What is beautiful? Is it smooth and flawless skin? Or does it have wrinkles...... laugh lines? Furrows and divots that suggest tears and laughter and living?
What is beautiful? Is it shiny, silky hair perfectly groomed? Or is it a mound piled atop a head bent low. Scrubbing toilets. Emptying trash. Wiping noses. Wild and messy.....Is that beautiful?
What is beautiful? Is it perfect words and eloquent prose? Is it knowing the right answer.....Every. Single. Time. Or is it broken? Is it real? Is it lost and empty and needing help....is it not quite all together.....
What is beautiful? The perfect outfit. The coordinating jewelry and shoes? Or is beauty displayed on the tattered T-shirt. Spattered with a remnants of life.....dirt, waste, stains.....
Is living beautiful or just looking?
Is working beautiful or just buying?
Is serving beautiful or just pampering?
Is beauty skin deep or is it perhaps deeper?
What is beautiful?
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Fall Break
What a fantastic week this has been.
The Home Builders Academy was on Fall Break! Yippee!!!
I love breaks from school!
I did a lot of baking .....and had a lot of helpers.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Bars
Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese cinnamon frosting.
I got to make some delicious fall recipes: My favorite was Julia's Roasted Vegetables. YUMMY!
It has become a staple at our dinner table!
We had play dates at the park.
I read stacks of library books to the children.
I sat on the front porch with a cup of hot tea and read my own book too!
I celebrated a birthday with a sweet friend.
Watched my boy play some good football.
Took several long walks and enjoyed the autumn hues and the crisp weather.
Ahhh......I like fall.
The fair!
The friends....
The chill.....
This week there was time to linger. In the Word. In relationships with friends and family. We got to wake up slowly, stay up late, take bubble baths. There was time for the fun stuff that the business of school so easily crowds out.
Breaks remind me to live slower. To savor more.
I LOVE breaks where we slow down enough to enjoy each other....
We still had music to practice and appointments to keep, but without the pressure of school the pace was so nice!
The Home Builders Academy was on Fall Break! Yippee!!!
I love breaks from school!
I did a lot of baking .....and had a lot of helpers.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Spice Bars
Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese cinnamon frosting.
I got to make some delicious fall recipes: My favorite was Julia's Roasted Vegetables. YUMMY!
It has become a staple at our dinner table!
We had play dates at the park.
I read stacks of library books to the children.
I sat on the front porch with a cup of hot tea and read my own book too!
I celebrated a birthday with a sweet friend.
Watched my boy play some good football.
Took several long walks and enjoyed the autumn hues and the crisp weather.
Ahhh......I like fall.
The fair!
The friends....
The chill.....
This week there was time to linger. In the Word. In relationships with friends and family. We got to wake up slowly, stay up late, take bubble baths. There was time for the fun stuff that the business of school so easily crowds out.
Breaks remind me to live slower. To savor more.
I LOVE breaks where we slow down enough to enjoy each other....
We still had music to practice and appointments to keep, but without the pressure of school the pace was so nice!
Monday, October 14, 2013
The Great Weight Update....
Ahh....my weight loss is now officially DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!
In the last month I lost.....drum roll please.....was 1.8 pounds. Yep....That is it.
Why?
I think there are several reasons:
1. I have been at this for 16 months. My body is getting used to the loss and I have a lot less to lose so naturally things will slow down. I mean I have lost 88.6 pounds!!! That is a lot of change!
2. I have stopped my super demanding exercise routine in favor of a much gentler and normal exercise routine. I hurt my ankle pretty badly and whenever I try to run the pain comes as a throbbing reminder to STOP. So....I am not burning nearly the calories I was burning which means I have had to make tremendous dietary changes. UGH! It also means my weight loss has slowed down....
There is no way around it...if you eat less then you burn you lose weight. If you don't you don't!
So....I am going easy on myself. I still have 15 pounds to lose before I am the correct weight for my height. So barring a growth spurt, I'm not done losing yet! Yet I am not on a time table. I am still losing weight, be it a snails pace! I am still eating a lot less then I used to eat and making MUCH healthier choices! I am still working out....except now it is more like:
Monday-Rest
Tuesday-elliptical for 30 minutes
Wednesday-rest
Thursday-walk with a friend for 30 minutes
Friday-run/walk for an hour
Saturday-walk for 20 minutes
Sunday-elliptical for 30 minutes
But compared to my former life this is great. No, I am not running 9 miles, and yes that makes me sad, but I'm doing what I can do for now.
