Inspiration

Ernestine Shepherd 70+

LORD I magnify your Holy name.  You are so awesome in all of your strength.  You amaze me with ALL Your wonders.  You give so much peace during the storms of my life.  So much peace I sometimes wonder how I am standing, then I realize it is YOU. YOU LORD that loves me and protects my heart.  I thank You for being who You are !

AMEN !

Well I had lots planned this weekend.  Starting off with my Saturday morning workout, I did iPump which is a weight resistance class working to tone the total body.  We did a routine which entailed 4 sets with 15 reps of workouts with some jacks.  I enjoy weight training but it was a challenge.  The next day my chest area was a tad bit sore, so I know it is working.

 At my weight in I was the same exact weight as last week, which I can say was disappointing.  After 5 boot camps workouts and power walking, drinking 80 ounces of water per day, I would have liked to seen some results on the scale.  The trainer reassured me this was ok, and encouraged me to keep working at it, she said 4 lbs within 2 weeks was real good. 

So I got my mind together and kept pushing, I went to a party that Saturday evening and ate according to my meal plan, with the exception of eating more protein (meat) than I should have.  Sunday morning, 7:00 a.m.  I got up met a couple of friends at the track and walked 21 laps.  I did 21 has it would have been Chris’ 21^st birthday.  It felt good !

At this point I need some inspiration and I found it.  I was on pinterest and found 3 women over the age of 70 who are fit.  One is actually 86 years old.  They are running, exercising, weight training, teaching.  They are getting it in.  They are competing and winning. They are doing marathons and finishing.  I am over 50 and sometimes I feel like being in shape is hard on the body and I get discouraged.  Last week my body was sore, and I didn’t feel like I had overdid it.  I had to take prescription strength motrins and soak in Epsom salts.  But today I feel better, I did not cave into my mind giving me negative energy. 

This week I will push forward; drink water, eat properly, exercise daily and stay focused on MY GOALS. 

NO BUYS – Well Saturday I went to the Outlet to the Nike store for new walking shoes.  I looked across the parking lot and there was Ann Taylor, I picked up two dresses.  I needed to encourage myself reward myself for pushing forward.  Sunday after Chris’s dinner Jayden and I picked up a couple pair of sandels.  I am back on track. 

Funny Things Jayden says :  Jayden was riding his bike at Chris’ party and he walked over me and said I need a bike hat.  Other’s looked like what, but I knew immediately that he wanted a ‘helmet’.  I thought it was SO funny.  Or is it a grandma thing.

Next thing not funny but it amazed me:  Ariel was telling me that the day before they had gone to a water park and that Jayden liked it a lot.  Well Jayden knows he has told me he didn’t like the water at the Beach because he had said it was “cold and nasty”.  As he listened to Ariel tell me how much he like the water at the water park he looked at me and said “it wasn’t the beach”.  I smiled because he knew I had talked a lot about him not liking the water at the beach.  He wanted me to have a clear understanding that he still didn’t like the beach. 

Oh one more thing, when we stopped at Target to pick up new shoes, he choose his second pair because they looked like boy shoes.  When we were leaving the store we ran into a church member, he wouldn’t talk to her, but when she asked what he had in the bag he quickly pulled out his 2 new pair of shoes.

I have so much fun watching him grow up learning things.  I am so grateful to God for blessing our family with him.  

NCBF Getting Ready to Get it In !!

LORD I am so very grateful to You.  Your power is magnificent.  Your glory shines brightly in those that are obedient to Your word.  Thank You Jesus !

Well the Lord is so great.  When True Image closed their doors I thought my weight loss support team was done with.  Well I have found support in the awesome women of NCBF.  These women of God are working it out 2x per week and sometimes more. Yesterday our group was lead by Blondell who is a fitness guru for sho.  The real deal, I mean riding 75 mile bikeathons.  I was so inspired by her passion for fitness. She has been such a blessing to NCBF.   She encourages us with humor, she is so awesome.  Falona is tough as nails.  She is so inspirational and dedicated to her routine.  Her and Blondelle are an awesome team .

I will be walking with this group on Thursdays as I have a couple of Monday evening commitments.  We all were able to do our own thing and Blondell, check this out rode her bike back and forth checking on us and encouraging us.  Now that’s awesome.  After our walk/run, run for those that can we waited for people to finish, drank water and talked fitness.  It is like working out and having a support group. 

My body was sore as I pushed myself and challenged my body.  On the ride home I stopped at Walgreen picked up some Epsom Salt and soaked for a long time. 

Thank You Lord !

Now this weekend I am facing two major birthday parties, one for my hair stylist and the other for my son Chris RIP.  I have to be real conscious of the foods I intake over the weekend meaning I may need to eat prior to or take appropriate snacks.  I will do what I need to do as I have worked out hard this week and I don’t want to ruin it. 

Tomorrow morning is my weigh in. I will update you all on my results/progress on Monday.  I pray I lose some pounds and body fat.  I am excited to get on the scale.  I have no fear as I have done well.  God has given me what I need to be successful. 

Thank You Lord. !

