Midstream Adjustments!

Have you ever set out on a journey, you're headed in the right direction, but for some reason you are convinced you're on the wrong path? What do you do?

You look at your map, you find where you are, you find where you're going, and then you find the quickest route to your destination....then you see that you were on the 'scenic route' & not the quick route.

And we all seem to want the 'quick route' right? (I'll blog more on this soon...kinda in this season of fascination with people's desires for overnight results of change.) But we do. You hear it all the time, we live in a 'microwave society'. Does the meat out of a crock-pot taste better than the meat out of a microwave? Microwaved meat is tough, hard on the edges, and dry. Meat out of a crock-pot is moist, falls apart, is tender & delicious.

So why do we get frustrated when we've only devoted 2 weeks or 2 months to a workout regimen & we're not getting the 'super-quick' results. I have a friend who put on some weight in a 5-6 month time period. Now only 4 weeks into their program, they are frustrated with the results. Mind you, they have lost 10 lbs. in the last  2 1/2 months. Their weight is going up & down some.

Here's the thing, when you are not satisfied with results - don't give up, DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! There are good habits we start out with...and then get complacent with. So if those few pounds creep back up or are not dropping like you feeL they should, take these simple steps:

• GO BACK to measuring your food out to the 'serving size' on the nutrition facts label.
• GO BACK to keeping a food log and writing down everything you eat.
• GO BACK to the extra step of counting up your calories.
• Stay within your calorie range. (I'll work on a blog to help you figure this out).
• Push yourself during your workouts. If you're at the gym, increase the incline on the treadmill, raise the level of intensity on bike, increase your time spent doing cardio, go from A walk to a jog, a jog to a run. Take a spin class. Commit to P90X for 90 days (contact ME if you want this!) Do extra reps, go up in weight. Increase intensity - WEEKLY! When you feel like you can't even do 1 more - DO 1 MORE!

I mean it. If we want to lose enormous amounts of weight OR decrease our body fat percentage, we have to get INTENSE!

Intense results takes intense efforts!

Don't give up, persevere, push yourself! Be honest with yourself on what you are REALLY eating and drinking and start eliminating the extra calories ASAP! Refuse to get discouraged - get proactive!

That's right...instead of wallowing in discouragement, say out loud, "It is what it is - now is the time to get proactive, get intense, and turn on the burners".

Weight loss is a journey, you will have to make midstream adjustments. Diets and exercise programs are not a 'ONE SIZE FITS ALL' - you've got to put in the effort to figure out what works for you and gets you the best results. Make the adjustments. Increase intensity, decrease calories where you can! Stay honest with yourself - and stay positive! Keep making adjustments until you crack the code & then DON'T STOP!!!

You'll it to your destination soon enough, take it day by day, and do what you should! YOU WILL REACH YOUR GOALS when you stay committed long-term!!!! You will get there, you will see!

Flexing my prayer!

Many of you go to church on Sunday...and many of you do not. If you enjoy a little 'spiritual' boost weekly, but don't believe in 'organized religion', I will try to offer that boost to you on Sundays.

Today, I felt led to share a prayer. I hope that it renews your hope and encourages you this beautiful Sunday!

Lord, in Jesus' name I pray for all the tired men and women who have had their patience tested, their endurance stretched, and their physical needs left unmet this week. I pray full nights' rest tonight for the weary and sleep deprived, and I ask to give an extra measure of affection and comfort to the lonely and brokenhearted.

God, reveal Yourself in an amazing powerful way today. Cause the truth of Your Word to penetrate our hearts, minds, and thoughts. Help us to hear Your voice amidst the noise that so easily distracts and derails us. Help us to have the strength to obey Your Word with joy and excitement. Broaden our horizons, open doors of ministry and friendship, and bring healing to the areas of death and famine in our lives.

Lord, some of us need miracles in our finances, our jobs, our marriages, our extended families, in our bodies...I ask in Jesus' mighty name that you would provide those miracles today Lord! Give us the faith to believe You for them & receive them. Lord, just as the apostles asked in Luke 17:5, 'Increase our faith Lord'...increase ours' today Lord. 

Provide a day of rest to the weak and rejuvenate our 'earthly dwellings' Lord, we need full cooperation of our bodies to complete all the tasks ahead of us tomorrow, as well as this next week. For those who do not know You as Lord and Savior, I pray Jesus that You would send a messenger to share Your love, Your grace, and mercy to them. I pray for open hearts and minds to the simplicity of the Gospel and lives to be changed by this prayer tonight. I so deeply believe Lord that it is Your will that all shall be saved and united with You, so God move and make a way for the unsaved's salvation and bring the lost home today.

Lord, to all those who need an extra dose of grace, pour it out on them, help those who need to forgive themselves accept Your forgiveness and forge ahead into the life that You have for them, in Jesus name. And for those who live a life to please You and love you...Lord bless them 'above and beyond all they can hope and imagine' for their efforts, in Jesus name and pray all these things...Amen.

As I was going through photos, I found this pic and thought to myself, here I am sowing seed in my garden...how amazing that I wonder at the end of this prayer, how many seeds are sown into your heart? I am a firm believer and follower of Jesus. As you can ask my older son, 'who is Jesus?' - Even he will tell you that Jesus is Lord and Savior.

My hope is that I did bring hope and peace to your heart today. I am a person of prayer and I know that when I pray things that line up with God's Word, those things happen. So I hope that you will remember this post today and if & when you need a little inspiration, you will return to reread it and plug your name into it. God has wonderful plans for you! He really, really does!

God bless you today...........Jen