Reflection

In June my grandma moved in with me b/c her home was sold. I love having her here, but the last month or so has been struggle. I’m use to having a routine, I’m use to having a schedule each day I wake up. I don’t like change! When I have a plan and it unfolds b/c of things I have no control over, it frustrates me.  When I feel like I’m alone I go to want comforts me; FOOD. Even though I have so many wonderful people in my life I keep things inside. I take the issue or issues and put them away until I’m ready to deal with it. I guess I do this b/c it gives me some type of control.  Once everything inside me builds up, I explode and I become this ugly person.  

During this week being off on vacation and spending time with family, I reflected on my life, my behavior, and my relationship with God.  Satan sees me growing, so he throws rocks to block me from moving forward on my journey. I may stand there wondering why does this always happen. Every rock represents a struggle, a worry, a stress, and even my past mistakes. 

Satan thinks he has won the battle as I take one step backwards and turn around, but what he doesn’t know is that I’m not the same girl I use to be. I take few more steps back only to run toward those ROCKS and climb over.  ” Now the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you”. 1 Peter 5:10

I have never felt more alive knowing my Father. I battle each day, but I’m not alone. Some think that once you become a Christian your life is perfect, but there is no such thing as a perfect life. I’m a Christian, but I sin just like the next person. I’m not perfect, but there is a difference in who I was and who I am now. He personally restored, established, strengthen me.  

When  I’m scared and I don’t know how to stand, I need to look up and remember that he is there.   I don’t want to be someone who’s satisfied with occasional visits to church on Sunday morning. I need to build a relationship with God that grows stronger each day. My story isn’t over and is still being told and I want my love for God to show to everyone I meet. 

T25 is has been put on hold for now, but I will continue to workout each morning. I enjoy running, its crazy that I say that. I would have never thought I could run 2 miles without collapsing. The feeling I get from running is amazing. I feel strong and powerful when I run. I want other women no matter their size to know their worth!!! I was almost 260 pounds and I’m now 216. Anything is possible as long as you trust in the Father. I’m not running away from something, I’m running toward something. 

 

Currently: June

It’s that time of the month again! I can’t believe June is almost over, time goes way to fast. My son will be starting 3rd grade in Aug. Looking forward to going into July, I have so much planned.

Current Beauty Obsession: OLAY

I love Olay, its the only brand that works with my sensitive skin. I currently brought some Olay Body wash and I just love the smell. Fabulous!!! 

Current Music:

I’m getting back into my country music. I love all music, but its been along time since I owned a country Cd. I brought the new Rascal Flatts Cd and all the songs are so good. I highly recommend getting the Cd or get it off Itunes.  One of my favorite songs is Rewind

 

Current Favorite Shows:

I had to say shows b/c I’m addicted to a new show and my other two favorite shows are coming back on in July. My new favorite show has my man Taye Diggs in it, its called Murder in the First. Witches of East End is coming back on Lifetime for season 2. I swear not all my shows are dark and scary. My second favorite show that is coming back on is Cedar Cove, I just love this show.

Current Favorite Drink: 

As many of you know I love my Eboost and I have it at lunch almost everyday. I have a new drink that I’m totally loving besides water. It’s called Advocare I have been taking it before my runs and I love the boost it gives me. The taste is fabulous, loving the strawberry mango and the sour apple flavors. Ashley from Coffee Cake and Cardio is a distributor and she had some samples to try for $20.00.  Go out check out her blog, she fabulous!!

Current Guilty Pleasure: 

I’m on this Ice Cream kick, but not just Ice Cream in a bowl it has to be on a cone. I’m loving the New York Cheesecake from Edy’s, is sweet treat for only 160 calories.

Current Motivational Quote:

I’m really finding my passion for running! I love the way it makes me feel.

 

 

The 411 On My Journey!

I’m going to give you all the 411 on my journey, which means I’m going to share some fun things that have been helping me during my journey.

Apps:

Whoever created the smartphone is a genius and whoever created these awesome apps are AWESOME too.

The apps that have helping me through this journey are

1) Bible (love the devotionals in the morning)

2) RunKeeper

3) SparkRecipes

4) Zen Labs C25K

5) Skinnymom

6) Myfitnesspal

7) Sparkpeople Produce

Music:

I’m all over the place with my music. I mean one minute I can be jamming to Mercy Me then a 3 minutes later its Usher. My little Ipod has so much variety it makes me laugh to even think about. This morning when I was running Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” came on. Yes I said it Cyndi, I just wanted to stop running and start dancing b/c I just love that song.  I’m just going to give you a glimpse into my iPod. I have so many songs and I will be here all day typing each one out.

What’s Playing on my Ipod? 

1) Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys

2) Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi

3) All this Time by Britt Nicole

4) Stand by Britt Nicole

5) Still that Girl and The Sun is Rising by Britt Nicole

6) Blown Away by Carrie Underwood

7) Army of Me by Christina Aguilera

8) Cease Fire by Christina Aguilera

9) I love Colton Dixon so his whole album in on my playlist

10) No Easy Way Out by Dj Fait

11) Poison by Groove Coverage

12) Brokenhearted and Hello by Karmin

13) Part of Me by Katy Perry

14) Mandisa her whole album is part of my playlist

15) Girls Just Want to Have Fun:  Cyndi Lauper

16) FootLoose by Kenny Longgins

17) Catch my Breath by Kelly Clarkson plus two other songs

18) Fighter by Christina Aguilera

19) Heart attack by Demi Lovato

20) Hall of Fame by the Script

A Peek into my Mornings:

Luckily I’m a morning person, but that doesn’t mean I like to wake up early on the weekends. I do cherish my sleep. I set my alarm every morning except for the weekends to 4:50 am. It’s hard and the reason I set my alarm to 4:50 in the morning is  b/c it gives me 10 minutes to fight with myself. Yes I fight with myself about getting up, I just want to stay in my cozy bed. I’m out of my bed at 5 am and I then my day starts.

I go to the bathroom before I do anything. Once that is completed I head into the kitchen.  Every morning I take Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer before I start my workout. The Vega Pre-Workout Energizer gives me a boost to kick my butt during my workout. Sometimes I sleep in my workout clothes and sometimes I don’t, it just truly depends on how I’m feeling before I go to bed. Once my workouts are completed I sometimes take Vega Sport Accelerator.  The Vega Accelerator helps with recovery.  I make myself breakfast and pack my lunch for the day. Hop in the shower, get ready for work, and then I’m out the door for work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motivation: 

There are mornings where I don’t want to get up each morning, but I get up. I was almost 260 pounds and now I’m at 221. Is exercising hard, yes I would be lying if I say no. My faith and seeing myself grow these past few months shows me that I can do anything I put my heart into.  Start out small and end your journey in a big way. I’m finding myself with morning energy and pushing myself to do new things. I have a race called Mudderella and Old Rag Mountain to do this fall.  Don’t Limit What YOU Can Do!!! Life is to precious to sit back do nothing. I want to LIVE and I’m Kicking Butt. I’m creating a NEW ME!!!

Weekly Weigh-in Report

I started T25 Alpha and added C25K into the mix. I run three days a week and I do T25 6 days.  My first week was a success and I lost 2.2 pounds.  I really love running in the mornings b/c its very peaceful and it’s just an amazing feeling. Looking forward to the second week!!!

 

 

Christmas Every Month!!

Christmas Every Month!!

I subscribed to Birchbox and  Bulu Box and its like Christmas every month. I know for me I want to try things before I buy them, but that’s impossible sometimes. I found these two awesome companies that mail out samples of products to you. It’s so AWESOME!

First one is Birchbox, go to their site and they have a box for men and women. You register for an account and the monthly subscription is $10, once you register you will set up a profile. On this profile you will address products that your interested in and they will send you samples of those products. When the box arrives, there will be card listing the samples and the cost for the full product. 

The second box is from Bulu Box and its somewhat similar to Birchbox, but the only difference is that you have different monthly subscriptions you can choose from. I got my first Bulu Box in the mail today. Bulu Box is similar when registering an account, but the only difference is that your choosing between a regular Bulu Box or a weight loss Bulu Box. I really love the Smarty Pants Vitamins and they also threw a pack in there for kids.

Confessions of a Secret Closet SNACKER!

Confessions of a

Secret Closet SNACKER!

When I got on the scale this morning I thought I would have lost 2 pounds b/c this past Wednesday the scale showed -2. This week I worked out everyday and I ate healthy, but I was snacking a lot during the last two weeks and I haven’t been counting my calories. I would snack at work and late in the evening after dinner, I didn’t think about how much I was eating until I got on the scale this morning. Last week I thought not exercising was the reason I didn’t lose any weight, but snacking also played a part into it too.

Am I angry? No

Am I disappointed in myself? yes a little, my snacking wasn’t a bunch of junk food, my snacking was having larger portions at dinner time and overeating on healthy food during the day.

I’m nowhere prefect, but this time last year if I had too much to eat or if I had a soda I would give up and tell myself to restart on Monday. I’m growing and learning more about myself each day during this journey. My new saying is;

“IF YOU MESS UP DON’T GIVE UP”!

I know what I need to do and I’m planning on having a good week next week. I’m going to count my calories and control my snacking.  I want to be honest b/c I don’t want others to think that I’m doing SUPER great without struggles. I struggle each day and everyday, but I have to remember why I started this journey and I remember that I don’t want to start 2015 with another DIET Resolution.

I messed up with not watching my portions and snacking too much, but I’m not going to give up. I’m going to keep moving and stay positive through this journey. I know I’m strong and I have faith that God will help me each day.

Currently: May

Currently: May

Some of the blogs that I follow have this cool post where they Currently tell you what they are enjoying that month. I was naming my post What I’m Loving, but I like Currently better.

Current Book:

I shared with you guys back in March that was going to be reading a book call 150 Pounds, but I wasn’t enjoying the book. I had to let it go and hopefully find a new book, b/c I miss reading. I went to Target and I found  Robin Roberts new book. I’m enjoying the book, she is so inspiring and motivating. She has so much fight in her!!

