Exercise

One year ago I was overweight and none of my clothes fit. That was getting ready to change.

Today I ran a 5K race with Kerri-

Who won a cowbell at the GReat STeaks Race in Ringling, OK- coming in at 2nd place , and daughter Kasidy who also won in the 1m division.

Exercise is one of the hardest parts of losing excess weight....

I had no idea how much fun it would be to do all the things I can do now. I can run, I can climb, my kids think I can do the Wipeout show! But I haven't always been that way.

For years I believed the lies-

1. Your a mom. Mom's don't do these things.
Bologna- (which should be spelled beloanie lol but no one asked me) Truth is the kids love to exercise with me- dancing, trampoline jumping, running, walking, swimming, hiking, climbing - they take great joy in the fact that I get in there and do it with them and they are better off from the exercise. They need a role model not just a cheer leader.

2. It's just too much work.
Ok truth is it is work but as with all work there is reward. And I was believing the lie that the reward wouldn't be enough. It takes time to see results. Most people give up too soon. Please let this sink in- there is no feeling like finishing a race- pushing through, enduring the pain, seeing the blessed finish line!

And the fellowship with the others who are doing it too- I have met more cool interesting people at the races. That's not even mentioning the therapy sessions I get with Kerri 2-3 times a week when we run.

3. I don't have time.
Hog wash! You make time. Truth is you find time for the things you need and want to do. You have been given time & you choose how to fill the time. You can get up early (which I highly suggest) and make the sacrifice by going to bed earlier, forgoing late night tv or facebook. Or find time during lunch or be a weekend warrior, getting in 2 workouts a week. You make it a family activity (evening walks or wiifit session) or like me a therapy session with a trust friend. It's time well spent.

side note- if you happen to have just had a baby, pregnant or find yourself after an injury or surgery- hang on, start with reasonable expectations and goals- you will get there! Don't believe the lie that you are too far gone to ever get back into better health. Eat well, stay focused, find support networks and listen to your doctor for sure! 

4. I will be sore. 

Yes you will be but it won't last long, they make recovery drinks, bananas if you want a more organic supplement. Start smart. Don't kill your self, get a trainer, and stretch. On P90X there is a 60 min. video in the rotation that is nothing but stretching...yes it's that important! 

5. Exercise is boring.
Are you kidding? What was I thinking? Do these pictures look boring? Zumba is not boring. Running maybe, but hiking? The fresh air , the new scenery, the life, the connection with other created things..

Over coming a fear of heights....

The view from the top...

Fun ride coming down...

It's adventure and we were made for it. 

Another bordom buster- listen to books on ipods or good fast music- I memorize things from the Bible to occupy the time. Smart phones have apps with encouraging quotes and logs. Vary the routine, too, no one is going to want to do p90x or Jillian Michaels forever- I do a netflix workout at least once a month and am always looking for a new challenge...

like the Jump Rope- 

I set a goal (50) and go until I reach the goal. It took several days of trying. I am goal oriented. Find out what works for you and just do it!


I have been set free from an old way of living that wasn't really living at all by what Jesus did on the Cross, he took my punishment and gave me his spirit. I had wanted to be free a long time before I started living like I was. Many of my decisions were based on lies, ( I'll save the food lies for later). Truth is I have an enemy of my soul (think like how EVERY movie has a villain, where did you think they got that idea?) and there is a plot to take me out. But there is a way , the truth, and life in the person of Jesus Christ. Stepping out in the truth isn't a one time thing. I choose truth each day. Freedom is found one day (sometimes one hour) at a time. Just brace yourself , it's a LONG obedience in the right direction. And it's so incredibly worth it.

To move this body is to worship the creator of it.
 To say thank you with every step.
 To rejoice with every goal met.
 To feel delight in sweet victory.
There are times where I think I'd rather just sing with the band, but I'd miss the incredible scenery if I did.

Putting one foot in front of the other one day at a time,
Lori

Race #1

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

1 Corinthians 9:24
 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Galatians 2:2
 I wanted to be sure I was not running 

and had not been running my race in vain.

