The IRON in Iron Diva

So what does the term Iron Diva mean?  I got inspired by a Facebook friend’s group of workout buddies.  They called themselves the Iron Divas, and she gave me permission to use it (thanks J-ro).  The IRON stands for:

Iron: As Iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

I           I am
R         Recovering
O         One Day at a Time
N          No Turning Back

I am:  Knowing who you are in Christ is vital to obtaining and maintaining total spiritual, mental, and physical health.  (John 1:12)

Recovering:  We are only as sick as our secrets.  We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Until we deal with them, we cannot effectively help others. (II Timothy 2:25-26)

One Day at a Time: I have a problem with being an “all-or-nothing” girl.  God constantly reminds me that Jesus took care of the past and the His word promises me a blessed future and I can only live one day at a time. (Hebrews 3:13)

No Turning Back:  Never let go.  Never give up.  God says you’re worth it. (Ephesians 1:6).

Which part of the IRON do you need sharpening in?  What is your plan to “sharpen the IRON”?

Am I Worth It?

Spent the weekend reading health articles and blogs and watching fitness related stuff on youtube (with an occasional shift to Drew Carey's Improvaganza J).  In my search, I came across this gem:



I teared up watching it.  This was a group of people who used the various means available for them to lose the weight and get healthy.  Feeling inspired, I made the mistake of reading the comments after the video.  Some goober actually had the nerve to say:

personally I dont think this vid is good at all,..YES you are worth it worth learning to eat right, workout and lose weight without being sliced and diced and taking the easy way out

First, I'm going to be nice and not go off about the horrendous grammar and punctuation (I copied it verbatim).  Second, I've learned recently that the portion of the Internet community with sense and manners will cull the "trolls" ( definition from Wikipedia.org: an Internet term for a person who, through willful action, attempts to disrupt a community or garner attention and controversy through provocative messages).  So, I kept reading without making comments of my own.  Well, the author stepped in herself:

My message was that everyone is worth the fight against obesity. To make a change and get healthy. Not everyone in this video had surgery and not everyone NEEDS surgery. In my case I have been morbidly obese most of my life. I was 180lbs by the time I was 8 years old. Around 260 between middle and highschool [sic] and gained up weight topping 430lbs in my early 20's. I needed help, a saving grace to get me on the right track and for me and some in this video surgery was our tool.

So, what does this have to do with me?  I've been struggling with my weight all my life.  I was a chubby little girl.  I weighed 171 pounds in 6th grade.  More that 200 pounds racked my frame all during high school (marching snare drum in the band is the only thing that kept my heart from being as big as a watermelon).  I weighed over 300 pounds in college.  The most success I've had with weight loss was last year when I got down to 211.  Now, my weight is creeping up slowly again.  Why, with all this information, can't I get it together?  I've lost the will to live.  Why else would I keep eating and drinking poison?  Why else would I continue to try to appease people who obviously don't have my best interest at heart?

In all this time, I've never thought I was worth it.  My trying to get healthy has always been about someone else:  losing weight to be liked, to not embarrass my friends, to not be a health burden on anyone else, to be a good example to the church, etc.  It's never been about me.  I've always been taught that making anything about me was selfish or being a spoiled brat.  I recently heard it said that "a Christian should never feel hopeless or in dispair."  Oh great, something else to feel like a failure for, something else to FIX for someone else's benefit.

So, where do I go from here?  If I could just start over...if I could just be worth it...

1st grade:  1978  (that's my Daddy)

Graduation from JSU in 1995:  Over 300lbs

Last Easter:  2011 (That's my Mom)

Party of One: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Friday, June 15, 2012

Outside my window … A muggy evening.  The crickets and night time bugs are having their Friday night party.

I am thinking... about how to handle what’s going on in my life.  My trip to Tulsa was great, but I did have to come back to the real world.

I am thankful... that the day is over with.

In the kitchen...  I don’t know.  Nothing feels right, so I haven’t bought anything yet.

I am wearing... bed clothes.

I am creating... Finished my American Beauty doll dress.  I hope the doll sells.  She turned out really well.  Going to work in 4^th of July pins tomorrow.

I am going...Tomorrow?  Hopefully to the grocery store if I can get my mind together.  Other than that, nowhere.

I am wondering... With what’s going on with me, whether factoring food into my expenditures is even wise or necessary.  Dave Ramsey says the first thing a person should take care in their budget is food.  Is that really a good idea for me? 

I am reading... Read a great blog entry on emotional eating.  It’s here:  http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/its-all-mental/the-difference-between-enjoying-eating-and-emotional-eating

I am hoping...that things will work out.

I am looking forward to... the day I really start to live life to the fullest.

 
I am learning… that crochet directions are relative.

Around the house... cleaning.

I am pondering...  How to win.

A favorite quote for today... Proverbs 23:20-21 - Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: 21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.

One of my favorite things... Food.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  ???

A peek into my day...

