Here's the UB members that put the event on for the night. We are at the final location of the evening...my favorite frozen yogurt place in town...SPLURGE!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Amazing Race
Last night we had an event that we called the Amazing Race. Students were placed in teams of 4-5 and given a clue card taking them to 7 different locations in the Pineville/Alexandria area...our local hotspots. Once they figured out the clues and got to the locations there was a UB member waiting there to give them a challenge card to complete as a team. Groups had to do a number of things like finding three items at Walmart that had the word "fresh" on the packaging, using the pick up lines on the taco bell sauce packet on someone in the restaurant, buying the most creative/unique thing they could find for $5 in Goodwill, seranaging the patrons at our local coffee shop, making towel animals at a local hotel and so on. It was a great event and most everyone had a blast. Of course there were some students who acted like turds and got elminated from the competition but for the most part it was an epic event.
Here's the UB members that put the event on for the night. We are at the final location of the evening...my favorite frozen yogurt place in town...SPLURGE!!
Here's the UB members that put the event on for the night. We are at the final location of the evening...my favorite frozen yogurt place in town...SPLURGE!!
becoming Rachael Ray
I love the food network and I really love the Rachael Ray show. I TiVo it everyday and watch them on the weekends. If nothing else she has inspired me to be creative in the kitchen. I've always been told that the sign of a good cook is one that doesn't follow recipes and slowly but surely thank to Rachael and my own father who is an excellent cook, I am fearless in the kitchen about trying new creations.
There is nothing like being broke at the end of the month to really get you creative in dishes. Every Wednesday night we have our Life Group and we all bring something to contribute to the meal. Each week we have a specific item that has to go into each recipe. This week's item was TOMATO. So on Wednesday into the pantry I went to see what I could throw together without going to buy any groceries and this is what I created...
ENCHILADA PASTA BAKE
I still had a few items left in the pantry that I needed to get rid of like regular penne pasta (not wheat) and a pound of hamburger meat (not ground turkey) and so this was a great way to get rid of it and when I make this dish again the wheat and turkey options are just as good.
Boil the penne pasta and drain. Place in a casserole dish.
Brown the hamburger meat and drain. Add a can of diced tex mex tomatoes. Add a large can or two small cans of enchilada sauce. Add a half a cup of sour cream and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Pour the meat and sauce mixture over the noodles. Cover the top with shredded mozarella cheese and bake until bubbly at 325 degrees.
It has a little bit of spice to it because of the tex mex tomatoes so these can be substituted with just regular diced tomatoes if you like.
It was yummy!! And really not that high in calories even with "real" meat and "real" pasta.
There is nothing like being broke at the end of the month to really get you creative in dishes. Every Wednesday night we have our Life Group and we all bring something to contribute to the meal. Each week we have a specific item that has to go into each recipe. This week's item was TOMATO. So on Wednesday into the pantry I went to see what I could throw together without going to buy any groceries and this is what I created...
ENCHILADA PASTA BAKE
I still had a few items left in the pantry that I needed to get rid of like regular penne pasta (not wheat) and a pound of hamburger meat (not ground turkey) and so this was a great way to get rid of it and when I make this dish again the wheat and turkey options are just as good.
Boil the penne pasta and drain. Place in a casserole dish.
Brown the hamburger meat and drain. Add a can of diced tex mex tomatoes. Add a large can or two small cans of enchilada sauce. Add a half a cup of sour cream and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Pour the meat and sauce mixture over the noodles. Cover the top with shredded mozarella cheese and bake until bubbly at 325 degrees.
It has a little bit of spice to it because of the tex mex tomatoes so these can be substituted with just regular diced tomatoes if you like.
It was yummy!! And really not that high in calories even with "real" meat and "real" pasta.
Detox/Cleanse
So it's a slow Friday in the office so I am about to catch up on some blogging....get ready for several blogs coming up you quickly!!
First Up....today is the last day of the first ever cleanse I have ever done. This was suggested by my doctor just to flush out all the toxins in my body and have a clean slate going on in all my "parts." A clean slate is right.....I have gone to the bathroom a whole lot in the last seven days. It also didn't help that I started a low grade blood pressure medicine that has a diuretic in it. I am getting exercise in just making trips to the bathroom. At work I am the furtherest office from the bathroom and at home I am a flight of stairs away. No kidding, last Sunda I probably went up and down the stairs no less than 40 times.
Good times. In three weeks I am officially -10lbs and counting.