I am still destroying food as an idol...every. single. day. I am talking, praying, feeling, walking, thinking, writing.....and not nursing everything with food....which was my idol of choice. I don't mean to make it sound simple. It is not. It is a daily and sometimes moment by moment reliance on the Lord and his truth.
Weight loss really is a journey. Sometimes on the fast tract and sometimes on the scenic tour! Ahh..
My focus is divided in many ways right now: Grandma's daily care, my children's daily care, discipline and disciplining and education. Not to mention coping with a couple learning issues with my kids, loving my husband, serving my church, helping the poor, cultivating relationships, taxing kids all over creation, AND taking care of myself. So I can't focus ONLY on losing weight and exercising and what I am eating......
It is not all about me and my weight loss. The Lord has really helped me destroy the idol of food and comfort and I do still struggle with these areas....but he is faithful! I do not want to make another idol. As Dr. Davis says, our hearts are idol making factories. They really are. If not food...how bout comfort.....that won't work......I know exercise....if not exercise....how about dietary restrictions.....everything in moderation. Such. a. journey.
So...I've had a healthy breakfast I am resting my bum leg....it hurts! I've made grandma coffee and started the kids breakfast and spent time in the word and I wish I had run a few miles....but I'm going to rest. I'm going to keep at it. Slow and steady and hopefully next month I will have lost a few more pounds...but now it is time to feed, and teach, and train my kiddos and tomorrow I hope to hit the elliptical!
I can tell you this....I like being healthy. I like testifying to the work God has done in my life. I like learning and growing and racing and running and training and living!
Still swimming....just veeerrrrry s-l-o-w-l-y.....
Kim
In the last month I lost.....drum roll please.....was 1.8 pounds. Yep....That is it.
Why?
I think there are several reasons:
1. I have been at this for 16 months. My body is getting used to the loss and I have a lot less to lose so naturally things will slow down. I mean I have lost 88.6 pounds!!! That is a lot of change!
2. I have stopped my super demanding exercise routine in favor of a much gentler and normal exercise routine. I hurt my ankle pretty badly and whenever I try to run the pain comes as a throbbing reminder to STOP. So....I am not burning nearly the calories I was burning which means I have had to make tremendous dietary changes. UGH! It also means my weight loss has slowed down....
There is no way around it...if you eat less then you burn you lose weight. If you don't you don't!
So....I am going easy on myself. I still have 15 pounds to lose before I am the correct weight for my height. So barring a growth spurt, I'm not done losing yet! Yet I am not on a time table. I am still losing weight, be it a snails pace! I am still eating a lot less then I used to eat and making MUCH healthier choices! I am still working out....except now it is more like:
Monday-Rest
Tuesday-elliptical for 30 minutes
Wednesday-rest
Thursday-walk with a friend for 30 minutes
Friday-run/walk for an hour
Saturday-walk for 20 minutes
Sunday-elliptical for 30 minutes
But compared to my former life this is great. No, I am not running 9 miles, and yes that makes me sad, but I'm doing what I can do for now.
I am still destroying food as an idol...every. single. day. I am talking, praying, feeling, walking, thinking, writing.....and not nursing everything with food....which was my idol of choice. I don't mean to make it sound simple. It is not. It is a daily and sometimes moment by moment reliance on the Lord and his truth.
Weight loss really is a journey. Sometimes on the fast tract and sometimes on the scenic tour! Ahh..
My focus is divided in many ways right now: Grandma's daily care, my children's daily care, discipline and disciplining and education. Not to mention coping with a couple learning issues with my kids, loving my husband, serving my church, helping the poor, cultivating relationships, taxing kids all over creation, AND taking care of myself. So I can't focus ONLY on losing weight and exercising and what I am eating......
It is not all about me and my weight loss. The Lord has really helped me destroy the idol of food and comfort and I do still struggle with these areas....but he is faithful! I do not want to make another idol. As Dr. Davis says, our hearts are idol making factories. They really are. If not food...how bout comfort.....that won't work......I know exercise....if not exercise....how about dietary restrictions.....everything in moderation. Such. a. journey.
So...I've had a healthy breakfast I am resting my bum leg....it hurts! I've made grandma coffee and started the kids breakfast and spent time in the word and I wish I had run a few miles....but I'm going to rest. I'm going to keep at it. Slow and steady and hopefully next month I will have lost a few more pounds...but now it is time to feed, and teach, and train my kiddos and tomorrow I hope to hit the elliptical!
