Challenge Yourself to Do Something Positive

Generally, I love the first day of the month. It's a time to regroup, renew, & restart.  Even though I felt that way going into yesterday, the reality of what had to happen & what didn't happen set in pretty quickly. And it DID NOT feel like a fresh start. It felt like the same old tired mess!
But I don't have to be defeated by the messes of yesterday. The truth is that because I am in Christ, I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)Notice that’s in present tense. I wasn't a new creation, I AM one... Today on the 2nd. I accept that and choose today to do something new.
Remembering that February is the month of love I am thinking of matters of the heart, of people who inspire me, of ways I can connect more with people.
So I am challenging myself to a few things for this month.
Won't you join me as I move my mouth less and my body more AND tell those who have inspired me what they mean to me?  I hope you will and that you post something positive about how it affects your corner of the world.

Happy New Creation Day! Grace to you from our Red Dirt.

Holiday TRAINing Derailment

Finally back for an update on my BREAK-over goals.  Seems that Christmas Break didn’t slow down the crazy that much.  I have made progress toward some of my goals, even with some obstacles in my way. 

For example, I finally got my Christmas decorations up about 2 days before Christmas.  Nothing like cutting it close.

A few other goals, cleaning out the barn, redecorating the upstairs bathroom, and working on the taxes… well, they were not completely neglected but not finished either.  I still have a few more days off.

I did finish a good book, A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck.  His Grandma Dowdel books always bring me joy.  I also got to spend some quality time with my Granny, my Mama, and my brother’s family.  Good stuff!

A super-cool surprise was getting some GUITAR time with my favorite guy in the world… and I did say GUITAR TIME—not singing time.  He taught me four songs that now I am accountable to practice.  HMMM… it’s interesting.  The more classic 3-chord numbers I learn on GUITAR, the more inspired I become to write my own classic 3-chord numbers.  Anyway, more about that later.

Here’s the update you may be waiting for… DID I finish 40 miles by the end of the year?  If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I gave myself 14 days to finish 40 miles. (Click HERE to read about it in this POST.)  

Fighting last minute Christmas must-dos, crazy weather, and illness, I am close, but don’t know if I’ll fully meet the goal.  Today is my last day, and it’s not over yet, but I still have almost 7 miles to go. 

I went into this knowing that I might not make it, but with 3 days to go and only 12 miles left, I was feeling good and SURE I had this.  THAT’S WHEN IT HIT ME… and I do mean HIT me, like a Mack truck hauling it on the interstate… the stomach virus from… well you’ve heard of the place. 

I’d already lost one day (Day 4, Monday) doctoring my poor baby with this horrible thing. (She proclaimed her sick day THE WORST DAY EVER, and I was inclined to agree with her.  I can’t stand to see my baby sick.)  Truthfully, I thought I had a touch of her virus the next day (Tuesday), so my time on the RED DIRT was shorter that day, only 2 miles instead of the 4 in my plan…

BUT I HADN’T SEEN NOTHIN’ YET.  Monday, I was up and raring to go—super productive and on the right track.  I finished 4 miles and was feeling great.  I came in, had a healthy lunch, and BOOM!  Mack truck!  Out of commission all evening and the next day.  I did lose 4 pounds in 2 days, but I do not recommend this plan! So yesterday, still a little weak, I got back on the RED DIRT track, walking like a wounded turtle, but I made up a little by doing 5 ¼ miles.  Today to finish out my goal, I’ll have to do almost 7 miles.  I’m not saying I will, but I am not giving up either.  God has given me the GRACE to want to finish, but I am still a fallible girl. I’ll let you know what happens!  

Christmas Break-Over

My life has been CRAZY. The word routine seems to have been deleted from my vocabulary, along with the words rest and organization. So for Christmas Break I am determined to get some things done, clean some things up, set & meet some goals. The Christmas "Break-over”, I'm calling it.

The last bell rang Friday, and I started to make a to-do list in my head. How will I get it all done?  I started thinking how I hate to tell people my goals because then they'll know if I fail. I hate the idea of anyone thinking I'm all talk and no action, and what if things don't work out?  Sometimes they don’t.  What if I lose focus? 

Then I’ll feel the guilt of being a failure, and who needs that? But suddenly I realized that maybe somebody out there does need that, to know that failure can happen, but fear of failure doesn't have to stop anyone from trying. Maybe I'm not the only one. Or maybe this will keep me on track since I wouldn't want you to see me fail.
So here goes... Cue appropriate sound track... Christmas Break-over Goal 1 is to run/walk 40 miles by the end of the year. This may sound totally unreachable to some while others are thinking "so what, that's no big deal".  Let me explain that there are 13 days left in 2015. That means I can only skip 3 days of 4 miles each day to do this-- 4 days actually, since I killed 4 miles yesterday on day one of Christmas Break-over.

Another note, I am not one of those folks who counts every step I take all day long; I am only counting specific RED DIRT Gym time, only those miles set aside for the purpose of getting me fit.
I CAN do this, but it's gonna take focus, dedication, and maybe some new Nikes; mine have just about had it... So Santa if you're reading this... ;)
GRACE and peace to all through this wonderful season.

Goal
40 miles by year's end

Day 1 Friday 12/18.....4 miles

Stitch Fix Anticipation

Stitch Fix Anticipation

I have always loved clothes.  I can remember getting my very first fashion magazine.  I was mesmerized—the pretty colors, the way the clothes and accessories were put together, the hope that one day those items might be mine.

Fast forward to my first day of Pinterest… wardrobes of every style, variety, color, season at the touch of my fingers.  LOVE!  If only I could get my hands on those clothes, just to try them on, see them once, and send them back.  I even journaled this idea once:

2/9/13
Wouldn't it be awesome if all of the items I have pinned on “Wardrobe Wishes” on Pinterest were right here & I could try them on & keep the ones I love. That would make today an awesome day. And I would look super fantastic! Woo.

That was before Stitch Fix.  Today IS that awesome day! If you love clothes, if you have no time to shop like you want, or if you just really like getting packages in the mail, you have got to check this out!  Stitch Fix is a clothing subscription!  I just thought I loved getting that magazine in the mail.  Talk about interactive!  Stitch Fix can come as often as you want.  I have chosen to receive a monthly fix.  Five items come, based on a profile I have filled out and a Pinterest Board I made.  YAY!  I get to try on the items, keep what I love, and send back what I can live without.  I get to tell my personal stylist what I loved, what I didn’t, and why.  And did I mention the return is super easy and free. 
I have had 4 fixes.  My first was in July.  I don't always keep all the items, but there is always at least one item that I love.  The items are very high quality(at least the ones that I've kept so far have been), and they are unique to my area, so I won't see someone else dressed as my "twinkie" as we used to call it in junior high.  By the way, I did keep all 5 items once and received the bonus 25% discount.  Woo!

Today is my StitchFix day!  I can't wait to see what that delivery truck brings down my RED DIRT drive. It feels kind of like Christmas!  Stayed tuned.  I’ll show you what I got.  In the meantime GRACE and peace to you and yours.

How to get motivated Part 3: Recruit a workout partner

Part 3

Recruit a workout partner

One thing is for sure, accountability works…whether it's in exercise, eating right, or even Bible study. When I know someone is counting on me, I am more likely to try hard.  I just can’t stand the idea of letting them down.  Having a friend to workout with you makes it easier to get to the trail or the mat or wherever you choose to get your sweat on. 

First of all, a friend will cheer you on when you don't really want to finish. And there are plenty of times that I didn't want to finish but I kept going simply because someone was watching. 

Sometimes a partner creates a little friendly competition.  There are many people who thrive on this kind of motivation.  If that’s you, use it to get going!

Another thing to consider... there are so many cool partner workouts on Pinterest and in fitness magazines that look like so much fun.  I don’t know about you, but I love to try fun new workouts, and how can I do that without a workout buddy?

It’s been proven time and time again that we become like the people we hang around.  So grab hold of a purpose-driven encourager and lift each other up! God has given me the GRACE to work next to a beautiful and like-minded friend who encourages me and often joins me in my fitness journey.  We coach each other and cheer for each other.  I don’t know what I’d do without her. 

