Run, Forest, Run...

The training has officially begun. I am training for a 10K in November and the 1/2 marathon in January. If I feel confident after that, I'm aiming for a full marathon in March...we'll see about that, though. I love the spiritual journey that running takes me through. For me, it brings truths to my life as an individual and as part of the body of Christ. I'll be posting as the Lord shows me these things.

On a lighter note, I started this morning with some AI training, which is where you run faster for a short amount of time, then walk to recover. This isn't an all out sprint your heart out run, just a faster run than normal - a run that says "I'm workin." This is something new I am doing this year, and this is the first time I've done it. Let me just say that I am awkward when I am not running my normal, slow pace. Speeding it up just that small amount turned me into the Little House on the Prairie girl running/falling down the hill in the intro. I swallowed the bit o pride I had and kept at it. I'll look ridiculous, but at least my body will be exercised, more tone and I will be building my endurance and speed. Had I been driving on the road and seen me running I would've pointed and laughed hysterically.
Because that's the kind of girl I am...

Weigh to Go

Alrighty peeps, I've weighed in. After a week of miscalculating my total points, I have lost .5 lbs. I'm thrilled and pretty much ecstatic that I lost anything at all. I'm hitting a weight where everything fluctuates so much throughout the day, so it really is a stab in the dark when you are counting by the half pound. I'm fairly confident that I'll have some gaining weeks on the horizon...

This Weeks Weight: 137.5

This Weeks Loss: -.5

Total Lost: 30.5lbs


I'm starting the 10K/1/2 marathon training, so my goal is to keep up with that this week and to drink plenty of water. It's pretty much still hotter than Hades here.

Cpt Mom, I'm so thrilled for the time you will have with Major Hunk soon. And thrilled for your renewed heart on this journey. It's so refreshing to be friends with such a transparent sister in Christ. Keep on keepin it real! And exercise away girlfriend. See ya next week.

Weighing In

Beginning weight: 188.4
Current weight: 171.4
This week: - .4

Total weight lost: 17.0

Still creepin' along! I found me some motivation this week when Major Hunk sent word that his R&R orders came in. Yep, that's right, I will have my hands on that man in about 8 weeks. Woo Hoo!! Realizing, of course, that means he will also have his hands on me...that's where the motivation comes in ;) I have made some mew goals for myself for the 8 weeks until he arrives.

1) Get moving more everyday! Parking further out, taking an extra round through the store, taking a walk or an exercise video... do something that gets me moving more.

2) Writing down my points EVERY day. No more winging it for me. I think this will make a big difference.

3) And of course...drink more water. It seems to be the dieter's mantra.

Oh, and how could I forget...the Amazing Racer has inspired me to train for a 10K in November. If you knew me, you would insert your look of shock and awe here. I am so excited to embark on this new journey. I know the Lord will use it to grow and stretch me, physically and mentally. I can't wait to be a better woman when my hubby gets home next year :)

Summer Lovin

Since it's blazin hot here on the surface of the sun, I've decided to write about some joyous stuff in random order.

1. We got a forecast for rain on Saturday. And while we were planning on going to the water park, a day of rain sounds most wonderful. It's like hope.

2. I love having a teen in my home. We have been temporarily blessed with one. She's been here on and off this summer. I adore her. She makes me smile and warms my heart. She's a survivor. I love the opportunity to encourage and love on her.

3. My daughter's friend, who she is having an arranged marriage with, told his mom today that she "is the smart one" of the two of them. That left me in stitches.

4. My son is using a few signs now. Tomorrow I am going to ask his therapist what the sign for "movie" is. I'm sure he'll nail that one quickly. Because my boy is a movie buff if I've ever seen one.

5. I'm already being afforded the opportunity to teach my daughter about true beauty. Who knew so much could be discovered in kindergarten?

6. My sister is coming for an unexpected visit next month. She's the best.

7. I shared a most horrific story with Capt. Mom this morning and she is still my friend. Of course, she now has big time blackmail info on me.

8. It's only 3 months until Thanksgiving. Then I will see the whole family. So exciting!

9. We have a wedding per month for the rest of the year. Have I told you how much I love weddings? People living on love are the cutest. People like me just have funny, embarrassing stories to tell.

