu invitación. Entonces pense debo de trabajar .

Mi hija este año esta teniendo mucho trabajo y yo la animaba y le contaba que iba hacer ejercicio ,pero por mucho que animaba a mi hija no la motivaba y se me ocurrio que para conseguir algo hay que trabajar y le dije mira yo todas las semanas voy a trabajar con el ejercicio y mi meta es tener muy buena puntuación todas las semanas y cuando lo dije digo no:( pensando para mi) pero me habia comprometido y que debia de  hacerlo trabajar duro .

Entoces he estado andando una hora diaria y he hecho ejercicio una hora (WALKING) tambien era de gran ánimo las hermanas en el blog, podia hablar a otras personas no creyentes de lo que hacia y podia testificar ,en seis semas había perdido 6 kilos estaba loca de contenta por que eso hacia tanto tiempo que lo deseaba ,pero luego me vino el desanimo porque me habia quedado parada y no perdia lo deje por una semana y media y alguien me dijo que estas haciendo estas más delgada y me quede sorprendida entoces me puse otra vez y gracias a DIOS he perdido 8 kilos entoces Daniela gracias por hablarme y animarme y sobre todo invitarme a tu blog . Estoy dispuesta hacer otro .

Muchas gracias y te deseo que sigas con tu meta .

Un beso y un abrazo muy grande .

Rosa

Amy Byron´s Final Post

Thank you Dani and Alice for inviting me to join the fitness challenge. I am so glad that I joined. I have enjoyed getting to meet some of the other ladies, as well as reading their posts. It helps me to feel like my sister isn't quite so far away to keep up with her posts! I wasn't prepared for how busy life was going to get these past few weeks in Dec.! It seems like everyone else was quite busy too, since not too many of posted during those weeks. This has been a good learning experience for me with the blogging too. I am feeling a little more comfortable with it.

I am posting a final picture which was taken in our home just a couple days after the challenge ended. I didn't lose any weight during this challenge, but I was glad to maintain. I started at 137 which was actually a very low number for me this fall. During the challenge, my weight actually varied and even got as high as 141. On my last day of the challenge I was 138. I was happy with this.
Since my weight didn't change much, I wasn't too good at taking my measurements very often. However i did take them at the beginning, and will post my ending ones too. I have not been able to post points to my ticker lately, but I think that my final points were about 170.

One of the most beneficial things for me has been the encouragement to exercise more. I feel that it is more a part of my lifestyle now, and will strive to keep walking, going to the gym, etc. I am looking forward to life returning to more normal after this next week, and I will once again try to exercise 3 to 5 times a week.

Here are my ending measurements. The first listed will be now, then for comparison the Oct. measurements, and just for fun where I was at almost 1 year ago when I first started this fitness adventure.

weight 138 137 148

bust 34 35 38.5

chest 30 31

waist 31 31.5 33

hips 42.5 43 44.5

Rt.thigh 23 24

L.thigh 24.5 25

Rt.Arm 10.5 11

L.Arm 10.5 11




I am finding this very interesting, that although I didn't lose any weight, I was able to tone up and change my measurements somewhat.This had to be the result of the exercise that I did. I hadn't really realized that until right this minute as I was typing. :-) It's also neat for me to see the changes over the last year as I compare to last January.

I look forward to another challenge with you ladies in the future. May you all have a wonderful New Year as we serve God around the world. May we all see many souls saved during the coming year.

Final Post with measurements

This picture is me stirring the hot chocolate that was made for the kids' Christmas program at the elementary school. I had a similar shot taken last year. You can see it here.

I had fun this challenge even though I did not end up with any points for weight loss or loss of inches. My end measurements were slightly down in some and slightly up in others which could just be how I measured. Not enough to make a real difference. And wouldn't you know it the day after the challenge ended my weight went down a full pound and a half! Maybe after the holidays are done I can finally get serious and lose that last 5 pounds again and keep it off this time.

Starting Measurements Ending Measurements difference
weight: 134 lbs. weight: 133.6 lbs -0.4 lbs
Bust: 36". 91.75 cm Bust: 35.5" 90.5 cm. -0.5 " -1.25 cm
Chest: 33". 84.25 cm Chest: 33" 84.25 cm 0
Waist: 33". 84.25 cm Waist: 32.5" 83cm -0.5" -1.25 cm
Hips: 39.5". 100.25 cm Hips: 40" 102 cm. +0.5" +1.75 cm
R thigh: 22". 56.5 cm R. Leg: 22.5 " 57.5 cm +0.5 " +1 cm
L thigh: 22.5". 57.5 cm L Leg: 22.5" 57.5cm 0
R arm: 11.5". 29.5 cm R Arm: 11.5" 29.5cm 0
L arm: 11". 28 cm L Arm: 11" 28 cm 0

Total Exercise Time 43 hours 40 min 131 pts.

