If you've been following my IG feed (and you should because there are some exciting things up ahead for John John!) you may have seen me share about wanting to "Reshape it All" and I am so happy that this challenge was set before me & so happy that I am actually facing this challenge head on...most days.
As far as Jesus goes...I've been enjoying two things for my daily reading & devo. The first is She Reads Truth & the second is my most favorite and that's Through the Word. This app is amazing because it starts out with a 10ish-minute message on the reading...then you do the reading & then it gives you a place to journal. I only need my Ipad and 20 minutes to myself to have some time with the Lord. I usually like more than 20 minutes but every day is different...so I never pressure myself into doing more than I choose. When I do it any other way, I fall into the trap of legalism & guilt & really...I'm not a big fan of either. It's MY time with the Lord & nobody gets to tell me it was too long or too short or anything else. Ya know?
Let's talk about diet now, shall we? And no, not the "I'm on a diet" but what is my diet. This has been the hardest thing for me because I strongy dislike the kitchen & really dislike cooking. If I could live on Panda Express, Little Ceasar's Hot & Ready pizza & ice cream & have a life expectacy of more than 32 on that diet I totally would. But, when that's my diet, my entire family suffers. It's not just about me. It's about Matthew & John & of course, the Lord, who has given me this body to glorify Him....which will be hard to do if I am 800lbs & stuck on my couch forever. So, I have been on a mission to find the easiest meals, with the least amount of ingredients & the least amount of time involved. And wouldn't you know it....meals like that are very easy to find, thanks to Pinterest! So, I've been enjoying cooking a tad bit more. I adjust recipes the way I see fit. I used to think I had to do everything just like the recipe said, which made me, again, feel pressure & sometimes even anxiety (lame, right)...and those feelings made cooking a chore. But, since it's MY kitchen & MY meal I've enjoyed a bit more freedom & my family is enjoying home cooked meals that are filling, tasty & healthy. Woohoo! John & I have also been loving using our blender for mid-morning smoothies. I find recipes, adjust to my liking if I need to, & blend away!!!
Eating right has given me waaay more energy. I've stopped wearing makeup (except for when we actually go out and do stuff) around the house or even on quick Target runs (are those ever quick?), because my skin is looking much healthier, and my uneven skin tone is starting to even out. Usually a little mascara is all I'll need. I look in the mirror and my muffin top doesn't have a muffin top anymore & though I'm not sure I've lost weight, there does some to be some fluff missing from my thighs & tummy. With all this extra energy & positive results just from reshaping some of the things, I started working out. If there is one thing I hate more than cooking...it's exercise. But, I realized, just like everything else. It's MY workout & MY body. I don't have to work out 45 minutes a day or do everything the way Jillian Michaels says that I have to. Heck, I don't even have to work out....At night (I secretly) do 30 minutes of Zumba. I found some great workouts on YouTube because I don't like buying workout DVDs & all the things needed for them like mats, weights, balls, kettle bells...any of that, don't want it don't need it! I love Zumba because it's so much FUN! And I do it in secret because I'm pretty sure my husband would die laughing if he saw what I looked like doing Zumba!! =)
During the day, John & I have started getting outside before his nap. We usually stay in and veg out but the sun is so bright & the breeze is perfect! We only have one car which my hubby takes to work & there is no park near by so I put John in his car & we walk to our apartment's tennis courts.
I lock us in & we PLAY! I bring some outdoor toys & while John is busy with those I run a few laps around the court. John usually begins chasing me & we play tag, & tickle monster. I take the kick ball I bring and we throw it around. I do lunges & jumping jacks & John laughs at me and runs in circles until he's dizzy. It is a blast. And I walk away with a
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| I mean, look how beautiful I look with that lazy eye & crazy hair & mismatched tops. #Sarcasm Also...Tiny adorable running partner behind me. |
So, after all of this babbling...what's the point? The point is I am doing WELL! I am enjoying Reshaping it All & I love the results in every aspect of my life. From my prayer life & walk with the Lord, to my ever-so luminous skin, making smoothies & reaping the benefits of healthy dinners to getting outside and not really working out but having a great time being ACTIVE with my son! I want to encourage you to do the same. If you are anything like me & you easily fall into the trap of rules, guidelines, guilt & legalism...LET IT GO!!
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| (OOPS, sorry, we watch a lot of Frozen 'round here) |
& make these things work for you. No excuses anymore, because seriously, if I can do it, ANYBODY can!
