well being – Coffee With Ms D

PROGRESS

Progress is the forward movement or onward movement towards a destination. As I come upon the end of January I am reflecting on the progress I have made so far. I am happy with the fitness progress I am currently making, I took most of November and December off from lifting. I am excited to see my muscles coming back, after focusing on my health and fitness journey this month. I decided to go a different route this first 8 weeks of the year. I am doing a different challenge than the one I normally do. This one requires a weekly check in with my advisor. It requires pictures weekly. It has an app that has been super helpful. I have dialed in my workouts to fit my active life at the moment. I am eating much healthier and truly tracking my macros, sets and drinking 120 ounces of water daily. Now this part for me is the hard part. I had to reach out to friends to keep me going towards my daily goal. I do pretty well in the gym, I believe I habit stack. You see as long as I get to the gym I get the first 44 ounces of water down super easy it is the remaining 76 I struggle with. I can tell you I am feeling much better overall. I seem to have more energy and I am feeling stronger. As of last weeks check in I have not lost any weight, tomorrow will be the weigh in for this week. I have learned not to get hung up on the numbers on the scale. The fact that I feel so much better, am able to get the work outs done (lifting more every session most of the time) and am looking a bit more toned is progress. My January calendar is full of stickers this month. I am not breaking the chain. Yes it is hard work and yes I have had to have help to keep my on track but on track I am. I even sometimes put the water in one of my fancy wine glasses, for something different.

I am not having the wine since I am trying to reach my goal and that would not help right now, but hey I can use the nice glass and get that water in.

I have also found it easier to stick to my other goals, as I have kept my promise to myself about my fitness, it has also helped me with my financial goals, and other goals.

I am happy to report that by January 31, 2023 wills will be completed as will my vision board be updated.

I do believe my promise to myself to read my bible daily has also strengthened my relationship with God and others. My faith is growing daily and I am trying to be more encouraging. In the world around us there are so many negatives to see, so I will try to find the beauty in it anyway. I will not be a victim. I will remember I am a child of God, a daughter of the King. I will not let other people’s opinion of me define me for I know who I am and whom I belong to. I can be kind and not engage with people who do not add anything to my life or that try to drag me down with their pity party or victim mentality. I am leaving that behind me, it has no place in my life.

I hope you will reflect on where you are today, Do you have any goals? Are you making progress. Remember slow progress is still progress. Five minutes of Bible reading is still reading. Ten minutes of walking is still moving the body. Try to be better today than yesterday the work will compound and one day you will see the fruits of your labor.

ONE MORE

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I have been reading the Power of One More by Ed Mylett. I read first thing in the morning with my beloved cup of coffee. On somedays I even have one more cup of coffee. If you have not read the book I do recommend it. Ed is both easy to listen to and read. It has inspired some thoughts, question and answers in my mind.

I am not going to do a book review here. I just want to share a few thoughts with you.

Here are some questions to consider when reading. Does anything resound with me? Is there one more thing I can do or not do that would have a significant impact in my life? Is there anything that can help me to grow to be a better person? Is there anything here that can help me to encourage or help someone else?

Most of you know I am on a fitness journey and just an overall journey to be a better me than I was yesterday. In my fitness journey I have learned to listen to my body. I know that one more processed carb will make me bloat and fell very sluggish. I also know one more fruit or vegetable will help me to feel better overall. I do not drink enough water, so I asked myself what is one thing I can do to help me reach this goal? I know there are several things I could do, however I wanted to accomplish my goal of a gallon a day this week. The answer for me was to get a 65 oz water bottle for the day time. I also use my 21 ounce bottle at the gym. I fill it up twice in the am. That just leaves me 1 more 21 ounce bottle for the day. Tricking my mind I suppose but I just got tired of keeping up with the water. I may just invest in a gallon reusable water jug but will shall see. I have also been trying to add one more minute to my cardio daily. Now here is one you may not expect, if my body tells me to rest one more day, I do it. This was not always the case but I am learning to listen to my body. My body not my mental laziness.

I work full time and I am a full time caregiver for my Mother. I wish I could say that is easy peasy as my grandson says. It is not. I do not always respond very kindly. So I am trying one more time to adjust my schedule and my thought patterns. It is a hard thing to do when you have worked hard all day to come home and have to start all over again. Sometimes the same conversations, the same arguments, or is it? Perhaps I make it harder on myself. Recently I decided, that I would leave 5 minutes earlier when we need to go somewhere. I also decided that I would load up a little differently. Instead of trying to hustle everything and everyone at the same time out the door, I take turns. Load the stuff, Load Mom, load one boy and finish up with the other. Such a slight adjustment but it has helped. Now if I can just respond with silence instead of irritation when responding to others that will be a huge accomplishment. How am I going to do that? Simple take a deep breath and practice the pause before I respond at all. Simple not simple as I am in the habit of being a bit too quick with a snarky response. Pray for me.

