Balance. No cutesy way of saying it.

Photo credit: www.FreakingNews.com

I work out about an average of 5 days a week nowadays. I love it, but trust me...this is not a brag. Read on, you'll soon understand. 

As much as I truly LOVE my work out schedule, lately it seems like I've been taking time from other important duties in order to continue in my goals. 

Is that a bad thing? Yes and no. 

The problem that led me into obesity in the first place was not keeping my health and weight management as a priority. Now, it's become an intentional part of my day. This is good. This is very good. I make absolutely no apologies for this. 

The problem comes in when other important things, or even people, are neglected as a result of a new found priority. Prioritizing is not negligence. It's simply giving everything of importance the appropriate time and resources it needs to remain healthy; whether it's a relationship, diet, career, or whatever. 

In this I offer no clear cut solution, because truly I have none. We can't create time, but it's our job to manage it. There is no doubt. We need divine guidance.

Lord please help me to prioritize you above all else, and to spend my time in the way that would give you the most glory. 

Mmm....

My mother says that there are some people that cook out of duty and others that cook out of inspiration. According to her (and I couldn't agree more), my father and I are the latter. We are the kind of folks that enter the kitchen on a whim and leave it a mess, but out of that mess some sort of edible something is born.

Well, nowadays what comes out is edible...most of the time. We won't talk about the lemon refrigerator cookies, cheesy cornbread, or the apple cake a friend and I baked back in jr high. It was pretty bad. Trust me. 

Anyhow, after my milk incident from the other night, I was utterly frustrated. I couldn't finish my meal because my mouth was still burning quite a bit. My stomach felt awful. I was a pretty pitiful sight, just ask Leroy. I went to the kitchen pulled out a bag of frozen peaches, strawberries, and bananas from the freezer. I tossed about a cup's worth into the blender adding just enough sugar free fruit juice as to not break the blades.

Here was the result.

Though it was a little melted by the time I took the pic, the actual result was quite creamy and delightful. The bananas and the fact that the fruit was frozen created just enough magic to make the mixture as creamy as ice cream. It tasted pretty darn good too. 

Estimated calorie count?

About 85.

Eat your heart out Haagen Daz. Sometimes cooking with inspiration pays off. 

Darn guilt. I never liked you.

I really wanted to hit the gym today. Really, but I didn't. My body had different plans. The bursitis in my shoulder was acting up, and my bad knee was too. You see, my knee was hurting through Zumba last night, and was still quite sore today.

It's fair to say that a rest day was in order. Wouldn't you think so?

It was so hard to rest though. too hard. I felt guilty. very guilty. You see I probably consumed way too many calories at the wedding last Saturday, and I ate some fried sweet potato fries the next day.

No bueno.

I've done great otherwise, so I finally got over it. Then, it happened.

An EXTREMELY hot pepper found its way into my pico and into my mahi taco. No water I drank could tame the heat. I had to drink milk. Vitamin D milk. In Leroy's words, "real" milk.

I was so frustrated. My calorie intake was planned for the day, and this added calories to my plan. Not only that, I don't drink milk. I grew up on 2% milk, but nowadays I drink coconut milk. That's a different blog for a different day, but just know this. The guilt crept up again.

We've all been there. Workouts are going great, and eating is on target. Then, life strikes. A stowaway pepper makes its way into your day. Here's my advice to me. I hope it helps you too.

Shake it off. Weight loss is not a destination. It's a journey. Life happens and it's okay to live it. Don't let a curve ball mess with your focus. Roll with the punches. Rest today, and be ready to work out tomorrow. Trust the process. Don't overdo it. When tomorrow comes, don't under do it. Do your best daily, and never give up. Take a quick second to look back to the days when you wouldn't dare go the gym. You've come a long way. God's taken you a long way, and this is only the beginning. In times like these, remember that your life is more than food and exercise. However, never use that as an excuse to slack off.

If I would have given myself that advice earlier on in my weight loss week, I probably would not have felt so bad about today. However, a lesson learned, is a lesson learned. Thank you Jesus.

Why does a bad day taste so good?

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about a tragic day. I'm talking about a not-so-good day. Today was that day. Along with last Monday-Friday and the Monday-Friday before that. Last week I sought solace in my workouts. Today, I want ice cream, or maybe cheese....no, no some Fritos, or better yet cookies. You get the idea.

Not sure how in the world God is going to rescue me out of this one. I would agree that at the very least, my perspective needs to change. However, in the mean time, today I will do my own workout instead of going to the gym. Fix a small snack instead of indulging. I might do some crying. I'll try not to complain.

Above all, I will trust. Trust and obey. and pray.

Psalm 27:13-14
¹³[What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living!

    ¹⁴Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief.