My hubby and I have been dumping money monthly into a gym for over a year now. Working out, not working out, working out, not working out....the vicious cycle has been anything but consistent. Thus our decision to cancel our membership.
No sooner was this decision made than we were approached by a friend about a personal trainer in our neighborhood who was offering a 3 day a week personal training program with cardio, wt. training and nutrition education. Better yet, the price was right and a pre-paid 6 month commitment (even more reason to stick with it) will enable us to keep motivated.
Monday began week three for us. So far we are doing great. I have realized how weak I am but how much I want to change that. I cannot do a full push-up without using a leg for support, my squats are pathetic, my abs nothing but a storage for fat and my arms....wow....!
BUT....I know I am getting stronger. I feel pumped. I love feeling sore. I love sweating. I love the pain. I look forward to being able to hold a plank for more than a minute. I look forward to loosing inches. I look forward to clothes fitting as they should. I cannot wait to fulfill my one fitness wish....A PULL-UP!!!
I hope to review this post in six months stronger, faster and more fit than I have ever been! Wish me luck readers (all two of you) ;)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
Guilt
Now I am as fond of social networking as the next person (or most of them anyway) but even I have to take a step back and realize how damaging it can be; if not for the person exposing their entire life, but also in instances where people post things they should not.
Case in point. Last night before bed I thought I would take a situation that happened to me at school and turn it into a funny and post it for a few good laughs on facebook. Mission accomplished...I did get the funny comments but I also go some very humbling ones from people who saw not the funny, but the true turmoil behind the post. Guilt set in.
I immediately wanted to kick myself in the fanny. Why did I do that? I am not that kind of person. Why do I continue to disappoint myself when I know I can do better? I sought out humor at the expense of a student who is going through a really hard time. A student whom I truly adore; how could I be so malicious?
Needless to say, the post was deleted by me immediately. I hope I can be forgiven! Can anyone relate!?
Case in point. Last night before bed I thought I would take a situation that happened to me at school and turn it into a funny and post it for a few good laughs on facebook. Mission accomplished...I did get the funny comments but I also go some very humbling ones from people who saw not the funny, but the true turmoil behind the post. Guilt set in.
I immediately wanted to kick myself in the fanny. Why did I do that? I am not that kind of person. Why do I continue to disappoint myself when I know I can do better? I sought out humor at the expense of a student who is going through a really hard time. A student whom I truly adore; how could I be so malicious?
Needless to say, the post was deleted by me immediately. I hope I can be forgiven! Can anyone relate!?
Friday, January 1, 2010
Looking Forward
I am not much one for new year's resolutions as most of the time they are only followed for a few short weeks before the hustle and bustle of life takes over. However, this year in particular I have learned a lot about myself and my relationship with my husband. Lessons that were not always pleasant, however lessons that were meaningful and relationship altering.
This year I hope to continue to change my heart. Change the way I react in certain situations. Change the way I communicate. Change the way I love. Change the way I fight. This year is going to be about change for me; but positive, loving changes!
Further, even though December's "give" challenge is over, I want to continue with give. I want to give to someone, or something, everyday! It makes me feel good and I know the recipient's do as well. I challenge everyone to continue to "give" throughout 2010.
Happy New Year everyone!
This year I hope to continue to change my heart. Change the way I react in certain situations. Change the way I communicate. Change the way I love. Change the way I fight. This year is going to be about change for me; but positive, loving changes!
Further, even though December's "give" challenge is over, I want to continue with give. I want to give to someone, or something, everyday! It makes me feel good and I know the recipient's do as well. I challenge everyone to continue to "give" throughout 2010.
Happy New Year everyone!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Give 12/28/09
Well, this may not be a traditional give, but I am "giving" back to literature these last few days and coming weeks. My newest ambition is to go back and re-read, or read for the first time whole heartedly that is all the wonderful literature of my childhood. Often times in grade school wonderful teachers ask us to read great works of art that as an adult we can appreciate whole heartedly but as a ten year old, could care less about. I was one of those said ten year olds.
Instead of read the material, I often crammed and skimmed through just to get by on the current worksheet or pop quiz. As an adult I know that those novels were full of wonderous adventures. Though they may be written at a fourth or fifth grade level, I do not care, I will go back and read all of them.
My list:
1.) Island of the Blue Dolphins (will finish this one tonight) LOVED IT...I cannot believe I did not give it the time when I was asked to read it in 5th grade!
