I wanted to write a New Years blog post, but I wasn’t quite sure in which direction I wanted it to go. Sometimes I make resolutions in January and sometimes I make them around the time of my birthday.
...Here are my thoughts for January 2015...
There is always something on my mind. I’m a thinker. I'm always looking for ways to improve. I try to work through situations in my mind until I think I have them figured out. I plan ahead, trying to predict any and everything that might get in the way of my plans. But sometimes, I just don’t know what to do. I have no plan. I have no direction.
One thing that is in the back of my mind nagging me is the trajectory of my job/career. I wrote before that I only see myself teaching for a few more years. I could see myself working in education in another capacity, but I could also see myself living in France for a few years. I could even go to culinary school, which has been an idea I’ve played with from time to time…
If you can’t tell, I don’t know what I want to do and I'm not comfortable with that...
My 30th birthday...YIKES...is vastly approaching and I feel like my life isn’t in order. I joke about it all the time. I say things like, “This weekend, I’m going to get my life together”, as if it were only going to take one weekend… If you would have asked me five years ago where I would be today, this would not be it. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way.
I thought I would be more content and secure in my career. I like feeling at peace and this area of my life doesn’t feel peaceful at all.
So this year, I want to take a more active role in finding/choosing/discovering/deciding the job/career/hobby/passion that I will pursue, that will give more fulfillment and more peace of mind.
I need to make some SMART goals for this, because that last statement wasn’t measurable at all...
Body...
One of my resolutions is always centered around health, like most other people out there. However, my most recent healthy living transformation has been in motion for a while now.
In August I started meal prepping. What’s that you ask? Well on Sunday, I prep my all my meals for the work week, Monday through Friday. I eat the same thing everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I prep snacks as well. I’m trying to eat clean and preparing my meals helps me stay on track. Some people would get bored eating the same thing, but for some reason I don’t.
It really saves my life. I am in more control of my diet. My school offers free breakfast and lunch to the staff, but the options are not always the healthiest and are very unpredictable. Also, after going to work and wherever else I have to go, the last thing I want to do when I get home is cook. If I didn’t have food prepared, I would end up eating fast food or cereal for dinner. Real talk.
So that is how I’ve been eating since August. From August to November I didn’t see any weight gain and I attribute that to my diet. But I knew that needed to lose weight. Here was my impetus….
I have been wearing BR pants since 2009. For the most part, pants are the only articles of clothing that I buy there and I only shop there when they have their 50% off sales. When I first started shopping there, I was a size 8. Then I started buying 10's. Then I started buying 12's. This year I had to buy 14's. You say, that’s a lot of pants man. I say, I know right?! Why didn’t I read the signs? Sharae, you were going up in size about every 1.5 years. You would think that I would have gotten a wake up call sooner…
What made me realize I needed to get my life together was that, a 14 the largest size Banana Republic sells. Oh noooooooooo… So you tellin’ me….that if I gain more weight...I can’t fit my favorite pant store’s pants….. no, No, NO. I needed to get my life together.
So in mid November I joined a new gym, per a co-workers recommendation. When I first joined, I did my usual interval training on the treadmill and used the weight lifting machines. I also started taking a few classes. Spinning is a new favorite of mine. I even invested in a cushioned bike seat. Saddle butt is THEE worst.
The gym has this little scavenger hunt/to do list of things to try in the gym. Once you complete the list and turn it in, you lower your membership rate. Fo’ sho’! The last thing on my list to do was to get a fitness assessment with a personal trainer. It was the most challenging workout I had done, in like, forever.
During the assessment, I got on the scale and we also measured my body fat percentage. That was wake up call #2. 34% body fat, 65 lbs of fat. If you can do a proportion, you can figure out the rest...
..So you did the math, huh...yeah...horrible. The largest I’ve ever been.
The great thing about the scavenger hunt is it got me in the habit of going to the gym. I had to check-in 9 times in less than 4 weeks. Sometimes I would go to Planet Fitness 9 times in a YEAR! Low cost gyms man, they are using psychology so YOU DON’T GO!
Minor tangent, I know...
I started scheduling time to go to the gym. My workout bag was always packed. I set reminders to sign up for group exercise classes. Spinning, BodyPump, Cardio Kickboxing, Zumba.
