Get fit for 30- 5 month update

Month 5- behind me. My present and future await. 

This month my weight loss slowed, as I am inching my way towards final goals- toning up and then on to the task and learning process of maintaining.  To date my current progress is a whopping 44 pounds!

Earlier this month I participated in my first 5k.  I proudly walked the 3.3 miles alongside breast cancer fighters & survivors.  

Me, Emily & Missy after finishing our 5K

One family touched my heart, a woman around my age, a baby stroller with a little one strapped snugly inside, her husband by her side… she was a survivor.  I thought about her story and the many others as I walked a glimpse of their world with them on that beautiful morning.  I thought about my own story- so much in this life is unsure- so much isn’t guaranteed.  We aren’t given a card of perfect health, we aren’t promised riches, fame, or no stress.  But, as children of the King, we are promised that His plan is perfect, and even though that does mean challenges with our health, struggles along the way, days that we will feel weary & times when in all honesty we do feel very alone.  The reality is that He is right by our side and when we learn to actively walk our life’s journeys with Him leading us, we get to experience peace in the midst of storms, victories in the middle of challenges and His joy, love and meaning to life that goes deeper than anything this world offers.  Authentic, saving faith.  

This month my weight loss meant I was able to participate in a Sunday morning walk with two of my friends and be reminded in a new way of all that I have to be thankful for.  My life is not perfect.  My kids fight- a lot.  I get overwhelmed.  I fall behind on housework.  I take for granted things and people that should be deeply appreciated & I am ashamed to admit how selfish I can be.  All that in mind- I have a Savior who loves me more than anything, just as I am.  I can never do anything to increase or decrease His perfect unconditional love… I can just accept His perfect offer of grace and soak it up every moment when I once again fall short. 

On to month 6!  Let my story continue to unfold.  

Get Fit for 30- 4 Month Update

4 months behind me and 40 pounds off me. What I do not miss about that 40 pounds

• Felt like carrying around my 4 year old all day and all night
• Hauling 8 gallons of milk everywhere I went
• Less energy
• Bigger jeans
• Self conscious
• The mom who sat on the sidelines instead of chasing the boys around the yard
• Missed opportunities to be active with my family
• Feeling defeated instead of victorious
• Overwhelmed
• Like the goal of 40 pounds could never, ever, ever be reached

Looking forward to month 5 of choosing health over comfort food- and finding new ways to deal with stress than turning to chocolate.  Working towards a new goal & being active everyday. Can't wait to see what I won't miss about the next 10 pounds!!   

Enjoy the Day You Have Been Gifted

What does it mean to enjoy the day you have been gifted?  


I thought about this as I made a simple list of activities I wanted to make sure to enjoy with my kiddos this summer.  The list somehow didn't include cleaning, maintaining a spotless house, or striving to live in "perfect-town".  That doesn't mean that daily clean-up routines aren't still in place,  that laundry isn't getting done, dishes are left on the counter or that our home is complete and total chaos.  What is DOES mean is that my kids are my priority this summer.  


That translates into popsicles in the sun, setting up a slip & slide and sporting my suit to enjoy it with them, hikes, campouts, bike riding, climbing trees & practicing bb gun shooting.  (which I can proudly say my 6 year old totally rocks at!)   I am actively making a point to be present in their days, to get to know each of them on an individual level... what they like, dislike, what really brings out that thrill of life in each of them.

Backyard sprinkler on a hot summer day

To talk about important morals, in a very laid back setting...  daily devotions on our porch in the morning sunshine while sharing fruit and yogurt smoothies.  Picnic lunches as we marvel together over God's beautiful creation.  Watching the lightening out our living room window and then playing hide and seek in the dark when the power went out!  Realizing the simple, plain and total truth that each day that passes they are growing up before my eyes- I have truly been gifted 3 little blessings who some how aren't staying little for very long.  I want to make the most of the days we share together-  to work our butts off picking up the house so we can get outside and enjoy the day together.  I am mindfully not just trying to "get through" the day anymore- but believe me when I say that place is very familiar to me in the not so distant past.  A place where I honestly treated my boys more like burdens than blessings... God is teaching me otherwise, but that means setting aside my own selfishness on a moment by moment basis. 

Bible reading and smoothie time!

It is an honor to share my time, energy, focus and attention with these little guys- an honor that will all too soon be a memory.  I want to actively build a foundation that lasts not just for this life- but build up a foundation that has roots running to eternity.  I want to teach, mold and nurture these little souls that mean more to me than words can describe.  


So far this summer I have learned that even during the super challenging days- there are little moments of peace.  I am choosing tho focus on these moments.  I have learned that my 6 year old can honestly out run me in races, and that I don't stand a chance if he is "it" while playing tag.  I have learned that my almost 4 year old is awesome at bike riding.  I have learned that my 2 year old can climb a pole to the top, do the slip and slide with more coordination than I could have guessed and is basically fearless-  not a totally good quality when jumping from high places.  I have been in on tender moments of prayer,  of witnessing true repentance when they are learning from mistakes and how to swallow my own pride and admit when I am wrong and ask them for forgiveness.  I have seen them buddy up and actually be really good friends to each other-  trust me, some days I feel more like referee than anything else.  Moments of friendship, concern or true brotherly love give me hope!  God's grace runs true and deep through our home-  we need it, depend on it and ask for it.  I truly am absolutely nothing without Him.  His strength is what gives me the energy to keep up with these guys and I am at a point in my life where I desire authentic faith more than anything.  I long to live a life that when the rubber hits the road, when things are rough, the days are long and challenging, we are still living in His perfect joy.  His peace is above our circumstances, and I am working on claiming that in my every day life.  


I look forward to all the things I know these guys will teach me as we share the rest of this summer together- and I am actively going to choose to appreciate each day I share with them.

My husband and boys enjoying the sunset while camping

Blessings!  

Get Fit for 30- 3 Month Update

Month 3 is now a thing of the past-  My weight-loss accomplishment to date is 34 pounds!  When I decided to give this my best shot- I never would have guessed that I would have come so far at my 3 month mark.  I was actually hoping for around 22 pounds by this point, so I am just thrilled that my progress is exceeding my goal!  


We went camping for Father's Day and I think what stood out most to me was how much I enjoyed being active with my husband and kids.  Every morning after breakfast we went and explored a new hiking trail and accomplished anywhere from one to two miles together.  It was just awesome to be out in God's creation with my family.  Even our 2 year old did the treks on his own (no backpack or stroller!)  3 months ago I would have opted out.  Stayed back at the campsite and missed out on 3 wonderful mornings with my guys.  I am so thankful for my new found energy and motivation and the very practical, every day, impact it is having on my life!  


On to month 4- a new goal is set- more camping trips are on our calendar and I am looking forward to the ongoing, daily enjoyment of life!  

Sunday morning hike around Star Lake- breathtaking!