Romans 8:1

This is my Mantra for this week! Romans 8:1 says "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!" And I'm taking this very literally. Yesterday, I ate 3 amazing slices of ooey gooey cheesy spinach pizza. I also had a giant salad, but then broke my diet again with a hot dog for dinner! And, lofty as my intentions were for taking on at least 30 minutes of cardio afterwards... it totally didn't happen.

Yesterday, May 23, 2012
I played charades with co-workers while our server was down at work. I wonder if that counts as cardio? Haha... No condemnation - That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Today, May 24, 2012
This morning I woke up energized and refreshed, so I took my little sausage dog, Mister, on a 2 mile run before work! The little bugger started off full steam ahead, but after having to stop at EVERY single mailbox, we took to the pavement. He quickly tired out (which is understandable, since his legs are barely a full 4 inches) but he stayed with me on the home stretch.

This is my Mister enjoying some sunshine a few weekends ago. I imagine he is recovering today in the same fashion. (And yes, I'm one of those people who takes cellphone pictures of my animals when they do things I believe to be "adorable" and "cuuuuuute." Don't judge me.)

 
I've been researching fitness stuff - like a typical junkie - and despite my utter disregard for any physical activity yesterday (aside from chowing down!) I plan to do this after work today:

• 7 Day Thigh Challenge!

• 4 Minute Fat Blaster

• And then hit the gym for some one-on-one with the elliptical.

I recently realized this... if you can't motivate yourself, don't expect anyone else to be able to motivate you. So get off your ass and make a change. Change doesn't happen overnight - don't expect it to! And yes, it's hard to be consistent sometimes. But it's true that 'In consistency lies the power.' So go for it! "There is no condemnation" - so don't beat yourself up for taking baby steps - just start somewhere, and don't give up! Okay, end of pep-talk.

Today, I am unstoppable. :)

Takin' it easy

May 22, 2012
Today I feel lazy! I ran 5 miles in 52 minutes tonight, but now I feel as if I could have gone much further. Perhaps I should have spent more time at the gym working out after my run, I don't know. I just feel as if I should have gotten a lot more in.
I suppose today was an easy day. Easy, but full of delicious food!

For lunch, I ate this:

Asian salad!
Lettuce mix with cabbage, snow peas, and carrots! Sliced almonds, little crunchie sticks, and a little bit of low fat ginger dressing. I also had a handful of Naked pita chips dipped in a little hummus - and for dessert - a baby clementine! Because they are amazing.
(I know iceberg lettuce is the worst - but I woke up late with only 20 minutes to get ready before leaving for work this morning - so I was at the mercy of what was in the fridge. It seemed a better option than the steak and baked potato that was eyeballing me from the top shelf!)

Dinner was a piece of grilled chicken cooked in lite vidalia onion dressing with some green beans. Honestly, I'm not too excited about the green beans. But it was green and it worked. 

After my run, I needed a little something else, so I had a banana with a spoon of peanut butter. (pure bliss, I tell you.)


I got a lot done at work today! Finished up a few major issues and projects that I've spent weeks on. That pretty much sums up my day. Oh - and 50 squats before climbing into bed! Made me feel a little less lethargic. I think I just need sleep.

Sleep sweet... after 50 squats!!

:)

Motivation... Take three

I am addicted! Which, for me is strange. I don't have a very "addictive" personality - aside from reading the Hunger Games (3 books, 4 days, roughly 15 hours of sleep...) and my unwavering devotion to Jesus, music, and photography. But I am proud to say that I am now addicted to the gym!
I can remember only a few times in my life where I've been happy and content with my average/pear-shaped figure. (Being a 12 year old with a D cup leaves no "slim/athletic" option for you - ever.) But there have been a few times where I've worked hard and I've noticed results and stayed roughly in somewhat decent shape throughout the years that it's mattered.
At the beginning of this year I started a boot camp training class with a friend of mine - 6 weeks of intense 6am workouts that left us sweaty, sore, and wanting more! After the 6 weeks, I could really see a difference, and that is what motivated me to continue with this.
So I got a gym membership, and I've kept up with it! At first, I just tried a few machines and called it a night, but the past four weeks I have started running - and running hard! And while I'm pretty sure I still look like I belong in the Special Olympics, running feels so good!
I realized too, that in the past I've always just worked out to "get skinnier" and lose that ever-present squishy around my midsection, or to try and "tone up" a little to fit into dresses or swimsuits for summertime. But I realize now that I don't want to just "get skinny" - I want to be FIT - It's not something that is completely out of reach for me either! I want to be strong (not freakishly muscular like those body-building girls) and I want to go beyond my preconceived notion of just getting skinny and toning up - I want to be healthy! I want it to be a lifestyle that continues from here on out.

