slice, dice, and everything nice.

i've never been good at slicing fruit.
never.

in fact, my husband still cuts the pineapple and the watermelon.
oh, and my oranges, unless he REALLY spoils me and buys those sweet little Cuties!

well, he's at work 80% of the time, so i guess i kinda need to learn how to cut and peel my own fruit. no excuses, right? ha.

#spoiled

while out shopping, i grabbed a bag of oranges knowing deep down i may or may not eat them simply because peeling them is a chore in the form of sticky citrus-y manual labor.  however, fasting sweets is pushing me hungrily towards that very discomfort.

and SUCCESS!

thanks to YouTube and this girl's completely random thoughts.
 

cut, peeled, and pretty.
no mess.

i can dig it.

oh, and you want to get real fancy, huh??

the orange peel + cinnamon = a heavenly scent! 

summer is near.
i WILL tackle the slicing of the watermelon!
(and perhaps the pineapple)


xo
casey

when i am weak...

many of you know, i've been on this weight loss journey/battle for over a year now.
i've lost weight, gained it back, lost it again, gained it back again and so on.

last year, i lost nearly 50lbs.
my goal this year is to lose 60lbs.

i started off 2013 on fire and the weight dropped quickly.
i called on jesus, and he was my helper and my strength through much of it all,

BUT

deep down, it wasn't so that i could have this big revelation about myself or grow closer to Him.
it was so that i could be physically where i was 7 years ago -- fit and fabulous. ha!

the fabulous has increased, thankfully!
the fit aspect has decreased, and yes, quite severely.

to go from one extreme to the other is a massive blow.

i began reading devotional type books on WHY God has designed us to be healthy beings, but with each page, the conviction on my heart was too much to bear at times, and for a good few weeks (not days), those books were shelved, and though thought about yes, they were ignored.

this year and the late part of last year has been about simplifying my life and my home.
its well underway, and we are beginning to see the fruit bloom beautifully in many areas, and like an avalanche, its falling and pouring into other areas of our lives, and well... its exciting! more awaits, i know!

however, this area...
the food.
the addiction.
the "their stomach is their god"...

this has been THE hardest area of my life to control and trust God with.
i can't seem to walk away from the foods that don't love me back.

a nibble here becomes a plate there, and so on.
and a pound here, because a 5% body fat increase there.

i feel disgusting.
when i eat bad, its not self ridicule that beats me up, but the conviction--
it tears at my heart because i know deep down i was made for more.

to conquer the craving.
the desire.
the want.

with purging our lives, i am exhausted.
cleansing the soul and making way for a bold spirit man is exhausting.
completely exhausting.

the last thing i want to do it focus on my health.

however, my health... my temple...
the holy spirit is residing and there's a battle raging...
between the spirit realm and the spirit realm in me.
Christ is trying to emerge...
clarity and revelation are waiting for me.

in this season, my armor MUST be on all.the.time.
i am going to push through, because i will get my inheritance!

day one of fasting sweets (with the exception of fruit).
my achiles.
my kriptonite.
my "i will fight you for that cupcake".
(no for real.)

i don't say this to brag, but more so for accountability.
i'm going to run with this, and keep running until i am no longer in bondage.

mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, i am already exhausted.
(pretty sure i've said that already)
and we all know in these times, the devil knows which bait to use to reel us in, and with me, those sweets are a killer. however, being reminded that i was born and created to be the killer of those works of the devil...its a fire lit!

"the battle almost always happens when you decided to take territory that was always yours but you never inhabited it." ~ kris vallotton

so here goes!
asking for prayers, please. <3


more on spirit wars. a nice perspective.
xo casey

do it, anyway.

Reps don't stop when you reach a certain number or when you can't go anymore-- they stop when you knock your toddler out with your bum while squatting, or when she's 2 inches away from getting smacked with the kettle, or when she's trying to lift the 15lb barbell you just put down. It doesn't stop when she's completely emptying out your panty drawer or strutting around with 6 of your bras wrapped around various limbs, or when she's jumping on your just made bed. What's meant to be a 30 minute workout is never a 30 minute workout. There is no "let me squeeze this workout in real quick". Time doesn't revolve around your workout, it revolves around your inquisitive toddler. At the end of the day, my kids are the reason I aim for healthy. I never again want to be the mommy who sits on the sidelines, who can't get on the floor and build a Lego castle, who can't not only kick a ball, but run after it, too. I want to be the involved mommy; the mommy who can keep up with the crazy. I live for the crazy!

 

boy, do i LOVE this squat challenge. it gets me fired up, everyday! and with the more squats required, the longer i workout, and the harder i go the next day. when rest day comes, i'm itching to do SOMETHING.

 

a gym membership would be LOVELY for reasons listed above, however i'd feel guilty spending that money when i can simply workout at home. then, i think... "no, i NEED that completely interrupted 30 minutes to an hour of a workout."

 

its a cycle.

 

one, i'm sure soon will break, 

and i will finally give in.

 

in the mean time, this squat challenge has been more than merely a squat challenge. -- honestly, behind all of these challenges, i believe the REAL goal isn't just to do squats and have a nice booty, but rather to get you in the groove and in the habit of working out.

 

and guess what?

its working!

 

 

day 10: 105 squats.

done. 

 

also, really working on my upper body. 

back in the day, i was SO proud of my guns. 

swimming everyday will get you those, especially when you're a lazy swimmer and minimally move your legs. ha.

 

anywho, my shoulders are where i gain muscle the fastest, however the rest of my arms... sad story, but not the end of the story, right?  the definition i had 4 months ago?  that is an OLD story; one i hope to relive over the next months. 

 

 

tan and toned arms?

why, yes please and THANK YOU!

 

 

what are some of your favorite "at home" arm workouts? how many reps? weight?

 

 

ps. happy SATURDAY! 

pps. its another gloomy day, here in houston. =(

ppps.  i'm beginning to break out! from the sweat? i dunno! 

recommendations on body washes??

 

 

xo

casey

 

 

wednesday.

first, i just have to say PRAISE GOD!
THE SUN ACTUALLY SHOWED ITS FACE, THIS MORNING!!

i couldn't believe my eyes! and well, naturally, i had to take a picture, right?
we haven't seen the sun in what feels like forever.
i love me some cold weather, but cold, damp, and gloomy?

nah-uh.

i don't think ive ever in my life been more excited for spring/summer to get here!
i'm sure when that time does finally roll around while the humidity is choking me and the sun is roasting my limbs, i'll sure be wishing it was winter, again.

cotton candy morning sky?
yes, please!

view from my backyard. why must power lines exist?

after dropping A off at school, i headed to randall's to grab a few things. 

my favorite? 

this. 

pork loin ribs drizzled with honey.

cooked on high heat.

green beans sauteed in remaining juices.

brown rice with chopped red peppers.

#nom.

although, not mine to eat, i know my hubby will enjoy the rest of the week for lunch! 

as for me, while cooking (and notably the ONLY way to cook), i snacked.

not as appetizing, but it *is according to my goals, so i'll take it!

AND, i'll eat it.

with JOY, right?

yes! {self reminder: eating foods that love me back}

squats, anyone??

i'm on day SEVEN = 80 squats. 

i have to say, i began day one only doing squats.

by day 3, i added weights.

because i can't do 70+ squats all at one time, i split them up during my workout, and in between sets, i might as well pump some iron and swing a kettle, right? 

quick 20 minute workout, and DONE!

tomorrow, is REST day. 

xo

casey