Dreaming BIG!

I'm preparing for an upcoming meeting with the iBloom Leadership Team and one of the assignments I'm working through is a dreaming exercise. It has been so much fun, so I thought you might want to join me in DREAMING BIG!

So, here are a few questions to ask yourself...

1) What is your ideal life? Describe a typical day/week/month in detail.

2) If money (or time) wasn't an issue, what you do differently?
Note: I'm working on this for our organization, but you do it for just about anything - your personal life, your family, your career, your service to the community, etc.

3) Now, go back and identify where you are today (in relationship to where you want to be). What is stopping you? What needs to change? Are you willing to commit to the work required to move forward?

To get you inspired:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined." David Thoreau

"God wants the praise for what we do in our lives. But, if we never pray audacious, courageous prayers, how can He answer them? If we never follow Him to positions where we need Him, how can He show up and make His presence known?" iBloom Inspirational Thought of the Day

Victories & Goals for the Week!

Victories from this past week...

• My friend Cher and I started working out - 30-45 minutes of cardio & 30-45 minutes of strength training at least 3X per week.
  
• I kept a daily food diary. I made wiser food choices- staying between 15-25 grams of fat per day.
• I drank LOTS of water. Still not to my goal of 100oz per day, but I'm over halfway there.
• I'm drinking only 1 Diet Pepsi per day! This is HUGE for me!
  
• I stopped procrastinating about cleaning out my car. The trash is gone. Now it's time to work on the trunk, vacuum, and deep clean!
  
• On Sunday, I hiked 3+ miles in Natural Bridge State Park and was MUCH less winded than the last time Jon and I hiked there in March 2009.
• I spent quality time with Jon, Jon's family, and my family.
  
• I was nominated for Coaching Entrepreneur of the Year. Definitely such a HUGE blessing!
• I've lost 7lbs and 18 inches (since 09.28.09)! YAY!

Personal Goals for this Week...

• Attend the Metabolism Retraining Class @ Thin & Healthy tonight!
• Start & Complete the Fast Phase of Thin & Healthy (Tuesday, 10/13-Sunday, 10/18)
• Drink at least 100oz of water per day
  
• Finalize my template daily, weekly, and monthly schedule
• Spend quality time with my small group girls
• Prepare for my trip to Dallas (10/22-10/26)
• Lose at least 6lbs (13lbs since 09.28.09) by 10.31.09
  

My NEW Favorite Sandwich

So, I'm a little addicted to my new favorite sandwich. Basically it's a Chicken, Goat Cheese Melt and it's SO yummy and only 170 calories, 3.75 grams of fat.

Here's what you need...

1) Arnold Select Multi-Grain Sandwich Thins (1 bun)

2) Oscar Meyer Deli Fresh Chicken Breast (6 slices)

3) Alouette Goat Cheese (1 Tb)

Here's what you do...

1) Place the chicken breast slices on one side of the bun
2) Place the goat cheese on the other side of the bun
3) Place both halves on a backing sheet and broil until lightly toasted.

Enjoy!

It's Time...

Last week, I decided that it's time to work on my physical health! I have battled with my weight all of my life, but I've decided that with God's help this is something I'm determined to conquer. Don't get me wrong, I have no desire to have the body of a super model, but I am motivated by honoring God with my whole life, which includes by body.

Over the last few years, I've been challenged by these verses:

"Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (MSG)

So, I've taken several significant steps the last few weeks to work toward honoring God with my body:

1) I joined a Thin & Healthy of Lexington, KY

- A main premise for life coaching is that you assess where you are and determine where you want to be. Well the same was true with Thin & Healthy. I needed to get a clear picture of where I am and where I want to be.

So, in an effort of being completely authentic, here's the ugly truth:

My Current Weight: 209.2 lbs on September 24, 2009

My BIG goal: 165 lbs by February 15, 2010

So, that's 44lbs in 22 weeks, for an average goal of 2lbs per week.

2) I've changed my diet! I'm doing the Thin & Healthy Plan which consists of food menus, a balanced diet, controlled portions, and no more than 20-30 grams of fat per day!

3) I'm moving more! I'm getting back to an exercise routine. I've found a exercise partner and we'll be working out 3 days a week for at least 60 minutes a day. Plus, I've implemented several small things too, like: taking the steps instead of the elevator, parking toward the end of a parking lot rather than right next to the building, etc. If you have other mini suggestions, please share!

4) I'm getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night! This is a HUGE step for me, as I'm typically a night owl! However, I'm choosing to go to bed earlier, so I can start my days earlier.

It's time for me to finally conquer this battle once and for all!

P.S. I just got back from the gym and I've already lost 2.9lbs! YAY!

I'm BACK!

In an effort to share my authentic journey toward living a life of passion, balance, purpose, fulfillment, and significance - I've decided to start blogging again...

I deeply value living a holistic, intentional life.

This life I'm living is not a dress rehearsal for the "real" thing. This is it! This is my one opportunity for an ordinary girl to live an extraordinary life. So, I believe that we're to make choices on how we live life, rather than just going through the motions or being stuck in the mundane rut of life.

As a life coach, I help women look at every aspect of their life (Personal Development, Physical Health, Relationship with Christ, Finances, Relationships, Community Service, etc.).

The goal is to help women...

• Cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ
  
• Live a life they love!
• Live the life God created them to live!
• Leave a legacy!
  

Like many of my clients, I'm on this journey myself. I have a clear understanding of God's unique blueprint for my life (my strengths, weaknesses, personality, talents, skills, gifts, etc.) and my purpose, but I'm always on a journey toward personal development (growing spiritually, becoming physically healthy, living deeply into relationships, etc.) and ultimately becoming the woman God desires me to become!

So, this blog is going to be an authentic look at my journey! It will give you an opportunity to see me just as I am - the good, bad, and ugly!

I hope that you'll join me on this life-changing journey...