After hearing another co-worker’s testimony about personal training, I decided to sign-up. I wrestled with the idea for about a week. Don't get me wrong, it's expensive, but it’s worth it. It’s all about setting priorities. Do I spend as much money on make-up per pay period as I once did, no... Do I buy Honey Crisp apples as often as I would like, no…It's the choices we make...
I haven’t ran outside or on a treadmill in a while and I’m okay with that. Gradually, I’ll start incorporating running back into my regimen. I even bought some reflective gear. I don't have winter running gear though...
In conclusion, this time feels different to me. Hopefully this will really be a permanent lifestyle change.
Spirit…
Sometimes I can be very negative. I’ve learned that about myself. More often now, I feel like I can catch myself when I’m going to say something that is more rude, rather than it is sarcastic. This is something I pray about all the time. This growth has definitely improved the culture of my classroom...assuming the best of others' intentions, rather than the worst. I used to catch an attitude more quickly than VH1 could create a new reality show. And y'all know that's fast!
I mentioned before that I am a student in a discipleship class. This is a relatively new development in my life. I’ve been going to class for a little over 2 months now. It feels like no matter what the topic is, there is always something that addresses what’s been on my mind. I’m getting off track…
The class is another thing in my life where I realized that scheduling is important. Every Thursday after Young Life at school, I stick around a little longer to do some work, I eat the dinner I packed for myself, then I go to class. I’m finding that when you are prepared and have planned ahead, you make fewer excuses to get out of commitments.
I’m going to be completely transparent. The last time I went to church would have to be September or early October. That is something I struggle with. Growing up, I went to church from time to time, but not consistently. Some people associate Sunday with church, or brunch, or running on Kelly Drive. Growing up, Sunday was laundry day or it was extra rehearsal at dance school around recital time. It’s hard for me to adjust my thinking from sleeping in, cooking, and doing school work to add church to the mix.
In the meantime, I think I’m going to start a Bible reading plan. There are plenty on my phone and in a women’s devotional Bible I own.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Proverbs 16:9
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”
One of my resolutions is always centered around health, like most other people out there. However, my most recent healthy living transformation has been in motion for a while now.
In August I started meal prepping. What’s that you ask? Well on Sunday, I prep my all my meals for the work week, Monday through Friday. I eat the same thing everyday for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I prep snacks as well. I’m trying to eat clean and preparing my meals helps me stay on track. Some people would get bored eating the same thing, but for some reason I don’t.
It really saves my life. I am in more control of my diet. My school offers free breakfast and lunch to the staff, but the options are not always the healthiest and are very unpredictable. Also, after going to work and wherever else I have to go, the last thing I want to do when I get home is cook. If I didn’t have food prepared, I would end up eating fast food or cereal for dinner. Real talk.
So that is how I’ve been eating since August. From August to November I didn’t see any weight gain and I attribute that to my diet. But I knew that needed to lose weight. Here was my impetus….
...The Banana Republic Factory Store…
I have been wearing BR pants since 2009. For the most part, pants are the only articles of clothing that I buy there and I only shop there when they have their 50% off sales. When I first started shopping there, I was a size 8. Then I started buying 10's. Then I started buying 12's. This year I had to buy 14's. You say, that’s a lot of pants man. I say, I know right?! Why didn’t I read the signs? Sharae, you were going up in size about every 1.5 years. You would think that I would have gotten a wake up call sooner…
What made me realize I needed to get my life together was that, a 14 the largest size Banana Republic sells. Oh noooooooooo… So you tellin’ me….that if I gain more weight...I can’t fit my favorite pant store’s pants….. no, No, NO. I needed to get my life together.
So in mid November I joined a new gym, per a co-workers recommendation. When I first joined, I did my usual interval training on the treadmill and used the weight lifting machines. I also started taking a few classes. Spinning is a new favorite of mine. I even invested in a cushioned bike seat. Saddle butt is THEE worst.
The gym has this little scavenger hunt/to do list of things to try in the gym. Once you complete the list and turn it in, you lower your membership rate. Fo’ sho’! The last thing on my list to do was to get a fitness assessment with a personal trainer. It was the most challenging workout I had done, in like, forever.
During the assessment, I got on the scale and we also measured my body fat percentage. That was wake up call #2. 34% body fat, 65 lbs of fat. If you can do a proportion, you can figure out the rest...
..So you did the math, huh...yeah...horrible. The largest I’ve ever been.