Healthy Choice

LORD thank you for new mercies.  I woke up this morning ready to be positive about today.  Thank You for giving me the strength to get up today and face today with courage and energy.  Lord I thank You.  Bless Our family as we prepare a celebration for Chris’ memory.  Lord we love You so much !

Yesterday I ate according to my meal plan.  Was it easy, NO.  I wanted an unhealthy snack so bad, something sweet and something crunchy.  I didn’t have it, I went to the frig and pulled out strawberries.  I ate two and it helped me so much.  I knew I wasn’t hungry but my mind was telling me I needed some unhealthiness. 

At that moment I CHOOSE HEALTHY.  After my choice I felt so good that I was able to put the self control in place.  I know that if I make a unhealthy choice my results will not be good.  Knowing me I would have spiraled into a binge.  You see I can’t eat one or two I have to have it all.  I know I want the scale to be in my favor this weekend so I choose healthy. I know I want to zip my dresses so I choose healthy.  I know I want to be healthy so I choose healthy.

Yesterday, I reevaluated my progress and my eating plan.  I was able to make some substitutions that I could live with.  You see I have to be able to like what I am eating, so with my breakfast I made some modifications so that I could include another snack during my day.  I cut out banana and substituted with a few strawberries.  I cut out scrambled eggs and now boil my eggs and eat only the whites.  Doing this I can have another snack.  My extra snack for today is GoLEAN Crunchy Chocolate Almond bar.  I am excited about it. 

You see sometimes you just have to sit back look at the situation and modify.  It was easy and I can live with the change.

EXERCISE :  Last night after my hair appt.  I went home and relaxed and ate a good healthy dinner.  Tonight I will be walk running with the ladies of NCBF at Euclid Creek.  I am ready to “get it in”.

NO BUY – I am doing good.  Yesterday I picked up a necklace while I was at the beauty shop it was 10 bucks and it is a really cute accessory.  I justified it by swamping out my scrambled eggs I usually pick up every morning at Stone Oven which cost about 3 bucks and I now boil my eggs at home.  So it worked out for me.  I know I should not have gotten the necklace but at the time it felt ok it was within reason, I haven’t shopped in months for only necessary items. 

Again I will be ordering my facial products which are pricey, but I have not had them in a few months using other less expensive products that I have.  As a result my skin does not have the same glow J  So I see it is a necessity. 

Also I will be investing in some good walking and aerobic shoes I need them to give me the support I need as I workout.  Mine are down to the rubber.  I will buying these products not all at one time working it into a budget.

Review Plan – Updated it – Making Progress

LORD You never stop amazing me.  You are so loving, so gentle and caring.  You care about me in a special way.  Thank You for allowing me to LOVE me.  Sometimes it’s hard because I know me so well !  You know me better and You make sure I stay the course.  Lord allow me to walk in purpose and in Your will.  Thank You  !  Give me strength !

Yesterday was amazing, for me.  I ate correctly with very little regrets.  I worked out and keep it moving.  It was a challenge for me, but I kept my feet moving.  We did some work with 5 lb hand weights focusing on our abs.  Awesome workout and technique.  These are things I can do at home.

I drank 80 ounces of water before I left work, I am working to complete another 80 ounces today.  For breakfast I boiled 2 eggs and ate the whites only.  This reduces the fat, and calories a lot vs 2 scrambled eggs.  I had strawberries (5) instead of banana which had more calories.  For me right now it is educating myself, seeing what works and making the appropriate choices.

Exercise - Today I will be doing a 5 mile walk at Euclid Creek after my hair appointment.  It is good to switch up routine so the body does not get use to the same exercise routine.  Tomorrow I will be walking with some of the ladies from NCBF at Euclid Creek, they meet at 5:30 p.m.  They walk and run I need the push so I am really excited.  I want and need results.  So I have to put the work in to make it happen.  Faith plus works is what I have to do. 

I am encouraged to get it in and reach my first goal of 22 lbs lost.  Nulife did not set a time, so I will do the work and reach there goal hopefully by the fall of this year.  I have lost 4 of the 22 I am happy.  I look back and remember when I would chart how much I needed to lose and it would be 60 lbs and over.  Now it seems so attainable.  Then when I lose the 22 a new goal will be set and I will see where that takes me.  I have learned this is a day by day journey. 

I pray you all have developed a plan that works for you.  If you ever have questions please leave me a comment. 

No Buy – I am still on a no buy and doing good.  I will be purchasing some facial products this week, but I have ran out and the thing is that I didn’t panic and place my order a month ago when it wasn’t in my budge.  Facial products are necessary.  

Being Prepared Helps to Stay Focused

LORD you are so worthy, so marvelous and so holy !  I magnify Your Holy name.  God You never fail me, You protect me and provide for me. I need to grow stronger in my faith and go grow deeper in my relationship with You. I thank You for renewing my strength and allowing me to encourage myself and others.  Thank You LORD.

