April 10th:

I was up and letting the dogs out to potty this morning.  I carried my dumbbells out on the back porch and did 15 minutes of arm and waist exercises while I waited.  Then I headed to the living room and started my Kettlebell DVD.  I was unable to finish the routine but I worked at it for 15 minutes.

Going to the BEACH: 
Steve and I are making plans to go to the Beach.

Getting ready to go to the beach can motivate a body to exercise!!   I have 4 weeks!!  Yikes!!

I am so looking forward to spending time with extended family, getting a tan, laying on the beach, and relaxing either by the pool or out on the veranda, reading my Kindle and praying.  Walking up and down the beach and getting a natural pedicure sounds pretty good too. 

I would like to see ONE sunrise and a few sunsets.  I really want to enjoy the sun, all of God's Glory and REST!!  I will use LOTS of Sunscreen!!!!!

Man!!  List of thing to do:  Find my swimsuits, try them on, buy a new swimsuit, locate my shorts and t-shirts, dye my cover-up a fresh new color, "do I have any flip-flops?", buy sunscreen....

Motivational Thoughts:
Here are 10 ways to get Flat Abs... I need that!!
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/core-health

Inspirational:
Psalm 37:23-24
"²³The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. ²⁴Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."(NIV)
Just remember, that even in your lowest point, God is still there with you. He is holding your hand through your trials and tribulations, till you make your way back up again.

1 Peter 5:7
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NIV)
I always think of this verse when I have so much on my mind and it seems like I have nobody to talk to. Then, I remember that God is always there for me to tell my worries too. Sometimes we just need to tell Him what burdens us so that we can find relief. Talking to God can help so much when you think all is lost.

*Please pray for my sister-in-law, Jo Ann Garmon, (Steve's brother's wife).  She is battling cancer.  The best thing we can do is PRAY.  "Please God, bring healing and may your name be glorified!"

April 9th:

 I have not blogged since last Tuesday... I have been so busy!!

I am on task!!  I have lost 3 pounds!!  Woo Hoo!  I have not diligently logged my food intake cause I have not taken the time to sit down at the computer for several days... I have been enjoying life too much to be in front of the computer.

Steve and I took a day off on Thursday, April 5th and Friday was a Holiday, Good Friday, and then Saturday and Sunday.  It was the best long weekend I have had in a long time!

Exercise:
Wednesday -dumbbells
Thursday -Kettlebells
Friday A.M.-Yard work flower bed cleanup... Whew!!
Friday 7:00ish -Yard work planting... Whew!!

Friday Night -Extremely sore!!
Saturday -Unbelievably sore
Sunday -Still sore
Monday -Getting better... Achy.
Tuesday -Will start back with Kettlebells!

Yard Work:
Look at the results of all my hard work. 

 

(Did you find two of my dogs in one of the pictures?)

New Haircut:
Thursday I got a new haircut.  Man!  It must have been a great weekend... I look tired!

The hair is a little short but all the layers are now where they need to be.  Once it has grown an inch or two, it will be great!


Motivational Thoughts:
Here are seven tips to stay motivated in your fitness program:
http://www.bestkettlebellworkout.com/7-tips-to-stay-motivated/


Here is an exercise guide for Kettlebell exercises with video for correct movements:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/finder/lookup/filter/equipment/id/10/equipment/kettlebells

Women's Health Total body transforamtion:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/video/fitness/total-body-transformation-workout-month-one#/video/all/created/d/1?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-842008-_-03122012-_-ReadMore&smartcode=NLS842008

Summer is almost here!  Swimsuits?!!  Work hard for that swimsuit you want to wear!!

Inspirational:

Romans 8:28

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Keeping busy:
Easter morning!!

April 3rd:

Daily Comments:
Times certainly does fly!  It has been almost two weeks since I blogged last and I am worse for it.  I have gained two more pounds.  I thought I was ready to get back to my commitment but I guess not.

I am going to try again!!! 

First off I am going to stop counting the weeks as I have been doing.  How long this journey takes is not relevant.  The key is...I am on the journey. 

I am going to start making short range goals for myself.  There are 30 days in the month of April.  My goal this month is to lose 12 pounds.  I want to be healthy!  I want to lose this unwanted weight and feel good.  Summer is coming and I want to wear a swimsuit this summer and feel good wearing it.  I will let you know tomorrow if I found the strength or willpower to get out of the bed early enough to use my dumbbells and Kettlebells.  Pray that I do!!

Inspirational Thought:

Philippians 4:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

Final Exhortations

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Good stuff:

This is my grand baby, Arianna, seven months old now!! 

 

 

 

Keeping busy: 

Going to the shooting range has become a once a week trip for me and my shooting is improving!  

I purchased a Kel-Tec PF9, 9mm, handgun.  It is small and lightweight.  But the three times I have shot it, it has hurt the palm of my hand.  My dad shaved off some rough edges on the grip and magazine.  I bought a slip-on rubber grip that feels good.  I can not wait to go shooting again so I can try it out.  I hope it fixes the problem.  I am registered for two classes, "Intro to Defensive Pistol I" and "CHL"(Concealed Handgun License).  Fun stuff!!  I am having a good time... I think that is why my focus is not on eating better and exercising.  But I can do it all... right!!