Total points 333 points

Total blog posts 45 individual posts, (altho some earned more points because they included tips as well as journal info.)

Here I am in the new exercise clothes my husband bought me for Christmas. After taking this picture I decided the shirt was a little too small and ended up exchanging it for the next size up which still looks good but is a bit more comfortable and modest. Unfortunately they were all out of that fun hot pink color and I had to settle for white. But it looks good and feels good so I'm OK with that.

Thanks for the Challenge! More work ahead . . .

I started out doing very well with exercise, posts and watching what I ate. Then the company came and the holidays took over. However, I did lose some, though not enough, so I am planning to enter "Gymnuary" as my niece put it as soon as New Years is over. Here are my results:

pounds lost: -3

inches lost: -11

posts: 16 pts

exercise: 53 pts

Total points: 106

I didn't keep track of bonus points and couldn't find the info on 7th inning stretch, so I hope these are accurate.

I really enjoyed the challenge, though I got off track after the first two weeks. I will continue on my own, and hope there is less of me when I see Alice in February. I have enjoyed "meeting" new friends. Thank you for allowing me to participate. Here is a picture of me on Christmas. Happy New Year to everyone !

Final Christmas Crunch Post

Whew! Here we are just before Christmas and finished with our challenge. The last 3 weeks I haven't been able to do as much as I had hoped. I had to have vein surgery on both legs that has left me out of commission as far as my normal exercising goes - I was supposed to keep my feet propped up a lot or be moving around. I experienced very little pain after the first leg and was able to do slow step aerobics after just a few days, but I experienced a lot of pain with the second leg and couldn't do much at all for almost two weeks. Nonetheless, I have really enjoyed being a part of the challenge, and am thankful for the motivation that it was. I didn't meet my weight loss goal but did make some progress. I lost 5 lbs. and am able to fit back into my size 10 clothes though it doesn't seem that my measurements changed at all (not sure why). And, after our late summer move, I got back into the rhythm of exercising an hour 5 or 6 days a week! More than anything, I am so thankful for my husband's progress this year. He has lost over 50 lbs. and it is so wonderful to motivate and encourage one another in our eating and exercising! Thank you once again, Danielle! Merry Christmas!

Final Results:
1. 5 lbs. lost
2. apparently 0 inches lost :(
3. 47 hours of excercise

Dani Joy´s week 10 Journal Post

First of all,

Merry Christmas, Crunching Sisters!

Well, it has been a different kind of  Christmas CRUNCH for me.

I really struggled with food and exercise while traveling but am thankful I really didn´t gain too much. I have maintained and that was my whole goal for this Challenge.

Thank you all for your encouragement and I pray that this challenge was of encouragement to you as well.

I will post all my measurements and a picture later but for now just want to say I am still at it and even more so now that we are stationary for a month. I have to keep burning off all this Holiday food.

Monday, I got to go to the fitness center with my Mom and Dad for the first time. It is a wonderful place for them and I am so happy they are getting in shape and healthy there. I broke my personal best record on the treadmill doing the 5k that day too! I was so motivated by my mom and dad´s achievements.

Yesterday, was walking in the mall. Super speed, And today, was strength training. Over all I am on a good way to burning my 2000 calorie goal for the week. Praise the Lord!

My prayer for you ladies, is that you will continue on through the holiday season strengthening the skills you have learned. The joy of feeling God strengthen you. The joy of leaning on Him for your comfort and not on food. May you continue on your fitness Journey, and I will see you back this coming Febuary for our Spring Challenge.

Don´t forget you are God´s beautiful Creation,

Love in Him,

Dani Joy



just in time for the final weigh in

Anyone going to try this technique for the final weigh in? Hee hee.

I had grand ideas of finishing strong with lots of extra points for tons of exercise but then came down sick and just got in 20 minutes of walking from the subway to the doctor's office yesterday. It has been fun doing this challenge with all of you this fall. I wish I would've lost a couple of pounds but at least I didn't gain. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Last Update for the CCCII and Merry Christmas

So, here I am again after a long and extremely busy absence. We are moved and in the new house. Still some unpacking and shifting around to do as the new place is quite a bit smaller and very rustic. We moved from Panama City, the capital, to the "campo" or the country. While it is verrrryyy lovely and peaceful, there are some adjustments to be made.

Yayyy for getting our internet back up and running. I was afraid that we wouldn't have access 'till after the New Year, but here we are! So nice to be able to call family and use our webcam to let the kids participate virtually in some of the family holiday traditions.

