I Did it!!!!!

OK, this is gonna be a short and sweet post. The first 7 days I lost 7 pounds!!! YAY!!!!! I have never been able to do that. I have also started a devotional journal. It's called: Looking Up: Trusting God with your Every Need. It's by Beth Moore. I have only done one day so far. I like it.

Bible Verse of the day:
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;
your love, O Lord, endures forever-
do not abandon the works of your hands."
-Psalms 138:8

Have a great day and may God Bless you. Thank you for believing in me. :)

Not as hard as I thought it would be...

So, I started this journey last Wednesday. It hasn't been nearly as hard as I thought it would. Nor has it been as hard as it has been in the past. I'm not sure what is the difference, but this is working. I am quite certain that it has to do with the fact that I have been doing a LOT of talking to God during this time. There have been many things needing prayers, and I find myself talking to Him at various, random times throughout the day. It's not just at home in the few silent times I have. It's all day, everyday. It's like I will think of something out of the blue and offer up a little prayer for it. It is refreshing.

Now, with that said, let me tell you something. This last week has not been without its bumps in my plan. I have been curbing my snacking and making myself drink water and walk. That is the great part. Unfortunately, I have had some "oops" moments. Like yesterday. Emily was VERY sick. So, we had drive thru dinner. What did I eat? Chicken nuggets! Really. Chicken nuggets. Not on the plan. But, here is the difference this time around. I ate poorly last night, but I got right back on track today, packing a salad with grilled chicken and oranges to take to work. I have NEVER had willpower like this. That is how I know that I am not on this journey alone. Thanks for listening. 

Tomorrow I will send a little note on the dreaded "weigh-in". NO,  I am not posting the number, rather "the lost".

Improving my life from the inside out: Ash Wednesday...and the rest of my life.

Improving my life from the inside out: Ash Wednesday...and the rest of my life.: "So, today is Ash Wednesday. My kids and I have been talking about what we are 'giving up' this year. So I have decided to give up...nothing...."

Ash Wednesday...and the rest of my life.

So, today is Ash Wednesday. My kids and I have been talking about what we are "giving up" this year. So I have decided to give up...nothing. That's right. Nothing. Why? Well, here goes...

This is going to be something new for me. This year for Lent, i am not going to try (and subsequently fail) to "give something up". Instead I am going to try to succeed at something new. An improved me...

Now, I know that lenten sacrifices are not about ourselves. That is not what this is. Yes, I know I said it's called an improved ME, but by improving myself, I am hoping to improve those around me, my relationship with my siblings and children, my prayer and devotional life, and the relationship I have with God. I need improvements in all of those areas, so I am going to try to improve me.

So, this blogging thing is new for me, so bear with me. I have found writing to help get through things in the past, and I am hoping it to help me stick with this as well. I am going to try to blog about how things are going and what I am doing to improve. It isn't going to be an everyday blog, but it will be here. Additionally, I am hoping that by "writing" it down, it will help me be accountable. I am starting with baby steps.

Today's outcome...Got up earlier than usual and walked/jogged for 20 minutes. It felt good, it really did. I followed by eating a good breakfast (something I am REALLY bad at). The rest of the day was pretty mediocre. I didn't get to attend Ash Wednesday services because Becca had a concert. While I missed going to services, I love going to concerts and hearing Becca play! The concert was awesome and I got to hang out with an awesome mom I know and haven't really had the time to hang out with lately! It was a pretty good day overall. So, basically today I exercised a little and totally ate better than I normally do. Day one was a success...let's see how the rest go.

Love to all :)