Better Together Challenge Update (and a contest)

Ok, Friday came and went and I realized that I didn't post my "Better Together" Challenge update. First I want to ask...how are you doing? Leave a comment and let me know. It's not too late to join either. Just click here for details.

So far...I've lost 6 1/2 pounds. Not too bad. :) I have 9 days to lose the remaining 3 1/2 pounds to meet my goal for this month. What is encouraging to me is that I have not been exercising for the past 1 1/2 weeks and I've still managed to lose a couple pounds. I lost the most the first week, but I was exercising for at least 15 minutes every day. Hmmm...do you think I'm on to something? :) I guess I'm going to have to step it back up!

Eating has been going pretty good. I've still been eating breakfast almost every day. Even if it's just a piece of toast. I have not had any fast food - huge! Oh well, except for a 6" subway sandwich. I even passed up McDonald's when my hubby went through the drive-thru at 10 pm last night. And even better than that...I didn't have one single french fry. Yippeeee for me! Speaking of McDonald's and speaking of french fries...here's the contest. I am addicted to My Charming Kids blog. MckMama is hilarious and her children are so beautiful. They were recently blessed with their 4th child...a gift from God...because she was told that this baby would die before he was born. Millions of prayers later...they were wrong...and God got all the glory! Ok, back to the contest...She is having a SMALL FRYday contest. You see, on her blog she calls her kids: Big Mac, MckNugget, Small Fry and MckMuffin. Oh and the oldest is 3! What???!!! Oh yes! So, stop on by and see their MckMiracle!

Don't forget to tell me how your challenge is going or let me know if you want to get started.

You can also read about some inspirational mom's and their blogs on my previous post.

Have an awesome, God-filled week!
Christine

Not Me Monday #2

Alright, I had a lot of fun the last time I did this, so I'll try it again. Plus I just have something that is NOT so funny that I do NOT have to share it with all of you!

• I did NOT contemplate being extra loud when I went to bed on Thursday, because I was mad at my husband and I wanted him to wake up so I could tell him that I was mad at him! I would NEVER play such a childish game. :)


• I did NOT think about calling and waking up my husband on deer hunting eve when I found out that 10 year olds are NOT allowed to hunt with and NOT allowed to use high power rifles without firearm safety training. And upon reaching him I was NOT going to tell him that he is no longer allowed to go hunting if there is NOT a 10 year old hunting within 100 miles of him. Because the thought of my 11 year old holding and using a high powered rifle does NOT simply make me sick to my stomach!!!!!


• I did NOT have to say no to desserts so many times in the last week, that I do NOT have an automated response when someone offers me something yummy!


• I did NOT hysterically break out in laughter after a whole room full of people broke out in laughter because my 5 year old daughter did NOT toot twice while she was laying her hands on someone praying for him while he was laying on the floor with his head 12 inches from her. Of course at the time we were NOT all being very quiet and it was of course NOT loud enough to be heard blocks away. And upon the laughter breaking out, the poor little thing did NOT get up and she most certainly did NOT go running into her mom's lap, where she did NOT bury her face for the rest of our prayer time. And of course a few of us mom's did NOT continue with bursts of laughter because it really truly was NOT too funny!


• And the best thing that I do NOT have to share is NOT this: I absolutely did NOT lose 5 1/2 pounds on the first week of my Better Together Challenge! WAHOO!


• Last but least :) - I am NOT going to invite all of you to join me on my Better Together Challenge. That would NOT be the right thing to do! Click here for details if you do NOT want to join or if you're maybe NOT at all curious as to what I'm NOT talking about.

Blessings,

Christine

FFF - Favorite Family Foto

Hello friends,



It has been a great week! If you are one who is joining me for the "Better Together" Challenge, I would love to hear how your week went. You can post it in the comments section. If you have a blog and you've posted it there, let us know in the comments section so we can hop on over. :) If you have no idea what I'm talking about, but would like to check it out, click here. You can still join! You'll notice that I originally called it the Weightloss Challenge, but then changed it so that anyone could join - even if you don't want or need to lose weight.