 (American Beauty)

 

UPDATE (08/01/13):  The doll never sold, but she did go to a wonderful cause last month.  A much better choice anyway.  :)

 



If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

Cold Calls: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Outside my window … A sunny morning with rain on the horizon.

I am thinking... about food.  (Hey, at least I’m honest J ) 

I am thankful... for a new day.  I am thankful for God’s mercies that are new every morning.

In the kitchen...  Didn’t make it to the store yesterday.  I hope to make it there today.  Other than coffee and creamer, I don’t know what else I’m going to get.

I am wearing... t-shirt and denim capris.

I am creating... Want to work on 4^th of July items today.  Yesterday was such a total waste and I didn’t get anything done in the craft room.  I can’t sell something I haven’t finished.

I am going...taking my niece and my mom to run errands today.

I am wondering... what is trending in crafts right now and how to tap into it.

I am reading... I didn’t get any reading done yesterday either.  I’m still wanting to dive headlong into the book Look Great Feel Great by Joyce Meyer.  Plus, I got the July Believer’s Voice of Victory magazine in the mail and want to read it.

I am hoping...that my energy returns quickly.  I’m still so tired.

I am looking forward to... listening to all the Zig Ziglar podcasts I downloaded last night.  He’s great.

 
I am learning… that I need to learn to be a good salesperson.  I’ve never liked sales.  I’m into service, not sales.  But, if I have a passion about something, I should be willing to learn to market it.  Maybe marketing is a better way to put it.  When I think of sales, I think of cold calls to people who are in no mood to be sold to, or slick talking scoundrels who either leave out important details or flat out lie to make a sale.  I don’t want to be either one.  More study.

Around the house... I have no idea.

I am pondering...  on how to get what's in my mind onto the canvas or stitched into yarn.

A favorite quote for today... “As long as somebody has abused you and you’ve not forgiven them, they are running your life.” – Zig Ziglar

One of my favorite things... Red Heart Super Saver Yarn.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Catching up on stuff.  Might go to knit night tonight, but I’m not sure about that one.  Church Wednesday.  Working on more crafts.  CR on Friday. 

A peek into my day...

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

Happy Monday! - The Simple Woman's Daybook for Monday, June 11, 2012

Outside my window … A beautiful cloudy morning with the prospect of  rain.  My plants will be very happy.

I am thinking... about the conference I just came back from.  I’m still thinking about what I have to do about a decision I have made and how to tell the powers that be about it.  It’s the one cloud on my horizon right now.

I am thankful... the wonderful couple we stayed with in Tulsa.  They were wonderful.

In the kitchen...  I’ve got to get to the grocery store today.  Since I knew I would be gone last week, I didn’t buy anything.

I am wearing... still in bed clothes.

I am creating... Working on 4^th of July items today.

I am going...to the grocery store and I’m working at Sav-A-Life today.

I am wondering...how to keep the momentum going.

I am reading...The book Look Great Feel Great by Joyce Meyer.

I am hoping...that business picks up.

I am looking forward to...A new week with new possibilities and new opportunities.
 
I am learning… A LOT!  The conference was awesome.  I’ve learned to much about worship, social media, musicianship, and just how to keep Jesus my focus.  I can’t even write it all down.

Around the house... unpacking mostly.

I am pondering...  How to get where I need to be.

A favorite quote for today... “Hey, do you know we’re in Memphis?”  Inside joke among the worship team.  J

One of my favorite things... Starting my day with a good cup of coffee, my Bible, and a pen and paper.  I did that every morning of our trip and it was so refreshing.  I think I will make this a habit at home.  I just need to buy some coffee.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Sav-A-Life today.  Catching up on stuff.  Working on more crafts. 

A peek into my day...

(the best part of waking up)

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)

It's Only Mental Illness: The Simple Woman's Daybook for Friday, June 1, 2012

Outside my window … Nice day that went from cloudy and rainy to sunny and mild.

I am thinking... about some decisions that I’ve made and have to make. 

I am thankful... for the time I got to spend with my niece and her children today.

In the kitchen...  ???

I am wearing... T-shirt and an old pair of pants I wear for pajamas.

I am creating... nothing today.

I am going...I took my niece and her kids to run errands.  I went to CR tonight.

I am wondering...what now?

I am reading...The book Look Great Feel Great by Joyce Meyer. The introduction read like a copy of my life.  Want to see what the next chapter holds.

I am hoping...???

I am looking forward to...Church homecoming (If some of my musician buddies show up).

I am learning… it still doesn’t matter.

Around the house... ???

I am pondering...  Who should be in charge of my decisions?

A favorite quote for today... “Normal is broke.  Be weird.”  Dave Ramsey

One of my favorite things... Shopping with money.  (I hate window shopping)

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Church homecoming Sunday, Sav-A-Life Monday.  Tulsa Trip the rest of the week.

A peek into my day....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(It's a lie, but still funny)

If you would like to join in and post your own Daybook, please head on over to visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook (http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/) . Thanks for stopping by. Y'all come back now, ya' hear. :)