Category: Fitness and Health

Outside of my Comfort Zone

Post author By De
Post date December 3, 2015
12 Comments on Outside of my Comfort Zone

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks ad strips the forest bare. An in his temple all cry, Glory! Psalms 29:9

Lacking the ability of direction

I have a horrible sense of direction. Always have not sure if it’s inherited but my mother does too. Get us together and we are the blind leading the blind. I learned when my daughter was in 2^nd grade that we all have certain genius’. And spatial genius-being good a directions and space, that is something that I lack.

So, for the last year I have felt lost. Like, I know I am going in some sort of direction but a little confused. I have been seeking God’s guidance and his response has been, “be still.” Well they tell you when you are lost to stay still till someone finds you, right? I am not the stay still type of person. I have been pursuing different directions trying to find the direction of this evolving new me for about 4 years, but still lost. Again, seeking God’s direction and again, His response “be still.” This time is different, I am tired of thinking I am heading in the right direction only to be getting further and further lost. I want to stay still, but how does one stay still?

How does one stay still?

Have you ever tried to stay still? I have stayed still in moments, each time progressively longer but never till I found an answer. Never committing fully or entirely grasping the concept of “staying still.” If someone put a gun to my head I could probably master it but honestly;

Who wants a gun held to their head?

I rather voluntarily submit. I am trying to be still before God forces me too. He has gently reminded me from time to time for some time now. I have decided that I really really want to obey.

The definition of be still is-not moving or making a sound; deep silence and calm; stillness; and quieten. I am someone who is constantly moving. I always having an idea that needs to be brought to fruition. I am loud, not calm (calmer now that I am older but still I wouldn’t characterize me as calm), constantly active and quieten-I had to look that one up and nope not that either. To sit still is literally torture to me which makes me think:

“Why does God want to torture me?”

Yet, I really feel that God wants me to be still, so what does that mean for me? I honestly have no clue what to do when you are still and my husband jokingly says,

“that means do nothing.”

So, I go to google because clearly someone has had to created steps to “doing nothing.”

Yea, no.

Next, I got to the source the ultimate instruction manual the Bible. What does the Bible say about being still?

Figuring out the steps

I am being still to honor and serve God therefore, once I achieve being still then I need to wait on God. Okay, waiting now that is something that I am very familiar with. I am not am an impatient person. So, not only does God want me to be still, but He also wants me to wait. Who ever said this being a Christian thing is easy- is a LIAR! So, I now take this journey down a path to strengthen my faith I find that God is working on three things in me- my ability to be obedient, my ability to be still and to be patient and wait on Him to come guide me where I need to go. Let’s tackle one thing at a time: be still.

In my google search there was not a Wiki-How on how to be still but there was a quote that resonated with me. “You can only see your reflection in still water.” Did you get the same “Aha” that I did? Praise God for shining a little light on the subject. Here I am lost trying to find my way trying to find my calling. I told a friend one time I felt like a Spaghetti noodle being flung on the wall trying to see if I stick. I have so many talents, passions, ideas but every time I go to God to see where to take them I get the “be still.” Then, this quote brought so much clarity. I can’t figure out how to use these talents, pursue my passion until I am still enough to see my reflection. God wasn’t trying to torture me at all He was trying to give me the direction that I have been praying about for years and my hard headed self was trying to figure it out myself. When He really was answering me. How many times do we do that? Ask God to answer our prayers and then ignore Him when He actually does? (You can put your hand down, now.)

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14

He makes things so easy sometimes I feel like we are the ones who complicate it. So, I need to be still so that I can figure out and hear God better and start going in the direction of whatever purpose He has for me. Yep, easier said than done. So, actively trying to be still which for me is taking a step back from everything but raising my family. Daily devoting into the word, reading books, the Bible and just learning and growing in Him. For when I am actually still enough to see my reflection I want to be ready. I hopefully don’t have to wait too long.

Be Patient and Wait

This brings me to the next growing pain from God. I haven’t completely achieved being still and obedient. Although, I am honestly giving it all that I have growing that muscle daily but being patient and waiting is a lesson that I have learned before from God. Again, haven’t mastered it but I think He was preparing me for this phase of life so I have some understanding on how it is done. There are a few passages, highlighted, sticker-ed (Yes, I put stickers in my Bible) and heavily noted on waiting. My absolute favorite and another “Aha” is:

We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shied.

