Accountability

Accountability is always good- most of us have it at work, with our friends, etc.  But, how many of you have it in your fitness life?  If you are "smart" then you will be able to answer with a hearty "ME"!  Last month I saw on Kaylie's blog about workout buddies.  Basically you come up with some goals for the month and have someone that you check in with regularly to see how you are doing.  My buddy for the month of February was Caitlin who blogs over at Chasing Chels.  Interestingly enough we found we have quite a bit in common (although I am quite a bit older than she is- by about 13 years).  She lives in Pittsburgh (where my dad grew up) and loves to run (while I don't LOVE the run I don't mind it).  She also has been a preschool teacher until recently (which I am- LOL)  Anyway, she was a great partner.  Checked in with me regularly on how my three goals were coming along and when she read something on my blog- she emailed me to just let me know she was thinking of me.  That, my friends, is how you stay accountable :)  Thanks Caitlin!  and my March partner is a young (younger than Caitlin) high schooler so that's a whole new dimension and perspective for me :)

My February goals were 3-fold:
1) to have lights out by 10:30 on the weeknights.  I actually did pretty well on this- had a few nights that I struggled (mainly Sundays) but overall I hit this one!
2) to add at least 1 day of strength training- this one- didn't do so well with it :(  Need to get on this
3) to have at least one meatless meal a week- this tended to be breakfast because it's a little easier to do.  I like my meat- what can I say (and when I do meat it's chicken and turkey)

My March goals are still being ironed out but I have a feeling you will see 1 and 2 on there again.

Caitlin- thanks for a great month!  You rock!

So- my question to you is- do you have someone to hold you accountable in your fitness goals?  Who and HOW?

True Strength

**sorry for those who got this as a double post in a reader- I thought I set it to schedule on wednesday and it published automatically when I finished.  I didn't want it "live" until Wednesday so I deleted and redid it.

The Free Online Dictionary defines strength as the following:
 The state, property, or quality of being strong. 
 The power to resist attack; impregnability.

 The power to resist strain or stress; durability.

A source of power or force. 

 One that is regarded as the embodiment of protective or supportive power; a support or mainstay.

The Bible (my "dictionary") defines strength as being found in God.  Just a few verses that I highlight today regarding strength:
1 Chronicles 19: 13- "Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” (this is an interesting story in the chapter...)

Psalm 18:31-33 (I LOVE this imagery)- "For who is God, but the Lord?  And who is a rock, except our God?— the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless.  He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights."

Psalm 28:7- "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."

and Psalm 46:1- "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

I think, as you can see the world's definition of strength and the Bible's definition of strength are pretty much one and the same- the difference?  The source of that strength.  Sadly, the world sees strength as physical or even mental.  I believe the Bible defines strength on all levels- including physical and mental but taking it one step further to the spiritual.  I have been attacked lately on several things- physically (my knee), mentally (discouragement) and most recently spiritually (wondering if I am hearing God correctly).  Thankfully, I have a good foundation on the spiritual and mental side of things and am working on the physical aspect in order to fight off those attacks.  

Now, how does this relate to fitness, to sweat, to leaving it all out on the floor? 

 

 I think it fits in here perfectly... to know that when you have reached the end of all that you THINK you can do, the strength that got you to where you are- when you dig in deep, when you're at that "quitting" moment- THAT is what is going to get you through.  Just as, for me, I know the Lord is what got me to where I am and HE will carry me (he says so multiple times in both Psalms and Isaiah)!  

**disclaimer: I know that not all who read my blog believe as I do, however, these latest posts are where I am personally at this point in time.  I will not deny my faith as it is a very real part of who I am and my daily life (physically and spiritually).  So please know that I will at times take this blog in a different track (I guess that today is one of those times).  If you ever feel the need to ask more questions please comment below or send me a personal email (email is in the about me part).  If not, know that not ALL of my posts will be in this vein.

Dreamers

 This week Holley asked us to take a look at some God-sized dreamers that we knew personally, in the Bible or just out there in the world.  I have been thinking about this off and on all week and today at church it hit me- I know, personally, 2 God-sized dreamers and their families.  This week is our Global Impact week (aka missions conference) and today in class one of our national missionaries spoke.  Now, the thing is, I KNOW this missionary.  I have been to his country and worked with his family 3 different times.  The first time was 10 years ago this summer, again in 2005 and then I traveled by myself for 2 1/2 weeks in 2006.  Who are these amazing God-sized dreamers?  George Romeos (Marcy and children) and Fotis Romeos (Mary and children).  Where?  Athens, Greece.  It's been way too long since I have been there and this place holds a HUGE place in my heart and it has long been my desire to return. 

George and Fotis are brothers who, along with partners, had the vision for The Cosmovision Center.  This center is a "multi-purpose facility" and "is located just a few miles from the new airport of Athens and only 17 miles from the historic spot of Mars Hill in downtown Athens."  The vision includes The Transformation Center (youth sports and family facility), International Center of New Testament and Mission Studies; The First Greek Christian School of Athens and The Base of various Educational Programs. 

2003

2005

2006

As you know the economic crisis in Greece has led to a higher unemployment and a HUGE need.  Not only that but there are many people coming in from other countries.  These two men are amazing God-sized dreamers who need our prayers to continue their work.  Their dedication to God, to their families, to their country, and to those who are lost and seeking is so inspirational and reminds me so much of when Mordecai tells Esther- that all that she is going through is for such a time as this.

Sweat Pink, running, and life

Three totally random things and yet, all weave together like a tapestry.

