I went shopping at Trader Joe’s last night with the hubby and baby J.  We asked his mother to come by and watch the 3 older kids for an hour. There’s something about shopping without kids that is quite refreshing.  Josiah is only 3 months old, so he’s still mom’s little buddy and goes with me everywhere, he was an angel at the store and slept for most of our meanderings.

As we were shopping I saw these:

They looked good, sitting so lovely and all alone on the freezer shelf of Trader Joe’s.

I was very tempted to buy 2 boxes, which is what the old me would have done. Being pregnant for so long, it’s become quite natural for me to give into every craving I’ve had. I would justify it when I was with child, and rightfully so.  Even now (45+ pounds later) I don’t regret giving-in to those pregnant cravings for ice cream, Taco Bell or xLarge french fries! For me, it was part of the experience and helped get me through those long months of being uncomfortable.

So even though I still look round and with child, I’m happy to say I’m not pregnant.  Nothing makes a girl want to loose weight than having strangers ask her when her due date is. (yes this has happend to me 3 times over the last few weeks!)

I’m reading the book Made to Crave and it’s really REALLY awesome!  Here are the Top Ten Things I’m learning from this book.

1. God made us to crave.  The object of our craving was never supposed to be food.

2. I need to use my cravings for unhealthy food as a prompting to pray.

3. Instead of wallowing in what I can’t have, I’m making the choice to celebrate what I can have.

4. If I’m determine to get healthy, I will have to give up certain things and change my habits.

5. Accountability is crucial.

6. I was made for more than being ruled by my taste buds.

7. Living in victory tastes sweeter than any unhealthy delicacy.

8. The deeper reason for choosing to get healthy is to help me grow closer to God.

9. Issues with food can hold me back from my calling and commitment to Christ.

10.  Being ruled by anything other thing God is something God takes seriously, and so should I.

Happy Monday guys!

I’ve begun week 3 on my 7 week roadtrip to no more pudge, and I’m off to a great start. This morning I worked out, drank a smoothie for breakfast and had only 1 cup of coffee (so far – haha)! I feel really good today, I think this is going to be a fantastic week.

I’m diving into week two of my seven week journey with excitement and gumption!  I began today with a green smoothie, a workout to Jillian Michaels and a whole lot of water. 

As of now I’m working out every 3 days, I plan to increase my frequency after this week to every other day and then eventually every day.  Currently, I’m using Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred DVD, it’s 20 minutes but the workout I get is incredible, I suggest you pick up a copy next time you’re at Target, it’s only $9.00.  This DVD is challenging for all levels: beginners to advanced, I guarantee you’ll get your heart rate up!

In this DVD, Jillian says “If you want results, they’re not coming for free.” 

So it made me think: what results do I want?

• A healthier and smaller body
• Stronger muscles
• Healthy eating habits
• A love for water and green tea (over coffee and soda)

These results are not coming for free.  I must work out.  I must drink water.  I must say no to foods that are not good for me.  It’s requiring work, but I’m staying focused.

Getting healthy is a process, but I’m learning and growing stronger every day.

As I’m reading through the book Made To Crave, it’s encouraging to follow Made to Crave on Twitter.  Here is a tweet from a few days ago:

I’m learning to turn to the Lord and pray when I’m tempted to eat more than I need to or when I want to fill my body with junk food.

I weighed myself this morning and I’m down 5 pounds from 185 down to 180. WOOOOHOOO!  Positive results are a sure fire way to motivate me to keep going.

Happy Monday everyone!

Yikes.

I’ve been so nervous about this post because, well frankly, seeing those photos of myself is scary and a bit humbling; but, I knew I needed to write this post for the mere fact that it brings accountability.

And accountability is exactly what I need to finish this task.

For those of you that may not know, I have four amazing little munchkins in my life: 5, 3, 1 and an 11 week old and I love them dearly, I do!  But, I don’t love what 5 years of pregnancy has done to my body.

I know what you’re thinking….you just had a baby….yes, yes I did, all the more reason to get back into shape.  I have a lot of little ones that need me, therefore I must be strong and healthy for my task.

If you watched my video from Monday, you know that I’m serious this time about losing weight.

For myself.
For my family.
For my future.

I’ve been reading Made To Crave and it is piercing through some deep issues in my heart.  For example, the verse in 1st Corinthians 10:23 says, “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.”  The fact that Lysa applied this verse to her eating habits, has dramatically changed my approach toward food.

Everything is permissible:  I can eat cheese puffs, oreos, cheese burgers, fries, soda and ice cream and still live.
BUT, not everything is beneficial.  Those foods do not benefit me, they do not nourish me the way God intended food to.

You’re probably thinking DUH, everyone knows that.  I too know that truth about food, and I’ve also read that verse hundreds of times, however, it took Lysa writing it in her book and applying it to food that caused a little lightbulb in my head to turn on!

I need to crave the right thing.  I need to choose foods that benefit me, and lately that means eating a piece of fruit instead of 3-4 packages of fruit snacks.  Or making a smoothie instead of drinking soda when I need that mid day pick-me-up.  Instead of wallowing in what I can’t have, I’m learning to enjoy and be content with what I CAN have! (pg. 30)

I’m on a seven week journey towards change, and it’s not easy, I’m having to force myself to make wise choices when it comes to food and exercise.  But I know in the end I will be happier and healthier if I stay focused.

{Sigh}

Okay, time for more humbling info. about myself.

My currently measurements are:

Weight: 185.6
Waist: 41″
Chest & arms combined 46″
Butt: 47″
Arms: 12.5″
Upper thigh: 30″

Each week I will post my current stats to see the change taking place, again, this helps keep me accountable and say no to those blueberry muffins staring me in the face right now.

This is an exciting journey I’m embarking on, I’m using 2 books to help me out: Made to Crave and Making the Cut.  I’m also journaling and praying a lot.  This change in me is only made possible by Jesus and my dependence on and obedience to HIM.

Well, I’m off to work out and then make myself a smoothie.  Wish me luck!

Can you believe we’re already into the second week of 2012? I can tell that this is going to be a GREAT year, not just for me but for you too!

Right now, I’m about to embark on a seven week journey that will change me inside and out.

Watch:

Stay tuned for more tomorrow…..