True Beauty

Girls!

I was listening to Family Life Today yesterday and today and guess what the programs were on? True Beauty. These episodes are worth the time: http://www.familylife.com/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dnJHKLNnFoG&b=3789887&ct=7323137

Enjoy!
Active Singer

Inside and Out!

I have not written in over week...how time has flown! I hope someone else out there is doing this new system with me, so I'm not the only one! I have much to talk about, but first I'd like to explain why I have not written earlier. The first is that school began and was quite stressful the first week. Isn't school fun, though? I so enjoy learning, though at times school does drag.

The second reason for my not writing earlier was an e-mail I received last week from a very good friend of mine. She raised questions and concerns about my blog and its message that made me stop and think about what I wanted you all to take away from this little corner. In my last posting, I told about my walk with Sean in Annapolis and how I commented on all the thin women in that section of town. He replied, "They're disgusting." Let me clarify: he, nor I, ever have believed that thin-ness is "disgusting." Sean was speaking of the whole situation which started with my comments (quite admiring comments) of the thin-ness. He is disgusted by the culture that slames "thin-ness is the only happy way" and "only thin-ness is beauty" in our faces. I do recognize that many in the media realize this and its consequences and are changing their campaigns and such. For those women, though, that have been raised in this culture, a sudden turn of the head is not easy. However, I truly believe it is quite possible. The Lord made us in His own image and never desired that His daughters dislike, be ashamed of, or even despise their bodies.

I hope I have not implied that outward appearance isn't important. All women have a natural desire to feel beautiful, I certainly have one. We women have been made this way. Remember, though, that your body is absolutely going to die. There is not one of our bodies that will live forever. Therefore, strengthen and exercise Your spirit, for it is of the utmost importance. Eat spiritual food that will make you grow.

We have been made with a desire to be beautiful, inside and out. The Lord has given us a spirit and a body and desires that we feed, exercise, and take care of both. If I felt that outward appearance was not imporant, I wouldn't be writing on this blog and I wouldn't be taking this challenge. To be honest, girls, I believe that spiritual and bodily exercise and diet are intertwined. I have much to say on this and will write it next time.

I have been tempted by donuts (which I never eat anyway), muffins, granola cereal, pineapple upside down cake, craisins...and have been able to hold back. My desire for these sugars has decreased. There is a bag of unopened craisins downstairs that I'm still amazed I've been to keep my hands off of! :) The true test will come when my long performance weeks hit with late-night rehearsals and performances. Some of my friends at school are able to take in high-sugars late at night and encourage others to do the same. But I cannot, cannot give in. And you can't either!

I have definitely been feeling more energetic lately during the late afternoons. I believe this is the combination of daily exercise, low sugar, and lots of prayer. My foot is just about ready to run on again...perhaps a week away!

If there's anyone reading this: I have a question for you. Please comment. Do you think there is a link between the spirit and body, their exercise and diet? Perhaps when one's heart is not in place, the person begins not caring about the body? How so?

Please comment.

I will write sooner rather than later.

Active Singer

Masterpieces!

Third day is done and, believe it or not, I have had some troubles already.

On Saturday my foot started creaking a bit more, so I absolutely would not run and I didn't have time to go to the gym that morning as my day was packed. But I knew that, to keep up with my challenge, I must exercise at least for 30 min. So, I got on my elliptical trainer for 5 minutes and then did some aerobic exercises.

This morning I realized that, for my own health, I must have more VitC and more fruit (just at this time). So, I stocked up on apples this morning along with my daily eggs. Usually my breakfasts consist of two eggs with mushroom and spinach in it, a piece or two of turkey bacon, a hot green veggie (usually spinach, broccoli, green beans, or asparagus) and a sugar: some hot chocolate. I can't have pancakes or waffles or anything like that, unless I wanted my big meal to be the first one of the day.

Cucumber is, to me, one of the most special vegetables out there. It's full of water and has an excellent, light taste. It's easy to cut up, bag, and take to school. Yum! One can easily spice up the taste with just a little pepper. I'm looking forward to taking lots of cucumber with me to school this semester.

