Getting back on track

I wish I could go back about a month or so ago and give myself a good shake, tell myself to breathe, and not start my stress eating. My doctor was not concerned about my sudden and big weight gain, stating that 90% of people gain weight with stress. I'm obviously "normal" and hopeful that food will fill that spot deep down where all my stress and anxiety live... unfortunately, it seems that the more I feed this empty spot, the larger I get which creates more stress. You'd think our bodies (and minds) would be wise enough to know that this strategy is fruitless, I guess the 10% of the population that lose weight with stress have it figured out!?

So I've been struggling with where to start? I tried jumping into the 21 Day Fix Extreme but it was too overwhelming and challenging with us going back and forth to Sioux Falls the past couple days. I also thought of doing the 3 Day Refresh. I'm taking the advise of my husband, and thinking about how I've been successful in the past. The greatest thing that has helped me is Weight Watchers, YMCA classes, and doing the 3 Day Refresh every three months or so.

I had given up on Weight Watchers since I'm moving and am unable to commit the time to helping/ working for the organization. I do, however, need to make the time and get back to meetings and recommit to myself and using the resources they have for members. I will be calling corporate today to get all my technology stuff sorted out and will be at the meeting bright and early Saturday morning.

I also will be rebooting with the 3 Day Refresh and re-commitment to Myfitnesspal.com as well as the 21 Day Fix Extreme videos & getting back into running (mostly because I will be gone so much the next few weeks that I am unable to go to or teach classes at the Y).

The number one thing that I am going to commit to, above all other things, is making time for meaningful prayer and meditation. With the stress of trying to sell/ buy a house, start a new job, and move to a new community, I need that extra time to organize my thoughts, regroup, destress, and allow God to be in charge... all of which is extremely difficult for me.

I posted my favorite prayer at the bottom and here are links to other's blogs about finding time for prayer or prayer for tough times:
Setting up a New Quiet Time Routine
15-bible-verses-for-trusting-god-in-tough-times/
How to pray everyday
How to Pray When Too Busy

Sometimes you need to be quiet and listen.

My head has been spinning for the past week trying to decide where to go next on this journey for a new me. As noted earlier, I did the Refresh through beach body and had success. I believe that success would have stuck had I not been starting back to school that week (I know, excuses, excuses) and I have greatly appreciated the support that I have been getting from various beach body coaches (thank you Chanelle and Megan)! This has put me into a sticky situation, do I continue on with my beloved Weight Watchers which helped me to shed 20 pounds from January through May (and then to maintain since I was only faithful to it about 50% of the time this summer) or do I start on a new journey with beach body?

I have a little anecdote that I believe was God answering my question (yes, I believe God talks to me but that sometimes I have a difficult time listening). Today was a jam packed day of fun and anxiety and with my husband on the road I decided to take the kids on a walk tonight to get some kind of activity into my day. Within the first block, Cooper had fallen off his scooter and skinned his knee and then again in the next two blocks. He would get upset, brush it off and keep on going. I also had Miss Natalie wanting to get out of her stroller to go and play. Needless to say, it was a true sense of patience. When we returned home I put the kids to bed and was rocking Natalie and thinking about the saying that if you pray for patience you will receive opportunities to learn patience. In that instance, it hit me, I have been thinking about what I need to do next to progress in my fitness journey when those opportunities have already been presented to me. I have support groups (Weight Watchers and the beach body support groups), I know what I need to do but haven't been fully committing and then been frustrated that nothing is happening. 

So what is my plan?!? I am going to dedicate the entire month of September to my first support group, Weight Watchers. The encouragement that I have received from Ona's meetings and other members stories are what got me to where I am. I need to recommit and follow through EVERY DAY!!! Not just in the morning or just Monday through Thursday... but I am pledging here and now that I will be sticking to my 26 points EVERY SINGLE DAY for the rest of September. I will record it all and see how my body responds. Since I do work out quite a bit I will add in more protein and, possibly, protein shakes such as the shakeology shakes BUT I will also track them on the WW website and myfitnesspal.com. I am going to give it my all and if I still do not see any progress, I will reassess my options to achieving my goals. 

I will also be obtaining my certifications this month to teach step aerobics, yoga, and cycling. This may provide opportunities to make a little extra income while working out (always a positive) and then some extra spending money for more clothes, fitness clothes, and home decorations! ;)