This week might well be the secret to your success. Hebrews 12:11 says, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those that have been trained by it."
What I am challenging us to do this week is to resolve to change--to do/think/talk/eat different than we've ever done before--by making our "yes" be a "yes" in each of our 3 areas: money, calories and time.
I often tell college kids that they can't make a decision in the heat of the moment. I'm pretty sure that temptation will get the best of them, but if they will make heart-felt decisions in advance, they will have great success in staring down their tempter! I also tell them that "trying" is not the same as saying, "I will not."
This is the week (before we're barraged by choices) to become even more intentional about what we really want to accomplish.
Over the next few days, (and I'm guessing you've been thinking about these things already) prayerfully consider THEN POST what you will or will not do when it comes to money, calories and time during this holiday season (the accountability will be incredibly helpful because others are watching and rooting for you). For example, you might say, "I will not be impulsive and buy a gift that wasn't on my list" (that alone can cost $100 dollars)! Or I will eat breakfast everyday, even when I'm running late. Or I will plan my QT one day in advance for the next 77 days...to be sure that the KING gets all of me every day (no snooze buttons, etc.). Or I won't overcommit to more than...
I love the discussion we're having and the camaraderie that is developing between us. Let's keep encouraging each other!
Becky
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I figured the earlier I wrote them down, then I couldn't procrastinate and not do them.
ReplyDeleteThings I will or won't do during these next 11 weeks:
1)Calories-I will exercise 5x/week and I won't drink but 1 Coke per week. I am also not going to eat any more candy corn.
2)Time-I will get up at 5:30am (ouch) each morning to be with the Lord. I will not go to an event or party that I don't want to go but simply can't say no and disappoint someone.
3)I will stick to the budget/limit I have set for each person. I will not allow a sale or great deal to tempt me with this.
There! It's out there, so I'll get to work. The candy corn just might be the hardest part!!
Carey
I Have set three goals for these next 11 weeks.
ReplyDelete1> Calories- I have joined weight watchers and I am going to follow it everday and write down everything I eat.
2> Time- I have been praying everyday but some days is less time than others. I am committing to 1/2 hour everyday. Monday - Friday I am gettting up at 4:30 am to pray and on Saturday and Sunday I am praying as soon as I wake up the 1st 30 minutes.
3> Money- I am not spending any more money than the money that I saved in my christmas club this year I am actually going to try to spend less and save some of that money.
These are my goals.
Needed to post this week:
ReplyDeleteJust got done reading all the blog postings about food and our goals.
so I need to ADD:
I will post on the blog when I am getting week. Today, I had a very hard time going for a walk because my friend who I have been walking with sence School started strained her foot. She needed some prayer.
So I just wanted to report that I have walked and realy enjoyed being ALONE. It gave me some time to think about just how real am I being and what do peole who see me every day think of me. My Kids and others who see me everyday. Just thinking outloud. When I was gone on a short VAC someone else drove my BUS and they took down all my prayers. I was a little mad and then I realized that I will just put all my prayers back up and say them outloud like I always have. LIKE: BLES this bus LOrd. and Help me say the right words when talking to all the kids.AMEN
On the way home yesterday I one of the young ladies who rides my Bus told me that her parents were splitting up. I am very very conserned and sad about this newes. Woundering If I should write her a note. Can you pray for Her and her bro. I have known this family sence we moved to this town and I just love these kids. Their grandparents lived next door to us for three years and called my kids the GOONES. We all play out in the street and didn't know why they stoped coming down to our street any more. Now I know.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the PRAYers for them.
I am going to the PRAYER WALL in
ReplyDeleteCOl. Springs tomorrow. I need to remember to put a prayer in the wall for this Family.
Mickey, Praying you can be used by God to help this family and these children.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura.
In thinking about this week's assignment, and last week's I think I just need to stay on the same path.
ReplyDeleteI need to take way better care of myself, so eating breakfast and lunch is a good 'must' for me.
I'm reading the CYL Bible, just Psalm and Proverb right now, and must make more time for the prayer. The reading is always easier for me than the praying. Still working on getting my notes into my CYL journal and off bits of paper, or out of church sermon notebooks etc. A must is putting them in one place where I can review.