I can tell you this....I like being healthy. I like testifying to the work God has done in my life. I like learning and growing and racing and running and training and living!
Still swimming....just veeerrrrry s-l-o-w-l-y.....
Kim
Monday, October 7, 2013
Blogging
So....How come I'm not blogging as much as I used to? Hmmm.....I don't know.
I think because a lot of reasons.......
Life doesn't fit in a blurb on a page. It is too full. It is too complex. It has too many layers. It's not simple.
Life is precious and vulnerable and can only be shared authentically with a select group of people. Too much openness with everyone can cheapen the real relationships in life.
I'm enjoying my life a lot of the time and feeling overwhelmed and lost in my life some of the time and the beautiful thing is that I have people in my life to share it with and to vent to and I don't need my online journal in the same way that I once did.
I've also learned that when you write something down....you're done. You can't explain it anymore. There is no additional context. No answering questions and no correcting misunderstandings and so I don't write things as freely as I once did.
We've also been busy. Like everyone else on the planet.
Busy eating cupcakes with friends.
Busy learning.
Fellowshiping
Reading.
Savoring life.
And we have been busy with some music lessons and dance classes and football games and doctors appointments thrown in just to keep life interesting.
So I may not blog as much, but I am living more....and I like it!
I think because a lot of reasons.......
Life doesn't fit in a blurb on a page. It is too full. It is too complex. It has too many layers. It's not simple.
Life is precious and vulnerable and can only be shared authentically with a select group of people. Too much openness with everyone can cheapen the real relationships in life.
I'm enjoying my life a lot of the time and feeling overwhelmed and lost in my life some of the time and the beautiful thing is that I have people in my life to share it with and to vent to and I don't need my online journal in the same way that I once did.
I've also learned that when you write something down....you're done. You can't explain it anymore. There is no additional context. No answering questions and no correcting misunderstandings and so I don't write things as freely as I once did.
We've also been busy. Like everyone else on the planet.
Busy eating cupcakes with friends.
Busy learning.
Fellowshiping
Reading.
Savoring life.
And we have been busy with some music lessons and dance classes and football games and doctors appointments thrown in just to keep life interesting.
So I may not blog as much, but I am living more....and I like it!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Laughs for the Day!
My kids.....Oh, How I love them! They drive me crazy...but they also delight me, entertain me, teach me. I am a blessed woman!
A few funnies from our house lately....
Lydia, who loves Polar Bears and has a huge collection, has a favorite bear named POLEY (pronounced Pole and then E). She has also taken up reading EVERYTHING and ANYTHING including tags. A few weeks ago she wondered aloud why so many things were made of "POLEY ESTHER". We had a nice chuckle and when we asked her exactly what she thought "POLEY ESTHER" was she said, "polar bear fur". Why didn't I think of that?
Now my kids aren't the only funny ones......we spent a weekend at the beach with my brother and his kids and they were all a riot! My dad, better known around here as Pa, arrived a day after the rest of the crew. So when he arrived we all sat down to catch up with him. He said something to me followed by "Sweetie". Audrey turned and looked at him and said,
"Why did you call her sweetie? You are just a friend."
We laughed so hard and then assured her that it was okay for Pa to call me sweetie because I was his little girl. She was stunned. How she has missed this over the years I have no idea....but now she knows! All the cousins were interested in learning who was related to whom and how. After she finally had it down she announced she hoped that this year she could become an uncle! Now Joshua, her cousin, refers to her lovingly as "Uncle Audrey!"
Jackson went to Andrew's football game with Randy last weekend. A mom of one of the boys on the team, who also goes to our church, was in a covered tented area cooking hot dogs for the game. Randy and Jackson waved hello and went on to the game. A few hours later Randy was chatting with our youth minister, when someone asked has anyone seen, Mrs. _________________? To which Jackson quickly replied. "Yes, she is in the tent cooking with some man who is NOT her husband!" We did clarify afterwards that while we do want to be very careful not to give any impression of impropriety (and she was not) that it is in fact okay to cook at sporting events with other peoples husbands!
Love my boy!
Finally, today on the way home from Weight Watchers Lydia was complaining of a stomach ache. She didn't feel good and thought she may throw up. Audrey without cracking a smile said, "Do you think you might be pregnant?"
Ha!
Kim
A few funnies from our house lately....
