I Did It!

A while back, my friend and I were memorizing scripture together every week. We haven't done it for a while, with her having a baby and life's busyness, but I crave to do that again...and I will.

One of the scriptures we memorized was 1 Corinthians 9:25-28 which says, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

I have been convicted time and time again from this passage. My life lacks a lot of self-control and my body lacks discipline. It probably is nothing that seems "major," but small things add up. Areas like amount of my computer usage, not being in God's word daily, laziness, food consumption and organization have all been filled with little self-control and discipline. I have slowly been working over the last few months to live by this verse. I started working out a couple of months ago, not to be skinny, but to be healthy and to do something consistently. I have tried to set aside time every day for me and God, and have been working to be a better organizer in our home.

Then after Christmas, I decided my body needed a sugar detox and I made a goal to not eat sugar for 30 days. I started December 27 and here we are, January 27, and I have not had any sugar! I have kept away from all candies, cookies, baked goods, sugary drinks and even ice cream, my biggest weakness.

Over this last month I have learned this...when I am trying to practice self-control it's not supposed to be easy, that's why it's a form of exercise! If not eating sweets was easy for me, I wouldn't have to use the absence of it as a lesson in self-control. If I just gave in and had a little bit of gelato because it was free and we were at a friend's restaurant and I LOOVE ice cream, or just a little bite of Cheesecake because, come on, we are at the Cheesecake Factory, my challenge would be useless. You mean I can't even have half of that scone? NO! Either work on self-control or don't! I have been in each of these positions this last month. I have been faced with many offers for sweets...and I have said no every time!

I'm not saying all of this to be "puffed up" or proud. I say it because self-control with food is one of my biggest areas of weakness in life and God has shown me this month that I can do it!

From here, I plan to keep sugar out of my diet for the most part. In fact, that doesn't really sadden me. I have been researching the effects of refined sugar on our bodies, and I don't like what it does! Yes I really enjoy the taste of it, but God has shown me I don't need it all the time...I will eat sweets on special occasions, but in moderation. I want to use this lesson to continue in my quest for self-control and discipline.

Yes..Day 30 Happened!

Wo...where have the blogs been? I've been super busy and haven't had a minute to blog, but...I DID Day 30...and not today..about a week ago. I finally completed the 30 Day Shred after starting it at least 3 other times.

Reflections:
I'm so proud that I can not only see visible results from choosing to eat healthily and exercise, but I can also feel results. I am able to do more, exercise longer and can feel muscle in my body. Yesterday I was flexing my abs, arms and legs and, like a little kid saying, "Look at my muscles!" I was making Kyle touch them :). I find that I want to choose something healthy over unhealthy to eat and I've gone almost 1 whole month without ANY sugary foods or drinks! I'll reflect more on that after I complete that goal. I wake up in the morning thinking that I need to exercise and if I don't, I feel like I've forgotten to do something that day. I don't want to stop now.

Today I tried a pilates video. I really like pilates I've discovered. While there isn't much cardio in it necessarily, it's great for stretching and it is challenging. I'll probably alternate between that, Jillian Michaels and some outdoor running. I was so excited when the "Level 3" girl did a crunch that I was able to do from 30 Day Shred's level 1 girl...woo!

Well..now that I'm done with my 30 days, I will still blog with updates on my journey to a healthy body!

Day 29!!!

One more day to go! Woo! I'm so excited to complete this goal! BTW, I did my weekly weigh-in yesterday and have lost 5 pounds since deciding to not eat sugar. I feel so good and it's only 5 pounds!

Looking forward to tomorrow...

Day 27 and 28

Wo, just realized I didn't fulfill my commitment. Sheesh. I didn't work out Saturday or Sunday due to busyness! But first thing this morning I was on it! So, today through Wednesday will complete my goal! I'm starting to plan my workout routine after I finish. It's really not realistic, as you can see, for me to work out every day. So I'm planning a schedule that I can stick to and accomplish. I'll post it once I figure it out. Until then, here's to 2 more days of 30 Day Shred!

Day 26

I had to work out a little later today, but I was proud that I completed it still. I let Niah watch some cartoons while I was working on something else so I did my video after. I tried a few of the more advanced moves and was so surprised that I could do them! I'm getting so much stronger. I can't wait to see more transformation in my muscles!

Day 25

I have a cut on the bottom of my toe. Cuts on your toes don't agree with sumo squats and rock star jumps...let me tell you! I was trying to wimp out and then Kyle said, "If Jillian was in this room would you tell her you can't work out because your toe hurts?" No. I wouldn't. So I kept going. And was happy I did. When I weighed myself I have lost another pound! Woohoo! I think I'm going to start weighing myself once a week instead of every day. I know you aren't supposed to, but I always do. So, Mondays will be my weigh in day. I'm so excited to accomplish this goal of 30 days that I've had. I'm starting to feel like it's more and more part of my routine. Only 5 more days!

Bathroom Redo - Painted Cabinets

Back in March of 2009 I was posting pretty regularly on our house projects. Well...I posted these pictures of our bathroom and these also, but recently, Kyle and I finally got to painting the cabinets...something we've been intending to do for a long time. We bought the knobs over a year ago when we went to San Francisco for our anniversary, so they are special and I just love them on the cabinets! What do you think?

Day 24 - The Home Stretch

I've been getting lazy in the last few days. I've worked out every other day or even every 2 days. I have 5 more days to complete my 30 day goal and I committed to Kyle this morning that I don't quit until I'm done. Which means I will work out today through Sunday, with no breaks. I can do it! I'm looking for something to do once I finish the 30 days. I'm starting to get bored and need a new routine. I may go for runs in the morning or do another video I have. We'll see.

I'm starting to feel a lot less like I NEED sugar. It's been almost a week and the first few days I was craving sugar like crazy. Now I'm not thinking about it constantly, which is good :). I was so proud that when I went to lunch with a good friend the other day I didn't even eat the fortune cookie! It may not seem like a big deal, but I usually justify the little things as "it's just a little cookie." But I'm learning self-control! Woo! BTW, I got on the scale this morning and have lost 2 pounds. Yay!

I've been researching eating real food only. We have very little processed food in our house as it is, but there is a lot of talk about real food diets and I'm starting to look more into it. Kyle jokingly calls me a granola bar, but if it will make our family more healthy, it's worth it. It involves eating pastured poultry (they eat the grass and bugs from the pasture they live in, not corn fed), grass-fed beef, cage free organic eggs (which I already buy) and raw milks and cheeses. Plus, making my own bread (something I've wanted to do anyway) and using whole wheat or even sprouted wheat. We are going to cut down on grains to lose weight, but neither of us can ever give up bread completely...so I'll make my own! I'll let you know what I find in my research.

Well, I'm committing to my friends who read this that I will finish my 30 days, no more excuses, no more breaks!