First Up....today is the last day of the first ever cleanse I have ever done. This was suggested by my doctor just to flush out all the toxins in my body and have a clean slate going on in all my "parts." A clean slate is right.....I have gone to the bathroom a whole lot in the last seven days. It also didn't help that I started a low grade blood pressure medicine that has a diuretic in it. I am getting exercise in just making trips to the bathroom. At work I am the furtherest office from the bathroom and at home I am a flight of stairs away. No kidding, last Sunda I probably went up and down the stairs no less than 40 times.
Good times. In three weeks I am officially -10lbs and counting.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Weekly Weigh In
Well I've officially finished 2 full weeks of this lifestyle change. I started this journey at 299lbs (man that was tough to write) and after 2 weeks I am down 9lbs. It's been an expensive endeavor because healthy food ain't cheap but well worth it. I'm feeling good and seeing a difference in the way I feel and the way my clothes are fitting. And who knew I'm really loving my morning walks with some great friends.
I went back to the doctor this past week to follow up on my blood pressure and though it had come down a little bit she still put me on a mild medication temporarily. It was funny because she was surprised I came back. She doubted me! She told me I made her day because it was obvious that I got it and was ready to do my part to change. Not going to lie it felt good to know she believed in me. As I was leaving a patient came in short of breath and her heart racing. They took her BP and it was 160/106. Needless to say that's a problem. They told her to call her husband and go to the ER. I totally butted in and offered to take her to the ER and just meet her husband there. It was God ordained...she was 41, overweight, high BP and a history of depression and the Lord was gracious to allow me to see where I could be 6 years from now if I don't stick with this change.
Well only the Lord can get the credit for the discipline he is growing in me right now and I'm so thankful. I am currently on a four day weekend where I could easily undo all that's been accomplished in the last two weeks but I'm taking it one smart choice at a time. So far so good!!
I went back to the doctor this past week to follow up on my blood pressure and though it had come down a little bit she still put me on a mild medication temporarily. It was funny because she was surprised I came back. She doubted me! She told me I made her day because it was obvious that I got it and was ready to do my part to change. Not going to lie it felt good to know she believed in me. As I was leaving a patient came in short of breath and her heart racing. They took her BP and it was 160/106. Needless to say that's a problem. They told her to call her husband and go to the ER. I totally butted in and offered to take her to the ER and just meet her husband there. It was God ordained...she was 41, overweight, high BP and a history of depression and the Lord was gracious to allow me to see where I could be 6 years from now if I don't stick with this change.
Well only the Lord can get the credit for the discipline he is growing in me right now and I'm so thankful. I am currently on a four day weekend where I could easily undo all that's been accomplished in the last two weeks but I'm taking it one smart choice at a time. So far so good!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Woo'ed By The Wildcat
As the Director of Student Activities I have the privilege to oversee the Union Board. UB is a student led organization that host all the fun events on our campus year round. I am constantly amazed by their creativity. Today for Valentine's Day they put a new twist on an old high school classic "candy grams." Our mascot at LC is Alex the Wildcat so for the bargain price of $5 you could send a candy sucker bouquet to someone and the Wildcat would deliver it to them while they are in class. It was such a fun day watching people be embarrassed while sitting in class. Reactions were absolutely priceless! And a big shout out to our LC professors who graciously allowed us to interrupt their classes all day. Here is the flyer advertising the event.... 
Here is me with Alex... 
And here is my first attempt at attaching a video but this is Alex "wooing" our band director, Andrew Hunter....
Turned out to be such a great event and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spread the love all day around campus! Happy Valentine's Day!!
Here is me with Alex... 
And here is my first attempt at attaching a video but this is Alex "wooing" our band director, Andrew Hunter....Turned out to be such a great event and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to spread the love all day around campus! Happy Valentine's Day!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
small victories
I don't have any witty things to share for Monday's My Way but I do have a small victory to share. As of this weekend I have lost 7lbs since going to the doctor a week ago. Praise the Lord that is 7lbs in the right direction. I know the reality of losing that kind of weight every week isn't possible so I choose to celebrate this victory while I can.
Thank you guys for your encouragement through the process. I have been so blessed by your words of wisdom. The one thing I have heard over and over is that we place no confidence in the flesh but nothing is impossible for God. Amen! Though one of the rewards of this journey is going to be a healthier body the ultimate reward will be seeing God reveal himself to me in truly unique and intimate ways. How awesome is it that the creator of the universe cares enough about me today to help me control what I put into my mouth? More importantly he cares enough about me and others to help me control what comes out of my mouth. As I walk this journey may I see each day as an opportunity to bring glory to his name and not my own.