Money wise, we have been having some very bad times. But I've found some good 'work at home' ideas and am pursuing them. It would be a huge help to our income to make some supplemental money and also remain at home, so I can tend to the businesses. I'm also looking for ways to cut expenses.
I am trusting God to supply these needs. And doing lots of praying about them as well.
Good to see so many posts here!
blessings.
I am thinking of this weeks assignment and last weeks. I have been muddling my way through each day since I went back to work full time a couple of years ago. My children are college and high school age. Now I have filled up my time and a MUST NOT say yes to every function that comes along. I must let others step in and volunteer also. A MUST for us to work as a family to get through the Chirstmas season is we are going to make home made gifts instead of running out and buying what we hoped would be a $10 gift but turned in a $20 or more gift. This should bring us some time spent together as a family which is running out since the last two at home are 17 and 15. A MUST for my quiet time with God is to continue in CYL Bible and journaling. I will get up at 5AM and spend at least 1 hour with my Lord. On weekends, which seems to be my weak spot, I WILL get in 30 minutes of Bible reading and journaling. I MUST NOT give in to my temptations of justifying eating sweets because I exercised. I will be depending on the Holy Spirit to enable me to get through this season doing what God has planned for me. Blessings on everyones week!
ReplyDeleteKeep the MUSTS and WONT's list coming--as you will find, a written commitment is less easily discarded or ignored. You can do this--remember the goal: a peaceful, holy Christmas season (not full of guilt, busyness, shame or regrets).
ReplyDeleteBecky
PS Just a reminder: Hit "Post Comment" twice--the first time it will not process, the second time (for some UNKNOWN reason, it will)!
A list of Musts and Wont's
ReplyDeleteMoney: I will discuss with my husband what we can spend this year and talk with our kids about keeping the amounts spent within our budget. We will come up with a plan of gifts that uses our talents more than our money.
Calories: I will be following the Jenny Craig plan for 3 days a week and every morning. The other 4 days I will be eat 1200 calories that are well balanced. I have chosen a few fast food items that fit into the food plan, less than 300 cal. per meal and will choose those when I am not able to make a meal to take with me for lunch. I will also ask myself when I am tempted to overeat, will this food help me reach my goals and glorify God?
Time: I will spend time with God in the morning during my morning walk and at lunch time, my quite time. I will memorize 2 verses a week. I will be studying Hebrews for the next 8 weeks and journal my insights and what God reveals to me. The last 3 weeks I will read Luke.
Work time: I will start at 8:00 and finish at 4:30. I will finish my paper work for that day on that day. If I need help I will ask for help. This is not easy for me.
This week I have exercised more and have a support group to workout with. My time has been less stressed and I am feeling more rested.
Diane
Musts and Won'ts:
ReplyDeleteExercise and eating:
1) Must work out 3x a week at the gym; 2 additional 3-4 mile runs/week
2) Won't touch Halloween candy
3) Must shop for groceries for the week on the preceding weekend so I'm prepared with good choices.
4) Must do a Turkey trot Thanksgiving morning
Time with God:
1) Must schedule time the day before for the next day's QT.
2) Won't go to bed w/o spending time.
Money:
1) Must make a list of people & gifts and compare prices online
2) Must auto transfer 2x a month into the Holiday Fund which corresponds to matching the budget set
3) Must track all gift expenditures
4) Won't buy for anyone not on my list.
Two things that people have shared have encouraged me this week - 1) Lorraine said "I MUST NOT give in to my temptations of justifying eating sweets because I exercised." I rationalize trade offs all too often - thank you for saying that - because in the latter half of this quarter when I'm not on a specific eating program and am just counting calories - I will need to remember that; & 2) Diane - "This week I have exercised more and have a support group to workout with. My time has been less stressed and I am feeling more rested." I ran a half marathon on Sunday with 2 friends -and I couldn't have gotten through all the training without a running partner. Support is key - having a goal in front of me is key. And I'm amazed that even with carving out an hour a day with the Lord, and training for the race - my days are full but I have energy and am "more on top of things" than I was before I was doing all that. God it good! And I'm encouraged that we struggle and are blessed in similar ways.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading all your comments. I need support. I am hugely overweight due to health issues. I lost 14 lbs. last month. Need to make lifestyle changes. Becky, I have been reading your books for years, have always wanted to be in a Change Your Life group, but I can't start it because of the health issues. I am praying that it will happen with the new year.
