Problem or Perspective

It’s already March! Where has all the time gone?! I hope you guys enjoyed last month’s challenge because this month will be similar to that again. It will be less of a fitness challenge than it has been in the past but none the less it will be challenging. As some of you know, I am 100% gluten free now. A couple of weeks ago I went back to the doctor and found out I have a lot of inflammation in my gut and a few other issues as well. So due to that fact, I started antibiotic shots Saturday and will continue those until my stomach settles down enough to have oral antibiotics. Which, in truth, I am not too excited about any of it. As of right now I am feeling okay. Just a little bit nervous because I know what is about to come. One of the many perks of having Lyme is herxing, which in itself, is a good and bad thing. God has a plan for me and I will trust his plan. It may not be to cure me and I am completely okay with that as long as he uses me the way he has always intended. I don’t know why I have Lyme or why I can’t just be normal but I would never ask for a different life. I have been given an opportunity to help others because of what I’m dealing with. If I were to never have Lyme my life would be completely different. I love my life now and if that means I get to have Lyme disease too then it can join the party!

            This March I want everyone to look at their lives and not ask God “Why” but to ask him to help you understand the bigger picture. Don’t ask God to change something you don’t like but ask him to help you know where he is leading you. It changes your perspective on how you look at issues in your life. The problem is not always the actual issue; you just might be looking at it the wrong way. Lyme is not my problem; it is how I deal with it that would either help someone else or destroy who I am. I would have never chosen to have Lyme but God knows where he is leading me and where I will go in my life. I will let him do as he will and be my guide through murky waters. Even if I can’t see, I know he is there guiding me step by step. So this month everyone gets to take a look at problematic things in their life or just things that may upset or annoy you. They all have a purpose and they all are ways to see God’s love for you. All you have to do is look. What you see as a problem might just be God’s way of directing you to your next step. Step out into the water of faith and watch as Jesus diminishes all doubt and keeps you safely walking with him. Let him lead you through your murky waters. You might be surprised that with Jesus you, too, can walk on water. With your faith and his unfailing love and power anything is possible. No problem is too big or too small to be turned into something that will glorify our Lord. God and God alone will set you free from your chains and release the difficulties of this life because we know what we have been promised. No matter how hard this life gets or how many complications get thrown our way God is preparing a permanent place for us. A place where there is no pain, no sorrow, no difficulties. It will be a place of paradise, joy, and pure holiness. One day we will be able to see God’s face and feel his warm embrace. One day he will reach his hand down to this world and bring us all home. One day we will live with him in heaven. Now look at the problems you had today. What is your perspective? Are they big? Small? Give it to God. Let him take care of everything. Let him be God.