Lydia, who loves Polar Bears and has a huge collection, has a favorite bear named POLEY (pronounced Pole and then E). She has also taken up reading EVERYTHING and ANYTHING including tags. A few weeks ago she wondered aloud why so many things were made of "POLEY ESTHER". We had a nice chuckle and when we asked her exactly what she thought "POLEY ESTHER" was she said, "polar bear fur". Why didn't I think of that?
Now my kids aren't the only funny ones......we spent a weekend at the beach with my brother and his kids and they were all a riot! My dad, better known around here as Pa, arrived a day after the rest of the crew. So when he arrived we all sat down to catch up with him. He said something to me followed by "Sweetie". Audrey turned and looked at him and said,
"Why did you call her sweetie? You are just a friend."
We laughed so hard and then assured her that it was okay for Pa to call me sweetie because I was his little girl. She was stunned. How she has missed this over the years I have no idea....but now she knows! All the cousins were interested in learning who was related to whom and how. After she finally had it down she announced she hoped that this year she could become an uncle! Now Joshua, her cousin, refers to her lovingly as "Uncle Audrey!"
Jackson went to Andrew's football game with Randy last weekend. A mom of one of the boys on the team, who also goes to our church, was in a covered tented area cooking hot dogs for the game. Randy and Jackson waved hello and went on to the game. A few hours later Randy was chatting with our youth minister, when someone asked has anyone seen, Mrs. _________________? To which Jackson quickly replied. "Yes, she is in the tent cooking with some man who is NOT her husband!" We did clarify afterwards that while we do want to be very careful not to give any impression of impropriety (and she was not) that it is in fact okay to cook at sporting events with other peoples husbands!
Love my boy!
Finally, today on the way home from Weight Watchers Lydia was complaining of a stomach ache. She didn't feel good and thought she may throw up. Audrey without cracking a smile said, "Do you think you might be pregnant?"
Ha!
Kim
Monday, September 16, 2013
School
School is goodish except when it isn't. It is full. It is all day. It is non-stop. It keeps me hopping!
Andrew- is a high school sophomore!!!!
At co-op he is taking:
Environmental Science
Spanish
Worldview (BEST class EVER)
World History
British Literature
Extra Curricular
Guitar Lessons
Football (and basketball in the winter and swimming in the summer)
Youth Group and Home Fellowship Involvement
Helping Care for Great Grandma
Other Classes
Critical Thinking (meets once a week in Chapel Hill)
Principals of Micro Economics (online class that was TOTALLY self-initiated)
Home
Personal Devotions
Algebra II
Grammar
Reading the following books:
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Cat of Bubastes by G.A. Henty
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Here I Stand by Roland Bainton
Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Eric Liddell: Pure Gold by David McCasland
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
Sophie is in fifth grade
At co-op she is taking
World view
Science
World History: Middle Ages
Art
Spanish
Writing
Extra-Curricular
Girl Talk Group
The Gospel Project and Home Fellowship Involvement
Helping Care for Great Grandma and Lincoln
Starting training for 1 mile run
(Hoping to start gymnastics very soon, plans to play basketball in the winter)
Home
Family Devotions
Math
Reading Tutoring (includes spelling instruction)
Grammar
Phonics
Penmanship-Cursive
Writing
Language
Story Time (Just completed The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and started Harriot the Spy)
Jackson, Lydia, Audrey-the twins are in second grade and Audrey is in first grade.
At Co-op
Music and Devotions
Science
World History: Ancient Times
Art
PE
Language Arts
Playtime
Extra Curricular
Lydia-Dance and Piano
Jackson-(plans to play basketball in the fall and would like to do karate.....)
Audrey-Dance
All-involved in choir, The Gospel Project, Home Fellowship, Helping with Lincoln, and training for a 1 mile run.
At Home
Math (J/L one level, a another level)
Reading (each a different level and J is more a tutoring program)
Language Arts (all the same....First Language Lessons)
Writing (all the same......Writing with Ease)
Penmanship-Print (all the same Handwriting without tears)
Phonics (all different levels same publisher)
Spelling (L and a at different levels. J is part of his reading program)
They also watch a Magic School Bus movie each day for science :)
Story Time (with Sophie all the same)
My school day is:
That is what we are doing this year! It has been tough getting into the swing of things this year. The house has been revamped, we have a new room mate, we have a packed schedule, and full course loads, and a couple reluctant learners. Equal a lot......So we are still trying to figure it all out and leaning heavy on the Lord. Day by day! He has a plan and it IS good and it is FOR my good.
Being Conformed Daily,
Kim
Andrew- is a high school sophomore!!!!