Yesterday was marvelous, simple marvelous !  I followed my meal plan closely and only went over my 1200 calorie goal by about 19.  Around 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, is when I begin to want to go crazy and tempted to go off track, so I found a go worker who had some healthy fresh fruit.  Fruit has natural sugars and I had not had my fruit for the day so I counted the fruit as my fruit for the day and as my afternoon snack.

Today I planned better for my eating, I have a afternoon snack of an Organic Green Super Food- which I got from Whole Foods this morning.  It is 210 calories but loaded with really good nutrients. I will eat ½ for my afternoon snack and the other ½ for my evening snack after I work out. 

Speaking of working out, yesterday’s workout was challenging.  I took a Motrin while I was at work to help my body.  This may sound crazy but it helps until my body adjusts to this routine.  This morning I picked up a knee brace and a ankle brace for my right side.  I want my ankle, knee and foot to have extra support as I am still recovering from my broken foot. 

Yesterday I drank 80 ounces of water.  I was proud of myself as I am not a water drinker.  I have only had water since last Monday.  On Saturday I did sample some ice tea and I had diet soft drinks. 

On My Way ! Join Me !

Praise God for another day on earth !  I am grateful to you for the gift of life.  I am pleased to know that my creator lives within me.  I feel your presence during the storms of my life, I appreciate how you keep me close Lord.  How you guard my heart. Lord continue to work in me.

Starting Monday the 2^nd, I begin working out at Nulife Fitness Bootcamp.  If you are interested there is a tab on this page to their website.  Let me tell you the workout was difficult but God gave me the strength to get through it.  It is a lot like True Image Fitness and it is a lot different.  I am already bonding with staff and other ladies, recognizes faces.  I like that  !  The smoothie bar is amazing, they offer a variety; energy, protein, etc.  The ones with protein are considered a meal replacement. 

The actual workout is something else.  I was dripping sweat, my hair was an absolute mess, I had to get an emergency hair appointment.  No joke.  But the great this is it was all worth it.  I lost  4 lbs and some ounces and I lost some body fat.  The workout, water and eating properly works for me. 

Nulife set a goal for me to lose 22 lbs.  That is my first goal.  So of that I have 18 more to go.  I started this week of right, yesterday I ate properly and relaxed.  This week’s plan is to workout 5 times at Nulife and use my treadmill and/or walk.  Drink at least 60 to 100 ounces of water per day, gradually increase and continue with my meal plan.  I am so excited. 

I am going have to plan ahead for my weekend eating as I have a party to attend Saturday and Sunday. 

I continue to do well on my NO BUY I am shocked at myself, but I realize God is working in me around this issue.  I am learning things about myself during this process.  I am being content with who I am and with what God has already blessed me with. 

I had a wonderful weekend, I was with friends on Saturday and there was lots of laughter.  Laughter is good for the soul.  On Sunday I went to dinner with the previous owners of True Image and we had wonderful fellowship.  I feel a lot better as I am going into a new chapter of my weight loss journey, but I will always be a BIG fan of True Image Fitness.

Sunday Service ;  Was awesome, we honored the men of leadership; ministers and deacons.  They are so humble and offer so much of themselves.  They are first line soldiers.  They take they commitment to God serious.  Praise God !

I Got a Plan - What's Yours ?

I have set new goals for myself !  I have joined Nulife Fitness Camp and I am enjoying it so much.  The workouts are challenging me in so many different ways.   I have also signed up for Collinwood Rec where there they have Water Walk, Zumba and Bootcamp.

As you can see I am writing again, I was in such a slump due to my recent loss.  I am gradually regaining my strength both physically and mentally. 

Well my new goal is to do something physical every day of the week.  It is Friday and thus far I have done something physical everyday of the week.  I can tell you I feel so much better.  Physical exercise just revives and energizes me. 

Tomorrow a.m. is my first weigh in at Nulife Fitness I am anxious to see my results.  I have not weighed in at home.  I have been drinking an average of 60 ounces of water per day.  I should intake more, but this is a process. 

My first goal set by Nulife is 22 lbs.  No time limit, but I must make progress toward the goal to remain in the program.  I will give you update on Monday how I did.

Plan – Workout - Do something everyday; power walk, bootcamp, Water Walk , treadmill or Zumba

             Drink Water – drink 60 + ounces per day, gradually increase

             Eliminate Sugar and Flour from diet

             Pray Daily

            Journal/Blog

Today’s meal – breakfast – oatmeal; with fresh strawberries, blueberries

                                               2 scrambled eggs

                           lunch – salad and fresh chicken breat

                           Dinner – TBA

Yesterday I actually got a pedicure with the massage chair.  I needed it so bad, I just wanted to relax and be pampered.  After my workout today I may stop and get a manicure.

NO BUY

If you remember my journey I am on a NO BUY which means I have significantly decreased my spending on clothes, makeup etc.  I am only buying things I NEED.  I have been so blessed in my obedience.  Through this process my urge to shop has lessened and I don’t want to shop.  Yesterday I went into WALMART to buy some socks to workout in and the line was long and I walked out the store.  Now this is something I never do, I would have stood in that long line and got my shopping fix on.  I felt so good knowing I do not have to rely on shopping to make me feel good.