So far so good on day one of Clean Eating. I have tried to eat protein and a complex carb at each meal, increase the fruits and vegetables, stay away from the sugars and white stuff, and generally behave. I haven't really been hungry, and everything has been pretty good so far. I am trying to be more adventurous with my food too....made a fritatta-type thing this morning with egg whites and chicken and tomatos, had a berry smoothie at lunch, and cooked quinoa with our pork chops at supper AND even tried brussel sprouts for the first time! I roasted them in the oven with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic, and they weren't too bad. I do think there is some degree of acquired taste with them, but I was proud of myself for branching out. So...yay for one day of good eating so far!
And in other news....you know you have a weight problem when you go to draw blood on a patient, and she looks you right in the eyes and says "So, when is your baby due?". Ummm...yea, I'm not pregnant, just fat. Grrreat. Nothing to make you encouraged than the ol' thinkin your pregnant when you're not conversation! Of course, I will say I felt much better when she was looking down by the floor and thought she saw a dog...and then, she started reaching out to touch the wall, because she thought it was slick. Yea...the dog thing REALLY helped redeem the moment! No dogs in that hospital room, no sirree!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Book Review: Life in Spite of Me: Extraordinary Hope After a Fatal Choice
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Spite-Me-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B0036S4EX2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1322115689&sr=1-1
Life, In Spite of Me is the beautiful, redemptive story of Kristen Anderson. Kristen had a rather idyllic life growing up, but as the teenage years moved on, she began to experience more and more problems, including the suicide of a dear friend and a rape. These life-altering events, combined with the tension and angst so common during the teenage years erupted into a powerful and dangerous state of mind which led Kristen to attempt suicide by laying on the tracks in the path of an oncoming train. She tells this story in vivid detail, and goes on to share the struggles she faced after surviving this ordeal. She is very open and honest about her feelings as well as her pain, and in a beautiful way unfolds the story of how she became a new creation in Christ, and has continued to serve Him with her entire life.
I truly was inspired by this book. The story of hope that is contained in this book is a very powerful one. As a mother, it was difficult to imagine the pain this young lady went through, not only before her suicide attempt, but in the time since as well. But, seeing how the hand of God led her into a relationship with Himself, and then used this tragic time in her life to help others is amazing. I wouldn't say this is a "feel-good" book, as there is nothing lighthearted about suicide or the consequences for the person who attempts this route, nor the people that love them. However, seeing the hope that is on such full display in Kristen's life as she tells the story is truly inspirational.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Life, In Spite of Me is the beautiful, redemptive story of Kristen Anderson. Kristen had a rather idyllic life growing up, but as the teenage years moved on, she began to experience more and more problems, including the suicide of a dear friend and a rape. These life-altering events, combined with the tension and angst so common during the teenage years erupted into a powerful and dangerous state of mind which led Kristen to attempt suicide by laying on the tracks in the path of an oncoming train. She tells this story in vivid detail, and goes on to share the struggles she faced after surviving this ordeal. She is very open and honest about her feelings as well as her pain, and in a beautiful way unfolds the story of how she became a new creation in Christ, and has continued to serve Him with her entire life.