At co-op he is taking:
Environmental Science
Spanish
Worldview (BEST class EVER)
World History
British Literature
Extra Curricular
Guitar Lessons
Football (and basketball in the winter and swimming in the summer)
Youth Group and Home Fellowship Involvement
Helping Care for Great Grandma
Other Classes
Critical Thinking (meets once a week in Chapel Hill)
Principals of Micro Economics (online class that was TOTALLY self-initiated)
Home
Personal Devotions
Algebra II
Grammar
Reading the following books:
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Cat of Bubastes by G.A. Henty
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Here I Stand by Roland Bainton
Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Eric Liddell: Pure Gold by David McCasland
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Animal Farm by George Orwell
The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
Sophie is in fifth grade
At co-op she is taking
World view
Science
World History: Middle Ages
Art
Spanish
Writing
Extra-Curricular
Girl Talk Group
The Gospel Project and Home Fellowship Involvement
Helping Care for Great Grandma and Lincoln
Starting training for 1 mile run
(Hoping to start gymnastics very soon, plans to play basketball in the winter)
Home
Family Devotions
Math
Reading Tutoring (includes spelling instruction)
Grammar
Phonics
Penmanship-Cursive
Writing
Language
Story Time (Just completed The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and started Harriot the Spy)
Jackson, Lydia, Audrey-the twins are in second grade and Audrey is in first grade.
At Co-op
Music and Devotions
Science
World History: Ancient Times
Art
PE
Language Arts
Playtime
Extra Curricular
Lydia-Dance and Piano
Jackson-(plans to play basketball in the fall and would like to do karate.....)
Audrey-Dance
All-involved in choir, The Gospel Project, Home Fellowship, Helping with Lincoln, and training for a 1 mile run.
At Home
Math (J/L one level, a another level)
Reading (each a different level and J is more a tutoring program)
Language Arts (all the same....First Language Lessons)
Writing (all the same......Writing with Ease)
Penmanship-Print (all the same Handwriting without tears)
Phonics (all different levels same publisher)
Spelling (L and a at different levels. J is part of his reading program)
They also watch a Magic School Bus movie each day for science :)
Story Time (with Sophie all the same)
My school day is:
- Devotions with 4 youngest and Lincoln
- Language Arts/Writing Instruction with 4 youngest. Give leveled assignments to each child.
- Writing Instruction with youngest 4. Give leveled assignments to each child.
- Bounce between kids and help/observe as they do Explode the Code Phonics sheets (2 sheets per child per day) and Penmanship.
- Math with instruction with Sophie
- Math instruction with Jackson and Lydia
- Math instruction with Audrey
- Snack for everyone
- Start Magic School Bus
- Read to 4 youngest from latest chapter book.
- Lunch
- Reading with Sophie
- Reading with Jackson
- Reading and Spelling with Lydia
- Reading and Spelling with Audrey
- Check Andrew's Math
- Grade Papers and put in folders. Record Andrew's grades.
- Prepare for tomorrow.
- Help kids as needed with co-op assignments/homework
- Prepare for co-op
That is what we are doing this year! It has been tough getting into the swing of things this year. The house has been revamped, we have a new room mate, we have a packed schedule, and full course loads, and a couple reluctant learners. Equal a lot......So we are still trying to figure it all out and leaning heavy on the Lord. Day by day! He has a plan and it IS good and it is FOR my good.
Being Conformed Daily,
Kim
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monthly Weight Update
Well....Another month has gone by. I only lost 2.2 pounds this month. UGH! BUT.....Randy and I did run in our first 10K YEAH!!! A 10 K is 6.21 miles. Randy ran it in 50.14 and I did it in 1:08.
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My Mom and Dad, Randy's Mom and sister, My brother and his wife, and 2 nieces, 2 nephews, and 4 of our kiddos came to cheer us on and what an encouragement that was! They would meet us on the course and cheer and hold signs. So sweet!
About a month ago I injured my ankle and was under strict doctor orders not to run at all until my race. So I did NO running for the 3 weeks prior to my race....well I did run back from Bob and Ruth's one time....just to test the ole ankle out....but other then that I was on my best behavior. So I was nervous about being able to run it. I was thrilled that I did it. It really was a beautiful celebration of the change in my life. I did have to stop and walk a little between miles 4-6, because my ankle HURT....but I did run almost the entire 6+ miles. It felt so good to run again! However....the day after....and every day since....including today....my thighs are screaming. Going from no running to 6 miles as fast as you can is a little hard on the old body! I had missed my running though. My ankle held up fine and seems to really be on the mend.
