Let's Get Moving!

           I joined the gym this week!  Now, this may not seem like a  big deal to most, but it is a big deal for me.  I've never purchased a gym membership.  I've always worked out at home or by simply running a few laps around the neighborhood or park.  AND, I can be a bit lazy at times.  I'll start working out and then I'll fall off after a while.  This time: there are two things that are different.  1.) I'm paying for it...literally,  and 2.) I'm never alone. 
           Both of these two factors creates accountability.  Since I pay a monthly fee, I more motivated to actually go workout.  I mean, who wants to pay for something and not use it?  That would be like paying for Internet service every month, but never even turning on your laptop.  Not gonna happen!
          On another note, since I'm working out in a gym and not at home or in the neighborhood/park, I AM NEVER ALONE!.  There are people watching as you walk in; waiting to see which machines you will be using; wondering what 'your deal' is.  Then, there is the side-by-side comparisons.  You know....the long row of treadmills and elliptical, where you have no choice but to create an instant split screen of yourself with the person ont he machine next to you.   Even though everyone pretends like they're just 'doing their own thing', they're not.  They are scoping everybody  else out and then comparing them to themselves or comparing them to the person next to them.  I know I sure was peeking over at the 19 year old "super chick" to my right yesterday who ran like a million miles in 20 minutes.  So not fair!  When we know that we are being watched, we want to be a better version of ourselves.  Well, at least I do.
           Nonetheless, we need accountability in every sector of our lives.  It's accountability that makes us accomplished!  So, Let's Get Moving!  I know I am.

I'm Sooo Done!

Today is the 21st and LAST day of my fast!  I'm relieved and enlightened on so many levels.  Being restricted on what I could eat got me to thinking about being more health conscious.  Lord knows I need to since I'm turning 30 this year!  But seriously, I plan to be more aware of not only just the food I "let in", but even the music/media, people, and thoughts that I "let in".  Our daily choices have such a huge impact on our happiness and health.  Just removing the negative (bad foods, bad thoughts, etc.) will create such amazing changes in our lives.  I feel better physically after just 21 days of no caffeine, no sugars, no bread, no meat, and so many other things.  Now, I'm not saying that I'll never have these things again- I'm just saying that I don't need them so often.  I can only imagine how I'll feel after removing all negatives from my life.  All in all, these last 21 days have been liberating!  Even though my fast is officially over, I look forward to the next 21 days of changes, realizations, and new beginnings.

This Can't Be Good....

Well....this is Day 3 of being snowed in due to the Georgia Winter Storm of 2011!  Not that I don't like some down time, but fasting while being snowed in can be challenging.  So challenging that I started watching Food Network: making a list of all the things I want to eat when I'm off my fast.  Then the hubby said "This Can't be Good"  And he is right!  So now I'm making a list of all the things I want to do, see, accomplish, or be...either before I'm 30 or even afterwards.  I'm sure this list will be much more productive for "my journey". Stay tuned......I intend to share my list once completed.  What's on your list?

And on the Seventh Day....

 "On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested^[a] from all his work.  And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation" Genesis 2: 2-3 NLT

Well, I'm on Day 7 of my fast, and I am impressed with myself.  I have handled this so much better than ever before and for the most part I'm not the slightest bit phased by what I CAN'T eat.  Instead, I have been so excited about all things that I CAN eat-those foods that I already love and new foods as well!

I'm not saying that this hasn't been a challenge on some levels.  Believe me... I have craved a Chick-fil-A sandwich almost every other day. Counting those billboards on I-75 that say "Eat More chicken"  And then yesterday, I had lunch with a fellow law school class mate and my cousin at Strip in Atlantic Station (they are known you their delicious steaks).  The two of them ordered steak and potatoes, philly cheese steak and fries, and nachos with cheese and beef-ummm!  But, it wasn't that big of a deal.  I drank water while they had the appetizer and then I had a Sushi roll with avocado and cucumber for my entree.  It was soooo good and I was soooo full when I left.   During lunch, I was asked- "Why are you fasting?  What's the point?"  At that moment, I had the chance to really challenge my own motives.