Food Diary:
Breakfast:  Two eggs scrambled, toast with 1 tsp Country Crock and 1 tsp of jelly
Lunch:  Luby's vegetable plate; broccoli, green beans, cabbage, and fried zucchini
Dinner: Home-made beef and vegetable soup

Thursday, Week 33:

Daily Comments:
My six week recovery from surgery ended yesterday.  During this six weeks I have not only fell off the wagon, I walked away from the wagon.  I have gained 8 pounds.  I have enjoyed numerous, excellent tasting, chocolate chip cookies and lots of good food.

This morning I did not get out of bed in time to start back with my Kettlebells but I did pick up my 10 lb. Kettlebell and passed it around my body 5 or 6 times.  It was heavy!  I can tell I have a long way back to where I was before surgery.  I have got to find my gumption to get there.

I will weight in this Saturday and on Sunday, Week 34, I will start the hike back to the wagon.  I will start logging my food once again.  Logging my food makes the biggest difference in my weight loss.  I will start my Kettlebells (maybe 5 lbs) again.  I will start "The Plank" again.  I may only be able to do 15 seconds but I will build up my time.  I love being in my size 12 pants and I want to continue my weight loss journey.

I encourage you to continue on your weight loss journey.  It is a journey.  Not a struggle.  Not a pain. Not a restriction.  It is a journey of making excellent choices.  Do not cut out everything, just account for it.  Eating well makes you feel good.  Fruits and vegetables taste great!!  How many have you eaten today?

Inspirational Thought:
Ephesians 1: 3-14
³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
 ¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Wednesday, Week 32:

 Daily Comments:
 Steve, Marty , and I left work at 4:00 today and went to the shooting range.  We shot my .38 special, 357 Magnum with .38 caliber bullets, and my 9 shot .22 pistol.  Here is a picture of Marty shooting.

While I was at the shooting center, I signed up for a class to be held on April 16th, "Ladies-Intro to Defensive Pistol".  See the link below.  I can't wait.
http://360tacticaltraining.com/index.php/classes/detail/ladies_only_intro_to_defensive_pistol/

Pepaw is working on putting together a pistol cleaning kit just for me that will have all that is needed for cleaning .22's, 38's, and 9mm.  I have not bought my Walther yet.  I am not sure which one is going to be perfect for me.  Steve said I need to go to a gun store and touch 'em, hold 'em, squeeze 'em and see which one feels right.

I am feeling better!  A week and a half and maybe I can start back on my Kettlebells!!

Inspirational Thought:
Dedicated to Mom!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmAi_qJoPbU&list=PL617792885415F918&index=10&feature=plpp_video


Food Diary:
Breakfast:  70 calorie Peach Activia, toast and 1 tsp Country Crock
Lunch:  Pradaria, meat and salad
Dinner:  Made made beef and vegetable soup

Tuesday, Week 32:

Inspirational Thought: 
Carrie Underwood... Wow!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk&feature=related


Food Diary:
Breakfast:  100 calorie bagel with cream cheese, two eggs
Lunch:  Caribbean Salad with grilled chicken at Chili's
Snack:  M&M's
Dinner:  Porkloin, a little macaroni and cheese, field peas

Monday, Week 32:

(Week 5 after surgery)
Daily Comments:
Day Light Saving Time... Woo Hoo!!  I love all the extra sunlight.  It makes it easier to walk away from the T.V. and enjoy the outside.  I look forward to walking and riding a bike outside when the weather is not wet and cold.  Working in the yard to redo my flowerbeds sounds inviting too.  At work I have an office with three large window.  I open the blinds everyday so that even though I am inside I am enjoying the day.

Saturday was such a busy day for me.  I cleaned house almost all day.  It had been 5 or 6 weeks since I "really" cleaned.  Man!!  It is sparkling right now.  I was worn out from all the cleaning but not before I sat down with Pepaw and learned the fine art of gun cleaning and the name of all the parts of the gun and how to break one of the automatics down and put it back together.  I had so much fun!!  I can't wait to dirty them up and clean them again.

Sunday was busy as well.  Worship is always great!  Marty and I had lunch at Olive Garden and that is always good.  Then I ran errands.  To PetSmart for dog nail clippers and of course dog toys.  To the Bible Book store and bought a bible bag that looks like a small Brighton purse.  I love it!  It has a small cross with a heart on the front.  It looked like this but ALL black.

 Then off to the grocery store for the weekly supplies to fill the frig and cabinets.  The family came over for T-bone steaks on the grill.  Anthony, my grandson, cooked.  He is a good cook!!  I will buy the meat and he can cook any day.

Arianna is growing so fast.  She is 6 months now.   Take a look at this!!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=2777978249999&set=vb.1274401548&type=2&theater

 


Inspirational Thought: 

Here is good music for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqw22vf-Mbk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhuHOz9-W98&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpaJNVkEfbE&feature=related


Food Diary:
Breakfast:  Sugar free oatmeal and 100 calorie bagel with cream cheese
Lunch:  Ham and green beans
Snack:  M&M's
Dinner:  Crawfish and Oysters on the half shell... Yummm!