In him our hearts rejoice,

For we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,

Ever as we put our hope in you.

Psalms 34:20-22

4 Essentials to Waiting

WAIT. Although, we don’t want to we must wait on the Lord. He is only conspiring for our good and although it may seem like a long time for us it is only a moment for Him. His plan supersedes our plan and He wants more for us than we can even imagine all we have to do is wait for His provision. For your salvation I wait, O Lord. Genesis 49:18
HELP. If it really gets too hard to wait, too much to bear then we need to rely on Him but to be impatient with God and try to do things our own way means that we don’t trust in Him to provide. We are so used to instant gratification but doesn’t meant that is how things should be. God is our refuge our strength in ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
REJOICE. One of my favorite quotes is: When times are sweet give thanks and celebrate. When times are bitter give thanks and grow. We should always rejoice in the Lord, “For this is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 It can always be worse but it is only a day, a moment, a season and blip in time that the Lord gives us, We should rejoice. So when waiting rejoice for where you are presently. Rejoice for where you will be in the future and rejoice and praise the Lord always for his provision. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4
TRUST. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lead to your own understanding Proverbs 3:5 because honestly, you just won’t get it. He has a upper story a meaning and a purpose planned out. What we are looking at here and now is not the full picture. It is a narrow perspective. We have to have trust in Him that He is conspiring for us in all things (which He is). How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, on those who take refuge in you.

I know what I need to be doing and I kind of know how to do it. So, I am just going to take a seat before He makes me take a seat and let God do His thing. I will try to rejoice and not look at it as torture because He could ask me to do far greater and harder things than to just be still. (ie. Moses, Abraham, Gideon, David….just for example)
Has God ever asked you to do something out of your comfort zone?

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Tags being a christian, challenge, Christian, comfort zone, faith journey, help, rejoice, trust, wait

Faith Journey Online Bible Study

Ephesians Online Bible Study

Post author By De
Post date October 11, 2015

I value my time in the word and have been praying on how I can help mom’s find time to study too. When I first started doing bible studies, I was a new Christian and found comfort in book studies, as I grew in my relationship with Christ my thirst for knowledge did too. After indulging in studying Chapters of the bible. I created my very own study to help others with their quest to armor themselves with the Word of God.

I believe the best way to begin any study is through prayer; pray that God helps you to understand the information. That he opens your mind and your heart to His word and allow you to be a light for God to share it with others in the future.

Knowing the truth will protect you from being misled by others and will empower you to share God’s knowledge. Take your time with this study, however long it takes.

This study will have a study guide:

online discussion group,
weekly bible verse memory,
weekly curriculum and
printable of the study.

I am so excited to start this journey through Ephesians with you. I pray that it will be a blessing to you and fuels your faith! You will receive download to the printable book or access to the book. Access to our private online group and more information about when our next session is beginning. If you would like to be a part of this six week study, please join us and register for the upcoming study starting soon!

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Tags bible, bible study, ephesians online bible study, God, online bible study, womens online bible study

christian mom Faith Journey Fitness and Health Honor My Temple Prayer Challenge Self self-care Weightloss Journey

Changing My Story

Finding a better way

Behind every picture is a story; We all know that and looking at the last few years of my life pictures I definitely have one to tell. August 1, I woke up and decided that I had enough with my current health. I was eating well enough, but I still was over indulging on sugar, my portions were ridiculous and using my boredom as an excuse to nibble on snacks. I didn’t feel content in the body I was in, it didn’t match the image in my head. So, I decided to do something. I posted about how I found Beyond Fit Mom, and how I was making changes in my life. Well here I am 60 days later and I have totally created a new lifetime habit. I wanted to blog about this because there are a lot of mom’s who have shown the before and after but not a lot that shows the during. Its hard to relate to someone who has already found the results that you seek. I am here (at least for now) everyday doing the work to get the body that I will help me live a healthy lifestyle.

