Tag: discipline

I Almost Died But I Just Did It

Y’all two weeks out of the gym is like a year in my world. My plan was to start back Monday but with my husband being home for two extra days more then planned I just couldn’t make myself wake up at 5:30am and disturb his morning sleeping-in time.

Well he went back to work today so as I heard the alarm blaring at 5:30am this morning and the sound of him turning on his night stand lamp as I grumbled and threw the fluffy heavy covers over my head to shield my eyes from what seemed like the bright lights from a choo- choo train 🚂 blinding my pupils through my closed eye lids, I thought Just Do It. It’s not going to be fun, but come lunch time you are going to regret not just starting back today.

I literally told myself, “FINE!” In about a 4 year olds tune!

So I did it…….. and I almost died! 😝

Just kidding not really anywhere near close to actual death, but my legs felt like I could barely keep them under my body in a forward walking position out the gym door, my face hurt from all the blood rush, and my gym clothes and hair were a hot sweaty mess! I guess that’s what you call a killer good work out.

Discipline, it’s never fun in the beginning but the fruit that comes from your hard labor is very juicy sweet and rewarding! 🍉

I have been off a diet for about two months and surprisingly didn’t gain any pounds on the scale. After a hardcore 16 weeks of BBGs and a high protein, high fat, low carb diet, I have to be honest I’m so completely over even thinking about jumping on a diet band wagon.

I decided at 11pm last night I was going to stop chasing vanity over my body, stop making it an idol and just work out because it’s healthy for my body, work out because it reduces stress, and work out because well I just feel better on the inside. I won’t hop on a diet, I will however try and train my mind and appetite to crave God made foods!

I use the word “training” because it allows myself self grace for the days when I don’t practice self control and consume processed foods.

I was going to start back Monday, but meh, it’s so hard to buy into putting it off a few days when I can just start today!

So here is to day one of almost dying and being conscious of the foods going in to energize me!

Do you like it diet? Have you come to a place in your life where your just so over doing the same thing and going around the same mountain time and again?

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Blessings!

Leigh Leigh

Because you know I’m all about that Work, ‘Bout that Work, no Excuses!

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

 

If there is one thing I have learned from years of “trying” to be consciously fit and healthy is that discipline does not just happen over night!

For example.. If you are a parent you know that disciplining your children is a daily chore that continues until that day they reach adulthood!

training (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

: a process by which someone is taught the skills that are needed for an art, profession, or job

: the process by which an athlete prepares for competition by exercising, practicing, etc.

process (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

: a series of actions that produce something or that lead to a particular result

When we get down to the core meaning of the words training, and process we quickly learn this is something that happens over time!

I think this is very important and should not be over looked if you are just now starting  your journey to weight loss and changing your body. Be realistic about the choice for changing your lifestyle will cost you, but know that it will be so worth it in the end!

Expect to give up, expect to throw in the towel, expect to not get it righ , right away! Show yourself some grace and forgiveness…but never give up! Pray for strength in your weak moments.

YES Skipping the pizza buffet to eat grilled chicken and a low fat salad is hard…………………………….but over time it’s worth it.

image found on pinterest
image found on pinterest

Yes saying no to candy bars, cakes, cookies, pastas while your friends cook it up and share it…………………………..but over time it’s worth it.

Ordering Water or unsweet tea over your go to sugar loaded Dr. Pepper…………………..but over time it’s so worth it.

Yes getting out of your warm cozy bed to go sweat and run at 5:00AM  seems impossible when its 32 degrees outside………………………but over time it’s worth it!

heading out for a run on a cold day
heading out for a run on a cold day

Read how FASTED CARDIO REALLY DOES WORK HERE!

Spending your time in the gym when you would rather be home relaxing after a hard days work feels warranted……but over time it’s worth it!

Yes after all those hours spent, sore muscles aches, annoying junk food cravings, tears because you know sometimes you are just having a bad day, sweat lost, unnecessary judgments passed from others………..it will happen! You will look in the mirror and see that all your hard work, dedication, commitment, and discipline paid off BIG!

They say that people who say skinny feels better then a cupcake tastes never had a cupcake, has no clue how empowering it feels to take control of your body and not submit to a cupcake.

It’s not about how good skinny feels, its about the confidence you  gain in yourself knowing that because you decided to trust a process, believe in yourself, and work like a dog to get it done… YOU DID IT! SKINNY just happens to be one of those fruits your reaped  from your harvest you were diligently planting! 😉

photo found on pinterest
photo found on pinterest

 

Working out has been a life change that I didn’t get right the first time or the first 10 times. Check out my Transformation story here!

