Motivational Monday

Just Because We CAN Do Something Doesn't Mean We Should....

I have been having the BEST time this summer, 
how about you?

 I wanted to share with you about my new opportunity to serve my church.

I was asked to teach a Cross Fitness class on our church campus every Wednesday night and 

I am absolutely having a blast! 

Since my usual speaking/teaching ministry during the year is through the school year, 

and my summer is free, I thought I would say "Yes" to this.

The first night was great- there were about 12 or so people who showed up and then the following week, it was about the same.

This week we had a large group, very mixed, FUN group!

Thank you all for coming!

Here are some pics-

Fitness seems to be the new buzzword and people are becoming so much more aware of their health!

Many of us are getting fit in the area by taking some of the classes at Saddleback,

shoot, they offer something everyday- 

Yoga on Mondays and Wednesday mornings,
 Zumba on Tuesday nights, 
MY CLASS "The Cross Fitness" class on Wednesday nights, 
Cardio Kick-boxing on Thursday nights 
and I''m not sure what is on Fridays, 
but on Saturday mornings there is another Boot Camp taught by Tony Lattimore- 

ALL FOR FREEEEEEEE!!!

Anyhow, this week I was thinking about The Cross Fitness Class and how hard we all worked,
 and that if we only work out and don't change our eating, 

we may get stronger and have more endurance,
 but it is the food that is the BIG game changer.

I've also had a couple of the gals ask me about food /snacks and there are so many ideas in my head about where to start, that I decided to make a list of flat out "NO's".

Absolute NO's.....

If you want to change your body, you will have to change what you feed it- 

To change what you feed it, 
your desire to change must outweigh your desire to stay the same, 

or the desire for comfort-

I get it- 

we eat what we like, 

but IF you want to make some changes and to want lose some of the reason you may have high blood pressure, or shortness of breath, or get taken off some of that medication, or you just want to lose some body fat, you have got to make a decision that you are going to say "NO!"
You will have to say, "NO"  to some of the things you used to say "yes" to.

And the funny thing- 

 I wonder why there has to be a LAW to have people wear a seat belt.

Why wouldn't you if you know it would potentially save your life if you were in an accident?

Why would you smoke if you know it causes lung cancer not only in you, 

but in anyone that breathes your smoke?

Why do I eat fried food when the oil and fat outweigh any benefit to eating that food?

Because WE want to, and we CAN, and we have NO reason NOT to.....

No one is going to stop you from buying that "ka-ka", 

it is all about money.

You eat poorly, you keep the fast food restaurants, doctors and pharmacies in business.

I hope this makes you mad,

mad enough to do something about it-

I got that mad.

I care about my body, my children's bodies, my husband's body, 
so I decided to make some adjustments to what I provide in my home. 

 I am responsible for 99% of what my family eats and so are you- so think about that.....

if your child is overweight,

 think about what is in your cupboards. 

What YOU have put in YOUR cupboards and YOUR family are feeding themselves with....
There is a battle going on!

Enough of my mini-rant-  

Top 10 Edibles You Should Say "NO" To:

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup - this is bad stuff
2. Fried Foods- they make them taste good with all the bad stuff
3. Sugar-white sugar is so bad- all candy, etc.
4. Corn- yes- look into it- corn turns into some kind of poison in your body!
5. Soda- ALL soda, diet, too.
6.White Flour- anything that has flour in it!( breads, cakes, pastries, donuts, crackers)
7. Hydrogenated oil- use coconut oil
8. Margarine 
9.Fatty beef- go for lean turkey or chicken
10. Ice Cream- change it for a Skinny Cow or Non-fat chocolate pudding w/whipped cream!
11. Potato chips (or corn chips)- too much salt, and yes, I DO know how good these bad boys taste!

12. GMO's - genetically manufactured organisms, it even sounds gross. Yes, they are added into so many foods that what we are eating today is drastically different than the food we used to eat.

