Wednesday Weigh-In

This has to be a real quick blog entry, since my kids are home from school today, I have Girl Scout errands to run for our upcoming troop meeting, a Christmas tree to pull out of the attic, some Thanksgiving prep to do, the list goes on... YES, today is a busy day.

As for my "Sisterhood" weigh-in...

Last week= 154

This week= 154.5...

I GAINED +.5

UGH!... my struggle continues



My goal for this next week with all the Thanksgiving goodies, will be "portion control", for sure! I need to get motivated to start exercising, too.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

BRITTNEY... Always and Forever

Two weeks ago my beautiful niece, Brittney Rogene Jennings joined the Lord in Heaven (on Nov. 8, 2009), as the result of an automobile accident in Corpus Christi, Texas. Born in White Salmon, WA on Dec. 17, 1991, Brittney loved playing sports and being with her friends. She was active in soccer, softball, basketball and volleyball, until the age of 16 when she underwent spinal fusion surgery at OHSU. She attended Carson Elementary in Carson, WA, Castle Rock Middle and High schools, in Castle Rock, WA and then transferred to Kelso High School in Kelso, WA for her junior year. In July of this year she moved with her family and boyfriend, Sean Miller, to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she was an honor roll senior at Calallen High School. She developed wonderful friendships wherever she went, and her friends and family meant the world to her. Brittney had the ability to light up a room with her personality and sense of humor... (portion from her obituary)

CLICK HERE
for Memorial Video

A celebration of Brittney's life was held at the Castle Rock Christian Church on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Brittney loved dye-dye, so to honor her, friends and family made tye-dye shirts to wear at her memorial.

To some, death seems so final; to others, it's just an address change to their real "Home". Brittney changed addresses early in her earthly life, and out of selfishness I'm sad. But out of selflessness, I rejoice for Brittney and am comforted to know she is in God's hands at "Home". Someday, I will see her again when it's my turn to change addresses and go Home. For now, I miss you, Brittney! & hold a special place in my heart for you always. I love you, Britt.

Change Requires Change!

Today is WEDNESDAY and my day to "weigh-in" for the Sisterhood of Shrinking Jeans Challenge. I really wasn't looking forward to the report of my scale, those big digital numbers that somehow influence my mood. I stepped on the scale, and I knew deep down the report wouldn't be good since I did absolutely nothing this past week to make any changes in my poor eating habits and lack of physical activity (exercise). Sure enough, as I looked down at those big red colored numbers, the report wasn't good... I gained back 2.5 lbs this week from the 3.5 lb. weight loss from last Wednesday. I'm still down 1 lb, from when I originally started this challenge (on Nov. 4)... but with a sigh of defeat, I say to myself, "That's o.k...today is a new day; I'm not going to be discouraged. I can still do this." (Phil 4:13) As of today, I choose to get on track to lose 2 lbs a week for the next couple months only by taking control and making some changes. (Matt 6:33)

I sat down and made a list of my health habits that aren't good; things I know I need to change to be more healthy. I made an action plan for each bad habit and will implement them full force this week. These "ACTION PLANS" are goals that are deliberate to move me forward. I will keep a journal in a spiral notebook for better accountability and follow through. Hopefully my list and journaling will help me be more focused as well.

Since I'm getting this post done late, I won't include my "list" or "ACTION PLANS" until next Wednesday (more typing than I'm in the mood to do right now). Hopefully next week, I'll share a good report on my progress and how well this new direction is working!

One thing I recognize through my struggles this week and actually this year~ If I want to make changes in improving my health, I must make some changes.

No more just talking about it...
I NEED TO TAKE REAL ACTION!

CHANGE REQUIRES CHANGE.

MEMORY VERSES~ Psalm 121:1-3

Since the passing of my niece Brittney, I have found myself in a funk. Psalm 121 gives me comfort and hope. It reminds me that my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth... He never sleeps, He never gets tired. He watches over all of us and doesn't want to harm any of us. He is with us always.

Although I don't understand why Brittney was taken from this earth so early in her life, I know she is with the Lord in heaven and His plans for her continue. He loves us ALL so much and has a plan and purpose for each one of us.

In the Message translation of Jeremiah 29:11, God tells us, "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." His plans are to be fulfilled both on earth and in heaven, but either way, His Word promises He will never leave us nor forsake us and He loves us and cares! We are to be strong and courageous as He is with us where ever we go (DT 31:6). I know in time my funk will pass and having God's Word in my heart helps that much more.

Over the next 6-7 weeks to the end of December, I will be imprinting these verses on my heart~

Psalm 121
(NIV) Psalm 121 A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
(when I pray this scripture back to God,
I will replace "Israel" with "His children")
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming
and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-3 *20*09* personal challenge (Walk with the Lord #7) week 42 & 43 and LPM challenge verse 22

TODAY~

TODAY is my day to log in my "Sisterhood of Shrinking Jeans" weight loss... but TODAY I have so much more on my heart and in my thoughts than weight loss.