10. My nose piercing has not gotten infected. It's the little things, people. To go along with this, my girl wants me to get my tongue pierced and my eyebrow. She also wants me to sport a tattoo. I love that she is SO free to see the beauty in all of it.

Re-Weigh

I just weighed in this evening. I'm down to 138. Pretty sweet.

Total loss: 30 lbs.

8 to go.

Gotta keep up the exercise and the water intake. That's my goals. Same ones, simple ones. But hard to walk out daily.

Weighin In

So, I know this blog is full of weight posts, which isn't the only reason I wanted to blog, but apparently that's all I can bring myself to write about lately. I have a ton of stuff I want to share with, you know, Cpt Mom (the only other reader of this blog), but she pretty much hears about my day to day anyways. So without further ado, the weigh in - which happened last Friday. After multiple desserts.

This weeks weight: 139.5 (Y.E.S. Goodbye 140 - It was not nice knowing ya. Actually, it was nicer knowing you than the 168 I started at).

Total Weight Loss: -28.5

YAHOO. And PRAISE Jesus.

Of course, I haven't been so diligent these last few days, so the possibility of revisiting the 140's is VERY real. It will only be a temporary visit, though. I'm so close to the goal! Only 9.5 to go!!!!

A Spiritual IED

Yesterday morning I sat at my computer and planned to write a light and funny post that has been bouncing around in my head for a while. Not for today it seems. I felt a more pressing matter. I went to my Bible and journal and began to have some time with the Lord. As I prayed and wrote in my journal, it became clear: the enemy attacks women in a very clear and effective way. In the past week, I can name a handful of friends and family who have been under a cloud of depression. As I prayed, I started making a list of women that I knew were struggling with depression. As I wrote, other names started popping into my head. I would add the name and next thing I knew I was thinking of another. Many of them were women that I don't talk to frequently or don't know a lot about their personal lives. I believe the Lord gave me those names so I could pray specifically for them. By the time I was done, I had about 12 women's names on the list. That is when I began to reflect.

The enemy is just that, our enemy. Being that my husband is in a war zone, I began to reflect on what a true enemy is. The enemy of our soul is as real as the Taliban is. He does not shoot guns or plant IED's (roadside bombs), per say, but he does plot complicated, sneaky attacks against us. He knows he has to be sneaky or he wouldn't be effective. I don't suppose if the 9/11 terrorists would have disclosed their plans on that fateful day that the gate employees would have pointed them down the runway with a smile and an, "enjoy your trip". In the same way, Satan knows he has to be very devious about his plans for our lives. I think that depression is one very real way that the enemy attacks women: wives, mothers, sisters, friends. First he piles on the guilt. Then he follows up with a side of exhaustion. He throws in some rejection, hurt, feelings of inadequacy and some good, old-fashioned isolation and we have a big, fat cloud of depression. A spiritual IED, if you will. Then he begins the work to plant it in our souls. I am so thankful to know and serve the living God who is bigger than all of it. I can find rest in the fact that He is truly in control of my life. Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you...you need only to be still." Exodus 14 continues to say, "the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again." I think we all have "Egyptians" in our lives. Each one of us has something trying to oppress us today. Satan finds things that are difficult for each of us as individuals and he tries to use it to break us. This verse has brought inspiration to me during difficult times throughout my life and it continues to bring rest in the tough times. Friends, we need to grab hold of this promise and make it ours.
To the enemy and the depression he brings I say, "the Lord is fighting for us. You know you are defeated and so you fight to change history. But, you are not powerful enough. The Lord God has claimed victory over each life I listed in that journal. So, back off!"

Thank you Lord for the promises of Your Word. Thank you for loving each of us enough that You allow us to walk through the dark times. Thank you that You are always walking with us and that You would never allow us to walk through the darkness alone. Thank you for your never-ending, never-failing love. God I ask that each of these women would feel You close to her today. That each one would feel You cheering her on as she walks, runs or crawls through the difficult times. And Lord, I ask for peace and patience for each one that they would find rest in knowing that You have already won the battle and have already claimed the victory. In Jesus' Name.