Before, I had my third daughter I was visually in good shape but I had horrible eating habits. I also worked out several hours a day, which was great when you have two school age children but when you have a new baby its not that simple. BFM, was essential in my life because it allowed my workouts to be efficient. I was about 60 pounds overweight and I have a goal to lose it by Christmas. I am very goal driven and it was the only way that I was going to get my life back in order. So, the first 30 days I did the workout followed the nutrition and lost a little less than 14 pounds, my husband was a great motivator and accountability partner. The second 30 days, my husband who is a school teacher and wouldn’t be there to cheer me on so after prayer, I had the God idea to Honor My Temple through a prayer challenge. I partnered with a Fitness Specialist and together we prayed and through social media involved others to help us honor our temple through prayer. It was life changing for me. When I went to God with my issues not only was I stronger and achieved more I grew my relationship in Christ too.

Cleansing my temple

Another, life changing experience I had this month was a 30 day cleanse. I have never cleansed before and after speaking with my friend I was convinced that a 30 day cleanse would be a great way to jump start this change in eating and exercising. I totally thought I was ready, I was not ready at all. The first two weeks, I had a wedding and 2 birthday parties to attend which I was pretty strong willed and did very well I didn’t eat any of the no no foods and only drank water the entire time. Now, I would like to say this was my own strong will but in all actuality it was through prayer that I was able to achieve this feat. Now, the last two weeks were probably the hardest. I was over this restricted lifestyle change, I was ready to indulge, fall is here and all the smells and food were enticing me to quit. It was only through my strength in the Lord that I was able to continue and not submit to temptation. It seems cheeky but I really did pray my way through and I had amazing results.

How did I get here?

In 18 days I lost 6 pounds and 24.75 inches all over my body. I lost all of this through eating correctly, working out 3 days a week and daily prayer. I want to emphasize there were no wraps, no magic pills, I ate non processed protein and produced and sweated three days a week for 20-30 minutes each day without fail. Even when I weighed 128 pound I did not feel this good. I have so much energy, my memory has improved, I just feel so much better about myself. The best part through this entire journey is that my faith and trust in God has multiplied and I am now living a completely aligned life. I have always sought balance and now I have achieved it and will probably continue down this road for a lifetime.

What have you done in your life to change your story?

My journey so far and still have 40 pounds to lose, please check back with me next month or follow my blog to see my continued progress.

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Tags faith and fitness, healthy lifestyle, honor my temple, pray to lose weight, weightloss, weightloss journey

Self

If: Gathering

If: Gathering

As a mom, I don’t get the opportunity to dress up like I used to. Typically, leggings and a long shirt, sometimes I may even do my hair and makeup. My church isn’t the dress up kind of church, so I will typically wear something nice but I don’t get to get “fancy”. When I go invited to the IF: Table I was excited for multiple reason, one being the women fellowship and another I would be able to break out some “fancy” duds ( not necessarily fancy but get a little dressed up).

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Dressing for your body, today

Going through my closet was discouraging, I am still at that awkward stage of postpartum. Too small and so tired of maternity and not small enough for my former size 6 wardrobe (although I am working diligently to get back). I don’t want to buy clothes in this size. I am grateful to have found Grace Boutique beautiful, unique, mommy friendly boutique. I went in there and they had exactly what I needed. One shirt/dress that can be worn six different ways and the best part yet, it covers my mommy tummy and curves. Paired it with my Girl’s best friend necklace that can be worn 30 different ways and I have 36 different outfits with two pieces. The best part is that both companies make being a modest Christian women stylish and classy. Just what I need until I can fit back in my wardrobe again.

Need to fellowship

I also needed the fellowship with the women that the If:table gathering brought me, what an amazing experience. It’s an amazing ministry bringing women together like in the old church to talk about their lessons with God. The night was amazing we all brought a side dish and out hostess made a delicious pasta meal. I loved that we all garden and brought fresh side dishes, grown and picked by us, I left the meal soul filled and stuffed. The guest including myself was from all walks of life. New moms, multiple children mother, mom of teenagers, and a widow. The different perspectives, ages and experiences made for a great in depth night.