2.) Hatchet (I did read most of this one but I want to refresh my memory)
3.) The Giver
4.) The Witch of Blackbird Pond
5.) Bridge to Tarabithia
6.) The Cage
7.) The entire Chronicles of Narnia series
8.) Animal Farm
9.) The Crucible
If you can think of any I missed, please let me know! Thanks readers!
Instead of read the material, I often crammed and skimmed through just to get by on the current worksheet or pop quiz. As an adult I know that those novels were full of wonderous adventures. Though they may be written at a fourth or fifth grade level, I do not care, I will go back and read all of them.
My list:
1.) Island of the Blue Dolphins (will finish this one tonight) LOVED IT...I cannot believe I did not give it the time when I was asked to read it in 5th grade!
2.) Hatchet (I did read most of this one but I want to refresh my memory)
3.) The Giver
4.) The Witch of Blackbird Pond
5.) Bridge to Tarabithia
6.) The Cage
7.) The entire Chronicles of Narnia series
8.) Animal Farm
9.) The Crucible
If you can think of any I missed, please let me know! Thanks readers!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Love Dare
This is to all you married gals out there. I have discovered a new book The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. I discovered by complete accident last week at Borders while my hubby and I were digesting our Applebee's 2 for $20.00 dinner fiesta!
This particular was lying on a display shelf amongst other 1/2 priced books. The Love Dare however, was misplaced on this shelf as there were no other copies of it and it was not on sale. Coincidence? I wonder.
I started to peruse the copy and immediately fell in love. The Love Dare is a book dedicated to serving your spouse, expressing nothing but love, kindness, and thoughtfulness, placing his/her needs above your own, etc. The dare is over a forty day period where readers are to complete a dare each day.
The book is full of wonderful uplifting scripture and excellent commentary. I often find myself agreeing with the authors and saying "oooo, I do that...oppps!" However, sometimes it takes a mirror held in front of your face before we can truly learn something. I have never been so uplifted about marriage and have so enjoyed the powerful words I have read.
I have been using The Love Dare as my "give" for the last four days and it has been great. I highly recommend this book to any married couple.
Give 12/13/09
Love is Patient
Today's dare was about being patient with my spouse. The dare: Speak only kindness to my husband. If I did not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all. A simple concept yes, but when one takes stock into all of the negative comments that escape our mouths daily, it is amazingly eye opening when you focus on only communicating in a positive manner. Though my hubby knows I purchased the book I am not so sure that what the book is about or what I was doing on this particular day has fully registered, but I did notice the reciprocating of that patience with my husband to myself. I have tried (and succeeded for the most part) in implementing this strategy for the last four days!
Give 12/14/09
Love is Kind
Today was all about giving. Showing acts of kindness has always been something I have felt I have been particularly good at but not so lucky in receiving in my marriage. The dare: do a random act of kindness for your spouse. On this day I decided that is not what it is about, that he gives in his own way. For today's dare I gave to my husband through an act of kindness by remembering to not say anything negative (from the Love is Patient dare) as well as preparing his lunch for him for the following day; something I need to make a habit as I think it would be something he would truly appreciate.
Normally I would not have expected much notice at this kind act I had completed but today I received a phone call from my honey on the way to work thanking me for making his lunch for him! God works in the most awesome of ways!
Give 12/15/09
Love is not selfish
Yikes! I dread the 'S' word. My mom often used it as a label to torture me as a child. I have never fully recovered from that stigma. I hear the word and I automatically relate it to me. Am I a selfish person? I am sure we all are at times, but on a regular basis I would love to answer with a no. Today, in addition to not saying anything negative my dare was to act out of unselfishness. To do something for my spouse just because. To give to him a gift that says "I was just thinking about you". My give was a note saying exactly the previous with a few of his favorite chocolate candies on the counter before I left for work. To date, I still have not heard about that gift from my hubby; oh well! :(
So far The Love Dare has really shown me a lot about myself in just four short days. I hope and pray that I continue to grow and love my husband as best as I can and maybe get him to read this wondeful book as well!
This particular was lying on a display shelf amongst other 1/2 priced books. The Love Dare however, was misplaced on this shelf as there were no other copies of it and it was not on sale. Coincidence? I wonder.
