Within Reach

I've become more disciplined in quiet time with my Lord and Savior again.  I never fall out of love with the King of my life, but I am guilty of letting the day to day routine of life push out this precious time. The first couple of days I sat down again with prayer journal and bible open, I noticed that I just felt like my prayer was disjointed.  I was distracted by sounds, thoughts, itches, bruises, to-do lists, EVERYTHING.  I tried and tried to concentrate on the A.C.T.S. prayer.  A=Adoration, C=Confession, T=Thanksgiving, S=Supplication.  I found myself mentally checking off each letter. I talked to Troy about how I felt God was very distant in my prayer time.  He asked how I was praying and I confessed that I was unfocused and just going through the motions.  I emphasised that I had tried and tried to focus but to no avail.  My very wise and nonjudgmental husband reminded me of the verse we had recently studied from Zechariah:  "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.  The next day, I started my prayer time with this verse.  I didn't try to focus, I just thought about this verse.  Then thoughts and reminders came to me:  thoughts of adoration of my God, ways I had disappointed Him with my thoughts and actions, all the blessings He pours upon me, friends and family who needed prayer, my needs that could only be filled by my Lord.  The Spirit had placed me within reach of the King of Kings.  I could feel His presence with every fiber of my being. 

One of the countless number of things I thank God for is His power and protection as I travel on this weight loss journey.  I do find, again, that I try to be in control.  Just when I should be praising God for empowering me to be healthier, I start obsessing about how I can work harder to get healthier sooner and better! Does that seem crazy to anyone but me? "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. This partial verse in Zechariah has become my personal mantra in so many areas of my life because I tend to forget who is in charge.  And it's not me!  Last week's weigh in was more important to me than any thus far.  I had lost 55 pounds total.  I'm on the downhill side to the first 100.  It's a mental thing, I know.  But thinking I have 45 pounds to lose until I hit the huge 100 mark is much easier to comprehend.  I mean, I've already lost more than 45 pounds.  What's 45 more?  I've never questioned that this is the LAST time I travel this road, but now loosing 100 pounds isn't out of the question.  It's within reach. 

Meet Lulu

Yes, she has a name.  Actually her name was given to her by Schwinn, but I kind of like it, so Lulu it is!  She's, as you can see, very girly and she sports a pretty pink basket on her handlebars.  I loved her instantly and couldn't wait to bring her home.

This post may need a little back history. 

Troy unknowingly has suffered with sleep apnea for quite some time.  He now wears a mask at night attached to an APAP machine to help him sleep soundly.  About two weeks ago, he realized that he still was feeling sluggish even though he was well rested.  He came home from work one night and announced that he needed to be intentional about his exercise.  This would not only improve his overall physical health, but would also allow him to work off some of the stress he feels from his job.  He decided that he would like to buy a bicycle.  (This coming from a man who gets frustrated trying to drive around bikers on the highway.)  I was all for the idea and encouraged him to find a bike he liked.  He came home with a Schwinn hybrid (?).  The first day he rode for 15 minutes and was huffing and puffing when he was finished.  But he's continued to ride for at least 15 minutes every day since.

Last Thursday, Troy asked if I would like to get a bike so that we could ride the bike trails around our neighborhood together.  The thought had never crossed my mind!  The last time I was on a bike was about 30 years ago.  Could I still ride a bike?  Was I too heavy for a bike?  But I said, "Sure!"  (Who am I to pass up a new toy?)  So we went to Target and the rest is recent history....

The old saying is true, "It's just like riding a bike."  It all came back to me.  And yes, the bikes have weight limits, but I was under the weight limit by several pounds.  Troy and I rode on Saturday for about 10 minutes and yesterday for about 15.  I really enjoy riding with him and look forward to the day that I don't end my ride huffing and puffing. 

New Jeans

January 29, 2012: 
I'm going to the theater to see "One For The Money" with friends.  I have ONE pair of pants I can wear.  Seriously, my closet is full of slacks and jeans, sizes ranging from 14-20 [these being the 'fat' jeans my friend gave me when she made a major weight change] and 26-28, and I have ONE pair of size 28 stretchy black slacks I can wear.  (And they are stretched to the breaking point.)  I've made the decision to start Weight Watchers on the 31st and am finally ready to make some major changes. 

June 2012:
Finally able to move and breath in my size 26 jeans (28s are now too slouchy big). 

July 2012:
The size 26 jeans are now too frumpy looking and my friend's former 'fat' jeans only go up to size 20.  (Oh believe me, I have tried them on and can even get one pair zipped, but breathing wasn't an option.)  So I have a gap between 26 and 20....MUST GO SHOPPING.

August 3, 2012:
Standing in the Lane Bryant dressing room in a pair of size 24 jeans. These are a bit on the baggy side!  I asked the saleslady if they would shrink.  She said (and I quote), "No, you need a smaller size!" 

My heart SANG!  I can't remember the last time in my life a saleswoman (or anyone for that matter) told me I needed a smaller size!!!!!  So, I came home with a size 22.  They are a bit snug, but they feel good.  Really good, in so many ways.