Well, though I didn't count my points or use the ticker this particular challenge, I have been so very blessed to participate and I believe it was just the "kick in the pants" that I needed. I weighed in today at 149 lbs. this is down from the 160 that I started with. It is so nice to be able to pull anything out of the closet and have it fit great or even be too big and loose now. My waist is at "32, which is so much better than when I started and I have lost inches everywhere else that I measured. Can't believe how great I am feeling! My long-term goal is to get down to 135 lbs. and be fit and firm. I'm planning to stick with it because for me the benefits of the weight loss, great energy, and the "new lease on life" feelings far outweigh any desire for a temporary taste sensation.

Thank you to Dani Joy for hosting this challenge and for being such an inspiration and encouragement. Thank you to each one of you who left encouraging comments or advice when I updated. I hope that each one of you have benefited in some way from this challenge, whether through weight loss or being the recipient of another's prayers on your behalf or an encouraging word shared by another sister-in-Christ.

Merry Christmas to each one of you, wherever you may be and may God richly bless you in the New Year.

Blessings,

Ruth

Charlene C's Update

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to give everyone an update on how I am doing fitnesswise (hmmm... not sure that's a real word but I'm going to use it anyway LOL). I haven't been able to get in much fitness. These shorter days are not on my side. Between the busyness of the holidays, the craziness of my life lately and the fact that I have had a terrible cold has not helped at all.

On a better note, I have still been losing weight though not as much as I probably could have. I am now at 144 lbs. This is actually pretty good, considering I was 154 lbs. when I first started talking to Dani about joining the challenge. My official starting weight was at 152 lbs., so I lost 2 lbs. before the challenge officially started. I have 2 more lbs. to go to fulfill my goal, which I will continue to do even after this challenge is over.

I haven't been able keep up with my points. It's okay. Just knowing that you ladies are praying for me is a great encouragement.

Fitness tip for iphone/itouch owners

I don't know what it was, perhaps the novelty of using my new geek toy (my ipod touch) but this little $4 or $5 app did the trick to push me to add jogging to my workout and step things up beyond just walking. When I started the fitness challenge last fall, I was doing walking workouts and it was enough to help me start dropping some pounds. Shortly I was finding that I could walk for a half hour to an hour but was not really coming home good and sweaty. A friend of mine started posting on facebook that she had completed her "couch 2 5K" workout for the day and I was intrigued. I had (and still have) NO PLANS to ever run a 5K race, but when my husband gave me an itouch last year around Mother's Day, I looked into the app again. It turned out to be the first one I downloaded that was not free. I feel like I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of it and was ecstatic when I finally made it to the last workout and was able to run for 30 minutes straight without stopping to walk. I may even get the 10K program on my itouch sometime to help push me to the next level and hopefully increase my stamina a bit more.
Here is a link to explain a little more of what this program does. You could use a stop watch and time yourself the changes from walking to running, but the app does that for you and cuts into your music to tell you when to switch from walk to run and even notifies you when you are half way done your workout.

no car means more walking

Our car went into the shop yesterday. My husband saw that there was some fluid leaking and we stopped by the dealership before driving it out of town last night. Turns out something had damaged the radiator and it needs to be replaced. Praise the Lord He kept us safe on a recent long drive down south and when this was discovered we were in our hometown. The bad news? It won't be fixed until Monday night at the earliest. So that means buying bus/train/metro tickets for the whole family to be able to get to Choir practice tonight and then again to church tomorrow for the Christmas cantata and Sunday School program. Last night I did a lot of walking after dropping the car off. I didn't want to use a bus ticket so I just walked home after walking around doing a little shopping with my hubby and son. Today I needed to go to the post office to pick up a package that had arrived and also I was trying to find a medicine for my eye that has another broken blood vessel. I walked to 6 different pharmacies but noone had it in stock. They could order it but it won't be in till Monday. I came home and looked in the yellow pages and found a pharmacy that is open tomorrow and ordered the medicine. It should be ready for me to pick up when I get out of church tomorrow. Sooooo I got an hour in both yesterday and today. I didn't run since I am feeling very run down and have a cold or sinus infection starting, but I did walk briskly.

Today's fitness Devotional

 
 
A Call to Action

16 Dec 2010

Lysa TerKeurst

"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food."
Romans 14:20a (NIV)

Three years ago I was stuck in a rut of wishful thinking and excuses with my weight. At the beginning of each day I would say I wanted things to be different. I would vow in my heart to make things different. I would even make a plan to stop the snacks, increase the veggies, and say no to the desserts.

But then life would happen. And the excuses were so very plentiful. So, my resolve would melt away like butter on a hot yeast roll.