Here are some things you should say "YES" To:

1. Blueberries- ALL berries!!
2. ALL green leafies- letttuce, romaine, kale,  not too much dressing but enough to make them edible!
3.Salmon/tuna
4. Nuts (almonds & walnuts are the best) in moderation
5. Water, lots and lots- add lemon, orange to add to the enjoyment!
6. Chia seed or Flax seed 
7. Wheat flour
8. Brown rice or even better, Quinoa - soooo good!
9.Protein Bars- always have one in your purse of bag in case of an emergency
10. Greek Yogurt- yum! It has protein in it, too!
11. Oatmeal- I eat this with Chia/blueberries EVERY morning!
12. Protein shakes- I drink a shake every morning and after every workout! (feeds your muscles!)
13. Pop chips, Rice chips as an alternative to potato chips/corn chips

I'm doing a study on Nehemiah and in the chapter we are studying, Nehemiah had a job that provided food and drink that the King was accessible to - but because his people were having to suffer so the King could have all he had, 

Nehemiah decided he wouldn't eat the food the King ate or drink what the King drank. 

He would eat what his people were eating.

Just because he COULD indulge didn't mean he HAD TO.

We eat so much that we don't NEED- I'll be the first to admit it.

A box of Hot Tamales is $1.00, not a lot of money for something that gives me pleasure. 

But as  got to thinking about that- I realized that the pleasure I receive is temporary- 

it provides me with no real nutritional value and cost me a dollar. 

Do I NEED my Hot Tamales? 

Maybe once a month I can justify it (during that time), but really, no, I don't.  

So I reaaaaaallllly try to only eat them when someone gives them to me, 

which is usually a gift.

So what about you? 

What do you think you might need to say "NO" to today- 

just one item on this list will get you started.

 Stick with that for a week and see what happens.

Then add another- this is a list that my family sticks to pretty good,

 but I am by all means NOT a legalist when it comes to life. 

When we are at a party, the kids can drink soda, but it is not an everyday thing- 

fried foods maybe once every two weeks, if that.

If I can do it- so can you.

I grew up in a home where there were chips in the cupboard and snacks all around!

I've had to change what I put into my cupboards so that I can change what goes into the mouths of the people I love!

Here is my prayer for you:

Father God,

Thank you for this reader and friend!

Thank you for his/her body, mind and spirit.

Lord, 

we come to you today to ask for your wisdom, for your power and your spirit of discipline that you freely share with us when we believe.

I ask that this reader would feel convicted today to "give up" something that he/she has been eating 

that is not edifying to the body you have given him/her.

I pray that your Sprit would move him/her to release the selfish desire to fill him/herself with something that is not healthy or beneficial to his/her body,

but would choose to feed his/her body with

only foods that are nutritious and beneficial to his/her body.

I ask this in Jesus' Holy name!

Amen!

Think about it-

What will you give up this week?

What can you really live without?

Is God prompting you to give up something you don't need?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Have a blessed day!

Fit, Fabulous, 40's, Friday

YAY!

Good morning!

Hope you are as excited as I am today!

Yesterday the topic of "Change" and "Being Uncomfortable" came up at least 3 times, 

and all

in regards to exercise and fitness.

This beautiful blonde in my bible study asked what kinds of workouts I did. 

She noticed my arms and thought that I looked fit.

Now, I'm going to let you in on a secret-

every week that I saw her, I thought,

"She's so pretty and lean."

She runs.

She runs with a few of the gals that I know-

I used to call them the "Skinny blonde girls" at the gym,

because everyone gets a nickname there,

 right?

(I'm not proud that I do that, but it is the way I recognize the regulars at the gym

and in my mind, I am secretly saying "hello" to them.

Here are just a few of mine,

"Thunder Thighs"-a man, believe it or not!

The Hispanic Running Man

The Hat Girl

The Future Fitness Competitor...

I can only imagine what people are labeling me- 

The Loud Asian Girl/Lady

The Girl that Laughs Loud)

Getting back to the question that the pretty blonde asked me,

"What do you do?"

(I've been asked that quite a few times before- at the market (Tara),  Target, the gym, etc)

Before I could respond, she said,

"You lift weights, huh?"

I said,

"Yes, I do! I do cardio, too and have been focusing on it more because summer is coming".

So, what does that have to do with change?

I am really making an effort to change up my routine.

I think I may be in a rut.

 

Are you?

I like the idea of knowing what I"m doing each day of the week,

which body part I'm working, cardio, etc.

It's predictable.

Safe.

I KNOW it and I like it that way!

However,

my body is not responding to my work out the way it did years ago.

In fact, 

I put on a few L.B.s

and THAT, I don't like.

Oh, and summer, bathing suits, shorts...skin...

so,

I'm forcing myself to rev up the cardio and yes, I'm changing my workout a bit.

