I'mmmm baaacccckkk.....

Hi there.  I know I've been gone a while!  Let me catch you up on life:  I am still madly in love with my best friend and hubby, Scott; I am still serving as a youth sponsor alongside him; I am watching the Lord build an amazing community around me and I mean I. AM. BLESSED.; I am sad to watch my college friends going back to school; I'm still sassy; I started Weight Watchers again this week; I just completed my MBA (with HR concentration) last week and found out 5 minutes ago that I will be graduating in December with a 4.0!

Well that about catches you up to speed. Not sure if I'm just really good at summarizing or if my life hasn't been as busy as it seems the last 2 years.

So today I am turning over a new leaf.  Can't promise that I'll always stay on target, or that I will love this new leaf everyday.  But I will promise a few things:  1) I will be honest 2) I will update you on this journey 3) I will neither obsess over nor neglect the type/amount of food I intake- however I will focus on respect and moderation

CAUTION:  If you read the above and thought 'Oh yes!  Another health nut who blogs all about food and exercise.'... THIS BLOG ISN'T FOR YOU.  Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you come back to visit- but I am not THAT blogger.

I will blog about my life, my God, my Church, those I live life with, Launch (Young Adult Ministry), Grounded (Youth Ministry), things I'm thankful for, being genuine, and my Weight Watchers experience among other random sassiness that may occur.

Hope you stick around... and I look forward to your honesty, accountability, motivation and encouragement!

Post It Worthy Moments....

Alright... your turn... share your 'Post It Worthy Moments' from this week!

It is official... I'm a Siesta!!!

Dear Internet...

I am so ashamed to look back at my last post and notice the last update was in September!  Yikes!

Well a few things to update you on...

#1. Scott is doing well- now with a 'sergetical behind'- he is almost sitting normal again!  Please pray for his continued healthy recovery.

#2. My MBA program is off to a great start... I've been working really hard to do well and make every penny worth it.  (I'm actually enjoying it... nerdy- I know)

#3. Work is wonderful- I have been given some additional responsibilities which really proves how much they value me as an employee! We'll see what the future holds.

#4. My good friend and mentor, Jamie Franz, and have become Siestas together!  We are bound and determined to be in Houston, TX this time next year for Beth's gathering!!  I'm excited to spend time memorizing the Word... I've never been very good at memorization... but I'm confident nothing but good can come from trying!

#5. Along with a new year... a new plan is in action for my weight loss adventures.  I purchased the 'Wii Active' set (which I've heard is amazing!)  and I have dusted off my weight watchers books... I'm gonna try to finally defeat this life long battle- head on!  Wish me luck!

#6. Basically every single person around me is pregnant.. which is amazing!  I'm so excited to hold some babies!  However... I've had a horrible dose of baby fever myself.. and- if you noticed my second thing on the list--- I have some time before that can happen.  (Lord willing!) But God is good, by BFF is in the same boat- so we'll get to wait it out together!

It has been WAY too long since I've heard from all of you... so PLEASE update me on your lives!

PS:  I promise to try and update more than once a quarter...

Lifestyle Change Week 3....

Good afternoon lovelies!


How did last week go: 

I have completed (somewhat) the 2nd week of my 927 challenge!  I have successfully NOT had anything to drink besides water ALL WEEK LONG!  It was really hard... but I feel so much better- more energy every day!


I was a little disappointed in myself for not getting all 3 of my walk/jogs in this week... and if you live in Kansas City- you know why... we had rain several mornings this week.  There are only a few mornings a week I could even walk/jog and all but 1 were filled with rainy mornings.  Maybe I should have gone anyway- rain or shine.  But I'm not quite that hard core.  I really need to get involved at a gym.  That will be a commitment I work on over the next few weeks - as the weather gets colder and colder. 


I do LOVE fall though! I can't wait to make my first batch of chili!! Especially if the Chiefs are going to play like champs every week!! 


What to look forward to this week:


Completing my goals this week.  I'm also really excited for another week of only water.  I actually lost 3lbs this week which I am super stoked about!  I really think its b/c I'm only drinking water!


Possible set backs to completing this week's goals:

Again- not completing my walk/jogs because of weather issues.  I have things every evening during the week- which only allows for weekends and mornings to get to job done.  But I will try really hard to motivate myself to get it done regardless of when I have to go!


