Resolution Update: 5 Months

If you recall my 2013 resolutions, there were only two...spiritual and physical fitness.

As with most resolutions, I started out strong...I was posting instagram pics everyday from the gym and updating weekly with Fitness Friday posts...but there hasn't been one of those since February 24th. Likewise, I was going through the scriptures and posting Project 52 posts every Tuesday...but there hasn't been one of those since January 29th. I feel like such a failure writing those dates.

So, what does that mean for me? Where do I stand with my resolutions?

Well, I am happy with my weight right now. I can fit clothes comfortably that I haven't worn in a while. Currently, I am down 12 pounds from January 1. The goal I set for myself was 25 pounds in 5 months. The goal was very doable considering that I was down to 159 in April. I've eaten healthy and worked out sporadically since April, but I'm going to get back consistent...Going to the grocery store this weekend and committing to working out four days next week like when I started. I think that goal of 25 pounds is still attainable, but just on a different timeline now.

As for my Bible reading...I have a hard time just picking up and not trying to backtrack to where I left off in my daily plan of reading through the entire Bible. But, trying to start from where I stopped will only overwhelm me more. I have to remember that my general goal was to spend time with God daily. So, I will just jump back in. I can say that I have been praying more consistently even though my time in the Word has not been consistent. Hopefully, I can get both on point at the same time. I was recently encouraged by a post from Lanesha @ We Are the Tabbs. She created a prayer journal that was inspired by the book A Woman after God's Own Heart. I have to admit that this book has been on my bookshelf for years, and I'm just now picking it up. I was so encouraged by the first chapter and haven't put it down. I'm looking forward to finishing this book and structuring my quite time according to the principles I'm learning.

Well, that's where I am...I know it's been a while. The end of the school year is always crazy...wrapping up the school year and brainstorming how to make next year better. Looking forward to the changes I'll be taking on next year as I go back to the classroom teaching 6th grade math!

And I can't stand a pictureless post, so I'll share a couple from today. Today, our students had exams and it was an early release day. Students are known for doing foolish things the last days of school, but not here. The Dallas Police Department Mounted Patrol was an excellent deterrent of bad behavior at the end of the day.

And of course, we had to get a picture with them. On the left is Gus and on the right is Zeus. Thanks, Mikayla & Elaine for entertaining me and posing for a pic with the horses!

One more day of school! WOOHOO!!!!

BTW, thanks Raytosha and Donna for asking me for an update...it's way over due!

Fitness Friday + Steamer Action

I'm a couple of days late, but better late than never. I am amazed at the weight loss I've seen in the last week. I had gone up a bit during my birthday weekend and traveling the next week...but, I added some supplements, deleted carbs, and upped the protein in my diet this week.

This week's weight is...

I love this little graph of my weight loss over the past two months...from 177.6 to 161.0!

Woot! Woot! If you remember my post about the motivation to lose weight and my 2013 Resolutions, you'll recall that I set a goal of losing 5 pounds a month for 5 months! I am well on my way to reaching that goal! I'm super excited and so motivated by the progress I see to keep going!

I've been walking around the house all day grabbing the seat of my pants because I'm so amazed that there is some fabric back there to grab. Those same pants were cutting off my circulation two months ago...and yes, I still wore them! I started to post a pic of my butt, but when I saw how they were sagging, I decided not to...not attractive, but I'm still happy! It means I need to go down a size! Woot! Woot!

My diet has been transformed this week by my latest purchase...a food steamer!

In my T-Pain voice...I'm in love with a steamer! Ha! The first day I got it, I cooked broccoli better than any that had ever been cooked in my home and salmon, which has never been cooked in my house!

The next day was tilapia and asparagus! And both were ready in about 20 minutes and required nothing from me after seasoning the food to my liking.

It was quite a chore to find the right steamer for me! My friend Misty almost had me sold on a rice cooker that had a steamer tray. It seemed like a great combo, but when I evaluated why I wanted a steamer, I decided to to go with this one instead. The steam starts immediately when you plug it in and I love how it has two levels! You place the longest cooking item on the bottom. When your top basket is done, you remove it and place the lid on the bottom basket and let it continue to cook.

