My word was Joy. (at the onset of January 2013)

I really feel like it should be “state of flux” or constant transformation.

My paradigm is getting turned upside down.  At times it is painful.  Literally.  And other times, radically freeing.

First it was hCG

I was pretty open about my hCG journey.  Well, the hCG portion of my journey was easy, compared to managing life and weight loss on my own.  The hCG was like living on the Biggest Loser ranch.  What I ate was predictable.  There were STRICK rules.  I didn’t have to exercise.  I was encouraged to drink coffee. 

I thrived in this arena of legalism.  Is anyone else like that?

But you can’t live off of hCG.  A pregnant woman is blessed – she has this wonderful hormone for 9 months.  I artificially implanted it in myself for 40 days.  (I know, I grossed so many of you out during my journey.) 

Less Fat = More Effective

But that journey – life changing.  It was the BEST thing I have done to become more effective for Christ.

I had no idea what I had been missing out on.  I had no idea the fear I had when exercising – wondering what would happen if I fell.  I enjoy my children embracing me now.  I feel confident before the Engineer.  I can run.  Kind of. 

Exercising doesn’t feel like I am moving a stack of bricks attached to the soles of my shoes. 

Freedom. 

The Annoying Alarm Clock on my Phone

So my Bible study couldn’t have started at a better time.  Breaking Free.  Girlfriend – these old chains of bondage are crumbling. 

I’ve had several sweet private emails from many of you journaling your story.  And my heart breaks for you – and resonates.  I know your story.  While I have not lived your life, I have shed similar tears and felt those same fears and insecurities.

So, I’m going to go out on a limb.  I’m going to give you time to think about it. 

But I WANT You

I have found a few things that work —

• whether or not I want to get up – I get up to have a quiet time (or a Present Time as Claire Diaz-Ortiz would say) doing Breaking Free by Beth Moore and reading 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker.  I indulge in a homemade mocha or chai.  The splurge of the day, so long as I workout.
• I eat well, but I’m not following crazy rules.  While I don’t like the name, I have been eating Paleo style, though I call it the Adam and Eve After the Garden Diet.  {ahem}  Basically, we are talking Maker’s Diet . . . but simplified.  Meat, fruit, veggies, nuts.  My main cookbook these days is called Well Fed.  It is glorious.  I feel like we are at a restaurant every night.
• I’m working out – get this – regularly.  I’m supposed to be training for a mini-marathon.  What on earth was I thinking when I agreed to this?  I’m 36.  I have nothing to prove.  I’ve already run this blasted thing 3 times in my teens and twenties.  But alas I have paid the outrageous price for this event and must follow through.  However, I have discovered that I have NO muscle tone or core to sustain the energy to preserver through my workouts.  So I am doing Les Mills Pump from Beach Body.  (If you will recall, I love P90X . . . but I’m 36 now – did I mention that?)

But I Want YOU to Join Me

The only reason I have started doing what I do consistently is because someone asked me.  They asked me.  They asked me to join them. (Thanks Kay!)

I’m asking you.

Do you want to continue to live in fear?  Do you really always want to stay home while the Hubby and kids go out to play?  Do you really want to just keep watching life from the side lines?  Do you REALLY want to be slave to that food?  Contemplating your next meal?  Condemning yourself because you skipped your quiet time and you know you should work out?

Yes.  I am asking you to shell out money. 

Why?

Because if there isn’t a cost involved for me – a cost that hurts.  I don’t do it.  Go ahead, analyze my thinking.  I just know that is how I work. 

I’m giving you until March to think about this . . . but come March those of you who are on board – I’m all yours.  I’m here to mentor you.  I’m here to be your biggest cheerleader.  I want to help you break free – because girlfriend . . . the other side is gloriously beautiful and gradually freeing. 

What Do You Need to Do?

• Pray.  Is God calling you to this?  You are NOT to join me if this causes friction with your spouse or it will cause you to go into debt. 
• Order Les Mills Pump from my Beach Body website
• Get a copy of Breaking Free (updated edition) by Beth Moore
• From the library read Eat Fat, Lose Fat by Sally Fallon, The Maker’s Diet by Jordan Rubin, or snag I Quit Sugar book by Sarah Wilson. 
• Let me know you want to be mentored.

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