ReplyDeleteMy list:
I will tithe 10% of all monies I make.
I will make a list/budget for Christmas and stick to it.
I will pray before spending money anywhere from the grocery store to the mall.
I will work out 150 minutes a week.
I will pray before I eat.
I will almost eliminate fast food and sweets from my diet.
I will seek first the Kingdom of God by spending at least 1 hour daily with my Beloved,and all these things shall be added unto me.
I will not buy impulsively and will leave my checkbook at home.
I will not have seconds.
I will not overcommit myself, but will learn to say no and to not volunteer for things.
Carey, how are you doing with not eating candy corn? The first bag someone gave me I had a handful, then threw it out. The second bag stayed in the house all weekend when the kids were home from college. I would take some every once in awhile, I have no control over candy corn. Then after they left I threw out the rest of the bag. Last night I went to get some and I would have had some, but the bag was GONE - yea. So, I need to realize , I just cant have the temptation available or I will fall. I will be hoping for you that you can stay strong! Let us know how you are doing.
ReplyDeleteHi there. I am finally posting. Everyone has been such a huge inspiration to me. I have read all of your posts and have gotten so many great ideas. So thanks!
ReplyDeleteTime- I will spend time with our Heavenly Father every morning from 5am-6am. I will continue reading the CYL Bible and journaling.
Calories- I will continue to eat veggies with LF proteins, yogurt, nuts and fruit. I will continue to exercise at least 4 days a week for 1 hour. This is sooooo hard for me but I am making the commitment right now to STOP diet soda and to STOP all fast food drive thrus. I will be saving $50.00+ per month. I will need lots of prayers because I have really become addicted to diet soda and I know it is so bad for me and very costley.
Money- I will not impulsively buy anything. I will make a list and stick to it. I will stick to our budget of $400. I will have a Christmas money envelope with our $400 inside and use just that. No checks No credit cards.
Be ready for OPPOSITION! Not 24 hours after I committed our finances to the Lord I received a call from my favorite sewing store that the machine I have been eyeing for a long time was put on a special financing deal....Oh man alive, so tempted, sooo tempted to finance for 4 years. I must not add to our debt, we are eliminating debt. So tempted, but stood firm on THE ROCK. I will be making more Christmas gifts this year, writing more letters, and cutting out the clutter of too many activities. Need to talk to my husband about our tithing...he is not a believer and this is a really tough subject. Please pray.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I must sit down and plan ahead for each week in advance, plan my daily quiet time one day in advance, and continue to review and plan daily. Planning is my key to success. Mornings free except Wed - must guard this time for the Lord.
I will go outside and work in the garden weather permitting to burn calories and save money (landscaping work). I will work out daily by walking/running dog, and doing15 - 20 min exercise TV. One day a week for no exercise is optional - outside every day no matter the weather. I will review coupons and flyers before going to the grocery store. I will shop Costco more frequently for better deals. Be intentional when cooking, double recipes now and freeze for later.
I will stay away from baked goods at home, and minimal intake when I am out with friends/family. Eat fresh is my motto, no artificial nothing if at all possible. Minimal caffeine, vitamins set out daily. Increase water/herbal tea intake. And, wine intake minimal - only on holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years).
My key to all of this is planning ahead - I already feel more organized because I am forced to think ahead this year due to Becky. I have never thought about the holidays this far in advance and it is liberating! I know it will be better this year! Thank you!
Also, want to share about a book I have heard good things about for those who are serious about changing their eating/exercise habits for life: "GettinginshapeGodsway.com" gets to the root of the problem of why we overeat etc. Bad root produces bad fruit. Really motivating - check out the website.
Thank you all for the support!
I must not eat more than 1 sweet treat per day.
ReplyDeleteI must spend time with God daily.
I must chart the money I spend on gifts, after making a list of people to give to.