Here is a message I got this week from a sweet friend that encouraged me so much. I wanted to share it because I don't know where you are today and what battle God wants to help you fight in order for you to know him more....may this message encourage you too!
I pray that the Lord will teach you wonderful things about himself. I pray that in the losing of the pounds there will be a gaining of his soul and spirit like you've never known. I pray that He will be the one who drives you. I pray that when you look at your 200lb self someday that all you can think about is how the Lord worked in you and how he spiritually sculpted you along the way. And that every time someone says, "you look great!" or every time you fit into those cute jeans you think "the Lord is so very good!" because you know how more and more of how He loves you.
I don't think it's going to be easy at all. I think satan's going to get word of this and try to stop you. I think the Lord doesn't work to make our lives easy but to mold us into the person we need to be for him. And many times it's the fire that makes the gold the most pure.
Take time today to enjoy the small victories and give credit where it is due. And if you need a small victory or a big victory in your life let me tell you where the best place to start will be....on your knees. We can't but God can.
Thank you guys for your encouragement through the process. I have been so blessed by your words of wisdom. The one thing I have heard over and over is that we place no confidence in the flesh but nothing is impossible for God. Amen! Though one of the rewards of this journey is going to be a healthier body the ultimate reward will be seeing God reveal himself to me in truly unique and intimate ways. How awesome is it that the creator of the universe cares enough about me today to help me control what I put into my mouth? More importantly he cares enough about me and others to help me control what comes out of my mouth. As I walk this journey may I see each day as an opportunity to bring glory to his name and not my own.
Here is a message I got this week from a sweet friend that encouraged me so much. I wanted to share it because I don't know where you are today and what battle God wants to help you fight in order for you to know him more....may this message encourage you too!
I pray that the Lord will teach you wonderful things about himself. I pray that in the losing of the pounds there will be a gaining of his soul and spirit like you've never known. I pray that He will be the one who drives you. I pray that when you look at your 200lb self someday that all you can think about is how the Lord worked in you and how he spiritually sculpted you along the way. And that every time someone says, "you look great!" or every time you fit into those cute jeans you think "the Lord is so very good!" because you know how more and more of how He loves you.
I don't think it's going to be easy at all. I think satan's going to get word of this and try to stop you. I think the Lord doesn't work to make our lives easy but to mold us into the person we need to be for him. And many times it's the fire that makes the gold the most pure.
Take time today to enjoy the small victories and give credit where it is due. And if you need a small victory or a big victory in your life let me tell you where the best place to start will be....on your knees. We can't but God can.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
the haunting question
When I started working with a trainer last spring/summer I had a friend ask me "so what's going to be different this time?" As innocent as that question was probably intended to be, it has paralyzed me with doubt, fear, and insecurity. What I heard was "you've failed at this weight loss thing several times so how are you going to keep from failing this time?" And you know what...I did fail.
So what's going to be different this time?
The Lord has been incredibly gracious in dealing with my heart and emotions in regards to this issues which honestly has never been one that I have prayed about or asked his help in battling. Pretty dumb right? Through a series of different things the Lord has drawn some pretty amazing connections that I wanted to blog for my own sake so that they are documented for me to come back and read.
1. I am reading Chris Powell's book "Choosing to Lose" which emphasizes that the first part of winning the battle with your weight is changing your mind. Our minds are far more powerful than our bodies. The body will want to quit long before the mind. So it has to be mind over matter. So how has that made things different...I've been praying and asking those closest to me to pray for the Lord to change my mind, renew my mind and help me see that this monster can be defeated once and for all. An "I can do this" kind of mindset.
2. I am in the process of working through some discipleship material with my friend Lizzie. This past week our focus was looking at the doctine of God's Word...more specifically the clarity, authority, sufficiency and necessity of God's Word. One thing we talked about yesterday was that to disbelieve or disobey God's Word was to disbelieve or disobey God if we believe the Bible is true and the very word's of God intended for us.
3. In my LifeGroup on Wednesday nights we started going through the book "Forgotten God" which is all about the Holy Spirit and how as a whole believers have neglected to acknowledge the Spirit or live with the power of knowing they have the living God of the universe dwelling inside of them. We just unpacked a little of that last night and one of the things that we discussed was Galatians 5 where Paul talks about the fruit of the spirit. In other words....if we are being filled and led by the spirit what will result? The fruit of the Spirit is (will yield) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.
