It Takes Time {Striking a Balance with Weight Loss}

Posted on 24 October, 2013 by Laura

I’ve had such a hard time trying to write this post! I fixed up the picture the other day except I couldn’t seem to get the words out. Hate when that happens!

I’m giving it a go and we’ll all hope this wasn’t a waste of your time!

* * * * * * *

When a person sets out to lose weight, they start with gusto! It’s exciting and they are filled with motivation to make better choices. But as time goes on, it becomes hard to stick with it. (Weight does not come off as easily)

It can be easy to slip up and decide we’ve messed the thing up, so why continue?

Women are very aware of their appearance. We know when our clothes become snug or how amazing it is when we tighten a belt to the next notch.

It’s clear that losing weight can become an obsession, and it became a fear that i’d struggle with that.

I ask God to keep me balanced and He has. For those times I don’t want to eat in moderation or would rather not exercise this is His reminder;

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening–it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. ~Hebrews 12:11

It takes time.

I started out extreme and realized I was bitter because of all the things I wouldn’t let myself have. So I decided a long-term weight loss plan would run me to late spring of 2014 and give me a little more freedom.

All these little choices are going to make a difference. (They already are!)

Treadmill

In all of this one of the most exciting decisions was purchasing a treadmill!

I have wanted one for such a long time but couldn’t justify it financially. But we decided to save for it. When I thought we were going to buy one earlier this year we found out we were moving! With the fear of it breaking in the move we waited to buy it at our new home.
I’ve had this for about 2 weeks and am ecstatic over it!

It would be lovely if becoming healthier was a little easier, but it requires both physical activity and limiting how much I eat. I’m striking up a good balance at this point while still being able to enjoy a treat from time to time.

I was either starving or stuffing myself and now feel satisfied.

To close this up, I have been squeezing in time with my son outdoors by hiking and I love it! The other day we went and I realized it’s good to change up how we work out in order to avoid burnout. Would love to hear your favorite physical activity that’s outdoors!

How have you struck up a balance with your health?

Until next time,

Laura

Battling Binge {5 Helpful Ideas}

Posted on 12 September, 2013 by Laura

It has happened twice since I started eating healthier and exercising. I have lost control while eating only meaning to have a semi-unhealthy snack.

I knew that buying that cheesy popcorn for my son was a bad idea. An addict wouldn’t be wise to stock their home with the very thing they are trying to overcome, would they? But I imagined i’d be able to stop and one handful. WRONG.

I had that handful plus some chips and salsa, then a bite of ice cream, and some of those olives i’d been thinking about all week. But then I started hating myself.

‘Why can’t you be stronger?’

I promised to be honest with you about this journey. I’m going to keep that promise and let you in on each part of this uphill battle. If you’re in this with me then lets at least give each other the truth.

I am doing the very best to lose weight and become healthier. It is hard and I mean REALLY hard and don’t let those before and after pictures fool you. Those people put in a lot of work. It did not happen as fast as we blink from one photo to the next. Though I wish it worked that way…

But having the Almighty God holding me up and strengthening me in this battle is a game-changer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

He prompts me, ‘Admit where I fell short, Get up, put on your jeans, drink a glass of water, and talk to me.’

I’m not ready to throw in the towel. I’m just not willing to let satan keep me in bondage when my King gave His life to set me free.

It will happen again. I will be faced with the temptation to binge because for years I have associated food with comfort or relief from stress. It takes implementing new habits in place of the old ones. There is a lot of new things going on and i’m learning.

I sat out on our porch and wrote for awhile about something that affects 7 million people in America. That’s a lot of people struggling who don’t understand they aren’t alone.

Binge eating is embarrassing but let me grab your hand and say, hey i’m fighting it too. Lets shine light on it and move ahead. {Together}

This evening I ate a light dinner, went for a nice run, and didn’t look back. I wrote down some triggers and realized that today I didn’t eat enough and was starving. This is a good lesson to learn now. When your body says feed me because I need fuel to keep moving, well feed it something fresh and good! I’ll know for next time.

I am still loving our new meals and tonight made a veggie pizza on whole wheat pita bread. I normally throw away vegetables but today I told Darren that I would have to run to the store to pick up more for the rest of this week. I love that!

