Day 18! Don't Stop Now!!

Yesterday, I was blessed to walk with a great friend!  There is something so wonderful about sharing your heart with another.  She and I are both striving to get in shape for our trek to Africa this summer.

I am going to be off the blog for a few days.  My dear Uncle Stan has passed away and I will be heading to Iowa in the wee hours.  I am going to take my shoes and keep the exercising up.  Katy, my little love, is going with me and she and I will have exercise breaks!

Please, if you are a prayer person, pray for me and my family. Stan was the last of my dad's nuclear family and this is going to be hard.

Blessings and  don't stop now.

Day 15! If it takes 21 days to form a New Habit, We are 2/3's the way there!!!

Today is the beginning of week three of our 60 day challenge.  This has been a great two weeks!  I am hearing from folks about how they are getting inspired to begin to exercise, eat better and sleep better.  Friends are saying they feel supported through this online community!  Yay!


When I started, it was difficult for me to walk a half mile loop on the track.  Yesterday, I ran the same loop!  I think jumping on the rebounder has been an amzing helper.  My ankles are feeling stronger and I am noticing better balance.

Some of you are attending dance classes.  Some are walking , some are lifting weights.  It's all good!  Let me encourage all of you to increase the amount that you are doing each day, increment my increment.  don't beat yourself up if you skip a day or even two.  Continue! Soldier on!  You will get there.  I will get there.  I want to be back to the place where I can't wait to get out and run!

The same principles apply to our eating habits.  If you blow it one day, shake it off!  I would encourage you to try asking the Lord what to eat each day.  Listen to your heart.  You will know.  And the cool thing, for me, will be the ability you will discover to walk on past those things that normally tempt you.

If this blog is blessings you, I would ask that you share it on Facebook or your social network.  You can even e-mail it to your friends who you think it make help.  It is a little thing but it makes a huge difference!  There is so much power in unity!  Power in community!

Don't forget, if you become a follower and share this post, your name will go into a drawing for a chance to win one my husband's books and a bracelet.  Blessings, Anna Marie

Day 13! Keep it Up!

How is it going out there?  Anyone feeling better?  I am less stiff! Yay! I started doing stretches in addition to my other routine.  I forgot how good that feels!

Today, I asked the Lord to tell me what to eat through Jack! :)  Guess what?  Jack wanted homemade fried chicken!  LOL!  God, You have a great sense of humor.  Anyway, I was astounded to discover I only wanted one piece! That is soo not like me.  I guess this is the new me! :))

Don't tell Jack, but I made the gravy with coconut milk instead of dairy!  I could not tell the difference and it had a rich taste with no fat!  (Of course there was still fat from the chicken drippings.)

Tonight I am adding a second set of sit-ups and push-ups!  A second ride on the rebounder and possibly a
walk on the treadmill.

Let's keep it going! We are almost two weeks into this thing!! GO GO GO!!

Day 12! Some is Better Than None!!!!

This challenge is like a folk song.  Some times you cry in your beer and sometimes you cry for joy!

For the last couple of days, I have been exercising on the fly!  I am proud of myself for pushing through, even though it has been difficult with the schedule I have had. The best little piece of equipment I have ever bought is my rebounder.  It stays in my family room and I can jump on it all day long as I am passing through the room!  It is fun and I can act crazy on it when I need a laugh!

I am up to 22 sit-ups and leg-lifts. Still struggling with the push-ups.  Today I could only do 12.  Why is upper body strength so hard???

I am really excited that I am inspiring my sweet hubby to exercise.  He is jogging/walking on the treadmill while working out with hand weights!  Getting some verrry nice biceps! :)))

Now for true confession.  I have not been asking the Lord what to eat for the last three days. :(  I have not pigged out, but that is not the point.  I really believe He wants to heal my body and my food issues.  If you are reading this, please say a prayer for me to be obedient to the call I have from Him to ask Him faithfully each day.

I am not discouraged.  This is a huge breakthrough!  Usually when I get off track with my eating, I give up.  But I am encouraged!  I am not alone.  He is with me and you are with me.  I pray for you as well, that you will be healthy and happy at the end of this 60 day challenge!

Day 10! "Never Give Up! Never Surrender!"

It has been such a busy couple of days!! I have been a slacker for a couple days! Yesterday, the only exercise I got was dancing at the healing center and running up and down the stairs! but Hey! It all adds up!

Today, same thing!  But I make a promise to ya'll...tonight when I get home I am going to at least do my sit-ups and push-ups!!

If you are joining us on this 60 day health challenge, leave a comment with your name, become a follower and share the link on Facebook! Your name will go onto a drawing for a book and a bracelet after the 60 days.

Blessings, and go go go!!! We can do this thing!!!!!  Anna Marie

Day 8! Transitions!

All in all, last week was awesome!  I have not enjoyed exercising like this in years!

In yesterday's blog, I mentioned the spiritual disciplines and the three categories: Inner, outer and corporate disciplines.  This week I have decided to pick three: Meditation, Simplicity and Confession; one from each category and see how I can fit them into my health challenge.