Here's how my week went:

• I lost 3 1/2 pounds :)
• I exercised 5 out of 7 days for at least 15 minutes!
• I have NOT eaten 1 piece of Halloween candy since this challenge started!
• I have passed up numerous helpings of cake!
• I have eaten breakfast EVERY day!
• I am going to treat myself to a small candy bar today - maybe! I really don't even want one right now.
• Favorite food of the week: Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing. (Since it's not fat free, I only used a little)
• Favorite snack of the week: Pumpkin seeds.

Now, on to the Foto. This was taken last year at my sister's wedding. I love it when we're all dressed up. Us girls all had our hair done together and that was a lot of fun. And then my boys in their tux's...I can't stand it. :)

My Favorite Picture of our family!

I have to say that this week has not been too easy. There have been many temptations. It seemed as though every where I turned there was cake. Thankfully, I'm not a crazy cake lover, but I do have a weak spot for chocolate cake with chocolate frosting...especially when it has caramel on it. When I went out to lunch with co-workers, I ordered an oriental chicken wrap with salad instead of fries. Wouldn't you know it, she brought me fries instead. And when I tried to give them back and asked for my salad she said, "just go ahead and keep the fries". Man! Well, I did break down and eat 2 fries and then I gave them away! Although I must say that I am blessed. I am blessed to be faced with such choices and temptations. There are many people who are starving to death in other countries. Which brings me to my knees!

Here is a scripture that fits my feelings. James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Now, I'd love to hear from you. Do you have anything you'd like to share?

Bless you,
Christine

"Better Together" check-in

Hello friends!

I have a few minutes so I thought I would check in with you and see how our "Better Together Challenge" is going. So, far I'm doing pretty good. I'll quick share with you some things. If you're joining in for the first time you can find out about the "Better Together Challenge", and join us too.

1. I've lost 3 pounds! Yippie!!!! I was super excited.



2. My willpower is terrible, but God has amazing power and His spirit is inside me! I have not had one piece of Halloween candy since the challenge started. I love candy. I'm not depriving myself of treats altogether. I am going to treat myself to something each week and it's probably going to be a candy bar from the kids' stash! They actually gave me a whole bucket of their candy...which is sitting on my fridge as we speak.



3. Know that Satan will tempt you. I have passed up so many pieces of cake within the past few days I can't even count. It's like cake is every where! The first thing I saw on Monday when I went into the break room at work was the cutest pumpkin cake. And two more times that evening I was offered yummy looking cake. Then this morning at our staff meeting we celebrated birthdays. And wouldn't you know there was chocolate cake with caramel on top, oreo cookie cake...cake, cake, cake...everywhere! Just stop with the cake already, I'm not giving in!!! :)



4. I have been exercising everyday for my 15 minutes. :) Mainly walking, but I'm feeling good.



5. I've had breakfast every day! Huge for me!

Ok, so how are you doing? I know that some of you wanted to email me about the challenge and that's just fine. But if you want to be a part of encouraging others, please feel free to post in the comments section too. PLEASE share your victories with us! Share your struggles as well so we can pray and encourage you.

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41

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No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

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When I rely on my own strength, it's hard to stay strong. But I am relying on the Lord to help me through this time. No matter what your challenge is, God can help you through this. Remember to share any victories or struggles.

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Lord,

I thank you for bringing us together in "blog world". Your Word says you will use ALL things for good. You are so faithful. Please give each of us your strength as we try to honor you in our everyday lives. You know each one of us by name and you loves us so much. Walk with us Lord. Keep us safe from the lies and temptations of the evil one who comes to kill, rob and destroy. We can do all things through you Lord and we need you so. Be our provider. You are amazing Lord. Lord, I lift up Tracy and Christine to you. They are beautiful daughters of yours. Be with them and encourage them where ever they are. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Christine

READY, SET, GO!