I truly was inspired by this book. The story of hope that is contained in this book is a very powerful one. As a mother, it was difficult to imagine the pain this young lady went through, not only before her suicide attempt, but in the time since as well. But, seeing how the hand of God led her into a relationship with Himself, and then used this tragic time in her life to help others is amazing. I wouldn't say this is a "feel-good" book, as there is nothing lighthearted about suicide or the consequences for the person who attempts this route, nor the people that love them. However, seeing the hope that is on such full display in Kristen's life as she tells the story is truly inspirational.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Sunday, November 20, 2011
I miss running
I miss running. I really do. I have been taking walks nearly every day with my kids, which has been wonderful, but I really miss being in the shape to run. This time last year I ran a half marathon and was well on my way to weight loss success. This year, I am a slug whose butt is so big I hardly recognize it. There is something about the season that makes me miss running more too, I think. The cooler weather (at least every now and then) and the Christmas lights starting to go up. It's the time of year it just feels good to get out and let your own two feet take you places, and feel the amazement at your own self as you realize you haven't run this far without a walk break in a very long time. I could try again...and I will try again. My boys would be fine with me running, and my girl is in the stroller, so there really isn't a good reason why I can't. I think I havne't though, just because I have been so darn tired and also so uncomfotable as I try to run. I am big. I have a lot of extra weight right now. I am not training for anything. I guess the walking just seems easier right now. And part of me thinks that is all fine and dandy. No big deal. Walking is something and at least you are out there. But then, another part of me, the bigger part knows I can do more. It knows what it is to run 8 miles without a walk break, feel the steady breathing and the cool air in my lungs, and have my muscles fatiguing as I go...I love that feeling. I miss that feeling. I intend to know that feeling again.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Goal Setting
Okay....not like I haven't done this at least a hundred times, but I need to do some Goal Setting! One of my heros, Dave Ramsey, talks a lot about Goal Setting. He said on a podcast I listened to the other night that if you set definable, measurable, clear goals with a timeline you are well on your way to success, and in the top 5% of people...now, exactly what that "top 5%" is, I am not sure, but hey, it still sounds like a good thing to be! I have been thinking about these goals some, and not saying they won't evolve and be adjusted here and there, but I have to start somewhere, so I will start now. Not to be like a mid-life crisis person or anything, but I just am not really happy with my life right now. I will be turning 40 in about 5 months, and the title of my blog really resonates with me: This is your life, Stacy, are you who you wanna be? Well, actually no. I am far from who I want to be, truth be told. In some areas I think I am doing all right, making lots of progress even, but in so many others, I am so far from who I want to be, and so far from where I even have been before. I want to regain the parts of me that have been lost through the years of bad marriage....I want to regain the parts of me that have been lost through poor financial behavior. I want to lose the parts of me that have been gained in food taken in mindlessly to fill whatever needs aren't being filled elsewhere. I have the next 5 months until I turn 40 to make a legit beginning again...and hopefully can carry the goals to completion and/or continuing progress. I only have this one life....its a gift from my God, and what I do with it is my gift to Him...not to be cliche or velveeta-cheesy about it, but it is so true. I need to honor Him with this gift of life...and be who He designed me to be...not this messed up mess that I have allowed my circumstances to make me into. So: Here goes: Over the next 5 months, here are some goals I want to begin working on:
1. Spiritual: I want to spend some time in God's Word each day...even if it is only a verse or two! I want to be in the Word. I would like to memorize a new verse at least every 2 weeks. That would be about 10 new verses between now and the big 4-0. I also want to keep up with my prayer list. I want to make sure I cover the whole thing at least once each week. ( I really want to do more than that, but I am trying to do something that is do-able, so as not to get discouraged.)
2. Family: I want to love better. Even if I do not feel loved, I want to choose to love. After all, I promised that I would. I must make it a daily choice. I do it already by cooking, cleaning, earning a paycheck, and taking care of all the home stuff, but I need to be kinder in my words and for sure in my thoughts and attitudes. Loving my kids is easy....crazy about them. I want to love them better though with my time. I want to give them as much of it as I can. I know this isn't measurable really, but I do want to make a concerted effort to love well.
3. Finances: We will be nearly debt-free by the time I hit 40. Would love to make it by the end of 2012. In order to do that, we will need to --eat at home. --use a grocery list. --not impulse buy stuff. --go easy on the gifts. --stay the course. We have paid our debt down over the last several years from nearly 100K down to a little less than 30K....we WILL get there!
4. Intellectual: I love to read. Have been doing a lot of it. Need to keep that up! I would like to challenge myself to read at least 1 nonfiction book per week. I am probably reading 2-3 books most weeks, but need to make at least one of them something I can learn from.
5. Physical: Okay, here we go again..but it is the thorn in my flesh, dontcha know! I want to lose 10 pounds/month minimum (should be do-able) from now until the big 4-0, continuing on after that until I have lost a total of at least 100 pounds. I have got to do it to be me again, and to get healthy. I have got to do it to be there for my kids. I have got to do it to honor the Temple the Lord has given me...it's His house after all!
So, there!! A place to begin. Lets hope I can keep at it and bring this together. Not in my strength, but in His, of course!