The great thing about the scavenger hunt is it got me in the habit of going to the gym. I had to check-in 9 times in less than 4 weeks. Sometimes I would go to Planet Fitness 9 times in a YEAR! Low cost gyms man, they are using psychology so YOU DON’T GO!
Minor tangent, I know...
I started scheduling time to go to the gym. My workout bag was always packed. I set reminders to sign up for group exercise classes. Spinning, BodyPump, Cardio Kickboxing, Zumba.
After hearing another co-worker’s testimony about personal training, I decided to sign-up. I wrestled with the idea for about a week. Don't get me wrong, it's expensive, but it’s worth it. It’s all about setting priorities. Do I spend as much money on make-up per pay period as I once did, no... Do I buy Honey Crisp apples as often as I would like, no…It's the choices we make...
I haven’t ran outside or on a treadmill in a while and I’m okay with that. Gradually, I’ll start incorporating running back into my regimen. I even bought some reflective gear. I don't have winter running gear though...
In conclusion, this time feels different to me. Hopefully this will really be a permanent lifestyle change.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Spirit…
Sometimes I can be very negative. I’ve learned that about myself. More often now, I feel like I can catch myself when I’m going to say something that is more rude, rather than it is sarcastic. This is something I pray about all the time. This growth has definitely improved the culture of my classroom...assuming the best of others' intentions, rather than the worst. I used to catch an attitude more quickly than VH1 could create a new reality show. And y'all know that's fast!
I mentioned before that I am a student in a discipleship class. This is a relatively new development in my life. I’ve been going to class for a little over 2 months now. It feels like no matter what the topic is, there is always something that addresses what’s been on my mind. I’m getting off track…
The class is another thing in my life where I realized that scheduling is important. Every Thursday after Young Life at school, I stick around a little longer to do some work, I eat the dinner I packed for myself, then I go to class. I’m finding that when you are prepared and have planned ahead, you make fewer excuses to get out of commitments.
I’m going to be completely transparent. The last time I went to church would have to be September or early October. That is something I struggle with. Growing up, I went to church from time to time, but not consistently. Some people associate Sunday with church, or brunch, or running on Kelly Drive. Growing up, Sunday was laundry day or it was extra rehearsal at dance school around recital time. It’s hard for me to adjust my thinking from sleeping in, cooking, and doing school work to add church to the mix.
I feel like a big contradiction, but I’m just stating how I feel...
I’m against pomp and circumstance. Let’s just get down to the meat. I feel like many church services aren’t respectful of people’s time. The services are long AND I’m supposed to go to Sunday School... hmmm.
I should get up earlier to go to the early service, so I would have more of the day left, but sometimes church isn’t even on my mind. I don’t know man...
I think it really comes down to me not feeling at home at my church. When I first joined, there was a ministry fair for new members. I signed up to get more information about ministries in which I was interested. I recall writing down my contact information for at least 5. Was there ever any follow-up? No. And it’s almost been 2.5 years. Not even in church announcements do those ministries share information or advertise events.
After I finished my new members classes, I feel like I was left to fend for myself. I am not close to anyone that goes to the church. When I was going regularly, I came by myself, sat by myself, and spoke to almost no one. Also, it seems like the age ranges of members are 2-16 and 35-70. Not much of a young adult population.
The question that comes to mind is, what is each party’s role? I know I could schedule my Sundays differently so I could make it to church, but what about the church’s role? Should I start visiting other churches? I don't know man...
Then I read things like this that make me feel awful about not going...
I think it really comes down to me not feeling at home at my church. When I first joined, there was a ministry fair for new members. I signed up to get more information about ministries in which I was interested. I recall writing down my contact information for at least 5. Was there ever any follow-up? No. And it’s almost been 2.5 years. Not even in church announcements do those ministries share information or advertise events.
After I finished my new members classes, I feel like I was left to fend for myself. I am not close to anyone that goes to the church. When I was going regularly, I came by myself, sat by myself, and spoke to almost no one. Also, it seems like the age ranges of members are 2-16 and 35-70. Not much of a young adult population.
The question that comes to mind is, what is each party’s role? I know I could schedule my Sundays differently so I could make it to church, but what about the church’s role? Should I start visiting other churches? I don't know man...
Then I read things like this that make me feel awful about not going...
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
In the meantime, I think I’m going to start a Bible reading plan. There are plenty on my phone and in a women’s devotional Bible I own.
What are your goals for the new year?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hey readers, I love you. Bye-bye!!!!