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!

Joni Eareckson Tada

Most of you don’t know that I am Premier Designs “Jewelry Lady”.

I have been involved with Premier Designs for over 8 years and have been truly blessed by being a part of this company. It is biblically based and the focus has been and always will be on SERVING our customers.

I just got home from our National Rally where the New Fall Line is introduced along with fabulous training, inspiration and motivation.

They often have very well known speakers, such as Josh McDowell, Dennis Swanberg, Ellie Kay, and Joni Eareckson Tada.

Joni was on our agenda to speak this week. If you don’t know who she is, she is a strong Christian woman who inspires people all over the world as she shares about how God has given her hope and a purpose.

Joni is a quadripalegic.

She lost the use of her arms and legs in an accident as a young girl and has been in a wheel chair ever since.

Our Co-Founder, Joan Horner and Joni are good friends. I’ve been to Joan’s home and have seen all of Joni’s books and even an original painting by Joni.

At Joni’s scheduled time to speak at the Rally, instead of Joni coming out in person, there was a video instead.

Joni could not attend the National Rally because she found out that she has breast cancer.

Of all things….cancer.

This woman has gone through so very much and has come through a warrior for the lord, and now she has a new battle to fight.

When I went outside to purchase Joni’s book and a devotional that she wrote, I told the gal behind the table that I would be praying for Joni.

The gal was grateful and said that THAT was what she needed. That when Joni found out she would have to have her breast removed, she didn’t ask God, “WHY?”.

She knows that God is using her and will continue to use her in this situation.

What would you have done?

I have to be honest….I don’t know that I would have had the same response…in fact, I’m sure I would not have.

I doubt that I would be as strong as Joni.

I doubt that I would see my misgiving as an opportunity to serve others through it…

I doubt that I would even be thinking about anyone else except myself.

In fact, as I continue to heal with the loss of my father, I quickly got a new perspective on my life and my blessings, and my hurt cannot compare to hers.

What can I complain about that would even compare to Joni? NOTHING…..nothing.

Lord, be with Joni. Give her peace that surpasses all understanding, strength and courage knowing that YOU will never leave or forsake her. Lord, allow healing and give her comfort as she goes through her surgery.

And Lord, bless Joni.

Bless her abundantly more than she can ask or imagine…

as she serves the one and only high God….

our Lord,

and our Savior.

..............................Comfort from GOD

I had the pleasure of speaking with the MOPS group at Yorba Linda Presbyterian Church last Wednesday night. God is so GOOD!
I have to admit that I wasn't as prepared as usual since we changed the topic at the last minute. I felt a little insecure (I always do, but more than usual) since I didn't have as much time reviewing my talk, but I knew I had to lay that down at the lord's feet and TRUST in HIM...
.
My whole reason for speaking at MOPS is to encourage, spur on and cheer on these Moms. GOD is FAITHFUL and DEPENDABLE!
In spite of myself, he uses me. I show up and there is a puppet show that goes on with the LORD being the puppeteer... have you ever felt like that? If not, it is strange and sometimes I don't even remember what I said at the end of the talk.....
I was personally touched by one mom's vulnerability and tears. She was craving friendship- deeper friendships.
Life is hard, even with the loving God we have, can I hear an "AMEN"? I don't believe that being a Christian means that all of a sudden, everything comes to us, things are easy and we are abundantly blessed in every area of our life....on the contrary. When we say "YES" to the Lord, we give HIM permission to work in us and through us and many times that means growth....and growth hurts. It may mean having a time, a long, long time in the desert so that we learn to depend on him and not others for whatever our needs have been...it may also not be temporary, but a lifetime challenge that we will be facing on a daily basis.
What has helped me get through the HUGE LOSS of a friend and father has been my faith, my hope and my surrender to the one who made me. I can't rest in my dad's arms anymore, but I have a Father in heaven who holds me with his ever encompassing arms to reassure me and love me:

The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastres,
he leads me to quiet waters,
HE RESTORES MY SOUL.
Psalm 23 goes on...
Your rod and your staff they comfort me....

No one has been able to comfort me, not my husband, friends, shopping, eating, exercise, nothing, except when I finally surrendered my hurt in my heart to HIM.

I hope you find comfort today, wherever you are, in whatever you are doing, with knowledge that God, our Father, loves you, wants to embrace you, lead you and comfort you.