I said (and actually meant) "Fasting is a way for me to stay focused on my goals of growing spiritually closer to God while discovering myself in the process.  Every time I think about something great I would love to eat,  I am reminded to pray, meditate, and re-group.  It's keeping me centered."   I said this and I believed this.

This is no longer about the food(what I can eat and can't eat).  Its much bigger than that.  As I reflect on this  fast, I think back to 4 and 1/2  years ago when I was planning my wedding.  I had purchased my wedding dress almost a year before our date and it fit perfectly.  Well, when I tried it on about two months before our date, it wouldn't zip all the way.  Oh boy!  There was not even a second of contemplation, but pure determination- I was going to fit into that dress. So, I decided to eat super healthy(smoothies, fruits, veggies, water) and exercise regularly.  And that, I did with no problem at all.  I mean, you could've slapped me in the face with a slice of my favorite pizza and I wouldn't have licked the sauce off my mouth.  I was set on an idea- end of story-period!  Because at that point, it was no longer about the food (what I could eat and couldn't eat).  It was about looking my best for the love of my life on our wedding day.  Much bigger than food!

This fast is much bigger than food!  It's about my journey, my relationship with God, and my many discoveries along the way- especially as I prepare to turn 30.  So, it is through this realization that I find this fast to be not only 'do-able', but so necessary.

So on this 7th day of my fast, I feel a sense of completion- not fully- but partially.  I feel that I have come full circle to understanding the meaning and basis of my reasons for fasting.  And for now, that's enough for me.  Until next time..

I'm Fasting!!!

I've decided that the perfect way to start "my journey" to 30 and to discovering myself, is through fasting.  I have done a fast several times before- sometimes successful, sometimes not- sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes for the wrong, and sometimes I just did it because "everyone else was doing it".  Well, this time I doing it with a purpose.

For those of you who have never participated in a fast or even heard of a fast, then listen up.  Fasting is a voluntary and deliberate abstinence from food (everyday conveniences) for the purpose of concentrated prayer.  Some people use fasting as a way to lose weight or cleanse the body of toxins.  Also, some may fast from other things, such as t.v., cell phone, intimate relations, etc.

I will be doing the 21 day Daniel Fast, which restricts me from eating everything tasty and tempting. Ugh! I usually eat pretty healthy anyway- but its just the thought that I CAN'T have something that makes me want it soooo much more.  You know exactly what I'm talking about!  We're all like this.

My focus during this fast:  praying and seeking God's guidance for my life.  I'll be discovery what my overall purpose is in life, so that I may achieve my greatest ever! I am currently on Day 3- and doing good so far.  Well...I haven't pulled into the nearest DQ and ordered my favorite Snickers Blizzard yet.  So, I'd say-I'm doing pretty good.  If you want to join me and do your own fast, go to http://www.destinymetro.org/daniel-fast for more information and let me know your progress or struggles.

Here's a picture of one of my favorite meals so far during my time of fasting.

Grits or Oatmeal with Bananas and Cranberries

This was really, really good!!!  Try it- even if you're not fasting!  Until next time..........

I'll be Thirty in 6 Months!!!

I'll be Thirty in 6 Months!!! I realized this on yesterday as I brought in the New Year.  Wow! 2011...That seems so ODD.  But, no matter how odd it seems....It's here and I'll be Thirty in 6 Months!!!

I have a slight bit of anxiety about turning 30....an early mid-life crisis maybe?  This may sound strange, but it's quite normal for me.  I've always been  a bit dramatic, if you will.  Although freaking out over turning 30 is a bit dramatic, It's very real to me!  It's scary and it's real!

I guess I'm asking myself some of the obvious questions:  Have I done enough?  Am I successful?  Am I happy?  Did I make the right choices?  Am I a good person?  The answers: I don't know.

Join me as I embark on a journey in Learning Lauraill- who I really am, where I'm going and all the stuff in between.  It's going to get interesting.............