Now perhaps none of this applies to anyone else out there. I have found myself asking what is one more thing I can do to have a great marriage? I need to remember to tell my husband thank you. Even for the small things, like making the bed. That might not mean much to you, but it means a lot to me. I need to make time for him. Yes unfortunately in this season of life I have to make time. I need to hold his hand or give him a little kiss as I rush on to the next to do on my list. Perhaps I should hire someone to clean or do my errands so that I have more time. We shall see.

Is there someone I see during my day that I could give one more smile to? Is there someone who just needs me ask how are you and then really listen to them when they respond?

Is there one more person I need to add to my inner circle to help me to be a better version of me? Am I the one more person that can help someone else be the best version of themselves?

I recently added a class and Social Media Coach into my life #Steve Black. The first assignment was to get several pictures taken. I was able to do that. It is not easy adding this class but I am trying different approaches to get it done. I am moving at a snail’s pace but I am moving.

Is there one more thing I can give up ? I am giving this one much thought. I am way too busy. I recently realized there are a few things I do out of duty, that perhaps I would be better off not doing. I am trying to be a light to others, but sometimes others attitudes do not help me shine a bright light. I know perhaps I should continue trying to encourage them, or should I ? If the people you are around are not ever happy or they are always tired, we must be careful not to be drawn into their aura. If is affecting my shine I am going to let that one thing go. Now how will I know which way to go with this decision? I will pray and then I will listen to God’s voice, he will let me know if I should let this one thing go or if I should try one more approach.

Sometimes I ask myself should I pray one more time? Some will say God heard you the first time. Some say ask until he answers. I say you do what you feel is right and I will do what I feel is right for me. I have decided to change my prayer time by adding something to it. I have decided that the people I am praying specifically for, I will get a picture of them and beside said picture I will list all the things I am praying for. This is strictly for me God does not need the reminder I do.

I hope that my rambling encourages you to look at yourself. Your one more thing to do or not do may be totally different from mine. That is just fine if we were all alike, the world would be a very boring place.

I decided to post one more picture. This one is of my husband and I. We are both actually smiling. We took one evening to take pictures together. We had not done this in over 7 years. Hard to believe. One of my beautiful daughters, Kristen took time out of her schedule to come be our photographer.

Be encouraged do one more thing today that makes you smile and feel incredible. Be the best version of you possible.

DO YOU WALK WITH A LIMP?

Recently I was listening to Steve Harvey. I like Steve Harvey he is a smart man. Lately I have been changing who I listen to, because sometimes their speech does not match how they describe or present themselves. Yes the pot calling the kettle black over here. So long story short Steve has a language issue as in he uses colorful language at time. Now in all honesty that was my worst habit to overcome and it creeps back in at times. One day during filming they went on a break and a lady from the audience said, excuse me Mr. Harvey but how is your walk with the Lord. His reply was I walk tall and proud with the Lord, but I have a limp I can not seem to overcome. Wow, that just really hit me hard. It inspired my entire Wednesday night service, when I filled in for our Pastor who was out of town.

I am not justifying having a limp, however it is true I love the Lord dearly, but I do limp. I have a few ugly words, snappy attitude and perhaps judging others too harshly, without even realizing it. Now I still do not watch or listen to anything that is full of colorful language as it is way to easy for me to pick it back up. I can do that all by myself.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 We read that even Paul had a thorn in his side. He says he was given it to keep him from growing conceited. We are not specifically told what his thorn was. Some say it was an illness, other think it may have been the suffering he endured from other.

I was led to look at my own limp. I wonder do I cause others to stumble in their walk? Even worse do I send them running from our Savior because of my limp.

Jesus requested his disciples to be his witness to the end of the earth. If we are truly disciples of Christ, that is also what we are instructed to do. My scriptures that I take this from are found in Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24: 44-49 and Acts 1:7-8.

In John 15 9-17 Jesus commands us to love one another. So we are instructed to tell of God’s love and his sacrifice. Now stay with me please, even if you do not follow Christ he and I both love you anyway. We are not forced to follow Christ it is a chose we must make for ourselves. I want you to know I can be a follower of Christ and still love someone who is not. I can also love someone who may make choices that I would not make. The current world view is my opinion must be just like your opinion or I am prejudiced, I will agree to disagree. In all honesty what others think of us is none of our business unless what we claim to be does not line up with our actual lives that others see. So, if you are indeed a Christian when is the last time you invited someone to church? When is the last time you truly told someone about Christ, of is love for them, of his sacrifice? I do not mean in your weekly bible study or Sunday school class with your normal group of believers. (They already know) When did you last show someone love even though they may not live exactly as you do?