Sweat Pink-earlier this week I got an email saying that I had been accepted as a SPA (sweat pink ambassador).  Basically it means that I am "tough and girly" (haha) and not afraid to sweat pink.  It's a great support system and it gives me another means to encourage and reach out to those in my own community!

Running- I'm behind in my half marathon training because of the knee issues.  I'm a little frustrated and starting to question my decision to run this.  Part of me feels like I should have planned for more time and then the other part of me has realized that quite honestly, I just don't like running long distances.  I like the 5K's and 5 milers but anything beyond that just seems like a chore.  So, I have come to the conclusion that it would have to be one super cool, special, awesome race to bring me out of half marathon retirement (One of the Disney races would be one of those).  And you know what- that's okay.  Of course, this could all change once the weather stops acting fickle and decides what it's going to be- this back and forth from cold to warm and sun and rain is messing with me! 

Life- well, life is just life- busy, nonstop, eccentric, extraordinary, and just overall crazy!  The calendar is crazy- I sit and go through my March and think it's pretty much gone already.  How did that happen?  (and it technically hasn't even started yet).  I have been working on work stuff (long days, meetings, etc), doctor's appointments (good visit- will chat more later on that), nutrition class stuff (yeah, I finally decided to just do the readings and quizzes rather than the projects as well- the time is overwhelming and something had to give), and the steps for health coaching (more on that later as well). 

So, that's a peek into what's been going on- will keep on truckin' along and know that Spring Break is a month away!

What will you do?

Today's challenge from Holley was all about looking at our life and taking that step now that we have removed something from our life that could stand in the way of the dream.  I took out my TV (except for Monday night Biggest Loser) and found that this past week was still so crazy that I didn't get done all that I needed to during the week BUT, I didn't fritter away my time staring mindlessly at the tv either.  This week will be a good test of my time.  I'm not counting Monday since it's not part of my week but I do have a long day on Tuesday and then the rest will be "normal" with a dr appt on Thursday so no school for me that day.  My plan is to try to work a little every night on various things.  I have a menu plan set up- I need to set up a nightly plan as well- what I will work on both personally (you know, house stuff) and professionally to get ahead.

Now, my big step will be two fold- one, I will actually make that plan and two, this week I will be filling out the application for a local class to be held in May on health coaching.  It's a one day thing and costs about $100.  The application has to be turned in by April so I want to get this going.  I will be mailing the application and check next Monday, the 25th (so feel free to hold me accountable).  The online nutrition class is way more science oriented then I ever wanted so it's kicking my rear (in a good way) but I am not a quitter so I am determined to finish- no matter what!  Thanks for sharing my dream with me!  ETA: I downloaded the reading for this week- I have a request in to switch from an application level (quiz, plus, a travel plan for eating, plus a mind map/webbing for this week-week 5, 7, and 9).  This mind map took me FOREVER on week 3 and this week's material alone will take me hours to read, let alone process.  Anyway, I have requested to an understanding level which is reading the material and quiz only.  The only difference is that I won't get a certificate (which I am okay with) :)  I'll see what comes of my question.

Borrowing Trouble..

which I am not but I think I figured out the reason for my being "off" this past week (besides my dislike of that holiday).  It hit me when talking with someone but this Thursday is my yearly urologist appt.  Back in 2009 I was diagnosed with a kidney disorder (Medullary Sponge Kidney) that in essence turned my life upside down.  It has been this past year that I got serious with the dietary changes that needed to happen and I have seen pretty good results from that.  It's the reason I cut out wheat and soy along with other odds and ends.  Anyway, I go for my yearly visit to him every year around this time and even though I haven't really had many problems (actually until today- I have not had any at all and I'll find out Thursday if today's had anything to do with it or not since it'll still show up in my *ahem* testing)- anyway, even though I haven't had many problems it still makes me nervous and uneasy around my appointment.  Why?  I know it can't be changed (although one part of me wants to request another CT scan to see if there's been any changes at all- however, he said he won't request one because of the radiation) but it's just always there- in the back of my mind- just wondering- what is going on inside my body. 

However, this whole experience is what has led me to wanting to become a health coach- to help others who need guidance in this area as well.  4 years later, I am starting to see the reason behind this.  I wish I could see the end result but since I can't I'll just hold on, trusting that He will guide me.

 

Being Still

Lately I have felt this sense of urgency that something (or some things) needs to change.  I am like a hamster circling in his wheel over and over- doing the same things, day in and day out, with no end in sight.  There's a scene in While You Were Sleeping where Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is talking to her boss and has handed him the wedding invitation.  He asks her if she was insane and her response is: "Yes, Jerry. I'm insane. I go to work and I sit in a box like a veal. I work every holiday, I go home to a cat and now a rich and handsome man has asked me to marry him and I've said yes. OK. That makes me a total raving lunatic."

Well, other then the fact that I don't have a cat and nobody has asked me to marry him- this is how I feel.   So, lately this has been my focus.

 It's why my posts have been sporadic, and maybe a little more philosophical/thought provoking than my normal fitness related/running posts.  My time seems in high demand lately (this week alone I had an 11 hour day, a 12+ hour day, and 2 10 hour days) so the downtime I have had I have been spending it focusing on where it needs to be spent- my heart.  Unfortunately, my physical side of that has slowed down (at least this week).  I have done what I could when I can- next week my time should be different and I can do more.  All I know is that I am still working to find that balance.

So, in the meantime- I will slow down, take some time outdoors, have sporadic blogging, focus on my various relationships, LIVE, and be still just to hear what is being said.  In all of that, I hope to rediscover my joy for life (I'll be honest and admit I have been struggling with that lately).