Blessings of an Arrow

​Okay you guys, I have a confession to make. I have talked the talk but I have not walked the walk. I kept true to the fast food challenge though! In fact, when the month was over I went into Dairy Queen and enjoyed the most delicious burger my heart could ever desire. Unfortunately, my stomach had different ideas. So, all in all, I decided fast food is no longer for me. It is no longer a monthly challenge but a permanent dietary change. As for the physical part of the challenge, let’s just say it was nonexistent. In the last month or so I have encountered some setbacks that will hopefully be resolved soon. Some of these setbacks have included quite a bit of fatigue and some pain here and there that is a bit worrisome. With the intent of catching everything early (if it is anything at all) we are going back to the Lyme doctor to get it all checked out. I went into all of this thinking that after the initial treatment I would be all better and that I would stay in remission unless something traumatic were to happen such as surgery or something that would drastically lower my immune system but what I am learning is that this may in fact be a longer process than I thought. Recently, I got the chance to meet with someone who also has Lyme disease. He has had it for about five years so he is a little bit ahead of me treatment and recovery wise. None the less it was an eye opener for me. It made me realize that ten months of antibiotics is not going to magically cure me. It is going to take a lot longer than that and I have to learn to be patient. I heard a saying once that has always stuck with me, “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.” God knows my future and he knows where I need to be. I will get there in God’s timing not mine. This is just a detour. This is my scenic route so I will be patient and stop to smell some roses on the way! I don’t mean to say all this to complain, I promise. It is merely to explain that everyone has their ups and downs and this is one of my downs. I am still planning on participating in the Capital 10K in April though! Nothing will ever change that! I still strive for my goals and give 110% at everything I do (even when I shouldn’t). I work hard, play hard, and enjoy my life to the fullest despite my limitations. So this month’s challenge is to look around you and thank God for everything you have. Spend this month like it is your last. Take nothing for granted and really think about how much we are all blessed. When you are out on a walk around your neighborhood look at all the houses and realize there is a family that calls that house their home and inside that family is a unique story. There are seven billion people on this earth. Every number has a name and every name has a story. So your challenge this month is to look at your story and to realize all the blessings that live inside your unique story. This month is dedicated to saying a little prayer for the person who cuts you off in morning rush hour instead of getting irritated. It is dedicated to knowing it is not about where you've been, it's about what you're doing now and where you are going. It is dedicated to opening your eyes and seeing what God has done for you and those around you. February is dedicated to looking at everything through God’s eyes and seeing what truly is his awesome power. That is your challenge this month and I wish you all the best of luck! Remember this is a challenge so dig deep and really put some thought into it! You might be surprised at all the things you find! 

 

“People think I’m strong for the struggles I’ve had, problems I’ve encountered, and pains I’ve felt, but they are wrong I am weak but behind me is a STRONG GOD.”

Interested or committed

​Are you just interested or are you truly committed? The difference between the two are obvious but why is it so hard to decipher which category you might fit into? As for me, I fit into both at one point or another. I go back and forth between being interested and committed because sometimes doing what it takes to get to your goal just sucks. It starts out being fun and exciting but once the novelty wears off it becomes laborious and inconvenient. That is where being fully committed keeps you going. It keeps reminding you that each run and each workout is a goal in itself but also a part of a bigger picture. Just as I commit myself to Jesus by giving all I have to my savoir that is not where it ends. It is also my duty to stand with other Christians and serve others as Jesus did. I am a little part of a bigger picture. So when you try to decide whether you want to be interested or committed just think about what the world would be like if God was just interested in us. He gave his life for us so that we could live with him. He was truly and completely committed to us. When I think about all he has done and given up for me simple things like eating healthier and working out don’t seem so hard.  

​As we start off our new year, make it a year that counts. Make 2014 a year to remember, a year of growth and learning, a year to meet new goals, a year to forget about all your mistakes and failures and start off new and improved. Starting today, I challenge you to forget the past, appreciate the present and make a better future for yourself. I challenge you to dig deep and really concentrate on what you want your life to be about. Pray about it. Let God lead you to where you are meant to be. Let him work his plan. My favorite verse in the entire bible is Jeremiah 29:11 which states, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’”. I love that verse because I know that whatever life throws at me God is with me and anything is possible. He knows what is best and I do not fear because I AM His.

​Now that I have skipped the whole month of December (which I do apologize for) I want to present to you the January Challenges. First and foremost we will talk about the January food challenge. This month I have chosen to accomplish a Fast Food Free January! This is exactly what it sounds like so no beloved Whataburger, Sonic, Chicken Express etc. Instead, choose more homemade food or healthier options. Remember to look at it like a challenge and not a restriction. If you are highly competitive, like me, make it into a competition with someone to see how long you can go without fast food! Put some excitement into it and it will go by before you can say SUPERCALIFRGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS. (I probably spelled that wrong… but you get what I mean). And now (drum roll……..) the January Workout challenge is...FAB ABS JANUARY! Goodluck! 