I started to peruse the copy and immediately fell in love. The Love Dare is a book dedicated to serving your spouse, expressing nothing but love, kindness, and thoughtfulness, placing his/her needs above your own, etc. The dare is over a forty day period where readers are to complete a dare each day.
The book is full of wonderful uplifting scripture and excellent commentary. I often find myself agreeing with the authors and saying "oooo, I do that...oppps!" However, sometimes it takes a mirror held in front of your face before we can truly learn something. I have never been so uplifted about marriage and have so enjoyed the powerful words I have read.
I have been using The Love Dare as my "give" for the last four days and it has been great. I highly recommend this book to any married couple.
Give 12/13/09
Love is Patient
Today's dare was about being patient with my spouse. The dare: Speak only kindness to my husband. If I did not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all. A simple concept yes, but when one takes stock into all of the negative comments that escape our mouths daily, it is amazingly eye opening when you focus on only communicating in a positive manner. Though my hubby knows I purchased the book I am not so sure that what the book is about or what I was doing on this particular day has fully registered, but I did notice the reciprocating of that patience with my husband to myself. I have tried (and succeeded for the most part) in implementing this strategy for the last four days!
Give 12/14/09
Love is Kind
Today was all about giving. Showing acts of kindness has always been something I have felt I have been particularly good at but not so lucky in receiving in my marriage. The dare: do a random act of kindness for your spouse. On this day I decided that is not what it is about, that he gives in his own way. For today's dare I gave to my husband through an act of kindness by remembering to not say anything negative (from the Love is Patient dare) as well as preparing his lunch for him for the following day; something I need to make a habit as I think it would be something he would truly appreciate.
Normally I would not have expected much notice at this kind act I had completed but today I received a phone call from my honey on the way to work thanking me for making his lunch for him! God works in the most awesome of ways!
Give 12/15/09
Love is not selfish
Yikes! I dread the 'S' word. My mom often used it as a label to torture me as a child. I have never fully recovered from that stigma. I hear the word and I automatically relate it to me. Am I a selfish person? I am sure we all are at times, but on a regular basis I would love to answer with a no. Today, in addition to not saying anything negative my dare was to act out of unselfishness. To do something for my spouse just because. To give to him a gift that says "I was just thinking about you". My give was a note saying exactly the previous with a few of his favorite chocolate candies on the counter before I left for work. To date, I still have not heard about that gift from my hubby; oh well! :(
So far The Love Dare has really shown me a lot about myself in just four short days. I hope and pray that I continue to grow and love my husband as best as I can and maybe get him to read this wondeful book as well!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Give 12/11/09
Normally I am to busy to pay that extra dollar to save this or that at the checkout of the local businesses I purchase at; however, due to our December "give" challenge I remembered to think outside of my own life. It may be small and very insignificant but I donated a dollar to Children's Hospital today when we ordered pizza from Me 'N' Eds!! :)
I hope it helps to save the life of a sick child. :)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Why not, thanks for the idea Sar!
Dear Santa,
I know that times are tight right now. I know that Cacy and I have decided to forgo giving each other gifts this year but I thought what the heck, why not put my list out there anyway! I think I have been a fairly decent individual this year, learning to be a better wife everyday and striving to succeed in all that I do; I hope that is at least enough to get me off the naughty list!
My heart's desires this year:
1.) New Ariat pro baby riding boots, mine are getting pretty worn out
2.) Irrigation boots, nothing fancy, but after this week I realize how valuable those ugly rubber boots can be
3.) The "Love and Respect" book
4.) The "Total Money Makeover" book
5.) VS gift card so I can get some new panties to replace the ones the furkids KEEP CHEWING UP!!!
6.) VS Love Spell body spray
7.) VS Amber Romance body spray
8.) Boot Barn gift card
9.) Circle N gift card to get goodies for my horsey's
10.) I have always wanted my very own pair of Ugg boots...the real ones. I usually just settle for the $20.00 Big 5 brand! :) Size 9 (women's)
11.) Comfy sherpa slippers!
12.) I hope that the many displaced and abused animals of this world get adopted to find forever homes
Well Santa, maybe this list can find its way to my hubby as we have decided to at least do stockings.........can Uggs fit into stockings? HAHAHA, jk, there is a strict monetary limit! Merry Christmas Santa, I will make sure to leave out milk, cookies and carrots for you on Christmas Eve!
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