2nd place (out of 13) in my age division, 40 out of 120 something overall, 30.01

Finishing with a friend- priceless

All is Grace!

A little emotional about my first 5K

I wouldn't have done childhood without Deborah Nathan Kline or Becky Mackenzie Graves or Jackie Mackenzie Montgomery, or Janice Coble

 I wouldn't have done high school without Mandy James Robbins,

I wouldn't have have done life without Cody Deevers,

I wouldn't have done Alex, Ok without Kasey Parr

Couldn't do Sunday mornings without Shelby Midgley

and I certainly wouldn't be running in a 5k tomorrow if it werent' for Kerri Pemberton Tivis!!!!

Thank you God for the wonderful people in my life I call friends

Getting my tunes and gear ready!

what I do for exercise-recreate

It’s been 10 months. 

10 months since God said, “Your done, Repent!”

10 months since I realized the chains were gone. 

10  months of watching God work and change me in awestruck wonder. And I am so so so thankful it didn't come from a bottle, a prescription, a sleezy self help magazine or even a personal trainer...it came as a gift from God himself.

The reward for repentance is priceless. I will never go back. I have not forgotten. Nor have I shed the flesh that so quickly can revert back to old ways of thinking. 

In the busy-ness of May I found those old habits sneaking in. Made me think. What have I done? What works, what can I tell you to help you if you find yourself in the same situation. 

Life never cooperates.  The fight is never easy. There is never a  better time than right now to repent. You must learn how to obey even when you don’t feel like it or you’ll never experience victory. 

So what worked? 

I rested. The fact that my victory came at the same time I was on sabbatical is no coincidence. I was able to slow down some ( I still poured out my life in ministry, worked part time and mothered full time). 

I received. Instead of leading a Bible Study, I participated in one. And it was no coincidental one either- 10 years after my first introduction - Breaking Free was hand picked for me. I lived it...He really can and wants to set us free. We just give up far too soon or think we are the only case he can't handle.

I reprented. I changed. I said no when the flesh used to say yes. Basic eat less, exercise more. 

I relived. When the change started happening I started seeing food as beautiful, delicious, nurturing, the tastes were exquisite, the flavors were glorious, the colors brighter, the textures new and fresh....what had brought so much shame and guilt before now was such an enjoyable experience. What it was supposed to be before the fall of man I guess. And I anticipate meals and gatherings more. 

I recreated. Exercising was not a chore but a form of worship. I would turn on the praise music and just dance, moving with a thankful heart. Thanking God all the while for a brain, legs that move, arms that can bend, and the music that moves me. I always start my day with God, Chris Tomlin and Tony Horton. In that order. I used what I had and I had P90X so we started and went with it. I love a good challenge. But the mindset is the same- worship the creator through movement. 

I realized that I lost the majority of my weight in those 12 weeks of the contest. With 5 pounds to hit my goal I kept up the 5 days a week exercising, taking 2 days to play with the kids and rest. I made a list- a month of workouts. It gives me some freedom to make things work. I have all the P90x workouts (which provide a lot of variety kenpo, plyo, lots of arms, legs and back, even yoga and stretch ,13 or more) along with running, net flix workouts, step workouts during movies (just something I have) and I created a trampoline workout ( I love that one). Tony says “Do your best forget the rest” and   “Variety is the Spice of LIfe”. You can’t do the same thing all the time, you have to have a balanced workout routine and a fun one! Right now I am swimming with the kids in the summer. I love moving, jumping on the trampoline till you can’t breathe, hiking and bicycling. I do get tired of Tony all the time so I venture out trying other things- my newest thing is running 5K’s . I have my first in 3 weeks! I just do it. No excuses, no quitting, just a long obedience in the right direction. 


Just keep at it!

So proud

Almost 2 years ago I met a girl at the pool in a hotel while at a convention. This has happened before. And I felt a connection to her. Talked to her, we both blog and have kept up with each other over the last 2 years...

She's the one on the far left.