"I am the daughter of a king who is not moved by this world for my God is with me and goes before me. I do not fear because I am his"

Real Clean

​Perception. Perception is the way a person might look at a situation or in this case, a definition. Everyone’s definition of eating “clean” is different. Each person has their own opinion and what works for them is what works for them. This is my opinion on the subject and the way that I look at the different aspects of eating. I do not count calories. I do not count points. I merely eat what is good for me and indulge in moderation. First and foremost I want to stress the point that clean eating is NOT a diet; it is a lifestyle. It is not a short term fad diet but a way of life. You have to stop thinking of food as a comfort or something to do when you are bored and start to think of food as fuel for your body. Once you have accomplished that goal then you are on your way to a healthier you!

​Clean eating is basically feeding your body the best foods possible so that it can function properly. For example, if you put bad gas into your car you won’t be going very far I’m afraid. But, if you fill up your car with the correct type of gas then you can drive across the whole country! The same goes for your stomach, if you eat greasy fast food or an entire box of Oreos everyday then you aren’t getting the necessary nutrients that your body needs to function properly and keep you feeling good.Some people say if it leaves your plate messy and greasy then it will leave your stomach like that too. One good way at determining if it is clean or not is to read the label. If the label has ingredients that you cannot pronounce then you are better off without it. Clean eating is all about consuming less ingredients and more nutrients. It’s about eating less processed and more natural.

    Eating whole wheat and whole grains is a great place to start but it doesn’t end there. Consuming plenty of fruits and veggies each day is a vital part of your meals each and every day. Knowing I am not the only one who has a hard time, I just want to say that it is not as hard as it seems. I have gone sixteen years refusing to eat anything that was considered a fruit or vegetable but now it is part of every meal. If you are still hesitant, pick one vegetable and one fruit every week and try something new. Especially with veggies there are so many different ways to prepare them so that they taste different. For me, I hardly like anything raw. All my veggies have to be either cooked, steamed or sautéed.

    Just remember this is a big change so take it slow to prevent becoming overwhelmed. Change just a few things each week and choose healthy swaps for certain unhealthy options. Keep an open mind and know that these aren’t restrictions but options for a better, healthier future. So now that I have blabbed enough, I thought I’d show you guys an example of a normal day for me and what foods I take to work for the day. I also want to point out that I do eat 5 to 6 small meals a day instead of 3 larger ones. For breakfast I will always have a banana with something whether it be some whole grain cheerio’s or sometimes I’ll have a whole grain waffle and top it off with a dash of cinnamon. About 3 hours later I’ll have the Special K protein bar, see below, which is absolutely delicious! Then some lunch, which in this case is steamed broccoli and carrots with a chicken salad that is topped off with some all natural cubed cheese. After I get off work I’ll usually have another smaller protein bar as a pre workout snack as well as just to hold me over until dinner. As you can see I am definitely not depriving myself either and I never get so hungry that I think about just grabbing something quick and easy. It is all about preparing your meals ahead of time so you have all those healthy options at your fingertips.

​Moving on to one of my favorite chicken recipes! It’s called Oven Baked Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken. I know, I know, it’s a really long name but it is amazing. I love it because it is super simple even I can make it as well as the sweet element the brown sugar adds to it. So if you have a sweet tooth this is definitely the one to try soon!

OVEN BAKED GARLIC BROWN SUGAR CHICKEN

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 tablespoons brown sugar

3 teaspoons olive oil

Directions:

1.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees and lightly grease a casserole dish

2.

In a small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender (or until brown)

3.

Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar

4.

Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture (it’s a mixture not a glaze but feel free to add some honey if desired)

5.

Add salt and pepper to taste (I never do)

6.

Bake for 25-28 minutes

 

Here is some pictures of how I cooked it!

 

 My sautéed garlic!

Garlic and brown sugar mixture!

 

Make sure to evenly distribute the mixture onto the chicken! I also poke holes in the chicken as well to help the mixture soak in!

TA DA!!!! Amazingly yummy SWEET chicken! (ignore the half that's already gone!)

