A Stake in the Ground

This week is something of a milestone. This week I will finish my first full workout plan, I have been at it 3 months. It has been quite a journey of highs and lows. I have felt moments of triumph doing things that I thought physically unattainable. And I have had moments of failure giving into momentary temptation instead of holding to the reasons I started this. I started this journey at 290 pounds and now I am down to 270, it feels like quite and accomplishment, but I am no where near where I want to be. I am stronger and faster and I can go further that I thought I could. I was worried that it would be hard to reach this point, I wasn't sure I would still have sight of my goals. I was wrong, my goals get clearer and stronger each day.

My first goal is to live a healthier life. I found out just before starting this journey that I had put my body in a precarious situation. I had high cholesterol, was it a major concern? Right then, no it wasn't yet an issue. It could become one quickly though. Neglecting the needs that God created my body with I had desecrated the one gift that we are all given to start this life. I had taken what should be a temple to the Lord and turned it into a dumping ground for what ever brightly or sugar coated sweet that was with in reach. Taking control of what I was eating has been a great (if not always tasty) change. I am eating when i am hungry and not just because I am bored. I am also eating fruits and vegetables, which before I avoid most of all of God's creations.

My second goal is to be able to do the fun things I want to. I had reach a point where even a flight of stairs could wind me and running was out of the question (unless it was for the last cookie). I have never been in great shape, but I want that to change. I want to be able to do the fun, athletic thing that I had never done or could no longer do. Though I am no marathoner I can run without feeling like death and I have no fear of playing sports with my friends. Find and sticking to a workout plan has been so hard, but it has been so rewarding. It hurt at first but I have developed a rhythm and am starting to see progress. I have discovered there are days where you just don't want to do it, and those are they days the battle is won. Going more makes going more easier.

My third goal is to look good. Its vain, but it keeps me going even on the days when the other two don't.

That is my update for today, I am currently looking for my next workout and as always on the lookout for new meal prep recipes. I will keep you updated on the progress.

One of my Fantasy Teams

My Next Step

As some of you may have seen I have been accepted to the Masters of Science in Clinical Counseling program at Bellevue University. That in of itself might be post worthy, but the real thing I am posting about is the question that I keep getting asked by everyone who know. "Are you excited?" On the surface that should be an easy question and in the end it is an easy question, but there is a lot rolled up in my emotions about my next step.

So on the surface if you want the short answer, I am excited. This is what I have wanted to do for quite a while now. In the end the answer is yes, I am excited, but I am feel many other things as well. I am nervous, because I really have no idea what to expect. I mean I know what a counselor does, but I don't know what my professors will be like or if I am ready to be back in school. I am eager to learn again, I actually miss lecture (as crazy as that sounds). I am ready to pursue more classes that interest me.

I am also a little terrified. I am scared that I will fall flat on my face. I am scared that I will not be smart enough to do well in my classes. I am happy that I will be able to use what I learn to help people, though I don't know in what capacity or where. I am happy to know that I have a wonderful support system to help me through this. I am uncertain how I will respond or how I should respond when my beliefs are called out in the classes I take and my peers and professors. I am feeling everything and it all seems to be a bit over whelming.

Although on top of and through it all I am excited. I am excited that I am scared and nervous, because it will make me have to trust God for my sufficiency and my strength. I am excited to face the uncertainty on having my beliefs criticized because it will allow me to hold true and deepen the convictions that God has given me. I am excited to step out in faith and have God establish and direct where my foot will land. I am excited for this next step.

Picture borrowed from http://www.careerocean.com/wordclouds/mental-health-counselor.jpg