When I originally signed up to be apart of the 40 day challenge I didn’t write a lot. I honestly thought I would never get in and be selected. I wrote the bare minimum as I was also afraid to really live out loud and let others know what was really going on. How do you admit you’re not healthy and that the lifestyle you are living isn’t the best? During that time I had been praying to God to help me with the family weight and health issues. 4 out of 6 of us in our house are overweight and not active. I knew it wasn’t something I could change on my own so I kept praying. Right about that time I had also been telling my husband I really needed new tennis shoes. Then the phone call came, I was one of the 8 qualifiers for the 40 day. It started becoming real but so did all the lies, “why would you be picked, you aren’t anyone they would be interested in, you can’t do this, others deserve this more then you, you really don’t want everyone to know how overweight you are, you are going to make yourself an outcast.” But I pushed through it with strength from God. I pushed and I put myself out there, I asked friends and family for support and votes. They answered and so did the listeners and others following along. I was chosen to be one of the final 4.
The journey began- God answered those prayers and cries for help. I got my new shoes. My 2 older daughters are very interested in the bootcamp and what I am doing and want to do it with me. My husband has been very supportive. The challenges and tests came along with this process. Sickness, kids, life, it was all very real. About 4 weeks in I did want to quit. Just like I normally would with anything. It starts to feel as no one is really watching or cares and it would be so easy just to stop and not do this anymore. I’m still here still leaning on Our Father and seeking his strength.
What I realized during this 40 day challenge is it’s not about the workout, shoes, spa the radio station, listeners, it’s all about God. From a Beth Moore study the 5 Faith Statements:
1.God is who He says He is.
2. God can do what He says He can do.
3. I am who God says I am.
4. I can do all things through Christ.
5. God's Word is alive and active in me.
It is all so very true, as long as I keep my focus on God and not the failures my weight, inches, struggles it becomes easier. It’s not without pain but the freedom is amazing.
I want to win this challenge and be the grand prize winner because I want to use this to Glorify God and further his Kingdom here on Earth. I want to be his light and help others succeed.
So Many people are alone out there in the darkness like I was seeking and grasping for anything- I want to be the hand that reaches out and offers them something that they need…Love, Support, Life!
There is a song currently playing on Spirit that truly has been my anthem song during this challenge:
Before the Morning- Josh Wilson
Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you I
f there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending S
omeday somehow you’ll see you’ll see
Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer
And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning
I love the part-it can’t compare to the Joy that’s coming. So much truth in that line. This challenge hasn’t been about just losing a few lbs or inches it’s been about battling my way out of the darkness to walk and live out loud in the light. I want to continue that. I don’t want it to end here. I am coming out of the valley through the desert. In the end it’s not about my looks, my hair, my clothing it’s about how I lived my life and did I live it from my heart and allow the spirit to work within me to Glorify God.
I turn 40 in a few weeks the past 40 years have been amazing. I pray my 4 kids (15, 13, 5, and 1) don’t have the challenges and struggles I did growing up. I pray that this challenge was a spring board for our lives to change so we can continue to live healthy lifestyles and be more active. We have been watching the Olympics and one thing I have been learning during that is sometimes it’s not the most popular, or the favorite sometimes it’s the under dog, the quietest one that has the most amazing story and gift to offer.
Praising God for everything he has given me!!! To him all the Glory
Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters during this- truly amazing challenge and I so much appreciate the time, effort, money and prizes we have been given during this challenge.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Voting- final week
The voting has started- its the final week of this journey.
As I reflect back over this challenge I am so amazed by the blessings. A Week ago I was ready to call it quits but right now I feel so full of life and joy i can't describe it. I have enjoyed working out in the morning and getting healthy and creating new habits. Mark with Aim To Be Fit has been wonderful. He has been working closely with my PT Kathleen Young at PT Pro to make sure I am not doing anymore damage to my neck/shoulders but still getting the top benefit from the workout. He is constantly coming by and checking on positioning and making sure I am working the muscles correctly to benefit me. My kids and I have enjoyed going to Taco Time. We were just there yesterday.It's been a nice benefit.
I love how the 40 Day challenge ended right as we moved into Lent. Another 40 days and an awesome reminder in our lives of how to give things up and sacrifice. I've learned alot about sacrifice and giving things up over this challenge.
I wasn't sure if I truly wanted a lifetime membership but sitting here today and looking back I can see how much I have changed and how much my family and I would benfit from a lifetime membership and I want to be selected as the grand prize winner.
Each of us ladies are already winners. They have been a huge blessing during this challenge. Each of us with our own stories and different lifestyles but all loving God and giving him all the Glory.
I was able to work out once with each of the Ladies - I loved it. Kat came to one of my bootcamps at shorelines and I went to Everett to Ginny & Katie's bootcamp. I got to see each one of the ladies in motion and enjoyed the companionship.
Good luck to all you listeners- you can continue to follow me and my journey on twitter at Tammiego or on my blog: http://allinadayof.blogspot.com/
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
As I reflect back over this challenge I am so amazed by the blessings. A Week ago I was ready to call it quits but right now I feel so full of life and joy i can't describe it. I have enjoyed working out in the morning and getting healthy and creating new habits. Mark with Aim To Be Fit has been wonderful. He has been working closely with my PT Kathleen Young at PT Pro to make sure I am not doing anymore damage to my neck/shoulders but still getting the top benefit from the workout. He is constantly coming by and checking on positioning and making sure I am working the muscles correctly to benefit me. My kids and I have enjoyed going to Taco Time. We were just there yesterday.It's been a nice benefit.