I slipped majorly this past weekend while walking around downtown Annapolis with my man, Sean, who I visited for the day. I just commented on all the skinny women that were walking on the boardwalk. Sean replied, "They look disgusting." And I said back, "No they don't......." and sighed a bit. Sean reminded me of what I had JUST written on my blog about image. The truth is, we are all, regardless of looks, masterpieces made in God's image. And it is so easy to slip and fall into the deception of the world.

In Psalm 139 we read "I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." The Lord is to be feared and He is wonderful. He made us in the same way. The scripture then uses an affirmation ..."my soul knows it very well." Affirmations are what I use in performance to calm my over-excitement and my frequent doubts. I see this as David, the psalmist, laying aside his own doubts. The Lord is fearful and wonderful and He has made us so. His works are marvelous (what He does is marvelous....and He made YOU!) Your spirit, your mind, and your body are MARVELOUS! And we should be in the practice of affirming this in our minds and hearts.

My sister and I both have crooked pinky fingers. My sister's is especially crooked. Someone could look at her pinky and think, "Boy! Something went wrong here." Do you know that a pinky that is crooked like hers is ideal for flute playing? My sister is an excellent (really tops) flautist and recently finished her Flute Performance degree at Carnegie Mellon with one of the best flute teachers in the world. She was born with a little crooked finger and the Lord used it!

The Lord doesn't make mistakes. You were made a masterpiece.

Remember it!

Active Singer

The Challenge: For you and me, Food & Exercise

"I need help losing weight!" This is a very common thought among people today, especially young women my age. Our society makes us obsessed about our image. The more stick-like you are, the better. Well, you know what? Not all bodies are sticks. God didn't make them like sticks. And you know what? They're beautiful NOT being sticks!

I have dealt with self-image issues for YEARS. I believe this stems from my lack of trust and belief in the Lord, Who made us all in His image, Who made us all a masterpiece. One can look at her body and think, "This? A masterpiece? Look at those supermodels! They're gorgeous...and I'm just me. Plain and NOT a stick."

Well, girls, let me first say, LOOKS AREN'T EVERYTHING. People, esp. my Mom, would tell me this for years. They'd say that my spirit was more important than my looks. I'd nod my head and say, "Yes, Mom," but never really believe it. But, it's true. I know a girl at school who is not thin at all. She is very large by America's standards. And, guess what, she is one of the most popular girls I know. It's her personality that shines out. We all desire to be beautiful. And it first starts in the heart. It's a constant struggle for some, including myself, to look at our hearts and minds and desire to make those fit and beautiful.

Do you know what? FIT-ness is truly more beautiful than THIN-ness. So, why not do what you can to help yourself stay healthy and fit? My view: DO IT! Yes, we can do it. And this is why I'm writing this blog, to help myself, and perhaps others, get into the shape and healthy living they would like.

My Goals for the next Three Months (Sept., Oct., Nov.):

1. Exercise at least 30-45 min. Every day.

I usually go to the gym 2-3 days a week (usually 1.5 hours per workout) and run the other days. I rest on Sunday.

Last year I got a stress fracture while training for the Marine Corps Marathon and wasn't able to run for a few months. I re-injured my foot earlier this week while running on a county trail. I will be biking until I can start running again (hopefully it will be only about 2 weeks off from running).

2. No sugar.

This means, no dessert. No smoothies. No cookies. No craisins. No raisins. No ice cream. No sugar in coffee/tea. And No exceptions!

At dinner (or another meal, but only 1 meal), I can have fruit only if I have a larger portion of low-carb veggies (high carb includes peas, brussel sprouts, beans).

3. Low carbs

I can have a high carb food at dinner (or other meal), only with a large veggie portion to balance it out.

4. Don't give up.

I wouldn't call this a "diet" as it is just eating healthy things. I want to look and feel my best and to glorify the Lord in the process. I have eaten like this before and have seen overwhelmingly good results. My energy level increased significantly. I FELT better! And exercising consistently is the way to lose weight, gain muscle, release toxins (through sweat) and feel great.

Please do this with me, for I need help as well.

I will write every 1-3 days on what is going on with my system. As a college student, it's hard to do as unhealthy food is thrown in your face, and as work piles up, giving less time for exercise. But, should God be speaking truthfully in Philippians 4:13 that through Him all things are open to us, we can DO IT.

It begins...

Active Singer