She follows me here on "my world" and watched me on my weight loss journey in the fall. She felt God leading her in the same direction so we started holding each other accountable through msgs, phone calls, fb, myfitnesspal.com etc.

Today she wrote me that she placed 6th in the weightloss contest she entered! meaning she won some "plunder"

She hasn't placed at all the whole time but God blessed her with a 5 lb weight loss this last week! She has lost 25lbs altogether and we will continue to stay accountable even though the contest is over.

Angela has been so adamant and faithful to repent and seek the Lord, I am so incredibly proud and happy for her- may many be inspired....

Repentance

I have been forced recently to deal with compliments. Everyone likes a compliment every now and then but I have had people comment everyday for several weeks on my weight loss.

I haven't posted about it since finishing the contest last December. 

I have continued to lose a few more pounds since I didn't reach my goal in 12 weeks and have enjoyed continuing to workout.

But most of all I have enjoyed the freedom from the bondage. It's been amazing how something that was such a hangup, such a source of guilt and shame could be turned around and used for such enjoyment. In some addictions you simply stop but with food you must learn to deal with food. My body has to eat. I can make pound cake and remember my grandmother's table and reveal in the sweet taste and memory. I worship while dining and creating wonderful food full of flavor. It's divine! God meant for food to be enjoyed and the enemy knows it and tries his hardest to mess us up.

I inevitably am asked what are you doing?

It's quite simple, yet my story could take an hour to tell....I'll stick to the short version, If you want the long version I'd love to tell it...

I did  3 things

Repent- James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Eat less- 
Exercise more-

you can eat less, you can exercise much but without repenting it didn't work, and it never will

until I acknowledged that what I was doing was sin, I was just trying to help myself

if I have learned anything at all it's that I can't help myself, it's only God who changes the heart

he alone brought made it all come together- there's so much to tell, he counseled me through, he alone, and he alone will get the praise

I only did what I was supposed to do. I never quit following him to freedom. And God did what he promised to do! So compliment HIM, I applaud him quite often and Charis and I dance in the kitchen regularly!

my why- 26,000

26, 000 children will die today due to starvation and curable diseases.

26,000

From the beginning of my weight loss contest it's been about Breaking Free.

Repentance. 

Change. 

and Plunder. 

God was kind enough to send me yet another sign 

reminding me where the plunder could go if my heart was willing

and after all he's done for me

yes it's willing....

they should receive the money this week.

Please don't ignore 26,000.

Don't ignore the fact that you have money to spare, we can all do something.

Several life altering websites I've been following lately

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

http://christmaschange.com/index.php

Last Weigh In!!!!

The end has come. 

12 weeks, many goals, one helper.

Psalm 121:2 

My help comes from the LORD, maker of heaven and earth. 

How good was God to give this to me today....

Normal. I started out in the obese area. 

I lost over 30 lbs. 

Nervously I await the final results.......

It's HIS kindness that leads to repentance. Hosea 11:4, Romans 2:4

It's HIS love that allows me to love. I John 4:19

It's HIS sacrifice that has set me free. John 3:16

It's HIS words that helps me attack the lies that parade around in my head wanting attention. Psalm 107:20

These have been the themes in my life this fall. I have seen much "harvest" or "fruit" from the "sowing". Better said, I have seen good things come from seeking God this fall.

God invited me to rest. I came whole heartedly and faithfully to sit , read and think. I am forever grateful.
The family and I are writing down our gratitude this week in preparation for Thanksgiving. I think instead of paper I may buy a table cloth to write on. We can add to it each year and lay it on the table before the Lord as an offering of Thanks.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)

 ^24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.


 ^26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.


I am in the last 10 days of a little "race" I started Sept 7. I am tired, I am hungry, I am lonely, I am vulnerable, I am close. 