I am going to bring this bus to the curb, I hope you have stayed with me.

I will end with a few questions for you, and no you do not have to be a Christian. I believe if we are honest most of us no matter our spiritual beliefs may have a limp or two.

Search you heart and souls here.

Do you have a limp that causes you or other to struggle?

Have you driven your family or friends away from you with your thoughts and actions? Do you brag too much, force rules on them, boss them too much? You have a limp.

The limp does not always appear as a problem? Is it possible you are an enabler? Are you enabling someone that would be better off taking responsibility for their own actions. This is very hard to do, especially for parents. (That may be your limp)

I just want to share here, not many were willing to share in an open audience, however I was approached by several after my lesson privately. One person said you know I don’t limp like so and so and I replied. There is your limp, kind of like there’s your sign. She is a wonderful lady full of the love of Christ, she smiled and said exactly.

How do we overcome our limps? First of all we pray and ask God to help us. I must be honest one of my limps is becoming harder to get under control even with prayer. I have asked my BFF to hold me accountable if I can not get a handle on it I have to pay her.

We must also accept that perhaps we have been given a limp in order to learn a lesson. Paul even said he was given a limp to keep him from being conceited. ( Perhaps being conceited is your limp)

Reflect do you have a limp? Is it selfish, is it there to learn from? Is it hurting yourself or other? Do I need help correcting my limp?

I can not answer for you, we all have different limps. I ask you just to see if you have one that needs to be faced head on and sent away. If so, please figure out what you need to do with the limp or in my case limps to improve your life and the life of the ones you love or influence.

Am I Committed !

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So today I wanted to share the goal I have been focusing on. I have been trying to focus this month on staying on track with my health goals. To say it is a job in itself would be being honest with you all. I can not say that I have been perfect but I have been better. Progress not Perfection I keep telling myself.

For the last month not counting today, because apparently the tiny humans wore me out this weekend, I have been getting to the gym by 6:00 am almost everyday. I have worked out at home on the days I can not make it to the gym.

I have tried to focus on my nutrition intake and have again clarified carbs are not my friend. If I add them in it causes me extreme bloating and unpleasantness for those around me lol. So carbs are history for the most part. I am quite proud of myself in the water intake department. I have not made it to a gallon everyday but it 90 ounces on most days.

I am forever grateful that I found Nicole Wilkins. Her training and nutrition advice have brought me so far. She also suggested accountability groups shortly after I joined her community. It is one of the best things that I have ever done. I love mine. I have been distracted lately during our weekly check ins and I can tell the difference in my overall progress on the weeks I miss them. She also has a great online community that helps me stay on track.

The person responsible for my success is myself but I try to acquire all the knowledge and support systems that I can in order to reach my goals. I want to live a long healthy life to watch my grandchildren grow up. Actually, not just grow up I want to be able to participate and enjoy them. I am grateful I am physically able to keep up with them. I can pick them up, run, ride and just enjoy life with them.

My mental health is also important. So many times I want to give in to anger or anxiety but I remind my self that the Bible tells me to fear not. As a matter of fear not is in the Bible 365. I remind myself of this when I tend to lean toward my old ways or my true nature whichever the case may be. I am not a little Miss Susie Sunshine. I use to wish I was but I am learning to appreciate the way God made me. Blunt and honest. I do try to soften the edges some. I am not always successful but I do try. I read a line in a book this week that has helped me in these areas. I do not want Jesus to come back and catch me doing this. Ahh if I can tell myself that every time I almost explode perhaps I will conquer these demons. So I strive to live with No Fear/ Anger/ Anxiety as Jesus is always with me. Best Mental help I have ever received. I know for many this is a constant struggle, please remember God made us to walk in victory not be beaten down by the things of this world.

I pray over anyone reading this today that if you are struggling with your health that you would truly evaluate where you are. Only you can decide to take better care of you. There are some things that can not be changed, but how we choose to deal with those things are the key to our overall health. This is physical, spiritual and mental. If you need help or guidance please go after it with all you have. What works for one may not work for another. Keep striving to grow and learn and live a healthy full life! Be a Victor not a Victim!!

I am committed to be a Victor! To overcome any obstacle that will stand in my way. To walk in Power. Committed to Christ and becoming the best me I can be.