Best encouragement this week:

The emails I've received- thank you all so much for taking interest and sharing motivation with me! :)


This week's verse:

"To know wisdom and instruction, 
  To perceive the words of understanding,"Proverbs 1:2


New goals added this week:

1. Start getting at least 8 hours of sleep.--  (this will be a tough one)
2. Take 1 struggle and simply say NO to it for the rest of the challenge.
3. Start journaling feelings after each day is over. 'Was it hard?, Did you do anything you wish you hadn't?, What was the best part of your day? and What was your worst?'



Goals that I plan to carry over week to week:

1. Water ONLY (no pop/lemonade/tea/coffee/etc)
2. Walk/jog 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes
3. Keep food log each day
4. Pray daily about this challenge and for the strength to say no and make healthier choices





How have you been healthy this week? Share some of your favorite tips? 
I need all I can get! :)

Oh Dr. Pepper... how I miss thee....

"Maybe just sip wouldn't hurt anything"

hmm......

"Who could I get to drink the rest of the can after just a sip? It would be a shame to waste a good Dr. Pepper"

hmm.......

"Who are you kidding Ray, if I open that can... I WILL be the one to finish that can"

hmmm.....

Just wanted to include you in my internal conflict today...


Dear internet,

I did NOT give in... please be proud! 3 days and no Dr. Pepper or headache amazingly enough... which caffeine headache was always my excuse to give back into the wonderfulness that is Dr. Pepper.  Ohhhh no... God has some great stuff up His sleeves this week!  Keep it comin' Big Guy ;)

Love,
-Ray-

Lifestyle Change Week #2

Good evening lovelies! Lets dive right in...

How did last week go:

Went pretty well.  I was able to write out everything I ate each day.  I will admit- I wasn't always proud of the choices I made each day.  But I guess that is part of the process.  I also did walk/jog 3 times throughout the week!  I was really excited about that one.

What to look forward to this week:

Completing another set of goals!

Possible set backs to completing this week's goals:

Um.... I was on vacation last week which made completing those goals fairly easy.   This week I actually have to get up every morning to work- which means getting up earlier- yikes!

I would also say that the 'honeymoon' stage has already started to wear off... lets just face it.

Best encouragement this week:

Well- one of my readers and family members, Jess (Scott's cousin- but I'm totally glad to claim her), read my post last week and later that day she emailed me the '927 Challenge' which she found on another blog.  She was especially excited because the first week's challenge was essentially what I had set out to complete!  As I read through the challenge, I got more and more excited about it!  So- I am going to attempt to complete the 927 Challenge, which gets its name because it is 9 weeks long and there are 27 items to achieve during the 9 weeks.  Even cooler is that there is a Bible verse assigned to each week to meditate on!  If you are interested in doing this challenge with me and want a copy of the entire thing- just shoot me an email and I'd be glad to forward it on!

This week's verse:

Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him."

New goals added this week:

1. Make a list of reasons I believe I struggle with weight (include what I do struggle with most)
2. Find an outfit that I can't fit in and take a picture of it on or near me.
3. Drink water throughout the day (basically I'm going to attempt to JUST SAY NO to pop, tea and any other drink that isn't water this week)
4. *Walk/jog at least 3 times this week (adding 10 minutes each time from last week- from 30-40 minutes)
5. *Pray daily for this challenge and for the strength to say no to laziness and bad decisions.
6. *Keep a food log of everything I eat each day along with all exercise done each day



*Items that have been carried over from previous weeks*


How are you staying healthy this week?

Week 1

Good morning lovelies!

Here it is... an attempt to lose weight.  I have wanted this for a very long time and have tried diet after diet only to find that after a month it is hardly a doable lifestyle change.

So here I am, internet, ready for a public attempt.  This will not be easy... I am going to post at least once a week with my current goals for the week along with any progress.   Now this is where you come in... I am going to need some hard core motivation and support from you!

Week 1 Goals:

1. Walk/Jog at least 3 times
2. utilize 'Lose It' application everyday- which helps count daily calories

How can you help?
I'd love suggestions for goals, motivation, encouragement, Biblical support and reminders...

OK... I'm going to work on completing goal #1 by going for a jog... well mostly walk with some jogging here and there- until I get back in the swing of jogging!

But before I go I wanted to update ya:
*I started my MBA program last week- yay!!
*Our church has a prospective pastor- you have no idea how exciting that is!  Even more exciting... I actually like what I've heard about him so far...
*I'm on vacation this entire week- a much needed break- and a perfect time to start my lifestyle change

OK... I'm off for a jog- I'd love to get updated on your lives!  Please let me know how you've been!