So in an effort to continue motivating myself and to discipline my sore and tired body - I am going to blog about working out and eating healthy things! Hopefully it will motivate any potential web-passer-by's to get off the couch/twirly chair and pull out your old sneakers.

Ohh... sneakers... I have had the same pair of gym shoes since (I'm ashamed to say) the 7th grade. The same pair of New Balance sneakers have been in my closet for well over 10 years! So to support my new found addiction, I bought these! Nike Free 4.0's - and they are magical! Seriously the best $90 I've ever spent.

This past weekend, these babies and I trekked over 22 miles. Friday night I ran for 7 miles. Saturday I ran for 5 miles, biked for 7 miles, and walked for 3 miles - and then did 2 hours of abs and arms! Sunday, was indeed a day of rest.

And so begins my workout-blogging!

Monday May 21, 2012
Today I ran 1 mile (still sore from the weekend - don't judge!) in 8:45 minutes. I usually average 10 minutes/mile, so this was a little better for me. I spent the next hour working my still sore abs, obliques, squishy arms and legs by doing rotations on the girly machines at the gym. I finished with some Pilates and crunches! When I got home, I did 25 squats... just for good measure.

Despite my measly one mile, I had a good workout, worked up a nice little sweat, cleaned up and am now heading to bed with endorphins to spare.

I'm grateful for feeling motivated... hopefully soon I'll be grateful for the discipline to remain so!

Goodnight. :)

look to the horizon

it looks like things are about to change.
as if a new storm is about to break.
look to the horizon and don't be afraid-
fear not the strengths of a new day.

it smells like the rain cloud is yearning for thrill
it feels like the waves are pushing their will
look to the east, the calm is ceased-
for on the shore lies new day.

blood red the horizon, the streak of the sky
awakens the vision, where dreamers still lie
untouched and unbroken, awaiting the wing
to take flight, and to sing - for a new day

find your feet, find your heart
as you stand, make your start
and embark t'wards the mark
of a new day

 find your strength, find your sword
sound the drum, strum the chord
as you march bravely forward
to a new day

yes, it looks like things are about to change.
a stampede of emotion gives way.
look to the horizon, and don't be afraid-
fear not the strength of a new day.
stand tall, after all - it's a new day.

Quiet time...

I think my life is in a "quiet time" right now. Which, surprisingly, I'm totally okay with. I mean, I stay pretty busy, I don't have any time to spend being bored, but things are somehow just... quiet. Despite the ridiculously crazy weekend I had a while back, everything feels almost peaceful.
You know that feeling you get while sitting on an old wooden dock looking out over a wide open lake? And everything is still - with the occasional ripple from the slightly ebbing tide hitting the dock beams. That's what I feel. But I'm so far from anything that slightly resembles wide open space. Somehow it's still peaceful.
And I'm not in a rush for that to change. Yes, I still desperately want to get my own place, and unpack all my own things, and have my own little dog in my own little house again. But I have a feeling that things will be okay if I don't rush.
I'm working, learning more about photography, enjoying the spring warmth and greenery, and not making any plans of my own. It's quiet. And for now, I'm ok with quiet.
I turn 24 in 3 days. I thought for sure things would be totally different by now. But, I still have goals, and I know what I want out of life. And I know where I want to be. It's just quiet until I figure out how to get there.

I really wanted to be on the beach for my birthday.
Maybe I'll get to go before April is over.

Maybe I'll just stay still and enjoy the quiet. It can't stay quiet forever.

I'm a fairy godmother!

I couldn't be happier for my person - my best friend and her wonderful husband, the Lawlers! They welcomed their precious baby girl, Kennedy Lynn into the world four days ago! 

She is going to be the luckiest little girl in the world. Not only are her parents so full of love and generosity, but her grandparents are going to spoil her sweet. And of course, she has an aunt/godmother Rae who is going to love her unconditionally, take way too many pictures of her (when I get the chance), and make sure her life is filled with happiness and girly musicals at every single birthday. I can't express how happy I am to know the Lawler family, and how blessed I feel to be forever tied to them through this precious angel. 

I have such love for you, sweet baby Lawler. And I can't wait to see you grow up into the beautiful princess you are. 

Dear Baby Lawler

Congratulations, my dear Lawler family. All my love, 

Rae. <3

Dreaming

I really want to be miles away from this little office. 
Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and my little office, and I'm really very happy here. 


But every cell in my body would rather be hundreds of miles away behind a lens, clicking away and capturing life. I want to take pictures that move people. Pictures that stir up dreams in others, pictures that generate a desire for action. Not just happy pictures, or sad pictures. Just... life. I want to capture life. Untamed, unorganized life.


I want to be here:

and here:

or even here!

I'm happy in my little office. But I'm needing a strong dose of real life, outside these four walls.


For now, I'm thankful to be learning, studying, and getting better with my little camera.