Current Tunes:

I have two songs that I’m loving this month Rascal Flatts Rewind and Love and the Outcome King of my Heart.

Current Product Find: 

I love popcorn, but I really love white cheddar popcorn. When I found this Target I almost did a happy dance in the middle of the aisle, its only 60 calories per cup.When I go to the movies, I will be carrying my big bag.

Current Favorite Show: 

I love this show and I want season 1 and season 2 for my birthday, which is coming up pretty soon.

Current Food:

I’m loving salads and oatmeal a lot lately. I have been finding some awesome recipes for overnight oatmeal and I’m getting really creative with my salads. I think the reason I have been enjoying them so much is b/c they are both really easy and fulfilling. 

Current Drink: 

My current drink is water and more water. I do have a glass of tea with dinner every night.

Current Outfit:

I don’t really have an outfit, but I look forward to going shopping with my sister when I get to my goal weight. Currently I’m just opening my closet door and finding clothes that I couldn’t wear, which is like new clothes for me. 

Current Indulgence:

Anything chocolate completes me! I love the new weight watcher peanut butter brownie bliss. They are so good, but I can’t have them in my house or anywhere near me b/c they are that good. I have no self control when it comes to CHOCOLATE.

Pumpkin Pie Protein Overnight Oatmeal

Pumpkin Pie Protein Overnight Oatmeal

Dashing Dish

Ingredients:

3 tbs	Pumpkin
1/2 cup	Unsweetened almond milk or low fat milk of choice
1/4 cup	Plain low fat Greek yogurt
1/4 tsp	Pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp	Cinnamon
1/8 tsp	Salt
2 tbs	Baking stevia or 1/4 cup sweetener that measures like sugar 1
1 cup	Old fashioned oats
1/4 cup	Protein powder (or additional oats)
Optional:	1 tbs Low sugar maple syrup or honey, chopped pecans or nuts for topping

Instructions:

In a small bowl mix the pumpkin, milk, and yogurt together and then add the remaining ingredients.

Amanda vs. Goliath

Amanda vs. Goliath!

Everyone has heard the story of David and Goliath, the story is told in 1 Samuel 17.  Goliath of Gath was six cubits and a span of almost ten feet. Goliath was a big boy! David didn’t want to take any armor to help him against his fight with Goliath. David took a sling shot and some rocks to help him defeat Goliath. You probably think David was crazy for only taking simple weapons into a fight with a giant. He took  more than just a slingshot and some rocks; David took his faith into the fight against Goliath.

1 Samuel 17-45 “45 “Then said David to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, Whom you have defied.” He had his faith, slingshot, and sword and won the battle. That story is amazing, this young boy without fear and tons of faith went and conquered Goliath. 

We all have a Goliath beating us up each day and we just don’t know how to defeat him. We think of so many ways to defeat the giant, but we fail.  My emotional eating is my Goliath, when my emotions get the best of me I go to food for comfort.  Our Goliath can be many things and not just one specific thing. I know many times when I wanted to lose weight I would be good, but then something would happen and I would let my emotions aka Goliath get the best of me. When going into this journey I went into it with a lot of faith. Each week gets harder and harder, but I go into each week  with my faith growing stronger and stronger. I’m  nowhere prefect and this journey isn’t easy, but I’m going to conquer and win this battle against my Goliath.

I’m on a path of Victory b/c I want to win this battle against Goliath. Don’t worry about yesterdays mistakes or 10 minutes ago, work on NOW and do it with faith. 

I love this song by Love & The Outcome, the lyrics are just amazing. We are constantly pulled in so many directions, but we have to listen to our King.  We doubt ourselves, but God doesn’t doubt us he loves us. Our God is bigger than any battle we are facing, I just love that part of the song. Don’t lose faith b/c we are his children and he wants nothing but the best for us.

Wednesday Thoughts

Wednesday Thoughts!

I’m not sure if it’s the rain or Aunt Flo, but I feel sad, angry, and tired. I woke up this morning not feeling myself and not wanting to workout. Sometimes I wish I could wake up and be 145 pounds, but that would be to easy. God wants to change me from the inside out and in order to do that I have to experience some bumps in the road. 

In the car this morning listening to 89.9 Positive Radio, I just felt like I was defeated this morning. I didn’t prepare my breakfast, lunch, or snacks today and when I get home I don’t want to cook. I realized that this is long-term  journey b/c once I reach my goal I have to learn to maintain my weight. It’s not going to be “Oh I reached by goal now I can have some Oreo’s”

Even though I feel crappy today I am proud of myself and how far I have came on this journey. I do know I have a long road a head of me and I know that road will carry some challenges.  I’m 27 pounds away from reaching ONEderland and that my friends is big for me.

Even though I’m at work and there is no relaxing at work, I will take sometime this weekend to do my very overdue pedicure and manicure.  I would love to catch up on some shows and movies this weekend too.

I don’ t think its wrong to spoil yourself once in awhile b/c as mothers and being women in general we carry many hats so we deserve a little me time. 

Loves!!!