Power, Love, and Self-Control

Exercise - Nature's Way

Working out(side)

...the way God intended it!

We've done our share of it the last couple of days.

I go to bed tired and sore

but fully aware of having used my entire body in a productive way!

another word for "maintenance"

I'm on the hunt for it -- another word for THIS one.

Something positive.

Something life-affirming.

Something friendly.

Something energetic.

What do YOU suggest?

What a treat! The dough for these raisin bran muffins can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. I like it 'cause I can bake as many or as few as I want. I cut the oil and sugar in the recipe by about 1/2. Once again, the Fast-5 lifestyle lets me enjoy these goodies as long as they are eaten within the 5 hour "window". Yum!

Preaching to Myself

She (on Fast-5 facebook page) Ok, so I'm back. Grass is not greener and still want to lose about 25 pounds. :)

Me There IS no greener grass - just blessed correlations between energy, effort, choices and consistency (at least in my experience).

Even as these words slipped easily off my fingertips,

I realized it was MYSELF I was preaching to!

Every day I must PREACH.

Every day I must PRACTICE.

Away From and Toward

"The current lap of our health journey is challenging us to reevaluate goals (more seriously explore and support the body’s self-healing properties rather than just manage symptoms) and modify lifestyle habits away from convenience and desire toward responsibility. It’s a spiritual journey as well as a gritty marathon requiring strong will and stamina. We’re feeling challenged to care for our miraculous bodies as a test, a way to manifest faith."

I didn't ask Beth for permission to use this paragraph from her recent post

here on my health/weight control blog.

(I hope she is in a giving and forgiving spirit!)

But oh, my goodness! The phrase "modify lifestyle habits AWAY from convenience and desire TOWARD responsibility" just jumped OUT at me!
That is the epitome of self-discipline.

Caring for my miraculous body IS both a "test" and "a way to manifest faith".

So much to think about. So much to change. So much to practice.

Thank you, Beth.

Help me, God!

Checking "Out"

Checking out for the week - just going on record that I achieved my goal of 30 minutes of indoor exercise without letting 2 days in a row go without... That added up to four days. I'm feeling FIT and FINE.

My plan is to continue the pattern next week. After a third week, I'll consider it a "habit"!

Fast 5 Goes to California

Next Monday, my husband and I will be attending a conference that we attended a year ago. This year it is in California! I am suddenly aware that I'll see people who haven't seen me between conferences. I weigh 45 pounds less than I did then.

The thought amazes and humbles me - both at the same time. I am SO thankful for the past year. Lessons learned. Health enjoyed. A new "lease on life" (as some call it).

Though meals will be provided and scheduled at "normal" eating hours, I will continue to practice my Fast-5 lifestyle while there.

I'm excited to escape the frigid weather
we are experiencing here in northeast Indiana

and hope to see some SUNSHINE.

Finally

Well, this morning I FINALLY added 30 minutes of exercise to my day. (Hangs head in shame.) I find Leslie Sansone's "Walk Away the Pounds" to be do-able at my age. Plus it's something I can do without leaving the house or buying equipment. However, I must say, the 45 pounds I've lost with Fast-5 last year happened without the discipline of deliberate exercise! I find that amazing.

My intention is to continue the 30 minutes of indoor walking without letting two days in a row go without it.

Eating Out

Lemon pepper broiled trout, baked sweet potato (is that a hint of cinnamon I detect?) and house salad with bleu cheese dressing. And biscuits, of course!

Just sayin'...

Oh! Have I said this before?

Phewwwwwwwww!

....that's all I can say!

Well. Not quite all. In the past, I let one incident (or day) of veering from my "diet" divert me, depress me, and derail me. I seem to gain weight very quickly, and so after a few days of indiscriminate and uncontrolled eating, I would pack on five to ten pounds before I knew it. THIS time, I stopped it before that kind of weight gain happened. I woke up the next day and ate sensibly and stayed within the Fast-5 window. And then the next day, too. And today is Day 3.

Phewwwwwwwwwww! That's all I can say.

Meanwhile -


...hope I don't alienate any of my thousands of followers :)

Checking In

I said I'd check in - so this is me being accountable to me.

I stayed within my window,

ate sensible portions,

and had about 5 bites of my husband's blizzard.
Now THIS "feels" better!

"Firm Prior Resolve"

My experience is that the absence of firm prior resolve results in regular rationalization.

Like when to go to bed, etc. (a John Piper tweet)

When to go to bed is not my personal issue,

but I HAVE caught myself regressing into rationalization lately.

I have begun THIS day replacing rationalization (before it becomes "regular")

with FIRM PRIOR RESOLVE.

I'll report in tomorrow.

Chocolate

"I'd give up chocolate, but I'm not a quitter!"

I saw this hanging on the wall of a writer's office

in a blog post this morning.

Kind of says what's on my mind this morning.

I DO need to cut back to a sane amount, though.

Moderation in ALL things.

Little Foxes

Oh, how I HOPE you can read this!
Especially the paragraph that starts with "Compromise....")
It's those darned "little foxes"!

I know what some of mine are,

and I'm "on" them today!

(This is a page from More Precious than Silver: 366 Daily Devotional Readings,

by Joni Eareekson Tada.)

That Woman is a Success . . .
Found at itsnotaboutfood.blogspot.com

who loves life
and lives it to the fullest;

who has discovered and shared
the strengths and talents
that are uniquely her own;

who puts her best into each task
and leaves each situation
better than she found it;

who seeks and finds
that which is beautiful
in all people and all things;

whose heart is full of love
and warm with compassion;

who has found joy in living
and peace within herself.

~ Barbara J. Burrow ~

To which I add, "who makes God's kingdom and His righteousness her #1 priority"....(rlg)

"A day must come in our lives, as definite as the day of our conversion, when we give up all right to ourselves and submit to the absolute Lordship of Jesus Christ. . . . there must be a day when, without reservation, we surrender everything to Him--ourselves, our families, our possessions, our business and our time. All we are and have becomes His, to be held henceforth entirely at His disposal. From that day we are no longer our own masters, but only stewards. Not until the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a settled thing in our hearts can the Holy Spirit really operate effectively in us. He cannot direct our lives effectively until all control of them is committed to Him. If we do not give Him absolute authority in our lives, He can be present, but He cannot be powerful. The power of the Spirit is stayed." (Watchman Nee)

"Each day you take a few small steps, then build on them day after day. There may be set backs, everyone has them, but those victories will add up, and then pretty soon you'll be amazed at how different your life has become. And what could be more alluring than the prospect of waking up to your best life? So roll up your sleeves and get to work!"

"Remember, every step you take toward reaching your weight loss goal is really a gift that you give to yourself. When you eat right and exercise, you are taking care of yourself, treating yourself with respect, and acknowledging that you deserve* to be healthy and happy.” (Bob Green, The Best Life)

Rebecca's note: I have trouble with "deserve". I want to care for my body because God Himself cares for it! Do I "deserve" health? No, in light of my sinful inclinations and the fall of mankind, health is a gift. A GRACE-gift directly from the hand of God--a gift to be handled thankfully and thoughtfully.