So what is the relationship between these three things? Well it all hit me last night like a bolt of lightening. I realize that my mind is the first place I need change and through my understanding of God's word I know that can only come from God. And if I believe his word...which I do...then I have his power at work inside me. If I seek him and pursue being filled daily with the Spirit then the result will be SELF CONTROL. Oh self-control....something I have never had, clearly, or I wouldn't be this "jolly" today. But it is the Spirit who will produce self-control in me to have victory in this battle. My job is to continually be filled with the Spirit, making this issue a matter of constant prayer and seeing how God will use it for his glory. And here is the kicker....if I fail this time it's a bigger issue than failing to lose weight...it's failure to believe God is who He says He is and failure to believe He can do what He says He will do.
I'm am not in the camp of the prosperity gospel (name and claim it....God's ulimate goal is to bless me) but I am in the camp of taking God up on His promises and that is where I rest all my doubt, fear and insecurity and choose to trust this time will be different.
(thanks for the encouragement from those who've contacted me....keep praying!)
So what's going to be different this time?
The Lord has been incredibly gracious in dealing with my heart and emotions in regards to this issues which honestly has never been one that I have prayed about or asked his help in battling. Pretty dumb right? Through a series of different things the Lord has drawn some pretty amazing connections that I wanted to blog for my own sake so that they are documented for me to come back and read.
1. I am reading Chris Powell's book "Choosing to Lose" which emphasizes that the first part of winning the battle with your weight is changing your mind. Our minds are far more powerful than our bodies. The body will want to quit long before the mind. So it has to be mind over matter. So how has that made things different...I've been praying and asking those closest to me to pray for the Lord to change my mind, renew my mind and help me see that this monster can be defeated once and for all. An "I can do this" kind of mindset.
2. I am in the process of working through some discipleship material with my friend Lizzie. This past week our focus was looking at the doctine of God's Word...more specifically the clarity, authority, sufficiency and necessity of God's Word. One thing we talked about yesterday was that to disbelieve or disobey God's Word was to disbelieve or disobey God if we believe the Bible is true and the very word's of God intended for us.
3. In my LifeGroup on Wednesday nights we started going through the book "Forgotten God" which is all about the Holy Spirit and how as a whole believers have neglected to acknowledge the Spirit or live with the power of knowing they have the living God of the universe dwelling inside of them. We just unpacked a little of that last night and one of the things that we discussed was Galatians 5 where Paul talks about the fruit of the spirit. In other words....if we are being filled and led by the spirit what will result? The fruit of the Spirit is (will yield) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.
So what is the relationship between these three things? Well it all hit me last night like a bolt of lightening. I realize that my mind is the first place I need change and through my understanding of God's word I know that can only come from God. And if I believe his word...which I do...then I have his power at work inside me. If I seek him and pursue being filled daily with the Spirit then the result will be SELF CONTROL. Oh self-control....something I have never had, clearly, or I wouldn't be this "jolly" today. But it is the Spirit who will produce self-control in me to have victory in this battle. My job is to continually be filled with the Spirit, making this issue a matter of constant prayer and seeing how God will use it for his glory. And here is the kicker....if I fail this time it's a bigger issue than failing to lose weight...it's failure to believe God is who He says He is and failure to believe He can do what He says He will do.
I'm am not in the camp of the prosperity gospel (name and claim it....God's ulimate goal is to bless me) but I am in the camp of taking God up on His promises and that is where I rest all my doubt, fear and insecurity and choose to trust this time will be different.
(thanks for the encouragement from those who've contacted me....keep praying!)
Monday, February 6, 2012
NUMBERS....NUMBERS....NUMBERS....
So the new background is inspired by what is currently swimming in my head right now and sort of overwhelming my life. NUMBERS!! What numbers you ask? No I haven't switched jobs to accounting. This past week I was out of work for three days due to a nasty sinus infection that caused vertigo like dizziness...it was hell to be honest. I certainly felt like I was swimming all week and whatever room I was sitting in was spinning out of control. That's not where the numbers come from though.
In the process of seeing a doctor for my sinus infection I found myself in front of doctor who was honest with me for the first time ever. I'm a crafty soul who always seems to find overweight doctors so that I don't have to worry about them telling me I need to lose weight. NOT THE CASE ON THURSDAY. The conversation started with my blood pressure being a little high and then went downhill from there. She was really nice until I kept talking about my family history and then she got brutal. Bottom line...I got a wake up call and an ultimatum from the doctor to lose weight and get my BP down...NOW! None of this was a shock honestly but something in me just needed to hear a doctor tell me I am killing myself.
So now I am swimming in numbers....blood pressure numbers, number of calories I can eat in a day, number of minutes I need to exercise, numbers I need to see falling on the scale and the list goes on.
