One thing that is great about starting my day with the Lord is that I have time to pray and ask Him to help me through the day. So yesterday (and today as well) I prayed that God would give me strength to go through the day making healthy choices. I prayed that He would keep me strong against temptations. I gave to Him my day and told Him I wanted to hunger for HIM, not food.
I was in a great mood when I got to work, feeling at peace and satisfied. Then I opened my work email and read that one of my coworkers had brought in donuts for everyone. I almost said out loud, "Seriously, Lord? You're going to test me already?" I resolved then and there that I would not touch the donuts, so I went about my business. Fortunately for me, the donuts were downstairs in another part of the building, so I didn't have to face them directly. In fact, by mid-morning I had completely forgotten about them. All was right with the world.
Then I had to go downstairs on that side of the building to hand over a check. It was almost time for lunch, and my stomach was rumbling with hunger. I was almost to my destination when I spotted it: that all-too-familiar white bakery box that I KNEW had delectable donuts inside. I didn't stop then but headed to my destination, but in my mind I was thinking, "Okay, I will just look and see which ones are there, and if my favorite is among them, I'll eat it." Then as I got closer to the donuts, dreaming about eating one, I stopped myself. What was I doing?? What kind of logic was I using? Uh, sure, Erin, glut yourself on a donut, only as long as it's one you REALLY like. Good grief! So I marched right past that box of donuts and back upstairs to my desk, not looking back.
And you know what? I was actually a little sad for a few minutes, but I would have been much sadder had I actually given in and had that donut. That day, the donut lost, and I won. The war continues, but I have experienced victory in at least one battle.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
July Goals
Apparently, I decided to take a week off from goal-setting and goal-achieving, since I neglected to make any goals for July until now. Oops. But I'm always of the mindset of better late than never, so here are my goals for this month:
1. Get into the 180s. The 190s and I have had about enough of each other, so THIS will be the month where we say goodbye! This morning I was still at 193, so I have at least 4 pounds to lose to get to the 180s, and I'd of course love to lose a little more than that this month.
2. Complete one month of weekly strength training using this book, You Are Your Own Gym, as my guide. The plan he devises for beginners calls for only 20-30 minutes, 4 times a week. There is no reason why I shouldn't be able to do that, barring some sort of injury. The author, Mark Lauren, says that weight training is vastly superior to cardio (and I think he even would say cardio is a waste of time compared to weight training), so I am going to give my time to strength training for this month to see what kind of difference it makes. I love that all the exercises are bodyweight exercises, so they require no equipment beyond things like a wall or a sturdy table/chair. I'm all about simplicity.
3. Wake up at 6:00 a.m. for Bible reading and prayer. I got up at 6:10 this morning and was able to get in some solid time with God's Word, and I really do need this first thing in the day. At night I am already so sleepy that I am really not giving God my best, just my leftovers. This month I am planning to read through Ecclesiastes and Philippians, plus a Psalm a day.
4. Track all of my food and stay in range 5/7 days a week. I didn't do well with this goal last month AT ALL, so I am hoping that I can get it in gear this month.
5. No eating after 8 p.m. I found myself falling into the habit of nighttime snacking, and by then I've already eaten my calories for the day, so I need to kick this habit to the curb!
Those are my goals for this month (what's left of the month anyway). I'm also planning to weigh myself every day this month, in the hopes that doing so will help me stay on track. I feel good today, and tomorrow I will tell you all about my encounter with donuts!
1. Get into the 180s. The 190s and I have had about enough of each other, so THIS will be the month where we say goodbye! This morning I was still at 193, so I have at least 4 pounds to lose to get to the 180s, and I'd of course love to lose a little more than that this month.
2. Complete one month of weekly strength training using this book, You Are Your Own Gym, as my guide. The plan he devises for beginners calls for only 20-30 minutes, 4 times a week. There is no reason why I shouldn't be able to do that, barring some sort of injury. The author, Mark Lauren, says that weight training is vastly superior to cardio (and I think he even would say cardio is a waste of time compared to weight training), so I am going to give my time to strength training for this month to see what kind of difference it makes. I love that all the exercises are bodyweight exercises, so they require no equipment beyond things like a wall or a sturdy table/chair. I'm all about simplicity.
3. Wake up at 6:00 a.m. for Bible reading and prayer. I got up at 6:10 this morning and was able to get in some solid time with God's Word, and I really do need this first thing in the day. At night I am already so sleepy that I am really not giving God my best, just my leftovers. This month I am planning to read through Ecclesiastes and Philippians, plus a Psalm a day.
4. Track all of my food and stay in range 5/7 days a week. I didn't do well with this goal last month AT ALL, so I am hoping that I can get it in gear this month.
5. No eating after 8 p.m. I found myself falling into the habit of nighttime snacking, and by then I've already eaten my calories for the day, so I need to kick this habit to the curb!
Those are my goals for this month (what's left of the month anyway). I'm also planning to weigh myself every day this month, in the hopes that doing so will help me stay on track. I feel good today, and tomorrow I will tell you all about my encounter with donuts!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Lots of Happy
Happy Independence Day to all my American readers (which I'm assuming is most of you)! Today also marks the fourth month of Charlotte's life, so in honor of both, a few pictures:
Her outfit was purchased by my mom, aka Nana, and I think it is absolutely adorable. I can't believe how big she looks! And would you believe that twice in the last week she has slept from 8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.?? It was amazing, but of course that sort of thing is still the exception and not the norm. Most other nights she sleeps from 8:00 or 8:30 until 3:00, then we get her to go back to sleep (most of the time without feeding her), and then she wakes up for the day between 6:00 and 7:00. She's also graced us with more of her giggles, due mainly to Stephen's mom, whom Charlotte apparently finds quite amusing. I hope to capture her giggles on camera at some point because they are SO cute. She grins pretty much all the time, except of course when it's time to take a nap or go to bed, and then she's fussing and fighting sleep. One day I will tell her about her resistance to sleep, and she will undoubtedly think, "Why in the world did I think it would be good NOT to sleep?"
I hope you all have had a great holiday weekend!
Her outfit was purchased by my mom, aka Nana, and I think it is absolutely adorable. I can't believe how big she looks! And would you believe that twice in the last week she has slept from 8:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.?? It was amazing, but of course that sort of thing is still the exception and not the norm. Most other nights she sleeps from 8:00 or 8:30 until 3:00, then we get her to go back to sleep (most of the time without feeding her), and then she wakes up for the day between 6:00 and 7:00. She's also graced us with more of her giggles, due mainly to Stephen's mom, whom Charlotte apparently finds quite amusing. I hope to capture her giggles on camera at some point because they are SO cute. She grins pretty much all the time, except of course when it's time to take a nap or go to bed, and then she's fussing and fighting sleep. One day I will tell her about her resistance to sleep, and she will undoubtedly think, "Why in the world did I think it would be good NOT to sleep?"
I hope you all have had a great holiday weekend!
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