Absolute.

  “I’m big-boned.” I used to say this.  I don’t know when or where I learned this phrase, but I know I didn’t use it when I was kid.  I never heard a medical professional describe me as big-boned.  But as I became unhappy with my weight and appearance, this phrase became something that I kept repeating. In truth, I’m not big-boned.  Maybe you are.  But that’s not the point. Our skeletal mass accounts for 12-15% of our total body mass.  Being big-boned adds an extra 5 to 10 pounds.  (that's all) Not only that, but think about it...  Being big-boned shows up in an x-ray, not a traditional photo. You can keep describing yourself as big-boned.  You CAN keep pointing to something that you cannot change and use it to console yourself about your health.  OR you can start focusing on the things that you can control - your diet, your lifestyle, your mental & emotional health. I described myself as big-boned more times...

 Two weeks ago, I lost 2 pounds and hit a huge milestone.  These 2 pounds made me the lightest I have ever been in my adult life.  I am 34 years old, and I am the lightest I have ever been, the strongest I have ever been, and the fastest I have ever been. For a lot of reasons, I did not think this weight was even a possibility for me.   Based on my lightest weight in Minnesota, current muscle mass, and some other variables- I thought my weight would plateau at 145 pounds.   I was in disbelief as I approached my previous lightest weight and am still struggling to believe that I have broken that threshold as well.   This is data and numbers but my perception is still incredibly emotionally driven.   It is facts, but still the reality of it is so allusive to me. Before this year of discipline, I would look at women in good physical shape and I would admire them because I knew they were working harder than me to look like that.   I really had NO ...

  As many readers know, my word of the year for 2023 (and 2022 lol) is Discipline.   The month of May brought several milestones for me in my pursuit of discipline, but one stood out above the rest.   It was a perfect month for me in that I prayed and worked out six days a week for the entire month.   In reflection, I am still a little amazed that it happened.   I cannot recall another month, ever in my life, that I have brought this level of consistency.   Adding to the amazement, May was also likely the busiest month I have seen this calendar year (we had two seniors graduating from two different schools).   Some of you are likely very put off by this because it sounds impractical.   But a few of you are wondering, “How did she do it?” “What’s the secret?”   Sorry to disappoint, but there is no secret.   There was no moment at the beginning of the month where I made a proclamation that this would be a perfect month.   There was ...

 I know, a “normal” person does an MOY at the end of June, but the long-time readers know- my calendar revolves around Christmas and my Birthday.  In the wake of my birthday, I am writing a little update on my Word-of-the-Year.  I have been working to improve the discipline in my life for a couple of years now and I reflect in amazement about how far I have come.   I knew God was prompting me to grow in this area, but I am thankful that He did not reveal to me how far this would go.   Had God told me then what my life would look like now, I likely would have been paralyzed with intimidation.   I am grateful that it was just open-ended encouragement to get more disciplined.   With my pursuit of discipline and desire to incorporate some more highly disciplined people into my life, I joined a gym at the end of January.   This is the first time ever in my life that I have paid for a gym membership.   Historically, I have always told myself t...

We are in a sweet, sweet season with the kids right now.   One of the twins made straight A’s for 5 th six weeks and the other made A-B honor roll for the entire first semester.   All 3 kids have jobs.   All 3 have their licenses. 2 of them have purchased their own cars.   2 of them are in the process of talking to college coaches and hoping to attend college in the fall.   They are coming to the place where they treasure the opportunity for all 5 of us to gather around the dinner table and they value family time.   Both girls are coming to me and Matt with stories and wanting us to be a part of their lives.   They are independently setting their own technology boundaries.   I thought I was going to write a whole blog post about how good they are doing right now, but this blog isn’t supposed to be a highlight reel.   I didn’t write a blog post about all of the hard days that led up to this.   I didn’t write about the drama and tears she...

I am not a super trendy person. I do not do a “word of the year” every year.  I only commit to a word of the year when I feel prompted by God to focus that heavily on one thing.  My word of the year is Discipline.   Those of you who consistently read my blog, may be a little confused.   Yes… That was my word of the year last year for 2022, and it is once again my word of the year for 2023.   I can’t help but laugh when I think about my word of the year being on repeat.   It serves as strong evidence to me of God’s patience, and His sense of humor.   It is also a very tangible reminder to me that God has high standards.   I did grow in discipline in 2022, and yet this is an area where God is clearly telling me to keep striving.   I am not at a place where I am discouraged by this or feel like I am not measuring up.   Instead, it brings me comfort that my high standards for myself and the people around me are an inherited trait.  ...

 So, the word of the year thing is very trendy and I think I have only jumped on this band wagon once or twice in the past.  I’m not very good at it. Made obvious by the fact that I don’t remember any past words of the year with confidence and that I’m not even solidifying my word of the year until February…nuance.   Anyways, I have received and committed to my word of the year- “DISCIPLINE”.   Some of you that know me well might be a little confused by this (as was I).  I am already a pretty disciplined person. Significantly more disciplined than most, and very comfortable with that.  I have not drank a drop of alcohol in 4 years and haven’t consumed any sweets for about 3 and a half years.  I eat well.  I work out multiple times a week. We have 1 TV in the house, and I barely watch it.  I rarely lose track of time swiping on social media.  Discipline permeates pretty much every area of my life. So when God hit me with this discip...

I have been writing but I have not been posting anything for lots of reasons. To name a few... Life has been CRAZY! See details below. I have barely had time to process things for myself, much less process them to the point of writing and sharing. Yes, as many of you likely suspected, we’ve been going through some struggles. Some things in my life have been so good, I didn’t want to give anyone else the opportunity to sour it with passive-aggressive comments, criticism, etc. We’re walking in God’s faithfulness in the most important area to me and I know He’s not done yet.   I do not know how to celebrate this publicly without making the rest awkward.   Reflecting on Year 32 Since moving to Texas, Matt’s job title has changed twice.   My job has officially stayed the same, but teaching during these “unprecedented times” has me feeling like my job has changed WAY more times than his.   We’ve gone from a part-time marriage (barely seeing each other due to his trav...

Since the beginning of our relationship, my husband and I have always celebrated Valentine’s Day on February 15 th .   This a tradition that I stole from my Grandpa and that Matt has been more than happy to participate in because he says that this another holiday fabricated by greeting card companies.   Why did my grandpa wait one day? Because everything is half price.   My grandpa would save a penny anywhere he could, and this was one of his many strategies.   Growing up, I always thought I would marry somebody like my stepdad.   Big and strong stature, boots and jeans every day, and can fix anything type of guy.   My stepdad is a GREAT guy and I would have been lucky to marry somebody like him, but I didn’t.   I married somebody like my grandpa.   Yes, they both love to save money, but that is not the only way that Matt reminds me of my grandpa.   There are other practical things too- they have similar builds and statures.   My g...