Yesterday proved grace doesn't do away with temptation. It's there, you'd better have a plan. You'd better pray for the "want to"


having a holy experience 
Lori

Weight loss contest- week 10

week 9   -1.3,


and today's weigh in, week 10  -2


my new goal is for it to not say "overweight" on my wii fit :)


I won't make my original goal in 2 weeks, I'd have to pull 12 lbs-

Every week I see progress though so I am thankful for that, albeit slow, which is healthy- this week I got into a pair of jeans I bought some time ago and have never been able to wear and I was able to do a dreya roll in my workout- at the end of cadiox workout they do a minute of them and there was no way I could do it. I kept at it and knew once I got stronger and had less mid section I probably could and yesterday I finally did it. I jumped up and down for 30 seconds!

Galatians 6:9


⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. 
At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Tuesday weigh in day-week 8

-1.8

I'm excited.

1. I've officially lost 20 lbs now!

2. We are now approaching my favorite holiday- Thanksgiving

3. I think I may actually fit in the teeny tiny thanksgiving shirt I bought at Old Navy last year after thanksgiving for $1

4. I am .2 lbs away from actually weighing what my driver's licenses says I weigh- wow, that's amazing

5. I weighed less the beginning of this month than last.

I have 4 weeks to go,  8 lbs before the wii puts my in the normal category, I'm still "overweight".

The Tempation this weekend was really strong to go back to old habits, really strong. I feel I've been given a lot of grace the last 8 weeks and while grace never runs dry,  how do you know you are really walking in freedom unless it's tested? I read a quote last night I like- The gospel is that we say yes to Him again and again and again.


Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. Matthew 18:

Getting victory over the moments,
The tote bag blogger

Tuesday weigh in day-week 7

-3.7

Amazing after the week I've had. The kids were home for 2 extra days this weekend making it hard to exercise. Funny thing was by Sunday I was missing my workout. So I worked out in the early am and then did a little weekend exercise stuff with Silas (hiking)

We went to a local "hill" and climbed up it. 

Plus I finally got to go out with Cody for my belated birthday, my mom came. We had 3 sets of "get togethers" with various people. Lots of good times made around a table. And then last night happened.

I ate light all day for the annual 4H cookoff. Just look at this set up...

That's Silas' Chocolate Spiders that I entered him in.

And Cady made Ghostly Nutter Butters. 

It's like a pot luck/cooking contest. CAdy is still a cloverbud and doesn't get judged. After an hour of judging the very hungry people come in and eat the cold food while they announce the winners. It takes awhile but it's fun. The kids do crafts (they even took pre cloverbud Charis who was running around like a banshee, thank the Lord) while they judge.

The food is displayed so neatly..

Very thankful,
Lori

1 Peter 1:13 & 14
Think clearly and exercise self control. Look forward to a special blessing that will come to you at the return of Jesus Christ. Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil: you didn't know any better THEN. 

Tuesday weigh in day-week 6

-2.4  all to glory of God, I haven't done this alone

I have m & m's, chocolate covered espresso beans and Reeces Cups in my pantry. They've been there over a month. I can't tell you what a miracle this is.

I attended a conference with friends this weekend. I did splurge a little. I had a vegetable baguette that was amazing (portabello mushrooms) and tried  sushi for the first time at Central Market. You heard me, and please read this if you haven't ever heard of this place. I had almond and apricot chicken salad, fruit and chicken con chile soup and dolmas. A Greek appetizer my Greek sister in law insist I try. It wasn't too bad, definitely something you grow up eating, just look at them....do they look appealing?

All in moderation. I skipped the starbucks run and fries at McDonald's. I saved the chips and chocolate I was given at the exhibits for the kids.

I am in this for the long haul. I don't want to ever have to loose this much weight again. In real life fun times happen. Food was meant to be consumed, enjoyed, shared. I can't wait to share with you what I learned at this conference about the table! Some food is better for you than other food. Be aware. Be smart. You can't have it all.

Thankful,
Lori

Tuesday weigh in day-week 5

-1.5 still a loss but I was wanting more...I have slacked a little this week in my calorie estimating. (I don't write it down so I don't really know)

One thing about repentance it doesn't come easy- hard, harder, easier, under my feet.....worth it but it's not handed to me. Every pound is earned.


 I have found moderation is essential. Let me introduce you to moderation.