I'd say that the steamer has beat out the crockpot as my new favorite kitchen gadget! This week I plan to get back in the gym hard and keep up the veggie and protein full diet!

Linking up:

 

January Cara Box Reveal

So, this was my first time participating in the Cara Box Exchange organized by Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals! I had the opportunity to be paired up with two awesome women, Kayla @ A Momma's 15 Minute Time Out and Gayle @ Grace for Gayle!

{One} I had a blast getting to know Kayla and shopping for her! I absolutely love giving gifts. I think I enjoy giving more than receiving!

Want to see what I got her, head on over to Kayla's blog to find out!

{Two} I was looking forward to receiving a box from Gayle! And this weird thing happened...through our emails and blog stalking, we found out that we live in the same city. Crazy, right? So instead of mailing my Cara Box to me, Gayle and I met up for coffee at our local Starbucks! Super cool, right? Who can say that they met their Cara Box Match in person? I can!!!

This month's Cara Box theme was resolutions! If you read my resolutions post, you know that my two focuses for 2013 are spiritual and physical fitness! Gayle did an excellent job buying items that will be great for helping me achieve my 2013 goals!

I had been considering buying weight lifting gloves since I crossed the great divide and moved into weight lifting and not just cardio at the gym. I was so excited when I opened my box and found weight lifting gloves, a water bottle, a tennis ball for rolling out those pesky knots, Gatorade fuel, a scripture-filled journal, and heart-shaped sticky notes! Gayle also wrote a sweet note of encouragement that had me smiling from ear to ear!

Gayle, thanks for not making me feel like a stalker! So glad you wanted to meet in person. I truly enjoyed our two-hour coffee date! Someone sitting near would have thought we'd known each other forever. I am encouraged by your life and the struggles you've overcome. I appreciate you letting me into your life and I am inspired by your love for Jesus! I look forward to keeping in touch!

Kayla, thanks so much for being so open and honest with me. It is so obvious that you strive to live for God in all you do! I am thankful to know you and really enjoyed getting to know you this month and praying for you. Thanks for educating me on the Siesta Scripture Memorization Team, raw eating, and juicing!

Thanks again, Kayla and Gayle for making my first Cara Box Exchange unforgettable! Happy to have two new friends in the blogosphere (and in real life)! I had a great Cara Box experience and will probably participate again in the future. If you want to know more about the Cara Box Exchange and/or want to sign up, head over to Wifessionals!

Want to see more Cara Box Reveals for the month of January? Check out the link-up!

2013 Resolutions

I know I'm not the only person who absolutely hates making New Year's Resolutions. Ihaven't made resolutions for the past few years. I feel like every single time, I just set myself up to fail. Two questions that have been bugging me lately about making resolutions are:
1. Why do I need to wait until the beginning of the year to make changes?
2. What makes me think that all of a sudden, all the things I've struggled with will magically change?

Even though I feel this way, I know I need to make some changes and the new year is a perfect time for a fresh start. And as I read the #SheReadsTruth devotional this morning, I was encouraged knowing that God makes all things new.

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  ~ Revelation 21:5 (ESV)

So, my two resolutions are for spiritual and physical fitness. It was not hard at all to narrow down to just two. I feel that from spiritual fitness, all my relationships are enhanced. I considered saying be a better wife, but I know that my interactions with my husband are better when I am in constant communion with God. As far as physical fitness, I think there are two mistakes we make as Christians: not being concerned with it at all or being obsessed with it. I hope to find a balance between the two.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." ~ Ephesians 6:1-12 (ESV)

So, how will I achieve spiritual fitness? I've decided to join my friend, Angela, in her Project 52: Through the Scriptures in 365. Our goal is to read through the entire Bible this year, following a daily reading plan. This is somewhat intimidating, and I feel so bad admitting that it is so hard to spend daily unhurried time with God. I know, though, that my relationship with God has to be a priority.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)

How will I achieve physical fitness? I've blogged about that here, but in a nutshell...I'm hoping that setting a goal, having some accountability, and working hard at eating healthy and working out will make the difference.

So, what are your New Year's Resolutions?