Healthy Habits

I'm going to admit something to you...that may shock some of you, disappoint others and really confuse most...

I thought Pinterest was a stupid idea (whew! I'm glad I finally admitted that!)

When it first came out, I couldn't grasp the concept on how it worked, and really didn't care to try. I rolled my eyes at other peoples straight obsession with pinning. I didn't make an account for the longest time, and only gave in when little posts on Facebook starting popping up saying "Natasha pinned this to her board"...I would want to see what she posted, but couldn't without having an account...(that's how they getcha!) So, finally I created one...but still refused to use it.

UNTIL - like 2 weeks ago. 

It's tons of fun (which I know you already knew) and hubs is happy because it's like new food heaven in our kitchen...'Hey babe, I found a recipe on Pinterest...we're gonna have [insert some delicious sounding meal here]....' 

No complaints from the Husband department. 

One of these days when I get around to remembering to take pictures of my food as I cook it, I'll provide some insight on my adventure into eating healthier...until then, enjoy an empty recipe tab above :)
I've started to follow all kinds of boards...clothes, desserts, DIY, home decorating, desserts, yoga, desserts, running.....desserts. You get the idea. Also weightloss! I saw a pin that said '15 habits of people who lost 30 lbs and kept it off'....that intrigued me. (with all those dessert pins I need as many tips as I can get.)
You can follow that link to read the whole things but I wanted to share some of the ones I deemed as most important, as well as some biblical references to focus on:

Develop routines and make it your lifestyle.
I am not on a 'diet'..I may have been when I first started losing weight, but now it's how I choose to live my life. I make conscious decisions on how I treat my body, with food & exercise. I incorporate healthy choices into everything I do. My body is here to glorify God, and I try my best to treat it accordingly. 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God' 1Corinthians 10:31

Eat clean (er) foods & Cook at home
I think these two go hand in hand. If you cook at home, you're more likely eating cleaner food just by default. You know what goes into what you're cooking. You can limit the amount of 'unhealthier' choices at home, than you can in a drive through or at a restaurant. Eat your colors.

While the Bible doesn't provide a specific way of eating, it does stress importance on a balance between healthy choices and enjoying 'richer' foods. (source)

Have an accountability system
This one is so important!! I could have never gotten down 40lbs without hubs & my friends and family. They encouraged me, helped me find new recipes, they didn't tempt me. They knew this was important to me. But also, they understood and put me back on track when I did lose sight. I would ask friends to meet me at the gym before or after work. Knowing I had someone counting on me to show up, made me actually show up. Accountability is so important in many aspects of life - especially maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
 

Practice portion control.
This should be pretty self explanatory. Everything is okay in portion. It definitely takes some serious self control and having that accountability when it comes to portion control. I would use smaller plates so you can only fit so much. Also, I would practice putting my fork down in between bites and drink some water. You'll be surprised at how fast you get full doing this.

'You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies' 1Corinthians 6:20  

Prioritize exercise
It's not about having time...it's about making time. Do squats while you dry your hair. Jog in place while you watch tv, take your dog for a walk. Meet up with a friend & take an aerobics class. Practice yoga. 30 minutes a day is all it takes. 

'I can do all this through Him who gives me strength' Philippians 4:13
 
Meal plan along with preparing meals and snacks ahead of time.
This one will cut down on the guess work. We meal plan on Sunday's. We would grocery shop according to our list. This not only cuts back on having junk food in the house, but it saves you tons of money. I'd always make more than needed, so we could have leftovers for lunch. Let me be the first to tell you - unless you're an amazing chef who has tons of time on your hands, this part isn't glamorous. Sometimes I'll just take left over grilled chicken, and put some salsa on it and call it a meal. Other times I'd each spinach and a rice cake because it's what I planned for. Knowing what you're going to be eating and planning for it keeps you away from those drive throughs and last minute desperate starvation decisions. 