Meditation.  We are instructed in the scriptures to hide the words in our heart and meditate on them day and night.  As we fill our heart with Truth we begin to speak Truth. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks."  What we speak becomes our reality. This principle is demonstrated in:

Romans 10:9,10 "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."


And again:  Proverbs 4:20-22" My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those who find them and health to all their body."


So for this week, I am going to meditate on these scriptures in Romans and Proverbs and I am going to meditate on the Truth that "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 149:13.


I will report any revelation I get.  For now, I am expecting transformation in my heart, that will transform my speech, that will transform my health! 


Simplicity.  As an American, I have great wealth.  I am not rich and do not live in a fancy house, but by the world's standard of living, I am a princess!  I also do not know how to let go of things.  I am an ADD person who attaches emotional attachment to my things.  God has been dealing with me about this.  I know rationally, that if I let go of sentimental things, that I will not lose the person I associate the "thing" with, but emotionally, it is another story.  This health challenge has impacted my life on so many levels.  As I am seeing my exercise plan as one of total simplicity: sit-ups, push-ups and walking/jogging; it is spilling over to my personal life as a homemaker and office manager.  I feel the call to simplify in every area of my life.  Even in my worship: Love God and let Him love me! How simple is that?? 


Confession.  I guess that is what this blog is all about. I am confessing to my brothers and sisters out there in cyber world the struggles and weaknesses I am experiencing.  I want to be as honest as is possible in this quest for health. I find that as I am honest it encourages other to be honest.  Honesty is the best way to become healthy.  As I share with all of you, I find it easier to share with others in face to face life.  Thanks for being there and listening! 


Blessings, Anna Marie

Day 7! Step by Step; Bite by Bite!

Yesterday as I was out walking the track, I remembered the way I was taught to train for a marathon.  We increased our distance by increments on a daily basis.  Nothing too hard.  I personally went by time rather than distance because I did most of my running on the open road.  Most days I would try to increase my time by five or ten minutes from the day before. Nothing too hard.  Then on Saturday, I would run double the time of my average for the week. That was it.  Little by little I grew stronger and ran farther.  Over the months of training, I was delighted to discover that running ten miles was nothing!  After the marathon (26.2 miles) I realized that if I really trained I could even do a 50 miler!  The secret was perseverance!

I was encouraged on this 60 day challenge, because I am finding that the small incremental increases in exercise are making a difference.  I added the double the distance in my walk yesterday, and it was not that hard.

The same principle is helping me with food choices.  I have been asking God what to eat, but I still need to watch how much I eat.  So, say I want two eggs and toast; instead, I cut back to one egg and toast.  If I use one tablespoon of butter, cut back to one half of that.  I am seeing this begin to work!  And I am increasing the time I spend eating.  The discipline of putting the fork down between bites, is slowing me down.  This gives my body time to register..."I am full!"

Today, I am thinking of that training schedule and how I can apply it to my spiritual walk.  More than 30 years ago, I learned about the different spiritual disciplines from Richard Foster.  The inner disciples include meditation and prayer, study and fasting (and I add personal worship here).  The outward disciplines are simplicity, solitude, submission and service and then there are the corporate disciplines: confession, worship, guidance and celebration.

I can see where I can add time or action in each area and I see God's wisdom in giving us a Sabbath day of rest.  If I double my daily average of time spent in each of these areas I will have some Glory-filled Sundays!!

Day 6! A Day of Sabbath Rest and Fasting!

Yesterday, Day 5, I worked worked the polls, a 14-hour day!  I felt totally fine with not exercising.  So I guess it was a free day.

Today is Sunday and I woke up with the idea of Sabbath rest on my mind.  I felt God saying give your body a Sabbath rest from food and feast on My words.  So, today is going to be a fast day unto the Lord.  I have the distinct impression today will bring me a deep cleansing, both in my soul and in my body.  I am up and have opened the front door of my house and the back window of our family room and there is a fabulous cool breeze blowing through the house.  In the same way, I am opening up my heart and mind to the Lord and to His Word, letting the mystery of His love blow through me.  I feel as if I have walked through The Gate of His love and am lying down in the greenest most luxurious pasture I have ever seen.  He is restoring my soul!

Today, as I do my sit-ups and push-ups, I am going to reflect on the fact that He is watching me.  I can even see Him offering to hold my feet, cheering me on!  Then He and I will walk together, talk together and my cup will be running over!

I hope for all of you , my friends, that your day will be filled with the knowledge of God and how very much He loves you and wants to be with you.

Blessings, Anna Marie

Day Three! Feeling Fine!!

Interesting, I am sleeping much better!  Who'd of thought that doing a few exercises and eating only what the Lord tells you to eat would change sleeping habits!  One of my Challenge friends mentioned the same thing on her blog.  Thank You, Lord!

Yesterday,  I did a prayer walk with a friend around the Christ Healing Center neighborhood.  It was such a blessing to walk and pray with Louise.  Along the way, I got a tiny pebble (grain of sand, actually) in my shoe and had to stop to remove it.  I couldn't believe how something that small could be so irritating!  Louise and I talked about it. I mentioned how when we are walking with purpose, in God, even the smallest sins become uncomfortable, and noticeable.  Louise mentioned that those tiny irritations are what God uses to make pearls!

