Saturday, March 8, 2014

First 5k of 2014!

Hey y'all! Just to report in, the Chocolate 5k was this morning and I only had ONE piece of chocolate :) Like I said, I ran it with my two best friends, Kelly and Becky. We all started together, but I finished first of us three, then Kelly, then Becky. I was the only one that ran the whole thing! If you could call it running....I never stopped to walk :) It was tough though, the course was full of hills! Argh! Anyway, it turned out to be a beautiful day despite the "snow week", the snow is mostly all gone and it got up in the 60s! Weather, you are drunk.

We had a yummy little lunch at Panera Bread and then I drung my aching body back home. I only napped for about a half an hour, stretched for 30 minutes. Of course I showered before any of this, lol I sure was stinky! I'm really proud of myself.

I'm down 21 pounds and I'm thinking 17-22 more to go...that would put me between 145 and 150. :) As always, I'll keep you updated :)

~elizabeth

Friday, March 7, 2014

TGIF!

TGIF doesn't really apply too much because I've had off ALL WEEK and it's not even spring break yet! The weather has just been thaaaaat baaaaad. But definitely no complaints whatsoever from me! I needed this break. You heard my rant. Well, the same people that read my rant are reading this (no one!) so yea.

So it's the first Friday in lent and I had a starbucks today. Other than that, I feel like I have been doping great. No meat on Wednesday, no meat today. Tomorrow is my first 5k of the year, and I'm running it with my 2 best friends who also happened to be my bridesmaids in my wedding! We are meeting up really early, probably going to grab a smoothie after then get lunch. This is called the Chocolate 5k (benefiting the Humane Society) and chocolate will be provided, but we decided to wait until after the race and then indulge a LITTLE. But I'm excited. :)

Since I've had all week off, I've gotten a few things done around here that I had been neglecting to do, like laundry, dishes, vacuuming.....bleck. I've worked out everyday! Up until now, I've lost 21 pounds, I am very excited and proud of myself. I'll keep it up! Updated pictures probably next weej so stay tuned! (those of you that don't read! you won't see it either! haha!)

~elizabeth

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Gearing up for Lent 2014

This is the first year I feel like I am going to take Lent more seriously than I ever have before. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not going balls to the wall and attend mass every second I get because that would be a no. But still, more serious this year.

I downloaded an app called "Project Compassion" from Australia, and it's a calendar to follow along with throughout the lenten season. Each day they talk about a different cause and suggestions on what to pray about and how you can donate money and time if you'd like. So I've got that going for me. I haven't given to any of those causes (yet) but I gave to Boo's (the cutest dog in the world) 8th birthday crusade to supply clean water to those who don't have access to it and I gave to a friend's adoption fees and legal fees. I'm also signed up for 2 5ks this month and one benefits the Humane Society, and the other is just for fun. I didn't give a whole lot, but it was what I could spare. I don't usually tell people when I give to things, but no one reads this so it doesn't count. Either way, no one knows still. Tee hee.

So I plan on doing no meat on Ash Wednesday (tomorrow), Good Friday, and all the Fridays of Lent. We don't go to church (we plan on it when we have kids) but I definitely pray and think about things privately a lot, so if that's not praying, I don't know what is! (I also believe that prayer should be private and between just you and God, not a show for everyone to see you are doing it....a bit of my issue with Churches around here....but anyway). I thought it would be good for me to get my thoughts on this season written down instead of swimming in my head, so that is basically the point of this post.

What I'd like to "give up" (or abstain from):
  • Excess money spending (i.e. frivolous purchases)
  • Excessive, indulgent eating. We are supposed to fast, but I will do my best to stick with modest meals.
  • Starbucks
  • Fast food
  • Alcohol (excepting in my husband's and my birthday lunch--if I chose to partake)
  • Online shopping....gets me every time.
  • Save money, but give some away to help those in need.
I would like to "take on":
  • Being more active (to celebrate my God-given temple and strength)
  • Be more thankful of the food I have (eat of the earth as much as possible)
  • Be humble
  • Be more reflective in prayer, thought, and spoken word.
  • Lead by example.
  • Show compassion to others and the world around us, encourage others to follow, and to create a better environment for everyone around me. 
  • Thankfulness and appreciation. I can't say those enough.
  • Be more heartFULL instead of heartLESS. I find way too many reasons to complain these days.....silver linings are everywhere...it's your job to find them. 
That would just about wrap this up...I will update on my journey! In the mean time, Happy Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, enjoy :) Don't forget that this whole 40 day journey is to bring us closer to our Lord, and journey Jesus made through the desert so many centuries ago. Keep that all in mind.

~elizabeth