Week 9 Update: YES YOU CAN!

Week 9 Update: 

I dont know how many times Ive told myself I can’t…that its too hard…that its impossible to do something…that I'm simply not strong enough…or stopped just as things started to get better because things got a bit tougher. I can tell you honestly that yes time and time again I have given up much too easily. There have been so many times I’ve just settled with things in life. Ive let these thoughts consume me, stop me, hold me back from so many amazing things that God has in store for me and for my life. So I step back and realize I cant keep letting these negative thoughts consume and control me. I have a God who is stronger, that will lead me through even my biggest trials and will be by my side each step of the way. It says in 1st John  4:4 “Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world”.

Its been well over 10 years since I was baptized both in water and with the Holy Spirit, I know that I have my faults and am far from perfect, and putting that all aside He knows my heart & my God loves me. When I have days where I feel like I cant anymore, where I fall short and feel like I cant get anything right I know I have someone to lean on. I step back and take a minute. I stop and realize that He is greater than what I’m going through and no matter how hard the struggle seems God wouldn't put me through whatever the situation may be without there being an outcome that glorifies him, He loves me and wouldn't give me more than I can handle. I trust my God and all his plans for me even when I don't understand them I know that He his good and his plans are so much greater than mine. So I let go of my worries, of those negative thoughts and I literally trust him… “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength” Isaiah 40:31. So this week I reminded myself I am strong because he makes me strong, I can do this because  He walks with me and I am good enough, strong enough because He strengths me. 

Whatever it may be that you are working towards, whatever changes you are looking to make, or whatever goals you want to achieve for yourself, YOU CAN DO IT! YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH. YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH. Don't let all those negative thoughts consume you and hold you back from what you know you can achieve and are capable of. The road towards those things are never easy and yes there are bumps in the road but don't get discouraged by those bumps. They are tests that make us better, stronger, grow our faith. Sure your goals may not be the same of mine but nonetheless they are goals they are something that you want to achieve and my prayer is that you are encouraged to keep moving forward and that you & I get to the end of our journeys together so that we can each have that moment of joy that comes with feeling that accomplishments. So whether you're trying to get healthy like myself, or trying to finish school, learn something new, move forward in your career, or just make through this next week with a bit of sanity (we all know how crazy our weeks can get and getting to Friday is an accomplishment in itself), I want you to know You can DO IT! YOU GOT THIS!! 

This week I really felt myself push hard. We finished up our “Lose it to Win it” challenge at work and I can proudly say that I not only reached my 8% mark but went past it on Monday and that felt awesome! If you would have asked me at the beginning of the challenge if I thought I could do it…I would have likely said of course I can…but deep down there would have been that self doubt creeping in…well I was wrong! I did it I actually made that goal and I earned my extra 8hrs of PTO for the year!! The first thing our HR director told me after weigh-in was “Now you can enjoy a burger guilt-free” my response to him…”NO WAY!! I’ve worked to hard to get here and I’m not giving in to my old habits that easily”. It’s so true this was very much a lifestyle change not just a quick diet to earn PTO. Its been so much more than just a fun competition at work, although the support I got from everyone at work has been so encouraging and really helped keep me on track especially at work. My point is I made it to my 8% weight-loss for work and really did earn that extra PTO for the year (now I just gotta keep going and keep it off till the end of the year and Ill have earned another 8 hours). For reaching this point I also told myself that if I make it I will gift myself the new fitbit blaze so yes, I got myself a fun new accessory! I love how it literally syncs to everything and still has all the simple features but can now actually track my workouts, even yoga! I love it! 

So how did I end this 9th week well….I guess I really pushed myself even after our weigh in and didn't give in just because I reached that 8% mark…because as of today I am down 25lbs total which means I lost an additional 3lbs since last week. Lets just say that had a lot to do with keeping track of my calories and not cheating, well not cheating a ton…cause Friday night & Saturday night were all about tacos…in my defense if your husband offers to take you to Big’N’Littles for tacos…you don't say no. I have to say those tacos were so worth it! But 25lbs down!! I almost cant believe it myself I no joke jumped on my scale 3 times to be sure and each time it still read the same…so yes as of today I am 25lbs lighter and have officially hit what I set as my 1/2 way point. My original goal for this year was to lose at LEAST 50lbs before I turn 30 and above that to get healthier! I am so grateful that I’m moving forward and each week has been just as positive as the last! 

This week I also decided just for curiosity while at target to try on a pair of jeans that were 2 sizes smaller then my jeans now since my current part have been come pretty loose and coming form someone who could live in dresses cause they're more comfortable, i was surprised to not only fit into these jeans, but actually feel and look good in them!! So I couldn't say no and bought my first new pair of jeans since I started down this road. I’m also realizing that a majority of my closet is starting to not fit…this means that someones gonna be on the hunt of new clothes soon and what woman doesn't like that. Loving this feeling and I don't plan on quitting anytime soon My goal is getting closer and closer and I cannot wait till I can say I've reached it! 

Yes this is the running errands and bum around home look mom hair & all (pssst those are the new jeans)

As this 10th week starts so does the Holy Week. I want to turn my focus on what God had done for me, on the sacrifice he made because he loves me, because I am his daughter. This amazing love he has for me that He would give his only son to die for ME so that I may be saved.