Our Quest to change our lives began in Feb. 2010 and we lost 224 lbs. We slowly gained a lot of that weight back and we're now on another journey for weight loss and better health using Bright Line Eating. This is the story of our continuing Journey. .
(For the fullest effect, begin at the beginning in Feb. 2010 using our Blog Archive on sidebar)
Showing posts with label Hike. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hike. Show all posts

Friday, April 26, 2013

Change and RE-FOCUS + Dance Dare #7


Here I am... at another place on my journey.  Another place of change.  Have you noticed that change is fine when you're making it happen yourself and plan for it?  When it's something you want and have been anticipating?  Change isn't so great when it's unexpected and shifts your footing to where it can knock you down. 

So as you can tell by the sparsity of my blog posts, I've had life and different responsibilities cross my path that have re-directed me in many ways.  I am always looking for a reason that things happen, because I don't believe in coincidence.  I don't believe that you meet anyone by chance.
 
For the last 9 months I was called into service in my church as Relief Society President, a daunting responsibility, to which I felt extremely inadequate, but learned to rely on my Heavenly Father more than any other time in my life.  I was recently released from this service, quite unexpectedly I might add.  Usually one serves in this capacity for several years.  But alas, change rolls around when you least expect it and just when you think you know what you're doing!  This wasn't an easy change as I had my whole heart into my calling and I held nothing back.  I felt it was part of the reason we even moved here.  I felt like I was making a difference.  I was truly heartbroken to have it come to an end so soon and so unexpectedly.  But I am learning once again to trust in the Lord and in His Timing.

So I find myself with more time.  I never realized how much time I actually do have now... to focus on my own family, and my own health.   And NOW I have time to re-focus myself.  I've let too much weight slip back on and my knee has began hurting for a while and affecting my ability to be as active as I'd like to be.  I've even had to pull out of playing basketball!!!!  I cannot tell you what a disappointment that's been!!  It makes me feel like I've aged ten years (like I actually feel my age right now!) Running is painful.  This is not acceptable to me.


 I went on an awesome hike a few weeks ago over Spring Break - a very breathtaking and cool hike!!  But my knee was in pain the whole time.  I'm thinking it's the extra weight I've let slip back on. 


SOO -   FIRST thing is:  We're going back ON PLAN to get our extra weight off.  
We're actually on day 3 right now!  
And next we're working on several other things.  
It's nice to be able to do that and have the time to re-focus.


Look... I focused on these deer as I drove by.  It really is a hunters delight where I live, we see deer all the time and have to watch that we don't hit them!

Here are some of our meals I've focused on making lately.  YUM.

Veggie Salad with beef strips - Salmon & Sausage with steamed broccoli 
Beef strips with sauteed peppers and mushrooms


So my motto these days is:  Trust in the Lord and in His Timing.  
Even when things don't look great, you've got to BELIEVE that God has something better in mind for you - you just have to have FAITH and PATIENCE in Him.

Life is GOOD!!
~ XOXO Margene

PS - I finally had time to Focus on putting together my latest Dance Dare video!
So here is Margene's Seventh Dance Dares!  Enjoy!!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Never Been Like This

I just have to say that I have NEVER BEEN This BUSY in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!

Is that a good thing?  Well, MOST of what I'm busy with is family or church service related so I guess it's a good thing.  It's exhausting!  But in many ways I LOVE it!  I love meeting people and being an influence for good and positive change where I can be.

This month was my birthday!  I turned 44!  Dang, that sounds SOO much older than I feel.  But I focused on the number FOUR and had a celebration with FOUR of us (me and 3 pals), and we went and had a FABULOUS hike up to Stewart falls!  It was pretty easy, only an hour each way and the waterfall was incredible!  The path was mostly shaded and not crowded at all.  We ate some snacks at the falls and enjoyed the wonderful views.


It was a beautiful day too!  Then we came back to a meal that I was craving:  Sweet Pork Nacho's and fresh fruit!  Yes, I was saving my calories for such a wonderful birthday meal.  I got the sweet pork from Costa Vida and my daughter had it all ready for us by the time we got back.
 Then we each wore FOUR crazy items:  fake arm tattoo, fake mustache, fake ring, and fake hair extension.  We were set up for lots of laffing and playing games.  We played one of my favorites:  Spoons, and also White Lies, Farkle, and Scum.  It was fun just to be zany!

We ended with banana splits choosing from FOUR different kinds of ice cream and FOUR different kinds of toppings.  It was pretty EPIC!  I feel so thankful to have friends I can celebrate with.  It wasn't an exclusive party by any means... I would love to have had a ton of friends over... but just felt I'd stick to a small number  this time and focus on FOUR.  (I wasn't up to hosting a large group this time, but anther time - yes!)

It was ONE YEAR ago on my birthday that we PULLED our moving Truck and loaded down GMC into our new house and neighborhood here.  We didn't know a single soul here!  We arrived completely broke!  We were packed so tight, we had left a bit of our furniture and items because they just didn't fit.  So now it's been a full year and I actually have awesome friends and neighbors to celebrate with!!  Brent was so nice to let me have this day. :)

Right now my life is FULL of Girls Camp Planning and work (we go next week), Relief Society Planning & all that contains, Family errands & needs, Computer Work, Late nights.... AND.... BASKETBALL.  Seriously, that's the ONE THING I just do for myself.  I try to get a run in when I can too.  It is SO fun to play basketball with the ladies here.  We have so much fun and are so comfortable with each other yet play aggressively - and my daughter joins us most of the time which I absolutely LOVE.  

There are big trials, some drama, hurt feelings, issues that crop up and things that bring me down... and I will say that  my life is also quite HARD and downright more CHALLENGING than ever right now.

BUT, my life is also SOOOO GOOOOD!

I think because I do struggle with certain things,
it makes the good times and blessings SOOO much sweeter to me!

And I know I can do hard things.
And so can YOU!

Much Love and Warmest Wishes to you!!
XoxoXO ~Margene