1. Spiritual: I want to spend some time in God's Word each day...even if it is only a verse or two! I want to be in the Word. I would like to memorize a new verse at least every 2 weeks. That would be about 10 new verses between now and the big 4-0. I also want to keep up with my prayer list. I want to make sure I cover the whole thing at least once each week. ( I really want to do more than that, but I am trying to do something that is do-able, so as not to get discouraged.)
2. Family: I want to love better. Even if I do not feel loved, I want to choose to love. After all, I promised that I would. I must make it a daily choice. I do it already by cooking, cleaning, earning a paycheck, and taking care of all the home stuff, but I need to be kinder in my words and for sure in my thoughts and attitudes. Loving my kids is easy....crazy about them. I want to love them better though with my time. I want to give them as much of it as I can. I know this isn't measurable really, but I do want to make a concerted effort to love well.
3. Finances: We will be nearly debt-free by the time I hit 40. Would love to make it by the end of 2012. In order to do that, we will need to --eat at home. --use a grocery list. --not impulse buy stuff. --go easy on the gifts. --stay the course. We have paid our debt down over the last several years from nearly 100K down to a little less than 30K....we WILL get there!
4. Intellectual: I love to read. Have been doing a lot of it. Need to keep that up! I would like to challenge myself to read at least 1 nonfiction book per week. I am probably reading 2-3 books most weeks, but need to make at least one of them something I can learn from.
5. Physical: Okay, here we go again..but it is the thorn in my flesh, dontcha know! I want to lose 10 pounds/month minimum (should be do-able) from now until the big 4-0, continuing on after that until I have lost a total of at least 100 pounds. I have got to do it to be me again, and to get healthy. I have got to do it to be there for my kids. I have got to do it to honor the Temple the Lord has given me...it's His house after all!
So, there!! A place to begin. Lets hope I can keep at it and bring this together. Not in my strength, but in His, of course!
"Book" Review--Word of Promise New Testament, Audio Bible
The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible is a dramatized, audio version of the New King James Version (NKJV) of the New Testament. Many famous voices are heard in this Bible, including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Marisa Tomei as Mary Magdalene, Stacey Keach as Paul, and Lou Gossett, Jr. as John, as well as a host of others. It is a word-for-word rendering of the Scriptures, complete with sound effects and background instrumental music to accompany the narration.
I enjoyed listening to this Bible a great deal. It brings the Scriptures to life without being cheesy, as many audio recordings can be. The voices are believable and helped me to visualize the stories in a way that was different than when I simply read. As the Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing", and this is a great way to hear the Word. I enjoyed both the segments of dialogue and the telling of stories with realistic sounds you would expect to hear in the background of the setting of the stories, as well as the narration of the Epistles. I would recommend this audio version of the New Testament wholeheartedly to anyone who would like a fresh way to hear the Word.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
I enjoyed listening to this Bible a great deal. It brings the Scriptures to life without being cheesy, as many audio recordings can be. The voices are believable and helped me to visualize the stories in a way that was different than when I simply read. As the Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing", and this is a great way to hear the Word. I enjoyed both the segments of dialogue and the telling of stories with realistic sounds you would expect to hear in the background of the setting of the stories, as well as the narration of the Epistles. I would recommend this audio version of the New Testament wholeheartedly to anyone who would like a fresh way to hear the Word.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Thursday, November 10, 2011
It's REALLY that big?!!!
Okay, so obviously, I haven 't been on the wagon with the eating and exercising, as evidenced by the fact I have been remiss (again) at blogging. And, let me say....it is terribly depressing! I got a view today of my butt in the mirror with my jammies on before I went to sleep, and it was like...holy cow! I knew it was big, but I had NO IDEA it was THAT big!!! What a wake-up call! I am really, really in need of some discipline. I will be turning 40 in about 5 months....wonder how far I can make it in that amount of time? Wonder if I can get some discipline about me? Because what I am doing now just simply isn't happening. And I sure would love to be well on my way by the time that 4-0 hits! So, do I have a plan? Well, not really...but I do know a ton of stuff about what I SHOULD and SHOULD NOT be doing....so, time to ditch the excuses and pull it together....lets do this!
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