#GirlTalk: Work out

Inspired by various bloggers and friends, I have embarked on a new challenge in my weight loss journey. I've decided not to go on a diet though I will write about 2 very popular diets in later posts. I have nothing against diets just that I can't do them....lol! So it's old school all the way but not eating less but eating better. I want to learn to eat what my body needs and not what my tastebuds want all the time.

The biggest and most difficult change for me however is burning the calories. I've done the 'buy a gym membership, attend 3 times and never return' routine a number of times so this time I'm working out at home. I'll see how it works out the first few weeks. My exercise regimen is mainly cardiovascular with some strength training and abs work. I hope to lose a few kilos but I want to strengthen and shape my body. Not look like a bodybuilder but tone up.

I get bored easily so I've pretty much stacked up on some work out DVDs. My staple is Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred although so far I've only been able to complete Level 1...lol! However I realise that the more I change up my workout the more effective it seems to be. So, no big expectations and no big plans but just to workout on the days I set to work out. 

I pray that I can stay on my journey and I will share how it is going here honestly. I don't expect it to be easy but I am determined by the grace of God to stay on it. I will be measuring my progress on the scales and with a tape measure. I need to get someone to measure me but today I weigh 80 kg putting my BMI at 27.5 and me in the overweight category! To get into the normal weight I need to lose at least 8 kg. Its a lot but I refuse to be discouraged.

I'll share my workout regimen in forthcoming posts. Also what I'm eating now. But I'm excited about this new journey. A great way to start the month.

Live. Learn

The Best me..

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Irrespective of the journey, taking that first step always requires courage and strength of character. I believe we are constantly changing but it is always worthwhile to examine and chronicle those changes. There is something about crisis that forces one to think about oneself and what's really important. I think 2011 has been that sort of year for me.

I am realising how important it is for me to be the best me that I can be. The me that God created and intended for me to be. Maybe growing older gives one a different perspective of things and while I know that no one is perfect I have just grown tired of accepting some things as being 'me.' My pet peeves are worry and anxiety and I have literally worried myself sick over minor and major things but no more. I want to experience peace that is independent of what the situation in my life is at present. I am tired of being ruled by my emotions. I am tired of giving up on people in relationships because they hurt me. I am tired of staying in relationships that have existed past their due date. I am tired of making the same mistakes over and over again.

Recently I decided to refuse to accept my overweight status. It's not just about PCOS and wanting to look like the girls in COSMO. I am not a skinny girl but I am not supposed to be an overweight girl either. Sometimes one can accept something as being 'normal' because that is the way it has always been. I've always been quick to give a cutting response, big, have permed hair, shy...(fill in the blanks). That its always been that way doesn't mean it always has to be that way. Its not about not accepting who I am, I also realised that I don't want to be so caught up wanting to be better that I fail to appreciate the good that is me. Something about loving and being in love has made me realise that not to be the best me is to shortchange  the people that love me and have to live with me of the best experience that they could have.

I'm trying to encourage everyone around me to embark on a healthier lifestyle too. Right now my focus in on reaching a healthier weight and increasing my fitness level. I participated in a 5K race last month and well let's say it was a big wake up call for me. Love is motivating me to change. I can't do anything about the condition I have, my genetics and my general predisposition but nothing has to control my life. I'm being the best me and living my best life right now.

Live.

Day 30: Love Everyday..

Finally at the end of this journey. I started this in August. I was not really in a good place and my intention was to blog every day for 30 days to get my writing mojo back and clear my thoughts. I shared different things..hopefully serious and not so serious, thoughtful and funny. However it took me about  two months to complete it but I am getting back into my rhythm of writing regularly and I hope my next challenge will find me more consistent.

I've developed an interest in relationships, different kinds of relationships. What makes them great, what keeps them strong. I'm also interested in romantic relationships. Marriage is a beautiful thing..how do we get married and how do we stay married. How do we keep our love alive through the different scenes and seasons of life? Well this will be the ground where I dump my stories, personal and those that have been shared with me. Maybe someone will learn from my 'getting it wrong' stories and what I've read and trying to apply to my life.

Today I am just encouraging myself to love everyday. Every single day. Whatever it means and whatever it requires. I've learnt that love comes both with high and lows, love comes with laughter and tears. Love always calls for a higher level of living. Willing to live contrary to self and exalt 'us' over our individual persons.

Love. Live .Learn

Day 27: Friend or Foe..

What would life be without friendship? I've been musing about my key relationships these days. I'm someone who has a lot of acquanitances but few people who I consider true friends. I've always been of the opinion that being a friend is an incredibly awesome responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Integrity is very important in any relationship and being open and honest. But what happens when you have something your friend isn't interested in hearing?

Should we still say? Or is preserving friendship the most important thing?Aren't we cheating our friends when we do not share our feelings. Are we foes for sharing the bitter truth? I am learning to ask myself questions before making to decision to say or keep quiet. 1. What is my motive; is my heart really in the right place? 2. What is the best way to communicate this feeling to my friend; is there a way I can package the message so it would be easy to receive?

I was once in a situation where I had serious concerns about a friend's relationship. I thought everything was rushed and she should be careful. But I kept quiet because I didn't want her to be upset with me. I didn't want her to feel that I didn't want her to be happy and so I said nothing. I regret that now, she ended up being married for what amounted to a few weeks. Maybe my words wouldn't have made a difference but I could have at least satisfied my heart that I had done what I knew to be right.

Friendship, such a simple word but sometimes the going so difficult.

Hmm...

Live. Learn.

Day 6: Lol!

...because a day without laughter is like a day wasted. (SO to G)


I love sharing jokes with SO. Jokes like this remind me to see the lighter side of things and that one doesn't have to be so serious all the time. Laughter is good medicine. The last few days have definitely been 'lighter.' I'm just seeing some things in a different light. Just put this here so maybe someone else could read it and lol with me. SO says one of the the things he loves the most about me is my ability to find a joke in almost everything. He calls me his 'something else'...it may be a strange endearment but its one of the ones I love the most. It just reminds me that no matter what happens, its 'us' committed to looking at the brighter side of things. So laugh with the people you love today. It definitely puts you in a better frame of mind.

Live.

Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0. I soon noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of space and valuable resources. No mention of this was included with the product information. In addition, Wife 1.0 installed itself into all other programs and now launches during system initialization, where it monitors all other system activity.

Applications such as Poker Night 10.3, Football 5.0, Fishing 7.5, and Motorcycling 5.0 no longer run, crashing the system whenever selected. I can’t seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run my favorite applications. I’m thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0, but the uninstall doesn’t work on Wife 1.0. Please help!!!!!!


THE REPLY:

Dear Troubled User:

This is due to a very common problem that generates many complaints. It is due to a primary misconception generally by male users. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0 thinking that it is merely a “Utilities and Entertainment program”. 

Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING SYSTEM and is designed by its creator to run everything! It is also impossible to delete Wife 1.0 and return to Girlfriend 7.0. Hidden operating systems files cause Girlfriend 7.0 to emulate Wife 1.0, so nothing is gained.
It is impossible to uninstall, delete, or purge the program files from the system once installed. You cannot go back to Girlfriend 7.0 because Wife 1.0 is designed to disallow this. 

Some have tried Girlfriend 8.0 or Wife 2.0 but end up with more problems than in the original system. Look in your Wife 1.0 manual under  “Warnings - Alimony/Child Support.” I recommend that you keep Wife 1.0 and work on improving the situation.
I suggest installing the background application C:\YES DEAR to alleviate software augmentation. Having installed Wife 1.0 myself, I also suggest that you read the entire section regarding “General Partnership Faults (GPFs).” You must assume all responsibility for any faults and problems that occur, regardless of their cause. You will also find that GPF’s are cyclical. The best course of action is to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE. Avoid excessive use of C:\YES DEAR because ultimately you will have to give the APOLOGIZE command before the system will return too normal anyway. 

Wife 1.0 is a great program, but it tends to be very high maintenance. Wife 1.0 comes with several support programs, such as Clean and Sweep 3.0, Cook It 1.5 (which replaces Burn It 1.0), Trash 4.0, and Do Bills 4.2. 

You must, however, be very careful how you use these programs. Improper use will cause the system to launch the program NagNag 9.5. Once this happens, the only way to improve the performance of Wife 1.0 is to purchase additional software. I recommend Flowers 2.1 and Diamonds 5.0 should this happen. 

WARNING!!!!! DO NOT, under any circumstances, install SecretaryShortSkirt 3.3. This application is not supported by Wife 1.0 and will cause irreversible damage to the operating system

Day 2: Building to last

I feel a bit bad that I didn't write yesterday. But like a dear commenter wrote..'Go at God's pace.' So I will with no pressure. Yesterday I was thinking about storms. Right now, I feel like I'm in the middle of the biggest one I have ever faced. Its like a wind has come and is blowing at everything. In a lot of ways I know that I have let the storm on the outside in and that is the reason why I've been on such on an emotional rollercoaster.

While I was thinking about storms I realised that I cannot build while the storm is raging. The storm only shows whether what I've been building before the storm was built to last. And sadly I see that I have to dig deep and deal with some things in my foundation, things I've been glossing over..sometimes something needs to be completely destroyed so you can face that what it needs is to be rebuilt and not given a new coat of paint.

