the gym today.. my love language

we went over a study on the 5 love languages in our church small group, and my two main ones are Receiving Gifts and Words of Affirmation.

i definitely had some affirmation for myself this week. from the mouths of strangers.

an interesting development for me..
the kids have been at VBS (vacation bible school) from 9:30-12 all 5 days, so i've taken advantage of that time at the gym.. getting in from 45-1.5 hour workouts, and really pumping it up and pushing myself.

one of my favorite things to do is a plank, but alternate a regular plank with some side planks, some mountain climbers, some modified pushups, and adding 8" weights and rowing 10 on each side.

i had 1 lady earlier this week mention something to me about it, that she was impressed i could do that.
once she said that, it was almost like i had an out-of-body experience, like i looked over to where i was working out, and i could see myself exercising.. and it was like i was watching one of those people that you SEE at the gym that you don't think you could ever BE.
.. i've actually started to BECOME my own inspiration.. that felt very strange, but in a good way.

yesterday i was talking to a new gym friend about varicose veins and how i don't really wear shorts much because i think they're ugly. she got hers removed 3 years ago.. it was $13,000.. yipes. :( but it's good to know people understand what you're going through.

she was there again today, and she/we finally realized where we know each other from. she shops at kohl's. :) i work there. :)
and after i was finished working out today, another lady came up and said "i could never do that thing you do, where you're on your hands, pushing up, and then you ad those weights.. whew. you should be a personal trainer."

that really made me feel good.
i've been trying to push myself more.. strengthen my core, and my overall body.
i'm not doing it for people to notice me.. i'm doing it for my own health and well being.

but i also know that me feeling better about my body also means i look better along the way, too. and that DOES get attention from other people.

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honestly, i've never been the kind to like personal attention. i've never pushed myself to do things BY myself, that people would notice.
for instance.. the motorcycle? i've always wanted a purple Harley Davidson. and now i have one. i have a hard time taking it out to drive because i know people will be looking at me. but i am working on that this year.. just doing what i love and what God is gifting me with. i don't want to live in fear of people looking at me. God WANTS us to be out there, being lights to the world.

a city on a hill should not be hidden, rather to shine it's light as bright as can.

i am that city..
as a Christ follower, I am that light.
and i need to BE that light, no matter what my situation.
my fears are superficial.

update on staying fit

well.. it's been 3 months (yikes!) since i last wrote.
a lot has been going on.

the last few months of school for the kids

i've had a lot going on with business.. praise God! secured a retail position at Squishy Tushy in Blissfield, MI, providing them with mama cloth for now, and down the road branching into different sizes of mama cloth, and my bibs as well. :)

we joined a local gym a few months ago as well and I have taken it upon myself to make sure i'm staying healthy.
i've gained 2 lbs of muscle and 2% bone mass (at least that's what the machine says at HerbaLife- which i got to try for a month.. not going to work for me).

so YAY! :)

also for the past two days i've been swimming laps during open lap time in the pool there.. wow, i'm out of breath pretty easily! lol.
my muscles really feel it.. i can do about 15 minutes (resting in between) alternating backstroke, floating, and front crawl

i'm really comfortable using the elliptical machine now.. whenever i go to the ladies exercise room, i always start out with walking a mile on it.

i've steadily kept off 17 lbs from when i started this journey 2.5 years ago.
in the process, i've done from a snug muffin-top size 12 pants, down to a 6/8, and i can wear some size small shirts now, whereas before i was close to a L.

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i have to say i'm proud of myself for coming this far.
some days i still have to make myself do something physical because i just don't feel like it.. but in the end, i'm much happier when i do.

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i've also found out that on top of having Chondromalacia Patella in my knees and Morton's Neuroma in my right foot, i also have osteoarthritis and i'm lactose intolerant.

so i have 6 different pills i take every morning, my "cocktail" if you will.. but i'm trying my best to stay with herbs and supplements instead of medications. i want my body to still have as much natural health to it as possible.

and my kids are also catching on to the healthier foods, and more involved with our food choices.
makes me proud :)

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thank you God for the ability to move around and stay healthy.
thank you for creating an avenue and providing the payment to do so.
and thank you so much for giving me the want to keep my body a healthy temple for You.