The weekend was filled with cleaning out the pantry and getting ready to make some lifestyle changes. Since Thursday I have lost 6lbs and have had some small victories so far. My goal is to walk three mornings a week before work....MONDAY MORNING 6:30am walk...CHECK! The other small victory was going to a super bowl party last night and taking my own food so I wasn't tempted to eat things I didn't need to...CHECK!
If you've followed my blog for any length of time you are probably already doubting my ability to follow through...and rightfully so. Here's what I need from you: 1. pray for my mind to be different this time 2. pray that I would have discipline to see this through 3. pray that the benefits would outweigh the difficulty....PRAY FOR ME when you think about it. I can't do this by myself and I know that. The way I have been living for the last 34 years has gotten me here so something has to change to get different results.
Here's what I am preaching to myself these days
1. I AM AN ATHLETE IN TRAINING (Chris Powell: Choosing to Lose)
2. I have to be a person of integrity and keep the committments I make to myself! (same book)
Here are my goals:
Get under 200lbs (long term)
Get my blood pressure to 115/65 (short term)
Get to a size 12 (long term)
Ultimately I would love to lose about 120lbs but I have set Christmas Day of this year to have the first 75lbs off
And my reward aside from feeling better and looking better....when I get under 200lbs I am going SKY DIVING...I've always wanted to do that and have always weighed too much to do it...so that's going to be one of my rewards at the end of this journey.
May the numbers DRIVE ME....not drive me crazy!
In the process of seeing a doctor for my sinus infection I found myself in front of doctor who was honest with me for the first time ever. I'm a crafty soul who always seems to find overweight doctors so that I don't have to worry about them telling me I need to lose weight. NOT THE CASE ON THURSDAY. The conversation started with my blood pressure being a little high and then went downhill from there. She was really nice until I kept talking about my family history and then she got brutal. Bottom line...I got a wake up call and an ultimatum from the doctor to lose weight and get my BP down...NOW! None of this was a shock honestly but something in me just needed to hear a doctor tell me I am killing myself.
So now I am swimming in numbers....blood pressure numbers, number of calories I can eat in a day, number of minutes I need to exercise, numbers I need to see falling on the scale and the list goes on.
The weekend was filled with cleaning out the pantry and getting ready to make some lifestyle changes. Since Thursday I have lost 6lbs and have had some small victories so far. My goal is to walk three mornings a week before work....MONDAY MORNING 6:30am walk...CHECK! The other small victory was going to a super bowl party last night and taking my own food so I wasn't tempted to eat things I didn't need to...CHECK!
If you've followed my blog for any length of time you are probably already doubting my ability to follow through...and rightfully so. Here's what I need from you: 1. pray for my mind to be different this time 2. pray that I would have discipline to see this through 3. pray that the benefits would outweigh the difficulty....PRAY FOR ME when you think about it. I can't do this by myself and I know that. The way I have been living for the last 34 years has gotten me here so something has to change to get different results.
Here's what I am preaching to myself these days
1. I AM AN ATHLETE IN TRAINING (Chris Powell: Choosing to Lose)
2. I have to be a person of integrity and keep the committments I make to myself! (same book)
Here are my goals:
Get under 200lbs (long term)
Get my blood pressure to 115/65 (short term)
Get to a size 12 (long term)
Ultimately I would love to lose about 120lbs but I have set Christmas Day of this year to have the first 75lbs off
And my reward aside from feeling better and looking better....when I get under 200lbs I am going SKY DIVING...I've always wanted to do that and have always weighed too much to do it...so that's going to be one of my rewards at the end of this journey.
May the numbers DRIVE ME....not drive me crazy!
Monday's My Way
This blog entry brought to you by the need for comfort and convenience...but hey...aren't all my Monday's My Way entries?
1. All towels would feel fresh and warm from the dryer every time you go to use them...amen? And in the winter your clothes would feel the same way no matter what outfit you randomly pick out of your closet.
2. Things would automatically reset themselves for convenience sake...for example: when the power goes out the clock on my microwave, coffee maker, etc would reset themselves. And the biggie...my blog background would automatically update to the new season without requiring me to take the time to find a cute new one. So much pressure!
1. All towels would feel fresh and warm from the dryer every time you go to use them...amen? And in the winter your clothes would feel the same way no matter what outfit you randomly pick out of your closet.
2. Things would automatically reset themselves for convenience sake...for example: when the power goes out the clock on my microwave, coffee maker, etc would reset themselves. And the biggie...my blog background would automatically update to the new season without requiring me to take the time to find a cute new one. So much pressure!
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