Okay lets wrap this one up with a few pointers for those of us who do occasionally feel the urge to eat everything in sight within a half-hour!

Battling Binge:

1.Make sure you are eating enough
2.Drink plenty of water throughout the day
3.Have healthy snacks on hand
4.Call a friend, stick a piece of gum in your mouth, drink hot tea, paint your nails, or take a bath.
5.Close your eyes and seek Christ first. Tell Him exactly what’s going on and fight the temptation to binge

I watch this show called Parks and Recreation and there is one particular scene where two characters have a day that they treat themselves to whatever they want. I laugh each time I watch it as they take another friend out who is struggling with a break up and barely getting by. They continue to say, ”Treat Yo Self’!’ and eventually he buys what he always wanted, a batman costume! {Watch a clip here}
The point is from time to time it’s okay to have a treat to prevent episodes where you devour everything you were restricting yourself from. Moderation in everything and especially in this area! Go ahead, Treat Yo Self.

Fighting right along-side you dear friend!

Until next time,

Laura

Posted on 3 April, 2012 by Laura

‘How is everything going, are you doing okay?’ she asks through the phone. In a split second I decide to be real.

I go on, “I feel like everything is restrictive in my life, and I understand that in the long run it will bring peace but i’m not quite there yet. We are on a new budget and I can’t spend much, i’m trying to be healthier and have to work out a lot and if i want to lose this weight I can’t eat as much. Then there’s my daily walk with God that involves things i need to do or i’m off which makes all of these new changes overwhelming.’

And she does what God asks of her..

{Reassures}

There is some treasure hidden in my heart that is God’s word. He keeps reminding me of it as often as He sees fit.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

Hebrews 12:11

It’s not pleasant. Trust me.

Regarding budget:

I don’t go to Target anymore because no longer can I blow through $100 on things we don’t really need but I want. That is my favorite store.

Regarding Health:

If I want to lose weight then I need to get up daily (except one day for rest!) and either take a walk or run. Then I need to choose to eat smart and do it in moderation. I can’t snack on junk and expect to lose pounds.

Regarding faith:

If my day is going to go right then the first thing that needs to happen is me sitting before God surrendering and listening to His word. If I choose not to then satan is given an early opportunity to help me choose my own way for that day.

So here is exactly what God let me know today.

He doesn’t intend for me to feel this stuffy..He gave me a choice to accept these things bring freedom.

A budget that seems tight is actually keeping us out of debt and giving him a chance to reveal himself in the neatest ways.

Working out and eating better is going to bring freedom in this body to not be plagued with disease or sickness (God-willing). I will be able to have energy and do the work God desires me to.

Lastly in my faith, Jesus came so that I’d have life and through him I’m free. By meeting with him and following Him that will bring freedom in the deepest way.

He intends good, and it’s through these disciplines that are not pleasant that I will lead a life full to the brim with freedom.

Thank you Lord for that gift!

~*~

Alright a few pictures now

Last night I was wide awake at 2:00AM! I couldn’t sleep and decided to browse craigslist, hoping that’d help me to be sleepy.

I found this beauty..

For $30 to be exact.

Over a month ago i’d organized my pantry with a friend and we decided if I could find a small piece of furniture to fit some things we cleaned out like Tupperware and G’s thing that would be great. So I browsed through thrift stores but didn’t find anything.

The old me would have asked darren if we could go to walmart or target and buy a piece but the new laura on a budget waited patiently and looked pass the mess in my craft room of stuff without a home.

But there at two in the morning I found this!

This evening Darren and I went to pick it up and it fit perfectly in our vehicle.

I placed it in the dining room and couldn’t stop smiling ear to ear. I don’t even need to touch it because it’s my color and completely my style.

What do you think?

Little man decided to inspect.

Will he give his approval?

“Looks good in here”

“Cool knobs I can pull at!”

“Mommy, I approve!”

~*~

Then G and I sat down to do an Easter craft. I honestly bought this at the dollar store with no expectations of what doing a craft with G would be like. It was fun and he seemed to enjoy helping.