Our 'us' is having a moment. Sometimes I'm not aware how much my own behaviour/disposition affects 'us' but right now I just feel like I need SO to be more understanding. And he isn't saying much. My friend L thinks I'm PMSing...lol! I hope so too. But its hard to be quiet and meditate, maybe that's why they are called spiritual disciplines. We have a good foundation and I know we will get through this and any other phase of life that comes. But this week, he feels so far away. Hmm..

We're building something to last. I'm building something to last. I'm not going to fight with the storm anymore. I'm going to look at the areas and see what needs strengthening. I'm going to stop reciting Scripture and actually start living it. Yesterday I let this scripture seep into my soul.

'Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.'

Love. Learn.

Day 1: Dreams

Hmm...so the journey begins..

I was reflecting/meditating early this morning and the word 'dreams' just came to me. Because I've always tried to maintain some type of 'quiet time' in the morning before setting out I've just realised that what I called a quiet time was actually a noisy time. While my mouth may not be saying words except whispered prayers, my mind was never really still. It was always doing some activity or the other. Today I decided to still my spirit and just listen/muse/meditate.

What are my dreams? If I could take a peek at the future what would I see? I smiled because for so long I have been focused on my present circumstances and I'd forgotten about dreaming of a future better than my present...definitely better than my past. So what are my dreams? When the next 5 years becomes today how do I want it to look like?

I smiled today because I saw myself a stronger woman, fulfilling destiny. I saw myself happily married to SO most likely with a mini 'us'. I see myself in a better role in my profession than I am now. I saw myself making a significant contribution in my family and my community. I know dreaming is only the first step, it takes work to make a dream a reality but I pray that the image of the future that I saw this morning stays with me everyday. I remembered what Paul said in Romans..

'That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times.'

I pray that I have the discipline and courage to stay on this journey to the end. 

Live. Learn

Men vs. Women

Most people have read the book 'Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus'....I would guess that most of the people that have read that book are women...lol! I and SO have been talking about the differences between men and women. At the end of the day we both have to exist on one planet...right here on earth! While we academically acknowledge our differences we seem not to actually live with the understanding that we are different.


Sometimes when one of SO's friends calls him up for advice, he asks me for a woman's take on the issue. Because the truth is a lot of misunderstandings are simply that misunderstandings. I come to a conclusion without understanding the facts. I assume and I make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'. In a relationship I'm learning that men and women need different things. I haven't even scratched the surface of what men want or need but I believe that with a lot more love and understanding it doesn't have to be war. There can be peaceful co-existence between the sexes, it doesn't have to be a battle, we are on the same team.


Funny thing is that when men and women have issues we turn to our friends of a similar sex as us to try and interpret what the 'darn ole fool' is up to...I use that term as a joke...lol! We ask our girlfriends to help us interpret a man we married and probably know better than them. Its not a problem to share with friends but at the end of the day maybe a man can give you a better clue as to what's going on with hubby than another lady. Just saying.


Men and women often use the same words...'I love you', 'I miss you' which could mean very different things. SO says men need to be respected, honoured and appreciated as the 'first among equals'...first among equals, what does that mean. We are Christians and we adhere to the Bible tenet that the husband is the 'head' of the home. By head we do not mean ruler or tyrant but a loving leader. I read somewhere that men need to be satisfied...in their bellies and a little under their bellies. SO agreed with this one so wholeheartedly that I almost burst out laughing. In every book written by a man for women to have better relationships they talk about food and sex. So I guess its pretty important. I'm not a great cook...but I'm learning. I'm used to cooking in a certain way but SO is very well travelled and loves good food. So world cuisine, here we come. I love that he gives a helping hand in the kitchen but I'm determined to be able to 'throw down' there. When I make something he likes he raves and raves about it for ages so its worth it just for that smile.


I pray to be able to satisfy my husband with whatever he needs as long as it is in my power. So when the time comes..Victoria's secrets and all...well bring it on. Although I haven't been serious about working on my body I know that losing a few pounds will help me feel that much more physically attractive. SO rolls his eyes whenever I talk about losing weight, bless him but for me I know its love speaking but I'm really going to try this year to stick to healthier eating habits.


Women need security. A woman needs to know a man will honour her above all else. That's love to a woman. She needs to know she is the only one and that you've got her back. She needs him to provide, protect and pursue. That's not too much is it? Most women need romance, the unexpected messages during the day, helping her out with the dishes at night when you know she's had a hard, long day. Well, its the little things that count. I still like to believe a woman would take a man that really loves her over money. I may be wrong.


I love watching movies with SO because we always find something to talk about afterwards, sometimes we pick up on different things and it helps me find a glimpse into how things work on Mars. Understanding your partner's culture and language goes so far in bridging gaps between you and them. Definitely worth the time and effort.