New Replacement November

      Okay you guys time to get down to business! Each month I will post a fitness challenge as well as a food challenge. During that challenge it is your job to focus and to not cheat. If you give it your all you will not be disappointed! Some will be easier than others but nonetheless it is a challenge. There are no excuses and no breaks! Focus on one day at a time and one meal at a time.

      If I have learned anything recently I have learned that healthy eating requires me to plan ahead. It is so much easier to fuel your body with healthy things if you know exactly what you are going to eat and when. Planning ahead also decreases the amount of temptation I might have as I drive past a Whataburger or Sonic. When I know I have something delicious at home waiting for me, it is easy for me to pass those things up. Each week I will also be posting my favorite clean eating meals that go along with our challenges. This food will be fuel for your body and delicious without being bland or boring. Each and every month will be something different and exciting.  

        As I introduce the first set of challenges I don’t want you to completely disregard them knowing that thanksgiving is approaching. You can still stay on track even through the holidays. Just remember to indulge in moderation. Take one step at a time and you will be amazed at where you will be at in a year or even just a few months! Changes don’t happen overnight so once you commit to a challenge pursue it with your whole heart and you will be able to achieve unimaginable things.

​This month the food challenge will be to replace all white rice with brown rice and all white bread to full and 100% whole wheat. On December 1st your pantry should be filled with all whole grain items including flour, bread, tortillas, pasta, pizza crust, cereal and anything else you can find to replace with whole grain or whole wheat. We will call this challenge the New Replacement November.

​Moving on to our fitness part of the challenge, I challenge you to take control of the thoughts in your mind that come up with all the bogus excuses. I challenge you toovercome those obstacles and defeat the voice that says, “I’ll start tomorrow.” I challenge you to pick something or someone to do it for. Pick something that inspires you to do more than you could ever have thought possible. Put your heart and soul into each workout and I promise you that you won’t regret it. Most importantly have fun with it! Find a workout buddy to support and push you even when you don’t feel like working out. The reward lies in knowing that two weeks ago you weren’t able to do what you just did. Progress is your goal no matter how slow or how fast progress is your goal. So here’s to always having a better tomorrow!

Just the Beginning

​As I sit here thinking about what exactly I want this blog to be about and what to include, I can’t help but think about everything that has lead up to this moment. I hope to include all the ups and downs of training as well as my favorite clean food recipes. As I go through this journey to a healthier lifestyle my mind races. It races through all the excitement, all the delicious, nutritional food that is awaiting it’s time in the spotlight, and all the exhilarating miles that lie before me. It races through everything that could become of my life.

​With that being said I would like to share the answer to an overly asked question. Why do I run? Running not only benefits my physical body but also spiritually and emotionally as well. Running is my stress reliever, my go-to on a bad day, my celebration on a good day and my perseverance on a day when I would rather sleep. It symbolizes freedom and hope. It’s a friendly reminder of who is ultimately in control – God. The longer and faster I run the better I feel. The burning of my lungs, the pounding of my shoes as they hit the pavement one after another, my racing heart, and the blaring music that runs through the cords of my headphones…that is what keeps me going. When it gets difficult and I feel like giving up I know that my God will give me strength. He will light up my path. He will carry my load. He will keep me going.

​I run for many different reasons including my sanity but mostly I run for those who are unable. I know all too well what it is like to not have the ability to run but to be honest I wouldn’t take back what happened for anything. Fortunately for me that chapter of my life has passed and gone away and it is now time to improve the future. However, when I say unable I do not, under any circumstance, include the people who don’t WANT to or say they are too BUSY. Those people can suck it up and run. I am talking about the people who wake up in the morning hoping that they have the strength to make it through another long day. I run to support them and to prove to them that there really is a light at the end of the tunnel.

​My adventure has just begun and I can’t wait to see where God will lead me to next. Some people say they have a fear of the unknown but in my opinion life is like a never ending surprise. Forest Gump said it best, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” So you can either stay in fear or lunge at the challenge that is set forth with a positive attitude and a giving heart.