We were given four thought provoking questions. Some of the ladies answers really made me think about my own relationship with Christ. I was so blessed from the experience and I am hosting my own If:table this month. I can’t wait to share with a different group of women this experience and learn from a new group of women to grow from. With my two pieces from Grace Boutique and SamBling I also don’t have to worry about an outfit. Is there something you do to fellowship with different women or the same thing every month?

If you’re interested in contributing to our FaithFueled Mom community and want to become a guest blogger please contact us at marketing@faithfueledmoms.com for your blog guidelines and application.

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Tags christian fellowship, dinner party, if gathering, if table, mommy night out, mommy time out, women fellowship

Fitness and Health Weightloss Journey

Getting my Mojo Back

Getting My Mojo Back

So, that just happened, standing there minding my business after volunteering for five hours at a Children’s consignment sale and an innocent man asked, “When are you due?” This question is the kiss of death for a recently postpartum mom’s. For a Mom like me who has been struggling for a year to lose the gainwaytomuchduringpregnancyeventhoughsheknewbetter weight this was the nail in the coffin.This man didn’t know that I had been running in the hamster wheel for 2.5 miles, four days a week to no avail. This man didn’t know that I then power walked every evening, crunched myself into oblivion, removed all the carbs out of my life and beat myself up for every indulgence and eating blunder. He did not know that although my Instagram feed tempted me with quick fixes; like wraps, shakes, pills, and “fix it” workouts. This man didn’t know that I was nursing my sweet baby girl and believed there had to be a better way to fix my weight issue (which I never had before). So, I told him shamefully “I’m not pregnant” and let him beat himself up for a little bit while I left shameful yet motivated to change. Now ordinarily, I would plan my attack to again “fix” my weight but this time I took it to the Lord. I continued to run, walk and eat but I prayed for God to help me get my body back.

Led to a Solution

A few weeks later I discovered Periscope, a fantastic social media tool that allows you to broadcast or view live broadcast and engage with the broadcaster and other viewers. Somehow, someway I discovered Kate Horney, a mom, a personal trainer and engaging Periscope broadcaster. After watching a couple scopes checked her out and joined a webinar. There was a ton of information but four things that I took away.

Workout for 20 minutes a day 3 days a week
I can eat carbs, I can eat
Workouts based on hormones and body types
No cardio

Those four things led me to the big yellow “Sign Up Now”. It’s been almost four weeks and I can say God truly answered my prayers with Beyond Fit Mom. After further information and training from Kate, I learned my struggle was do to using a cookie cutter formula to my exercise and not accounting for my hormones. The Beyond Fit Mom workout is customized to your specific body type and takes in account all those hormones you have going on.

After working out for 8 months heavy cardio I had no results. After working out for a month and following her nutrition guidelines I have lost 8 inches, almost 10 pounds, have more energy, less training and appreciation for my nutrition and fitness, instead of resentment. I have been able to add nursing friendly supplements to enhance my nutrition and workouts.

Mojo Back

Getting Back on the Rollercoaster

I have been down the weight loss rollercoaster three times now. Growing up, I was always thin but when I got pregnant with my first baby I gained 95 pounds then lost it. Got pregnant with my second big baby girl and gained 85 pounds and lost 105 pounds. Got pregnant with my third sweet baby girl and did a little better gaining 75 pounds. Except this time I picked up an additional 20 pounds. A month after my first daughter came home I totaled 95 pounds to lose. Each time I have lost the weight I have done it different then before. When I found this new program since my old ways weren’t working it was like “here we go again.” I know I can lose the weight I’ve done it before it’s just putting in the work, albeit it’s a whole lot less in the past but still it is work. There are some benefits this time around too.

Mojo Back.

Strengthening my Marriage

My husband now does the workouts with me and has had results (of course better results than mine, eyes rolling). It has given us something to bond over. When I went to the gym we couldn’t bond because he would have to watch the girls. Now that we can do it at home, we have something we can do together, even as a family sometimes. I have now canceled my gym membership, have more times for my girls since all I need is 20 minutes 3 days a week. I am now hooked to Beyond Fit Mom lifestyle and can’t wait to share my continued success as I get my pre-baby body back.

Mojo.Back