One of the unexpected benefits of the race was that the kids got pumped up. They all decided that they want to be runners too. They asked if we would coach them. :) So we agreed and they are planning to run in a one mile race as early as next month. I am happy to see them excited about doing something so good for their bodies. Training starts today....they are badgering me!
So my stats are one week shy of the 15 months mark and 86.8 pounds gone! Randy is 14 and a half months in and has lost 102 pounds and is 2 pounds from his goal weight!!!!
So....the challenges continue.
This month was hard. Several things happened all at once that messed with my head. Grandma moved in. School started back. I hurt my ankle. This all made exercise next to impossible and I became very afraid that I was going to revert to old habits. Eating to deal with the stress. Not exercising because I got out of the habit and it took too much time.
HOWEVER....
God really has changed me. I am not exercising as much because I am injured....but I am not quitting. I didn't want to go to Weight Watchers today....because I knew I gained weight. I ate a lot more then usual while we were at the beach. Hello Krispy Kreme and Blue Bell Ice Cream! I also hate to take the break from school to drive over and weigh in. BUT....I decided to face the damage. This is my real life. It will not be success only. So yes...I was disappointed I gained a pound. I mean 3.2 would have been a much better report....but I'm glad I faced the scale. I'm okay with the gain. I'm not a lazy/glutton. I am a busy woman, who is hurt, who was on vacation, who was celebrating her birthday, who had a fantastic time, who ran a 10K, who rode waves, who went for walks on the beach, who is more then a blip on the scale. I also don't quit. So even when life gets busy and stressful and weight loss becomes routine I will keep at, not because I am awesome, but because Christ is. I will continue the journey. I will lose that pound and more because I am going to use my body for his glory not for my comfort!
Still Swimming,
Kim
.JPG)
My Mom and Dad, Randy's Mom and sister, My brother and his wife, and 2 nieces, 2 nephews, and 4 of our kiddos came to cheer us on and what an encouragement that was! They would meet us on the course and cheer and hold signs. So sweet!
About a month ago I injured my ankle and was under strict doctor orders not to run at all until my race. So I did NO running for the 3 weeks prior to my race....well I did run back from Bob and Ruth's one time....just to test the ole ankle out....but other then that I was on my best behavior. So I was nervous about being able to run it. I was thrilled that I did it. It really was a beautiful celebration of the change in my life. I did have to stop and walk a little between miles 4-6, because my ankle HURT....but I did run almost the entire 6+ miles. It felt so good to run again! However....the day after....and every day since....including today....my thighs are screaming. Going from no running to 6 miles as fast as you can is a little hard on the old body! I had missed my running though. My ankle held up fine and seems to really be on the mend.
One of the unexpected benefits of the race was that the kids got pumped up. They all decided that they want to be runners too. They asked if we would coach them. :) So we agreed and they are planning to run in a one mile race as early as next month. I am happy to see them excited about doing something so good for their bodies. Training starts today....they are badgering me!
So my stats are one week shy of the 15 months mark and 86.8 pounds gone! Randy is 14 and a half months in and has lost 102 pounds and is 2 pounds from his goal weight!!!!
So....the challenges continue.
This month was hard. Several things happened all at once that messed with my head. Grandma moved in. School started back. I hurt my ankle. This all made exercise next to impossible and I became very afraid that I was going to revert to old habits. Eating to deal with the stress. Not exercising because I got out of the habit and it took too much time.
HOWEVER....
God really has changed me. I am not exercising as much because I am injured....but I am not quitting. I didn't want to go to Weight Watchers today....because I knew I gained weight. I ate a lot more then usual while we were at the beach. Hello Krispy Kreme and Blue Bell Ice Cream! I also hate to take the break from school to drive over and weigh in. BUT....I decided to face the damage. This is my real life. It will not be success only. So yes...I was disappointed I gained a pound. I mean 3.2 would have been a much better report....but I'm glad I faced the scale. I'm okay with the gain. I'm not a lazy/glutton. I am a busy woman, who is hurt, who was on vacation, who was celebrating her birthday, who had a fantastic time, who ran a 10K, who rode waves, who went for walks on the beach, who is more then a blip on the scale. I also don't quit. So even when life gets busy and stressful and weight loss becomes routine I will keep at, not because I am awesome, but because Christ is. I will continue the journey. I will lose that pound and more because I am going to use my body for his glory not for my comfort!
Still Swimming,
Kim
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