Author: reginaanderson2017rbl

Why is it so easy to encourage others, but not have one encouraging thought when it comes to myself?! This past week just flat out sucked, at least the latter part of it. I was drained mentally, emotional and while I am able to encourage and cheer on others who hit the wall – I cannot do it for myself! So here it goes, being real, being vulnerable- publicly: I am realizing that I can’t do this alone! I can’t do life alone! I’m asking for prayers for strength and endurance- mentally, emotionally, and physically! Prayers to get back on track, and stay on track!

I have lost some pounds, I have gained some… and I don’t care- all I know is I feel like a million bucks every time I set a goal and meet it, and even if it’s just as little as making it on a treadmill for 20 mins! That’s 20 mins more than what I would have done 8 weeks ago!

It is my understanding that the midpoint we have approached, can be a dropout point for some. Allow me to plead to you – don’t give up! Shift your focus! Weight is just a number! Instead of focusing on how much you have lost, let’s look at what you have gained. For myself, I have gained new friends- each and everyone of you, a healthier lifestyle for myself AND my family, a deeper relationship with Christ, and last but not least confidence! Confidence not because of how much weight I have lost, or how I look on the outside, but because of who I know I am on the inside- through Christ alone!

This spoke to me… so it may speak to someone else…

The Station

By Robert J. Hastings

Tucked away in our subconscious minds is an idyllic vision in which we see ourselves on a long journey that spans an entire continent. We’re travelling by train and, from the windows, we drink in the passing scenes of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at crossings, of cattle grazing in distant pastures, of smoke pouring from power plants, of row upon row upon row of cotton and corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our conscious minds is our final destination–for at a certain hour and on a given day, our train will finally pull into the station with bells ringing, flags waving, and bands playing. And once that day comes, so many wonderful dreams will come true. So restlessly, we pace the aisles and count the miles, peering ahead, waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.

“Yes, when we reach the station, that will be it!” we promise ourselves. “When we’re
eighteen. . . win that promotion. . . put the last kid through college. . . buy that 450SL
Mercedes-Benz. . . have a nest egg for retirement!”

From that day on we will all live happily ever after.

Sooner or later, however, we must realize there is no station in this life, no one earthly
place to arrive at once and for all. The journey is the joy. The station is an illusion–it
constantly outdistances us. Yesterday’s a memory, tomorrow’s a dream. Yesterday belongs to a history, tomorrow belongs to God. Yesterday’s a fading sunset, tomorrow’s a faint sunrise. Only today is there light enough to love and live.

So, gently close the door on yesterday and throw the key away. It isn’t the burdens of today that drive men mad, but rather regret over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who would rob us of today.

“Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, swim more rivers, climb more mountains, kiss more babies, count more stars. Laugh more and cry less. Go barefoot more often. Eat more ice cream. Ride more merry-go-rounds. Watch more sunsets. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.

I have discovered a new ‘secret weapon’ when it comes to my workouts… it gives me, strength, endurance, motivation, and almost supernatural powers. It is simple to use and any time applicable. I use it first thing in the morning, through out the day, and especially before every single workout… prayer! I pray, pray, pray… He says I can do all, not some – but ALL things through Him, for He gives me strength! So ladies and gents, let’s be some of the biggest (weight) losers, while being the biggest faith gainers at the same time! ❤️

… I am confessing publicly, that today (after a rough week) I am consciously and mindfully choosing a cheating-carbs-loaded meal over my workout at the Y! Why am I doing this publicly? Accountability – will be back on track tomorrow!

This may be TMI… it may just be too personal for it to be even shared on here… However, I feel led to share my story, OUR story!

So here we go… for several months my husband has been experiencing abdominal pain and severe blood loss with each bowel movement. After various pacifying procedures and prescriptions from the GP, and no positive outcome there was one last thing left on the “we’ve tried it all” agenda – a colonoscopy. Colonoscopy not a big deal one could argue, at least so we thought! We sit in the waiting room, joking, laughing, teasing – ’cause that’s what we do, giving each other a hard time – “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby – I’m sorry I forgot the card!”
Moments later he gets called in. Minutes go by, no more than 30, and I get to join him. I sit by his side, stroking his hair as he slowly wakes up after the procedure. It is so quite. So peaceful.
All that, gone – in a blink of an eye – a voice speaks softly:
“…we found a tumor in your colon…” –
“… you have colon cancer…” –
“…there is a 50/50 chance that it has spread…” –
Silence. Dead Silence. Our world stands still. Tears rolling down. Holding each other’s hand. Squeezing, hard. Anger. Confusion. Angst…set in –
I’m crying out to God. I’m questioning God. I’m mad at God.
While my husband, the man by my side who was just diagnosed with cancer, is praising God!

Since that day: One month has passed – tumor has been removed, game plan for chemo has been established, and we – well we have learned to pause, and take life day by day.

So while this story – our story, has absolutely nothing to do with my weight loss journey, from where I stand it has everything to do with God, his beautiful Glory, and His love for us.
During my RBL interview in January I was asked why I was signing up to be RBL, my answer then was, “…because I lost the battle with God.” I didn’t know why I was signing up, all I knew was that I felt led to reach out to His Radio that day and register for RBL…. He knew that for this season of my life it was absolutely essential to be surrounded by all these amazing Godly people, who with all their support, love, prayers, and encouragement would lift up our family and make this a more bearable season. I praise God for my beautiful RBL brothers and sisters in Christ! I praise God for you, His Radio and all the hearts you guys touch!

(…)

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and

And I’ll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

Amen –

… met one of my SMART goals – survived an entire class (60 mins) of Body Combat!!! May not be a big deal – but it is huuuuuge to me!!!

Can’t wait to the next time! 🙂

 

This journey hasn’t been this long, yet I feel like I have learned more about myself within the last ten days, than I have in a several years. With that said, ‘Hello, my name is Regina and I am an emotional eater!’ 😒

So moving forward I pledge to minimize all my decision making in regards of when and what I put in my body and check myself for H.A.L.T. – Hungry-Angry-Lonly-Tired 😁

First workout for the week completed and I feel like a million bucks… Simply for the fact that after a draining day at work, once the babies were in bed, I found myself WANTING to go to the gym – So I did. I gave my best. I no longer cared who watched. No longer cared who thought of me what. It was simply great!

So, last week I went through quite the emotional roller coaster. And even though I was ready to throw in the towel on Friday (I know, quite pathetic for one week into it), I pushed myself through the workouts and a rather healthy weekend. Not sure what has happened over the last 48hrs, but I just caught myself looking forward to tomorrow… looking forward to sweating… looking forward to pushing my limits… looking forward to soreness!

Week#2 bring it on! 😁