fear and faith

Wanted to keep it short and sweet today. Think about all your fears and allow your faith to overcome those fears. Give your fears up to God and He will take care of the rest. :)

xoxo,
Toni

what do you want most?

I had to remember this quote this morning as I wanted so badly to hit the snooze button and go back to bed rather than wake up and workout. Thankfully, I thought about what I want in the future rather than wanting to sleep in the moment and worked out.


It's not easy! It is truly a struggle to get up and get moving. But with the Lord's help, I was able to do it. In case some of you are wondering, here is my weekly workout schedule...

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: I do the Bridalicious Bootcamp DVDs (yes, funny name, I know, but it sure makes you sore the next day.)

Tuesday, Thursday: I do my 2.15 mile run/jog

So overall, I am working out 5 times a week. That is a lot for me, but I am really determined to keep going and get toned for my sister's wedding.

Fight that urge to sleep in or watch TV instead of working out. Release that inner lion and fight your flesh and for what you want.

Now, I did not take pictures, but in case you are wondering about my eats for the day, here they are in list form...

Breakfast: chocolate chip pancakes with sugar free syrup
Morning Snack: Chai Latte
Lunch: turkey burger, broccoli, light cheese
Afternoon Snack: mixed berry cereal crunch
Dinner: smore crunch bar
Dessert: peanut butter milkshake (pb soft serve blended with water and ice)

So there you ahve it! Remember what you really want for your future. Question your eating habits...is this going to get you where you want to be? If not, then don't do it. Simple as that.

xoxo,
Toni

PS...Don't forget! This blog is moving to an official website on Friday, February 14!!!

second chances

So I wanted to share another devotional with you guys today. My health coach sent it to me this morning and I think you will all benefit from it as well.

Because I am not posting pictures of everything I eat, let me just assure you that I stayed 100% on plan today. By the grace of God, I am easing back quite well.

So without further ado...here is that devo. Really read and meditate on it. Open your heart to all that the Lord is trying to tell you.

A Second Chance

“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 117:2

God is good and He is a God of many chances. Not just one or two, but He gives us chance after chance in life to get it right, to say “yes” to Him, to obey Him, and to go all out in serving Him. In life, we sometimes hit rock bottom, reach our lowest, lose it all, face death’s door, but God in His great love and mercy, delivers us and gives us a second chance. How grateful we are. How loved we feel. We then spend every waking moment doing what matters to Him. It is those who receive a second chance in life that live most determined. They know what it feels like to be lost and now found. They know what it’s like to be sick and now healed. They know what it’s like to be in darkness and now flooded with the light of God’s word. They know what it’s like to be bound by the devil and now completely free. They are usually the ones that shout the hardest and praise the loudest. Don’t waste the second chance God has given you. Live the life you were born to live. Fulfill the purpose God created you to fulfill. He doesn’t stop death in its tracks for you to just sit down and do nothing. He doesn’t deliver you only for you to return to how you used to live in the past. Walk in newness of live and make the second chance He has given you mean something great.

Prayer: Father God, if it wasn’t for You, I wouldn’t be here. You have shown Yourself to be faithful to me and I am beyond thankful. Help me to make the most of the second chance You have given me. Help me to stay on the path You have laid before me and not go to the left or right, but continue on the straight path. Help me always remember what You have done for me and continue to give You the glory. Be glorified in me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

xoxo,
Toni

mortify the flesh

sunset on Friday night in Twin Peaks, California

Today is going to be a post of just me pouring out my heart to you all. But first, I have some confessions to tell you guys.

For the past two weeks or so, I have not been fully 100% on the plan. Sure, I still have good days, but there were times when I ate a not so lean and green meal or ate snacks that were not on plan.

But apart from feeling like I was in a rut food-wise, I felt this way in a spiritual sense as well. My walk with the Lord has just remained the same and I haven't been growing much. It has been like a routine in my life...I go to work, go to church, and go home...day after day.

I knew what was happening in my life was not okay, but I still seemed to fall back and allow my flesh to overrule my spirit. With this in my mind and burden in my heart, I left on Friday morning to attend a camp with my college Bible study group asking the Lord to reveal Himself and show me what to do and how I can further my walk with Him.

And boy oh boy did God answer my prayers...He is faithful like that.

For starters someone mentioned a verse to me a couple months ago, and I never looked it up, just wrote it down on my phone. Well...on Friday night the Lord spoke to me, "hey...you remember that one verse? Go look it up..." Okay, Lord, I responded. This is the verse...

The Lord will guide you continually,
And satisfy your soul in drought,
And strengthen your bones;
You shall be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

-Isaiah 58:11

This verse was such an answer to pray. And as the weekend went on, a friend of mine shared a verse with me (1 Timothy 4:12) and that very night, our pastor repeated that verse to all of us...I think the Lord was trying to tell me something. This kind of thing happened multiple times throughout the weekend. 

About half the group eating and having a beautiful time of fellowship and sharing what the Lord has been teaching them.

Then to top it all off, the devotion from Pastor Chuck's, Wisdom for Today Devotional this morning was all about mortifying our flesh. I was blown away and knew I just had to share it with you all...

So good, right? Such a great reminder to us all...whether our issue is with food and eating or watching TV...it is all our flesh. Kill that sin and feed your spirit. Get rid of those idols in your life and focus on the Lord. Trust me...He will do so much more good in your life than a doughnut ever can.

xoxo,

Toni

12 week transformation...day twenty-five

Fun and random post today!

So Tuesday was my very last orthodontist appointment! It has been a three year process dealing with braces and my retainer....but I am finally done! And just for fun, here is a before and after picture of my teeth. Look at my face and my neck too! I have changed in a good way since three years ago. :)

This just goes to show that if you stick with something, you will see results. You may not see them everyday, but overtime, you will notice those small changes.

Workout
I did my run early this morning, since I am going to be busy after work. I won't lie...it's really hard to get up and actually start running. It took me a while to wake up and stretch out, but about five minutes into the run (or really jog) I felt pretty good. It was quite cold this morning, so that helped to wake me up too. It's actually kind of fun running in the morning...makes you feel pretty energized for the rest of the day.


Breakfast
Nothing too exciting for breakfast this morning. Made a french vanilla shake and took it with me to work. Boring...I know.

Morning Snack
I just love calorie burn cappuccinos!!! I loved every sip this morning...totally hit the spot on this cold and gloomy morning...which I totally love! Finally having somewhat of a winter!

Lunch
I enjoyed yesterday's lunch so much, I made it again! Had another turkey burger with cheese and broccoli on the side. Delish! I wish I could show you...but I was just so hungry I completely forgot to snap a pic.

Afternoon Snack
Had some cinnamon pretzel bites this afternoon...haven't had these in quite some time. I am glad I reordered them! These are pretty good!

Dinner
For dinner I made a mud pie shake...or really just a chocolate chip cookie shake packet blended with some instant coffee, ice, and water. Ah-ma-zing. So amazing...that I forgot to take a picture...again.

Dessert
To finish off the night, I ate a smores crunch bar. Perfect ending to quite a busy day.

I am off to a weekend camping trip with my college group from my church, so no blog posts until Monday. But I hope and pray you have a beautiful and blessed weekend. Remember, to keep your eyes on the Lord!

xoxo,
Toni