The muffin on the right is what I'd normally eat but the one on the left is what I need, just a taste. These had cream cheese stuffed in the middle. A copy from starbucks....I don't want to spend the rest of my life not eating good food so I figured I'd better learn to eat in moderation. Works for me.

Larry Boy and the Bad apple is one of Charis' favorite movies- she sings this song all the time

Hunger- Mine and the World's

I have found myself hungry over the last 5 weeks- it's good to be hungry. Your food tastes so much better.

Almost immediately I knew what I was supposed to do with any money won from this contest- we have a local food bank that is always in need of help and donation and a year ago I was blessed to meet 8 Nepali orphans that stole my heart forever. Their care givers live month to month- and funding has been down this year.

Every time I get hungry I remember them and the billion other people around the world who will go to bed hungry tonight.

My little GA brought this information home last week-

It's world hunger month. And we are raising money for it.

The calendar gives us ideas. Just look...

Each day we read the challenge and do it. She marked out the one that said, "clear the table without being asked" Cady has asked others around the neighborhood to donate and we had the guys that come hang out with Cody to donate pocket change.

Here's where we put it...

Hungry and doing something about it,
Lori

Weekend Exercise

Along with eating in moderation, drinking lots of water and getting good sleep- I exercise.

I started with walking. I had a partner, a friend. I found a time that works good. In the morning when I have energy. I am less likely to do it later.

I took Nikki's (our contest organizer and encourager) advice and did 5 days a week. I had done zumba before and have the music, I love to dance (oh but ya'll know that click here if you forgot). So to mix it up and have something on the one rainy day in the last 4 weeks I do 30 min. of zumba.

Then after a couple of weeks and after I'd lost some weight I wanted to step it up again, living 30 min from trainers and gyms is limiting. If I'm anything I'm resourceful (but you knew that too click here to see what I did with my kids rooms in August). So I decided to put those P90X videos Cody bought back in the summer to use.

I don't like their length, I usually can't do hour and 1/2 long workouts but I tried the cardio x workout and it was 40 min, did yoga, plyo, kempo and core stuff and it was doable. And Tony is a good trainer. A little silly but it works for me, so I added one of those a week to the walking and zumba.

On the weekends I don't usually workout, I like to spend the time with the big kids- but I do keep moving. It's good for them and me and fun-

We jump.

We also play a little.

We jump till we are tired and then lay on our backs and watch the clouds float by. It is one of our favorite things.

The heavens declare the glory of God....

What do you do with your kids to stay active? How can you move with kids of all ages?

The best things in life aren't found in bags,
the backyard jumper

Tuesday weigh in day-week 4

Boy this week was tough.

-2.6

Want to know what truly helped? The contest leader sent some videos to inspire and those were good but session 4 of BReaking FRee video got me back on track...

after coming face to face with some old habits sneaking back in Sunday's video was on getting victory in the moments before we make it to the milestones and prayer!

Eat well, sleep well, drink half your body weight in oz, move (exercise) these are the "tips" we've been given and our leader is dead on! She's right and she has been the best "coach" I am forever grateful but I am changing a lifestyle and hope to report back a year from now and say I'm still doing it! Still living in victory over self indulgence.

Philipians 4:6 Do not worry about anything, instead in everything pray!

2 cor. 2:9 No eye has seen, no ear has heard nor mind conceived what God has in store for those who love him.


Sunday night Ms. Beth Moore also hit on our "want to's" , so many people just don't "want to" be free.

I have desired it far too long to quite trying now! She said it's hard, then it gets harder, then it gets easier, then it's "under my feet"

I watched The Proposal last night with Sandra Bullock- surprisingly wonderful movie- the last scene she she's telling him to give up and forget loving her because it'd be easier. I love how he comes in and says, "Yes that would be easier," with this steadfast look letting her know he isn't letting her go. The hardest things in life are most rewarding. Following Christ, Marriage, Raising kids, Changing lifestyle habits..

It helps to have the accountability with the group and a little work out partner...

We have added to our walks, zumba and then p90x workouts-

She grunts along with me...

 awe, that's better....


Sore and hungry,
Lori