I love how the 40 Day challenge ended right as we moved into Lent. Another 40 days and an awesome reminder in our lives of how to give things up and sacrifice. I've learned alot about sacrifice and giving things up over this challenge.
I wasn't sure if I truly wanted a lifetime membership but sitting here today and looking back I can see how much I have changed and how much my family and I would benfit from a lifetime membership and I want to be selected as the grand prize winner.
Each of us ladies are already winners. They have been a huge blessing during this challenge. Each of us with our own stories and different lifestyles but all loving God and giving him all the Glory.
I was able to work out once with each of the Ladies - I loved it. Kat came to one of my bootcamps at shorelines and I went to Everett to Ginny & Katie's bootcamp. I got to see each one of the ladies in motion and enjoyed the companionship.
Good luck to all you listeners- you can continue to follow me and my journey on twitter at Tammiego or on my blog: http://allinadayof.blogspot.com/
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Encouragement
God wants us to boast in our weakness so he gets all the glory, and to show us, we have done these things by the power of God, not human power but God power...Turning is not all we have to do, we need to sweep our mind clean of all the lies we have believed, and believe God instead...filling our minds with truth... Rewallpapering our minds with that which is in the word of God... Then we will know the truth and the truth will set us free....
That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven,
Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting
him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he
faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let
us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will
receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need
it. (Heb 4:14-16 NLT)
Prayer: LORD, it is difficult to comprehend that You really
understand the pain, frustration, discouragement, and so many other
things that I feel. Yet, You do. Help me understand this and see You
not just as God and Lord, but also as my friend, companion, helper,
encourager, and One who really understands and cares about the bad
days as well as the good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven,
Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting
him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he
faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let
us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will
receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need
it. (Heb 4:14-16 NLT)
Prayer: LORD, it is difficult to comprehend that You really
understand the pain, frustration, discouragement, and so many other
things that I feel. Yet, You do. Help me understand this and see You
not just as God and Lord, but also as my friend, companion, helper,
encourager, and One who really understands and cares about the bad
days as well as the good. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 38
Day 38- 2 more days until this 40 day ends. and everything goes back to voting. I had an amazing workout today- I feel really good and charged. its early in the AM and I already have 1/2 my water intake for the day done. I have come to realize that drinking all of my water for the day is so extremely important. When I don't drink all my water I tend to snack and not feel full. It's been amazing to me how much of a difference 1 glass of water can make.
GREAT NEWS- I am down 12 lbs and 10". I can see it in my clothes and my face, body. I can also certainly feel it. Even though there have been alot of challenges these last 2 weeks I see the light I certainly want to continue this journey. I
T is really important i remain focused and on track. My 2 older daughters have been begging if they could come to bootcamp with me- I think they might join us ladies on Friday.
I would really encourage everyone to try the 2 free weeks.If you can FIT it into your schedule do not force it, but if it works try it. I am thankful i had this opportunity it truly has changed my life and I am motivated to finish and to keep going STRONG!!!!
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by the grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. AMEN!!!
GREAT NEWS- I am down 12 lbs and 10". I can see it in my clothes and my face, body. I can also certainly feel it. Even though there have been alot of challenges these last 2 weeks I see the light I certainly want to continue this journey. I
T is really important i remain focused and on track. My 2 older daughters have been begging if they could come to bootcamp with me- I think they might join us ladies on Friday.
I would really encourage everyone to try the 2 free weeks.If you can FIT it into your schedule do not force it, but if it works try it. I am thankful i had this opportunity it truly has changed my life and I am motivated to finish and to keep going STRONG!!!!
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by the grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. AMEN!!!
2-16-10
I loved that devotion below that i received today- what a total gift. I love Our Father and how is works and uses everything around us to let u sknow he is there even in the darkest hours. I have 2 sick little ones at home. Had my 1 yr old at ER sunday night- I was worried about his breathing. Turned out no pneumonia just upper respiratory infection. All the kids are home this week. My 2 oldest really want to come to bootcamp with me this week- they have been dying to come and do one class since i started this journey. It's a beutiful day today and even though the 2 little ones are sick i think we may go out for a walk.
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- February 16, 2010:
Take courage and lean on My strength to keep moving through the difficulties that you face. You need to be patient and trust Me to lead, guide, direct and protect you at this time. Do not despair when you do not seem to have what it takes to deal with current issues. Ask, and I will give you wisdom. This too shall pass, and new focus and clarity will come forth like the first rays of sunshine of a new day. Keep looking up, says the Lord.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2-14-10
I'm lost and hurting deeply todau- my 15 yr old ran away. my 13 yr old when weighed at the dr office before surgery she weighed in at over 200 lbs. my 2 little ones are really sick. and this is final week of bootcamp. in my first video i said one goal was to finish- right now i don't feel like finishing. I feel like this is all too much - see i focused too much on me and look what happened. my kids need me- their life depends on it- there's all the proof right there smacking me in the face. yet here is this challenge- no one truly cares- no one is commenting- or suporting- is a lifetime to this bootcamp worth this sacrifice? this is me being real and being hurt and talking from my heart that really aches right now.
2-11-10
Isaiah 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)