Of course the next morning I would always get up and weigh myself hoping that somehow magic would have happened over night. Despite my indulgences from the day before, maybe the numbers would have gone down.

But the scale was not impressed with my wishful thinking.It could only tell the truth.

And so you know who I'd get mad at?

God.

I'd beg Him to help me one minute while scarfing down an order of fries the next.And then I'd be doubly mad He didn't steer my car away from that drive-thru.

I deemed myself a victim of tragic genetics, overactive taste buds and a stomach that demanded large portions.

What I failed for years to realize is there was a much more significant issue going on.

More important than the ever increasing size of my jeans was the deception going on inside my heart.My weight wasn't God's curse on me. My weight was an outside indication of an internal situation.

Honestly, I might as well have taken Psalm 23 which talks about the Lord being my shepherd and my comfort and replaced His name with various foods. I was relying on food to be my comfort, my ever present help, my guide. Food was the thing that got me through the valleys. It became the friend I wanted to celebrate with in the good times.

I don't write to point out anyone else's issue.There are certainly medical and genetic circumstances that can cause weight gain.But I discovered that my issue was truly a spiritual one.And no diet would have ever been permanently successful until I got to the real root of my problem.

The root of my issue was craving food more than God.I desired and depended on the instant high of physical gratification because I hadn't learned how to let God satisfy my deepest needs. This realization became a call to action.

Maybe as you read my story, something is stirring in your soul. I know this is a tough issue.I've walked through the tears and the feelings of failure.I was the girl mad at God about this whole deal. But I wanted freedom. And I realized that if I wanted to have my deepest desires met by God and not food, I would need to restore God to His rightful place by changing my old thought patterns. Here are some examples I wrote about in my new book, Made to Crave:

Old thought patterns:
"I need these chips. I deserve this ice cream. I must have that extra large portion."

New thought patterns:
Chips will only taste good for the moment. But the calories are empty and will do nothing good for my body. 2 Corinthians 7:1 reminds me, "...Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit... out of reverence for God."

This ice cream will give me a sugar high but then I'll crash and feel terrible. Psalm 34: 8 reminds me to get into God's word and let it satisfy the deep hungry places of my soul, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."

This extra large portion will overstuff me and make me feel sluggish. I can't look to this food to soothe me. Psalm 34:5 says, "Those who look to [God] are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."

Learning to do this has been a process that I have to intentionally choose day after day. Eventually, I did lose the extra weight I needed to shed and have kept it off. But the real reward was what I gained with Jesus in the process. He became the best part of my journey.And I wouldn't have missed this new found closeness I now have with Him for anything in the world.

Dear Lord, if this devotion is a call to action that I need to make, please help me. I want to see the root of my issue, I really do. I want to learn to crave and depend on only You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Find out what foods can sabotage even our greatest intentions to get healthy. Visit Lysa's blog today for a list of food alerts and tools every healthy girl should know about.

Sign up for a FREE webcast with Lysa based on her new book: Made to Crave. Lysa will be sharing more of her journey starting January 10th. For more details, click here.

If this devotion resonated with you, don't miss Lysa's new book: Made to Crave.

Also, you'll want to consider the 6 week Bible study using these additional resources: Made to Crave DVD and the accompanying Made to Crave Participant's Guide by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:
Keep a pocket sized notebook nearby all of this week. Every time you crave food, ask yourself if you are hungry or if you are craving something else like comfort or peace. Write down your old thoughts patterns and then rewrite them using new thought patterns.

Reflections:
Have I learned to let God satisfy my deepest needs?

What is one healthy choice I can make today?

Power Verses:
Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

Psalm 18:1, "I love you, O Lord, my strength." (NIV)

© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.



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Heading into the final stretch

This week has not turned into the baking marathon I had originally anticipated. in fact, so far I have not baked anything. Good in the temptation area, not so good in the preparing for Sunday's refreshments department. I fear I will probably just be baking some bar cookies, brownies or a cake that can be cut into small squares. Or maybe I will just thaw out the leftover spritz cookies that I froze after the church celebrated our coworkers' 50th anniversary back in October.
I got a full hour in at the track yesterday and 40 minutes in on Monday. So far nothing today and it doesn't look promising since I have to leave in a few minutes for choir practice and then I HAVE to get some work done on the computer to finish up a Christmas present (a photo calendar) when I get home tonight.

a tip from the wii fit plus

According to the wii fit plus (which gives "free" unsolicited fitness tips when you sign in) as you age you lose fitness and strength from the lower body up. this was the tip it gave me before encouraging me to click on some of the lower body workouts. So ladies, strengthen your legs with a good brisk walk, jog or some lunges today and help slow down the aging process.