Investing in the New Year

If your holidays were as busy as mine (and whose aren't?!) you can probably understand why it's been a while since I've posted anything! I had always intended to post something every day when I initially started this blog. However, I've discovered that it just isn't very realistic, likely, or even very doable for me (unless I give up my day job as well as my main job of being a wife and mother...yeah, not going to happen!).

What I have learned over the years is that often times, "less is more" (who has time to read someone's posts every day anyways lol?). I've also learned how to not be so "all or nothing" and to prioritize. My health and fitness is always going to be something that is important to me (as well as helping others with their health and fitness needs/goals as well). However, my first priority has always been to put God and family first. It's not likely that I'm going to be one of the super duper elite diamond coaches out there who do this full-time, but that's ok with me. My success as a Christian, a wife, and a mother far outweighs anything else that I could possibly excel in; on Earth and in eternity! In fact, I've seen the best and most PRICELESS "returns on investments" EVER in the past year; both in my family and in my work environment. Most notably, my son accepted Christ and was baptized. There is no greater investment than when you invest in someone's life; especially your child's! If the only reason I live and breathe is to make sure my children know and choose Jesus as their Savior, then I'm confident that I'm accomplishing what God wants from me! I am enjoying every second of every opportunity I have in directing my children to walk in faith! Those devotionals and books that you see in the picture above were Christmas gifts for my children; which they have been reading and enjoying daily. I am extremely proud of them and that they are excited about growing in their faith!

My son, Casey, raising his hands in victory!

With that being said, I've been feeling a greater sense of urgency to make sure that I can continue being there to nurture my kids; which won't happen if I'm not functioning as well as I could be. I'm still an overweight, tired, aging Mom who finds it more and more difficult to make time to prioritize fitness back into my daily routine (because I got out of the habit again). Chris and I did do our first two months of Piyo, but we didn't get to the two months of the "strength" phase. Illnesses, busyness, exhaustion, and stress have been our obstacles in the past few months (though, I suppose that's everyone's excuse). We really need to get into our "beast mode" again! As I mentioned, one just has to find what is "doable" and prioritize even just a LITTLE bit of time. If all I can manage is just a few minutes on the treadmill for a while, a few glasses of water, one healthy choice, etc., then at least that's something...I just have to remember the Beachbody motto: "Decide. Commit. Succeed." With the Lord's help, I can definitely do this!

How about you? What are your priorities? With a fresh new year comes a fresh new perspective! Personally, I want my spiritual momentum to spill over into the areas where I am currently weak. The best part is that God excels in strengthening our weaknesses! In what areas do you need infused with his strength? Consider this verse; which has recently become a favorite of mine:

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you.

Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. 

- Isaiah 33:2

Now, personalize that verse! "Lord, be gracious to me; I long for you! Be my strength every morning (and all day!), my salvation in time of distress." This prayer not only gets me through the day, but gives me a sense of joy and peace that is amazing! This verse has been very calming and I feel that it has also been a key to unlocking a prayerful heart all day!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! Leave a comment with your thoughts and feel free to contact me if there's anything I can do to walk with you on your journey this year! Visit www.infusion413.com to view the special January promotions (which include the 21 Day Fix as well as the new program The Master's Hammer and Chisel) or let me know if you need help choosing a program/customizing a plan. Remember, just start small; even if it's just walking for five minutes a day! Be the best "you" that you can be for God, your family, and yourself! Be infused! God bless you!

Fresh Fire!

Happy new year! It's 2015! Time for the cliche "new year, new you" stuff, right? Nah, I'm not even going to go there! I'm not going to encourage the "new year's resolutions" stuff at all. Over the years, I have come to find that it's almost counterproductive and self-defeating. It's especially true if you tend to battle with "all or nothing" tendencies as I often have.

Don't get me wrong. It's good to set goals and resolve to do/be your best. However, I think sometimes we have a tendency to fall short and then beat ourselves up too much after leaping into something too fast (especially if we don't have a well thought out plan of execution). We set ourselves up for failure by having such high hopes and then feel terrible once we realize that we've bitten off more than we can chew.

It doesn't have to be that way. Regardless if it's a new year, or just a new day, you can start fresh whenever you choose; even if you feel like you've blown it already! I have started over more times (and in more ways) than I can even begin to list! I have often attempted to achieve the same objectives (such as weight-loss) multiple times over the years. I have had successes and failures with that goal more times than I could ever count. All I know is that at any time, I can choose to start again; and if I do it through God's strength and not my own, it definitely WORKS and LASTS as long as I keep my focus on Him.

That is my long-term goal; in weight-loss and in everything. I want to be infused with all the good things of the Lord. My life will be better and I will be able to fulfill anything and everything that He wants me to do if I'm abiding in Him and He's living in me. I don't have to rely on my own willpower to try to accomplish all that resolution type stuff. I will just keep failing myself. God is the only one that is unfailing. I have to depend on Him for my success.

I am going to start a little bit at a time; making better and different choices as much as possible and listening to God's guidance in the process. I mean this regarding all aspects of my life, but I am particularly focusing on my weight-loss again because it has become very urgent that I do something about it. I am ashamed to say that I am likely at my all-time highest weight and it is not healthy or wise for me to be where I am at. I am going to focus on incorporating a workout routine into my life again (in case you're considering it as well, 3 Day Refresh, 21 Day Fix, and Insanity Max 30 are the featured promotions/programs for January). Even if I have to start with small increments of time and lower impact activities, I'll do what I can and work my way up. I'm also going to be making a
conscious effort to improve my nutritional habits/choices. Prayer is and will continue to be the key to motivation and success...and I am going to utilize it! I want the "fresh fire" that a dear sister of mine in the Lord has mentioned that she feels is going to happen in 2015. I've been sensing it too and I want to be a part of it!

How about you? Are you like me? Are you finding that there is something in your life that you need to change? Whether it's weight-loss, breaking an addiction, finding your purpose, or whatever else, God has the answers. Seek Him! He will bring answers as well as that FRESH FIRE! Additionally, let's team up! Contact me or leave a comment regarding what I can pray for you about/help you with. We will journey this road together no matter what it is!

Grace and peace to you, my friends! If there's one thing that we should be sure to resolve to do, it's seek the Lord; this year, next year, and every year....and all 365 days of each one! We are humans and we fail, but no matter what, HE doesn't fail US! Keep searching and seeking! God bless you!