'For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap' Galatians 6:7
 
Give yourself grace.
I added this one. 
Ya'll we have to give ourselves grace. We have to be willing to understand that we are sinners. We will fall short. But here's a secret....it's okay! Have some ice cream with your kids, enjoy a good meal with your friends...eat a cupcake on a Tuesday because you feel like it. It. Is. Okay.
My pal Sydney wrote a blog that really got to me yesterday
(check it out here)
We (myself included) focus so much on our outward beauty. We're concerned with our weight, how flat our stomach is, where our clothes come from. Friends! It doesn't matter! We are to live our lives to be filled with Christ, not filled with ourselves.Try your hardest, stay active, eat clean, reward yourself and do it all for the glory of God!

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight - 1Peter 3:3-4

In all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:6

Now...get up and go for a run :)

xoxo,
Rachel 

committed to prayer

Let me just start by saying...I really stink at blogging.

I always have such good intentions - whether anyone actually reads what I write, is beside the point - I long to be one of those cute, pinterest posting, recipe sharing, inspirational blogs you come across while using stumbleupon.com...

Apparently, unless I up my game a little, this isn't going to happen.

But that's okay!

Let me tell you friends - Our God is great! 

Some of you may already know this, where as others don't agree. But let me tell you why I know He is.

A few months ago I was having a really hard time at my job. I was frustrated for various reasons, but I liked the work and I knew I was working for a great company. My husband and I talked about it and we decided to pray for guidance. We went to The Lord in prayer and said show us, lead us, guide us. If this is the place for me that He would take my frustrations and worries from me and that I would be content. 

All while this was happening a few other things were going on at the same time:
First:
A few miles down the road my mother in law was talking to a client of hers, (she owns her own hair salon) she told me they had just sort of stumbled into a conversation about work, when the woman shared with her that she's been wanting to hire someone for her company, but not really felt like it was the right timing. That she had been praying about advertising for this position but didn't feel that was right path to take. She started describing the position to my mother-in-law who told her that it sounded like something I may like to do, so she gave her my number. 
Also:

Our pastor preached on prayer the next Sunday. He said alot of things during this sermon that stuck with me, but one in particular was that 'we are ordinary people who can pray to an extraordinary God. That we have full access to God anytime we want. 
Ephesians 3:20 says 'He can do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.' (paraphrase) 
Our pastor asked if you really believe that He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine? Do you? We need to believe that God answers prayers. He is listening and He hears you. Sometimes the answer is yes, and sometimes it's no...but he always answers.

He also said to get specific - to go to God and pray very specific prayers. ( I about have to pray for specific things, I ask God for Him to make it really obvious for me because I'm a pretty oblivious person. If you ever get the chance, ask Austin about the time I walked past a bouquet of flowers about 20 times before he finally pointed them out to me) 

The following Monday hubs and I were sitting at the table for dinner, discussing our day. I expressed to him how I really hoped the lady his mom gave my number to called me. He suggested I give his mom a call and ask for her number instead. I instinctively said no, that I've prayed about this and I trust that if this is what God wants, she'll call me. He agreed and we left it at that...I kid you not, 10 minutes later my phone rang - and it was her! She invited me to come for a introduction interview that upcoming Friday!
All week long that week, we prayed HARD, and very very specific prayers. We knew that if I chose to change jobs a specific amount of money had to be there, that they would understand wanting to work a 2 week notice, we prayed that if God wanted something different for me that it would be easy, that all the doors would be open. 
When I went for that introduction interview, everything we prayed for - happened. Every specific prayer we prayed, was granted. 
I was floored. I had an overwhelming feeling that I was taken care of. That's what God wants - for us to let Him take care of us. After all, He is our Father.

Ya'll - it's SO EASY to think to ourselves 'I got this, I don't need any help' (that's me in a nut shell  **insert Miss Independent lyrics**) But let me say - it's so much easier to give it to God and not worry with it anymore. Trust that He is for you. He wants you to come to Him with everything. Every request, every situation, every fear, every worry, every good news! He wants us to trust Him, confide in Him, and talk to Him. 

Our God is great and 'every good and perfect gift comes from Him' (James 1:17, again paraphrased).
I encourage anyone reading this to know, God is for you, and He wants to hear from you. Commit to praying and conversing with your Father in all situations- even if you haven't in a really, really long time. 
Why not now? He's ready for you, just like He always has been.

xoxo,
Rachel