 IT’s ALL ABOUT THAT HARD WORK, NO EXCUSES!!

YOU GOT THIS!

Leigh Leigh

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My secret formula to a healtheir You

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It’s Monday! The children are back in school, your husband back at work and the promises of a new start to a new work week is now your current reality. The only person that will get in the way today of your goals will be You!

5:45am my alarm clock welcomes the new day as I rub the sleepies out of my eyes and grab for my phone. My alarm clock happens to be on my phone so, therefore, I have to grab my phone first thing to quiet the annoying sound that interrupts such beauty sleep. I am definitely a creature of habit, by default I press snooze, in fear I might accidently fall back to sleep, then I open my bible app and read what the verse of the day is. I have been dealing with a little bit of anxiety lately so when I scrolled down and read anxiety in Psalm 94, I decided I would just check the whole chapter out. There it was in bold print the words I needed to hear on this beautiful Monday…..”Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord…….” I was super encouraged. I roll out of bed and head to the kitchen to prepare my children’s lunches for school. I kept repeating to myself blessed is the one who is disciplined, yes blessed is the one you discipline, Lord! How great this would be for me to just post all over my food pantry, my refrigerator, my car, my bathroom mirror. If I was going to start this Monday back on track with my eating habits then I would have to plug into the promises of God’s word. Discipline is something that does not come easy for me. In fact, I am the silly girl who will make up weird challenges and with hold certain things in my life for a month at a time just to practice self control.

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I lift weights with my husband on average of five days a week. This is something I have enjoyed participating with him for about five years now. You never really have to beg me to go work out. I LOVE putting on the work out clothes and heading to the gym to pump some iron. I actually look forward to this during my day. If only I could be as excited about my diet and motivated about my food choices. Once I get momentum I can eventually do well with my eating habits, it is always that first initial kick start that is very daunting! I love CARBS and I love CHOCOLATE. Saying no to a warm gooey brownie may be nothing for you to, but it just about KILLS my me to say NO! My love for chocolate and brownies is that deep! It reminds me of a poem I read in grade school about a little girl named Abigail who told her parents that if they didn’t buy her the pony she wanted she would die. Okay, maybe not to death extremes, but you get the picture I am trying to paint here! When I focus on weight loss I don’t concentrate too hard on the numbers on the scale, I like to actually focus on inches lost. The scale can be a big discourager for me as I may have gained muscle mass and lost body fat that week, but because it tattle tails that I went up two pounds, here ushers thoughts of defeat and all other sorts of nonsense I could really live with out in that moment of  my vulnerability to give up.

I am no fitness pro or nutritionist, but this is my secret formula I like to live by when I get serious about changing my body.

Cardio 30-60 minuets a day + weight lifting targeted on one body part a day; post work out protein shake +  3 low carb/high protein meal choices + 2 “good- fats”, low carb snacks +1 awesome cardio music play list + water, water, water + patience and time (a good month) +hard work + self control+ lots of discipline= positive body change results and healthier me; aka, one Happy Gal!

 

Today is Monday and my mind is made up! I will not let this day disappear into the night with feelings of regret. My goal is to stay on track with clean eating food choices. I would also like to drop body fat to appear more lean and cut.

This is how I reach my goals:

  • I will seek the Lord’s help through prayer in all areas of my life that I need help with discipline, including self control and resisting temptation.
  • I will post my cute notes I have hand written to remind me that I am blessed when I am disciplined as a reminder to keep asking for his strength when temptation of bad food choices or laziness comes my way.
  • I will say no to the junk I have been eating for a month now and yes to better food choices!
  • I will ask my husband to help keep me accountable of my food choices while dinning in or eating out.
  • I will make my way to the gym and give it my all during my work out while enjoying my time with my favorite hot work out partner, my husband!
  • I will invite my girlfriends to zumba classes for cardio.
  • I will run/walk 30 minuets, 5 days a week.
  • I will give thanks to the Lord for all my success along the way.
  • I will rest my head each night on my pillow with feelings of excitement, success, and satisfaction of my good choices made; no regrets!!
  • I will extend grace, love, and forgiveness to myself on days that I fall short of my own expectations.
  • I will repeat the steps above each day following, knowing that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

 

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“You were not meant to do what’s easy, you were designed to challenge yourself!”– Justin Timberlake

My challenge will be to starve this monster called “My cycle of self defeat.”

How will you challenge yourself on this Monday!?

What does your formula for a healthier body look like? Please comment below and share!

xOxO

Leigh Leigh

 

 

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