Fresh Start November!

October has been an extremely challenging month.

All kinds of issues have come up - trying to work around my son's school schedule while working retail, not knowing my work schedule each week until the very last minute (and it STILL being subject to change in the middle of the week), trying to fit everything in that needs to be done, and not being able to sleep from all of the stress, then trying to function each day on very little sleep.  And that's only part of the challenge.

Now that November is here, I've discovered that I gained a couple of pounds back...most likely because I turned to food to deal with stress and I've been so exhausted from insomnia that the workouts I have been able to fit into my schedule wound up being cut short - or not being at full speed as I would have liked.  There has been - and still is - a lot of prayer and tears while trying to figure it all out.  At least I finished the editing on my novel so I can look for a publisher, so something was accomplished during this time!

One thing I do know for sure...something has to give soon.  I refuse to let November go by with no weight loss (or a gain), making me feel even worse than I already do.  Seeing pictures of my self from the last couple of weeks only makes me more depressed...but also motivates me to do better. And I'm still catching up on this week's Biggest Loser - since I had to work and was unable to watch/recap.

So on this 1st day of November, I declare a fresh start.  I will find a way to get all of my workouts in, while being more careful about what I eat, even when I'm stressed.  (which is, by the way, pretty much 24/7!)  I will continue to pray that God leads me in the way I should go so there can be more of a balance in my life.  And I will keep the faith - and hope - alive that things are going to improve as long as I set better goals and carry on.

Please feel free to share your goals for the month with me, as we support each other on the journey of life.  Here's to a better, more successful November!

Easter's Fresh Start - And a Brand New Month!

Yesterday we celebrated Easter Sunday - the day that Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified, giving all of God's children forgiveness of their sins and a fresh start in Christ.  We get to do away with past mistakes, and look to the present and future to be the people God created us to be.

This year, Easter's renewal is followed by April 1st...a brand new month, with a chance to improve upon what we did last month (or in the months before) and strive to be better.  Better at our relationship with God and relationships with others, better at breaking bad habits...really, better at whatever we have discovered we need to be better at - and what God had told us we need to do to be better for His purpose.

I know for me (and most of you who read my blog) this includes being better at health, fitness, and nutrition.  There are times we don't do well in these departments, but we need to shake that off and start fresh.  Did you eat a lot of Easter goodies yesterday?  Did exercise fall by the wayside as you prepared for the celebration of the Resurrection - including both religious activities and fun stuff for the kids and other family members? 

I gave up diet soda for Lent, already knowing it was bad for me yet having had a problem giving up the addiction in the past.  I decided giving it up for Lent would cause me to do it for Jesus - not myself.  With this mindset (and plenty of prayer), I was successful in staying completely away from it from Ash Wednesday all the way through Holy Saturday.  On Easter, I had one sip of Diet Pepsi...and one sip was it.  It didn't taste all that great, so I didn't have any more.  But I know addictions can creep back up if you're not careful.  So I'm continuing to abstain from diet soda from Easter on, still as a sacrifice to God who gave me a body, mind, and soul that I need to take care of for Him.  I also need to cut back on sugar again after those Easter treats!

No matter what happened, you don't have to stay in that rut.  Ask God to help you out of it and into His grace.  You are forgiven for your sins...AND any slacking off you may have done taking care of your body - God's holy temple. 

It's the day after Easter...so remember all that Jesus has done for you, and take April and RUN with it!!!