WEEK 1: REFLECTIONS ON LENT

Well, this was a week of challenges and successes! I'm so thankful to have made it through 7 days of NO SWEETS, NO WHEAT, NO CHEATS and 100% PALEO. 

I have lots of thoughts to share on the past week, so please bear with me!

CHALLENGES...

1. Maintaining this eating style and preparing my meals when my hubby wasn't doing the same challenge. He gave up sweet tea, but he still likes to have bread, beans, cereal, dairy...etc. So that was hard watching him eat bread at dinner and smelling it, but I'm also very determined, so I made it through the first week with no slip-ups.

2. Avoiding restaurants that don't have healthy options on their menu. It was a little challenging, but again I was successful. Sometimes waitresses get annoyed by my special requests, but that's just part of it. You have to order what's best for you...no matter what. Here are a couple of examples:

Mel's Diner: veggie omelette, no cheese, with sausage on the side
Fred's Fish House: grilled shrimp, steamed veggies and a plain baked potato

3. Not paying attention to people who try to put you down or ask why you're "torturing" yourself. Geez. I'm trying to sacrifice something here folks. It's not supposed to be easy. It's supposed to hurt a little. It's supposed to be uncomfortable. Remember Jesus on that cross? It's all about sacrifice.

4. My biggest temptation of the week was helping one of my best friends order her baby shower cake. I was standing in the middle of Harp's Bakery for half an hour smelling and seeing all those cakes and cookies...oh my. And then the manager offered us a free sample of cookies and cream ice cream!!! True test right there. But I passed!

SUCCESSES...

1. Praying without ceasing! Every time I have a negative thought or a weak moment, I say a little prayer. Normally I would just grab some food and shove it in my mouth, but now I'm thinking more, being more present, and trying to get God involved in this whole process!

2. Making devotional time a priority. First thing in the morning, before I workout or run I sit down and have a little chat with God. It may not be lengthy, it may not be wordy, but it's our time and that's all that matters. I'm praying for friends that are also participating in Lent, I'm praying for friends and family that are hurting, and most of all I'm thanking God every single day for all I've been blessed with.

3. I knew that by cleaning up my nutrition and really getting serious I would drop some weight that had been creeping back on. And sure enough...scale was down 4.4 pounds this week!! I still have a ways to go to get back into my true "racing weight", but I should be there by May! Slow and steady wins this race, baby.

4. Training for optimal health. I knew that the benefits of clean eating would not only show on the scale, but in my heart rate. My resting heart rate at the beginning of training (3 weeks ago) was 60 beats per minute. This morning is was 48!!! Amazing. This low number is a combination of heart rate training, nutrition, yoga, and I truly believe a lower stress level from praying and spending time with God!!

What have been your challenges and successes this week? Leave me a comment below!

WORKOUT

Upper body strength training (arms & shoulders) was on the agenda this morning! I did an hour of 19 exercises back to back, no rest. I love weights! I look forward to hitting the gym and working up a good sweat. I always feel so strong afterwards. And by just isolating and doing upper body weights, my legs get a day off from running so I'll be fresh and ready to run tomorrow...if it doesn't ice! Yikes.

DEVOTIONAL

I was reflecting this morning on my successes and thanking God for my health and happiness. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be. But my body is a gift from God and I am responsible for keeping His temple pure. 

Psalm 103:1-5
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

I love Verse 5...satisfies all your desires with GOOD THINGS. As we continue on our Lent journey together, let's remember that God satisfies. He provides. He fills that space in our heart and soul (and stomach) that nothing else can. 

On a side note: I'm praying for strength in the remaining weeks. Yesterday I was REALLY hungry and could've easily slipped back into my old snacking habits, but instead I chose to say a little prayer and eat a handful of cashews with pineapple slices. No junk here! However, it continues to be a struggle and a sacrifice. So hang in there girls...we're gonna have days like that. Stay strong and focus on the Lord. He'll get us through!


MEALS

Breakfast: the same.

Lunch: Ta Da's with my mom...so I will probably have the spinach salad with grilled chicken and almonds and have them add a boiled egg on the side.

Snack: Protein smoothie

Dinner: DATE NIGHT. We are going out to dinner tonight since we don't know what the weather is going to bring on Thursday (our usual date night). Not sure where we are going, but it will be healthy! I'll fill you in tomorrow.



Have an awesome day everyone!! And let's keep praying this ice and sleet pass us by! Be safe out there.