TODAY~ I think about life... how precious it is, and how each day we have to take a breath is such a gift...

TODAY~ I think about the ones in our lives we love, those who God has put there for His purpose...

TODAY~ I think about hugging my children, saying, "I love you!" to those who I love and not waiting for tomorrow or the next day to do random acts of kindness towards others....

TODAY~ I do not celebrate my weight loss...

TODAY~ I grieve the loss of my sweet 17 year old niece, Brittney, who left this earth on Sunday through a tragic car accident to be with Jesus...

TODAY~ I celebrate Brittney's memory at the same time am heartbroken she is no longer here with us...

TODAY~ I am inspired that her last words to her mom (my sister) were, "I love you, mom", as she went out the door to "chill" with her friends...

TODAY~ I am thankful Brittney found true peace and joy these past couple months that overflowed onto those people closest to her; she was beaming with joy last time I saw her...

TODAY~ I pray for my sister (Traci) and her husband (Ryan) who lost their only child so suddenly and tragically and are going through the biggest heartache of their lives.

TODAY~ I pray for her boyfriend, Sean, who loved Britt with all his heart.

TODAY~ I ask anyone reading this post to please say a special prayer for Traci, Ryan, Sean, and ALL those people Brittney left behind who are trying to understand and absorb what happened... pray that God will heal their hearts during this sad time...

TODAY~ I encourage YOU to not put off anything for tomorrow you should and could do TODAY...

say "I love you"...

give a hug...

forgive someone...

ask for forgiveness...

take steps to overcome an addiction...

make good choices...

give the gift of your time to those in your life...

extend random acts of kindness when the opportunity arises...

I encourage you to do it TODAY~
you might not have a tomorrow.

In loving memory of my sweet angel niece,

Brittney Rogene Jennings

December 17, 1991 - November 8, 2009

PRAYER: Lord, thank you that You have Brittney in your arms and she is in your holy presence. I lift to Your loving care Traci, Ryan, Sean and all those people who are brokenhearted by Brittney's passing. I ask you give those grieving Brittney comfort that only You can give and Your peace which surpasses all understanding. Lord help us ALL appreciate the people in our lives, to not take each day for granted, and to honor the loved ones in our lives TODAY and EVERYDAY through words and deeds. God rest Brittney's sweet soul. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

A "Weighty" Issue

Over the past 12 months I have put on 20 pounds. My energy level has suffered because of this weight and I don't like it! On top of that, I turned 45 a couple months ago and fear that as I get older, the weight is going to be harder and harder to lose the more I put it off. I've been on a roller coaster of being encouraged one day to take control of my additional weight issue- to do something about it, followed by discouragement of failure after I have an afternoon pigout (afternoon and evenings are when I'm the weakest). I get discouraged when I plan an exercise program and don't stick with it. I tend to get easily distracted and end up not following through with the program. More failure! I have been frustrated with myself because I know better! I know all the things I need to do... how to eat healthy, drink lots of water, get good sleep, exercise regularly... but I lack discipline! I have identified I need accountability- flesh and blood accountability. I seek God about this and ask him to provide accountability for me and so far, I really have none that works.

This morning, as I was peaking over my blog list getting updated with new posts, I read penguinsandladybugs blog post about her struggles with weight and a "Starting Point" post. I choose to join Penguin on her journey and am excited to add myself to this "Sisterhood" group- "The Sisterhood of Shrinking Jeans". I need to be encouraged that my shrinking jeans don't need to keep shrinking and get them to fit again like normal... I need to reclaim the energy back I have lost. For me, losing this weight it about being healthy and feeling healthy and then the vanity part trails in. I don't like looking and feeling "thick". I'm hoping to continue searching for flesh and blood accountability like maybe a walking partner, but for now just posting my journey is going to help me be motivated to stick with it. I'm EXCITED to band together with "The Hood".

I weighed in this morning and have 20 pounds I plan to lose in the next 10 weeks (week of Jan 11)... that's 2 pounds a week. VERY DOABLE! I hope to "check-in" every Wednesday with my progress, successes and frustrations. I took some before pictures of my problem areas... they're GROSS!... like a muffin top belly and cottage cheese thighs. I will keep them private for now.

MEMORY VERSES~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

I love these verses, but have never committed them to memory until now. I always seem to easily relate to verses that pertain to gardening, planting, sowing, harvesting, etc., because I am an avid gardener. Praise God He is the Master Gardener of our lives and provides us the seed to sow. He gives us free will as to what and how we will sow and how fruitful we become. My prayer is that my harvest is pleasing to the Lord and as I give love to others, give of my time, and give my resources to further God's kingdom, that I bear much fruit for God's glory. Here are my memory verses for the next couple weeks.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV)

2 Corinthians 9:6-7~ *20*09* personal challenge (Walk with the Lord #7) week 40 & 41 and LPM challenge verse 21