Fit 4 Jesus

I'm not sure when I last posted about my measurements, but I thought I would take them again and see if there were any changes.  I only took my measurements once I had stopped losing weight and had been maintaining for a while--around mid December was the last time I took them. These are maintenance changes we are talking about here--so every inch means more muscle and less fat! 

Arm--10.5 inches  (-1 inch total)

Bust--34.75 inches (-75 inch)

Waist--28.5 inches (-1 inch)

Hips--33.5 inches (-1.5 inch)

Butt--36.5 inches (-5. inch)

Thigh--20 inches (same)

Total loss of inches= 3.75 inches lost

This encourages me because it means that the body continues its changes after we hit our goal weight.  I know that these losses are not huge (I did not expect them to be!) but it's only been a little over a month...so there is still room for improvement.  Oh, and by the way, I'm not surprised that the thigh measurement didn't budge one bit--they are probably the most in shape part of my body due to many hours on my recumbent bike.  I'd really like to see more improvement on my tummy but I know this is a bit of an uphill battle because of my beautiful babies and the subsequent damage to the abdominal muscles.  I think I'll through some ball workouts and pilates into the mix and see if that helps.

Last week was not a great training week, a combination of stress and illness made for some pretty weak and non existent workouts.   Plus, my shins were sore and I knew that if I did not take it easy that I was going to get shin splints.  For me this type of injury is really the result of being careless and pushing my body further than it is ready to go. I think this happened last week when I was stair-climbing--I was working anaerobically and the huffing and puffing should have tipped me off. 

I've been rethinking my training lately and I think I need to make it more fun to do.  I think I need to mix it up a bit with some cross training.  I think I'm going to alternate between triathlon specific training and cross-training which will include some strength and flexibility.  I'll also be listening more closely to my body and may add in more rest days if necessary.

Today, I did some fun wii workouts for about 40 minutes and I may do some time on my recumbent bike while my pizza crust rises in a couple minutes.  

We often take great pride in our selfish ambition.  We desperately want what others have and we will fight to get it.  I've been watching a legal drama that demonstrates this principal rather effectively--the characters become fairly amoral and even immoral in order to get what they want and win their cases. What about our weight loss?  Can that become a selfish ambition...I think it can, especially when we do not stop to consider the feelings of others.  When we are motivated by envy instead of a desire to honour God with our bodies it can morph into something quite unhealthy.  This kind of weight loss can bring real disorder into our lives and the lives of those that surround us.  We need to consider our hearts and examine them so that we are not denying the truth by harboring selfish ambition.

Challenge of the day: consider your motivation and examine your heart for bitter envy and selfish ambition.  Ask God for the right motivation and real wisdom. 

 I think this verse is pretty self explanatory--I like that.  Our wisdom is proved by our actions--by the life that we choose to lead.

Challenge of the day: seek wisdom

Update: I am still really thinking about my speech and I see this as an area for growth.  

If we curse others with our lips it's impossible to praise God the way that He desires.  Have you ever tried to literally praise God after a terrible argument with your spouse or kid that has gone unresolved.  (Maybe an argument on the way to church? LOL)  It's really difficult--impossible even--to praise God genuinely/acceptably without first making things right with that  person.  You can't be two faced in front of God--He knows what you've said to that human being made in His likeness!  You've got to clean up the way you talk to others if you want to truly praise God.  It's not just the 30 minutes of singing in church that makes you fresh and clean--we need to be continually using our words to bless and not curse.

Challenge of the day: Use my voice to bless God and people.  

Update from yesterday:  It's amazing how paying attention to my words has made me more attuned to the condition of my heart.  I've been messing up quite a bit--but I'm also quicker to recognize the missteps and do something about it. 

No training today--I am getting sick.  I did do quite a bit of cleaning and rearranging and I'm getting closer to my goal of a clutter free house.  Only a few more days until the end of January and I'd like to finish the process if possible.  I still have several boxes to go through but I know there is a bottom to them now.

Update: I did a little biking--6 km in 20 minutes.  Poor pace and distance but at least I got some exercise in. 

Yesterday, I lost my purse (or more accurately I realized that I had lost my purse).  I'll admit it--I swore loudly.  Not my most shining moment.  But what happened next is really what I found interesting.  I admitted that I had lost control of my tongue and that I was having trouble taming it.  I repented and I calmed down.  Normally, losing my purse would have sent me into a terrible downward spiral of moodiness.  Not this time.  I asked my husband to keep looking while I went to my weight loss support group.  I prayed about it.  I changed my words and took control of them and the situation began to turn around.  We need to tame our tongues and this is something that is impossible outside of the power of God in our lives.   This is something I want to continue to work on--because it really changes things.  Oh, and by the way---I went looking for my purse at the gym this morning (even though I had called and they had checked the last night) and it was found!  I'd already called to cancel my credit card and bank card, but they are coming in the mail.  I am so grateful not to have to spend the entire day replacing cards.  Double bonus--while my hubby was looking for my purse last night he found something that we were worried had been accidentally discarded.  God is good!

Challenge for the day: continue working on taming the tongue--consider ways to bless others with my words.