"THE BETTER TOGETHER CHALLENGE" DAY 1

Alright friends, are you ready? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, scroll down to Weightloss Challenge on Thursday, October 30 and start from there. Let's get started! I'm so excited to start this journey with you. With a little help from each other and a lot of help from our Lord, I know this will be a success. I am a goal type person. I love lists and goals. So, lets list our goals. I hope you'll list yours in the comment section. There's a great website to help you create your SMART Goals.

S.M.A.R.T GOALS

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely/Tangible

Here are mine:

• Lose 10 pounds by November 30
• Lose 20 pounds by December 31
• Exercise for at least 15 minutes per day, everyday!
• I want to be wearing Size 12 by Christmas time
• I will do this by making healthier food choices.
• I will do this by eating breakfast every day!
• I will eat smaller more frequents meals. (Snacks in mid-morning and early afternoon). My snacks will be fruit and vegetables.

My reward:

• New clothes!

Ok - I'd love to see your goals and your rewards! On the right column you can choose to follow this blog. You can post a picture, write your befores, goals, etc. on your blog too. The possibilities are endless. :) If you don't have a blog, that's ok. Just join us in the comments section. You can even do that anonymously. I would love to read scriptures, ideas, healthy recipes, anything you'd like.

I will try to post as often as I can. For sure I will post every week, I'm just not sure about how often in between.

Is there a fitting scripture or quote that would go good with this day?

Let's get started!

Christine

FFF - Favorite Photo of the Week

Happy Halloween! If you're new to my blog and are interested in some posts I wrote from the book "Redeeming Halloween", there are 4 posts. There are some fun ways to celebrate Halloween as a Christian. Start here.

Well, this next photo was easy but hard for me to decide on. I'll tell you why. Tomorrow, I am starting a Weightloss Challenge. Actually, I want to call it a "feel good" challenge or something like that. I've tried the whole New Year's Resolution and it just never works. So, I'm trying something different. I'm starting before the holidays! I would love for you to join me in this challenge. You do not have to want or need to lose weight to join this challenge. It can be anything you'd like to change about your life. Maybe you're a smoker (hint, hint to our parents), maybe you just want to start exercising, or maybe there's another habit you want to break. Or it could be something like making more time for your hubby or your children. Whatever the challenge is that you face, we can do it together. You can write your goals in the comments section and we can encourage each other! I'm really excited. Here's a great website you can see and read about a great way to write SMART goals. In fact, I think I'm going to call this The Better Together Challenge. I can't do this alone, I've tried. So, please join me. Let's encourage one another. You can join in at any time. In the right side bar, you can click on Follow this blog so we can all know how many are in this challenge and that we may stop by your blog and encourage you. If I can figure out how to do a Mr. Linky, maybe I'll do that. Let me know if you'd like that and I'll start investigating.

Ok...now on to the picture. I never used to mind having my picture taken, back in my skinny days. :) Now, I hate having my picture taken. I will do anything to hide behind someone else and that's only if I have to be in it. And rarely would you ever see a picture of me on this blog...unless I have to. Which because it's my blog, I don't really have to. So, here's my favorite photo of the week. It's my favorite because it's my "before" picture. And sadly to say, this one is the only picture I could find that was a recent full length shot. Of course, you'll notice that even in this picture, I'm partially "behind" the two standing on each side of me! :)

BEFORE

Ok, so that wasn't so bad! I can't wait to post my "after" shot on January 2. Who knows, maybe I'll do one or even two in between there.

How about you? Are you ready to GOAL for it? If so, join me tomorrow for The Better Together Challenge!

Paul is writing to the Romans and he says: "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith." Romans 1:11

And although I don't know many of you, I do feel this way. I long to know you so that we can be encouraged by each other's faith. I'm looking forward to getting to know many of you. Who will be the first to join?

To see more FFF posts, go to Kiss the Frog 4 Me

Bless you!

Christine