I have also had the opportunity to work out with an amazing group of ladies at Texas Fit Chicks.  I love these ladies of all ages and fitness levels.  And our trainer, Jessica… well, it would take another post entirely to tell you how much she has meant to me.  If you’re in Texas and have the opportunity, check out Texas Fit Chicks… the first class is always free. 

You will make new friends, be inspired by real, motivated, hardworking women, and your overall health will thank you.

Whatever your workout plan, don’t go alone.  My good friends cheer me on, count on me, and keep me motivated. They inspire me to inspire others. 

How to Get Motivated: Part 2: Get something new

Part 2: Get something new

This week, I'm talking about motivation, especially in fitness. You see, I took some time off... And then some more time off... And then some more... It's been awhile since I was consistently working out. Not good.  I needed to get up & get movin'!

So I got something new.

Now don't worry. You don't have to break the bank. In fact, I got my something new for free.
You may need something different, but here are some ideas...

1. Get a new workout
Today's technology makes choosing a workout so easy. There are tons of apps that will help get you motivated. There are about a million Pinterest challenges to choose from. Or you can go old-school with a DVD. My recent fix: I found 2 free apps for my phone. A running app that I can set to whatever challenge level  I want (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) and a 7-minute workout app which challenges my full body. Yes, I said 7 minutes!  It's hard to talk yourself out of that.  But you have to choose what works for you. Whatever gets you going.

2. Buy New shoes.
Since I was a kid, getting a new pair of comfy athletic shoes makes me feel a bit like running. Nothing's changed. New shoes and/or new workout clothes could be the inspiration you are looking for. Get dressed, feel good & rock on.

3. Make a New playlist.
Buying a couple of new hits on iTunes (May I recommend a tune from RockingP Genuine album? J)or just re-vamping your workout list could get you out the door easier. I know downloading something new onto my song list just makes me want to hit the RED DIRT trail.

4. Remember each day is a New day.
Each day has its own troubles... Rain falls on your trail, family crises ring out on your phone, time melts off your schedule. You may regret what didn't happen yesterday, but you don't have to regret today.

I pray God gives you the GRACE you need to work up a sweat & to feel proud of your hard work. Try something new today. It may be just what you need to start a fire

How to Get Motivated

 PART 1
Lately, I haven’t been as motivated in some areas as I need to be.  You might have noticed that.  I can’t remember the last time I posted something on this blog.

My workouts have not been as consistent as needed either.  I’m surprised the scale and the fit of my jeans hasn’t called this out louder.  Change is always subtle, but it will produce results, positive or negative.

So it was about time I got this crazy train headed back in the right direction.

There are miles to be run, songs to be written, encouragement to pass on.  No time for crying.  I had to get moving.  Here’s how I got motivated to start working out again.

I GOT MAD.

ANGER --Sometimes it works for me.  I just get flat-out ticked off at my circumstances and go after them with a vengeance.  Nothing fuels desire better than a little righteous anger.

Believe me when I say there is nothing wrong with getting angry at Weakness and knocking it down.  WEAKNESS certainly creeps up and attacks us at any given moment, but we don’t have to be defeated.  Instead we can use WEAKNESS as a catalyst for change, a starting point to gain strength.  Get ANGRY at what’s holding you back and defeat it through hard, sweaty WORK.

Like the old saying about hitting rock bottom... there's no place to go but up. So push off, and let FAILURE be an opportunity to rise. Only when we recognize and acknowledge areas that need improving, can we act on making them better. Sometimes the revealing of our weaknesses gives us clarity and persistence to reach for our strengths.

This is not the end.  Get your hands up and get in the fight.  Your struggle may not be about fitness, but something else.  We all have so many battles to face in our lives, and once we get one opponent knocked down for a moment, another is swinging from the other side.  

I hope that no matter who you are or what your struggle, you can find a little GRACE and encouragement in this series of posts.  I’m not done yet, but the GUITARS and RED DIRT are calling my name. So I’ve got to get in the FIGHT, but I’ll see you tomorrow, and I’ll be stronger.  Will you?