I want it more than the fear of being uncomfortable...

Whenever there is change you can expect some uncomfortableness. 

Is that even a word?

And yes,

So here I am,

making some changes.

Jillian Michaels says, "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable".

So,

I've been running more and believe it or not,

I'm changing up my routine.

Here are five ways you can change your routine:

1. Reverse the order of your routine

Your body gets used to the same routine, same order, same weight, etc. 

Go backwards!

2. Add one new machine or exercise to what you already do

ASK someone (who seems legit, errr, knowledgable, a trainer or google) for a new exercise to add to what you are already working on.

3. Focus on FORM over FUNCTION

Do your routine super slow, focusing on the muscle,

technique, technique, technique!

4. Workout with someone

Working out with someone is great to change things up, 

you will get new ideas and inspiration.

5.Double your cardio or try a new machine

I am an advocate for cardio!

Go for a run OUTside, or do some sprints in the gym, or high legs or Killers-

 If you are working hard through your weight workout, 

you will keep your heart rate up, but there are very few who do-

(because of chatting, not going heavy enough, etc)

So,

DO CARDIO-

it is good for you!

6. **Here is an extra one-**

TRY a new class!

I just started teaching a Fit Camp @ Saddleback Church on Wednesday nights for FREEEEEEE-

the church also has Zumba on Tuesday nights and Cardio Kickboxing on Thursday nights

 (if you are local)as part of the Daniel Plan!

Come on out!!

What do you want to try this next week?

How will you change your routine?

Maybe you need to start one?

Need suggestions? Email me!

Just GET MOVING!!

Have a blessed day!

The Life of Mom

Ok, I know it's been years since I've posted! 
(yes, I'm an exaggerator by nature)

Months?

No- actually weeks,

and only 4 that feel like 8!

My children had all that End-Of-The-Year stuff going on and because they are my priority,

I've put their activities on the top of the list,

consequently,

I've been a little Tired-Mama, and I haven't posted.

I like to keep things like this to remind me of my main life purpose:

But honestly,

with three active children,

I think that, believe that,

and 

sometimes feel like this!

I've used this pic before and it just makes me giggle- note one shoe is missing!

How are YOU holding up?

Just 3 days after school ended

we packed up and headed north to Yosemite.

To cut the trip in half, because of the kids,

we drove to Fresno for dinner,

spent the night in a hotel and headed for Yosemite the next day

  As much as I am a "City Girl",

I love, love the forest and the trees!

I just feel small there.

The trees and forest are SO big!

There is NOTHING like the smell of pine trees and the breeze that rushes through the forest!

I must admit there were moments when I was wondering if I would see a vampire!

(if you have a teen girl, you will get it)

It was so beautiful and the weather was perfect!

We went rafting...

actually, we went "floating".

Not too many rapids or rough water.

 We went fishing...

we went biking...

seriously has been years since I have ridden a bike!

We went hiking in my favorite Mizunos

  Of course, we took a hike to see the Giant Redwoods- so beautiful!

 t reminds me how very tiny I really am in the realm of this earth.

In MY head, I can be very BIG-

you know what I mean?

Being outside in the world gives me perspective. 

I tend to get very caught up in my little life,

I sometimes worry and spend energy on things and ideas that really,

at the end of my life will not matter. 

In fact, I don't really like hiking, mosquitoes, bears or vampires,

but I put aside "my" issues to make memories with my children,

my family.

I only have them for a very short time.

I am one, very small, yet important part of this world,

and so are you.

Enjoy your day today!

That "thing" that you may be worried about, serious as it may be,

is already taken care of -

we are fearful that it would not be taken care of the way WE may want it to be taken care of -

but that is NOT our job-

our purpose is to love others,

today,

in this very moment,

enjoy God's gifts

this very moment,

and be grateful,

this very moment for all that we have.

THIS DAY!!

THIS MOMENT!

       One last picture -

the tiny white dot to the left at about 9 o'clock is one of my children climbing the rocks- 

perspective!

Matthew 6:34

The Message (MSG)

³⁴ “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Psalm 118:24

New Living Translation (NLT)          

                                                   "This is the day the Lord has made

                                                     We will rejoice and be glad in it!"

What about you?

Doing anything fun?

How do you enjoy the lonnnnnnnng summer with your children?

Where is your favorite place to visit?