GCM: Pre-Thanksgiving Edition!

Hi!

Happy Monday!  It's almost Thanksgiving (yay, food and family!)  but my brain isn't really comprehending the fact that November is almost over!  (Absolutely crazy...it was just June...)  At any rate, I'm thankful that I will get a chance to spend time with my family and get a break from work.

Anyway, since it is Monday again, it's time for another... Goal check!  

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• Been a bit slack in this area in the past week.  I don't know where the time went the past week, but I didn't spend enough of it with Jesus.  It also doesn't help that I prefer to do my devotional right before bed and sometimes end up falling asleep while I'm reading.  I have had several people tell me to do it in the morning, but I'm generally rushing to get out the door and on to work.  Also, I find that reading scripture before I go to sleep is soothing.
• I'm on day 109 of my reading plan and am behind in an embarrassing way.
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm up 2.8 lbs from last GCM...grrr.  Still a little bit swollen but I think this week's number reflects poor choices from previous weeks.  Diet lockdown will definitely be happening post-Thanksgiving.  Also, I am so excited to be getting back to working out 4 days a week!
• My daily water intake is at about 1 gal, which isn't too shabby.  Honestly, I think part of the reason my water intake improved was that I'm now using a "sports cup" that has a straw.  If you're struggling with your water intake, try adding a sports cup/a cup with a straw!  Maybe it'll make drinking water more fun!  (I got my cup from Zoe's Kitchen. It's 32 oz and looks like this.)
3. Eliminate my debt
• Still haven't used my credit cards at all and paid some more on my cc/studloans.
• I'm doing better about sticking to my budget, but have had some "budget bogies" come my way lately that I'm still trying to get squared away.

As you can see, not my best week but I can, and will, do better.  One of the things I keep having to remind myself is that this is a journey, not a sprint.  I can be kinda impatient when it comes to see results but I'm learning that just because I don't see improvement now, doesn't mean it isn't happening.  I'm a work in progress, not a finished masterpiece.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

K

GCM

Hi!

Sorry for not getting a between GCMs post up.  I did think about it!  (And it's the thought that counts right?)

Let's check them goals!  

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• Still working on listening, trusting, and obeying. The whole concept of spiritual warfare is becoming more and more apparent/real to me.  But God has definitely directed my attention to several comforting verses in the past week.  (The ones that struck me the most were Rom. 12:12 and Heb. 11:6.  They were pretty much blatant answers from God about how I need to be patient, pray without ceasing, and have faith.)
• God has also been working on my fear of sharing him with some of my friends, for fear that they'll think I'm "that weird Jesus girl".  Because, in all honesty, it's a matter of life and death.
• I'm on day 107 of my reading plan and still a little behind but catching up.
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm up 1 lbs from last GCM but the fact that about half my body is swollen doesn't help.  (Had an allergic reaction to something at some point, and woke up swollen and itchy on Sabbath morning.)  I'm not sure when diet lockdown is going to happen, especially with Thanksgiving coming up, but I'm trying to be more conscious of what I'm eating and how much I'm eating.  (I also need to stop baking these delicious cookies...they are ridiculously addictive!)
• Been eating my salads, broccoli, tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple, and apples.  Yummy!  Also, I LOVE eating oatmeal. :)
• Been working on my daily water intake.  I've already had almost 3/4 a gallon today and it's not even 4 pm!  (This is abnormal for me, and may be due, in part, to the fact that my body is on fire fighting off this allergic reaction.)
3. Eliminate my debt
• Still haven't used my credit cards at all and will be dropping a $250 debt eliminating bomb on my cc/studloans this week.
• I may not pay off that cc after all, just to put more money on the one with the larger amount due that is collecting interest
• I'm doing better about sticking to my budget!

So that's about it as far as my goals are concerned.  I've been doing something new at work.  I think it'll be interesting and possibly lead to what I will do (and enjoy!) for the rest of my life.  But I don't know yet.  It is definitely be a great opportunity to explore another area here.

Now back to eating my (unhealthy, extremely salty) Moe's Monday chips!  Have a good week!

K

Monday... again? GCM!

Hi!

It's Monday again and of course that means it's GCM time.

But, before getting to our "regurlarly scheduled program", I'd like to take some time, on this special Veterans' Day Monday, to thank the brave men and women who have, are, or will serve this country.  Most of us will never truly know of, or understand, the selfless acts of bravery and sacrifice you have performed for your country.  I salute you and thank you for everything you've done for your country.

Now, to the checking of the goals:

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• Getting better at listening and obeying Him.  Followed His direction about which church to go to last Sabbath and was blessed not only by the service, but was "adopted" by a local family after church and had lunch with them.  It was weird how seamlessly I fit right into the family, but I guess that's God's doing, eh?
• Still working on the trusting portion of the relationship.  I keep having to reassure myself that God has my best in mind and that His plans for me are better than I could ever even try to plan for myself.
• I'm on day 102 of my reading plan and a bit behind
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm down 0.4 lbs from last GCM but not really much improvement in that area.  I STILL need to lock down my diet and get back to working out 4-5 days a week.  (I think the Sabbath meals are tipping my scale!  Any weight I lose during the week vanishes on Sunday/Mondays!)
• Bought a variety of fresh veggies and avoided buying cheese! (This is a victory in my eyes, because cheese is sooooo yummy but is a "diet nemesis" and I've become more and more lactose intolerant over the past few years--just ask my family!! lol)
3. Eliminate my debt
• Dropped amount owed by ~$230 and still haven't used my credit cards at all
• I am on my way to paying off one of my credit cards this month (woot!)

All in all, still progressing.  I just need to be patient (which I never am) and realize it's a run not a sprint.  Also, being an adult is expensive!  The "Life Establishment Expenses", or LEEs as I call them, keep piling and ADDING up!  But God has definitely blessed me in that area as well, because what should have cost me several thousands of dollars (~$3000-$5000) has only cost me ~$1000.  He is good and keeps showing me His goodness, even though I definitely don't deserve it.  (Especially when I doubt Him and His plan! Smh at myself!)

Anyway, hope you had a wonderful Monday, dear reader!  I will try to post again before the next GCM.  :)

K

GCM!

It's Monday again and that means it's GCM!

1. Improve my relationship and walk with God
• Keeping the lines of communication open, though I often get distracted when I'm praying.  I don't even know how I get off topic.  My mind just wanders away.
• Chomping at the bit for an answer about something but I just need to be patient, wait and trust that God has my best in mind.
• I'm on day 99 of my reading plan.
2. Lose 50-100 lbs healthily
• I'm down 0.4 lbs from last GCM but not really much improvement in that area.  I need to lock down my diet and get back to working out 4-5 days a week.
• Putting the c25k on hold for a few week.
3. Eliminate my debt
• Dropped amount owed by ~$130 and still haven't used my credit cards at all
• I plan to pay off one of my credit cards this month

Improvement is improvement, even if it's minuscule, right?  But talk is cheap and it's time to get the ball really rolling.  Hour long workouts and vegetables, here I come!

K