After our walk, I went to the park to do one more lap of walking/jogging.  To my great delight, I have shaved two whole minutes off my half mile loop!  And while eight minute 1/2 miles sounds really slow,  It means I am no longer plodding at 20 minute miles!!!!  Yay!!! I am feeling the Joy!!!!

What will I eat today, Lord?  I sure enjoyed the apples and green tea!

Blessings, ya'll!   Come join us on our journey!  Leave a comment, share the link on Facebook and let us hear what you are doing to improve your health over the next 60 days!!

Day 4!

Yesterday was a really good day! I heard the word for the food of the day...Lentils!  Wow, they were good!

I soaked a bag of lentils with a cup of barley all day, while we were at the healing center.  When I got home, I added a half a large onion, a bunch of kale, chopped, a bag of carrots, sliced, about a half of cup chopped green pepper.  Then I seasoned it with pepper, sea salt, Herbes de Provence, a little dill, garlic powder, covered the lentils and barley with water, then added a carton of reduced salt chicken broth.  Made enough for two and a half meals for Jack and I....we eat biiiggg bowls!!! :)

Did 30 sit-ups, leg raises and about 15 push-ups! Did not run or walk or bounce, but no condemnation!

Today, the word was fish and salad!  When I got to the store, artichokes were on sale!! I asked the Lord...He said sure! :)) What can I say, He loves me!!

Had a great walk/shuffle using a can of diced tomatoes in each hand to add a little arm strength!  Got the idea from a Facebook friend!  Had a few strange looks at the track, but I just keep on smiling and gettin' strong!
Today, Jack joined me in exercise!! This community effort is working!  I am encouraged each day knowing that others are out there working their plan, and blogging or posting about it.  It is awesome!!!! Y'all keep it up!!!

If you want to join us, please leave a comment and share this link on Facebook. Become a follower of my blog and if you are starting a blog, share your link so we can encourage you, too.  Everyone who participates will get a chance to win a book and a bracelet at the end of the 60 days! Just let me know your name and that you have commented and shared the link!!

Blessings and Happy Health!  Anna Marie

Day 2! Oomph!

Last night as I began the sit-ups and push-ups, it was so hard it felt like I was going to have an asthma attack! Oiy!  How did I get here???

Anyway, I am encouraged because I did it!  And I added some leg-raises!
Every day I am planning on adding 5 to my sets.  Slow and steady!

Yesterday I heard "Eat Kale" so I did.  I am still listening for today!

It is funny how the community aspect helps.  This morning when I got online I read a new blog post from Katie and it made me inspired to get up and do more sit-ups and push-ups! I decided to do them in the morning and in the evening!  Katie also inspired me to add a prayer here. Hers really blessed me and it was the cry of my heart as well!

A couple of other friends from Facebook encouraged me with their plans.  One said to drink green tea to help get rid of belly fat, and the other said to eat lots of apples! :))  Thanks Lord, I have heard Your voice through my friends.  Today it is green tea and apples!

If you are new here, please become a follower and share the posts on Facebook.  Leave a comment about your plan and insights.  Start your own blog if you like.  At the end of 60 days I am going to have a drawing for all who participate for a book, God's Healing River and a bracelet!

So...Lord, thank You for these friends who are coming alongside of me and who are encouraging me to press into You for health and fitness.  Help each one of us today to keep our eyes and heart turned towards You.
Make us hungry for You!  We want to be vessels for You.  Thank You Lord for YOur great mercy and kindness towards us.  We love You, Lord!  In the awesome name of Jesus, we pray!  Amen.

Happy workouts!!!!
Blessings, Anna Marie

Day One!

I woke up this morning with the bright idea of blogging a health challenge...I need to be held accountable! Anyone else out there feel the same way??  Anyway, I am going to blog each day what I am experiencing as I go towards my goal of weight loss and fitness.

I am asking the Lord each day, "What do I need to eat today, Lord?"  Then Listening for His voice.  If I don't hear anything, I am going to fast.

I will post pictures along the way.  Please pray for me and feel free to join in. If you are a blogger, leave your blog address in the comment box and let's encourage each other!

I am going to begin sit-ups and push-ups today. This is in addition to my daily walk or bouncing on the rebounder. finishing with 10 minutes of stretching.

My goal is to be able to complete a 5k fun run in 30-40 minutes.  The last one I did it took over and hour;  huffing and puffing all the way!

Your goals may be different and you may have a different plan. Doesn't matter. Let's encourage each other. Share what you are doing and I'll share what I am doing and together we can reach our goals!

Please share this on Facebook. Let me know that you have done that by leaving a comment and I will add your name to pot for a drawing for a free book and bracelet! Drawing will be at the end of 60 days! (If you want to be included in the drawing, please let me know how I can get in touch with you.)

Happy Fitness training!! Anna Marie