Imperfect: you don't need to do it alone (Prayfit week 1)

If you didn't already know this about me, I am a Type-A personality.  I'm a little bit of a perfectionist and like to do things right, and right the first time.  I am also a multi-tasker.  That being said, I was far from perfect this week.  I was actually pretty stressed this week because of other things going on in my life.  I was trying to be all, do all for everyone and it just wasn't happening. I do things with all my heart and sometimes it gets the best of me. So, at the end of Prayfit Week One, I have to say that it's doable, but you don't need to do it alone.

For example, as a teacher, one of the best things that happened to me was getting to work with another teacher with a totally different personality than mine.  She was much more laid back and balanced my need-to-get-everything-done-yesterday mentality.  It was a perfect balance.

This week, my balance has been in my husband.  He is currently on the Prayfit diet with me, as well as an overall desire to live a healthier lifestyle.  We even started going to Kickboxing class together!  If you are desiring or in the middle of a healthy lifestyle change yourself, I encourage you to find someone to motivate and encourage you.  You can do it alone, but you don't need to.

Here's a breakdown of the week:

Pros and Cons:

I've been measuring and weighing.  So far, inch-wise is about the same, but I've lost 6 pounds!! That's my pro- for this week!

If you're thinking about Prayfit, one con is the cost.  Having bought my food for week two, I have to say that my family of four is spending about $50-$100 more than we normally do for groceries.  So, that's something to weigh in, if you're considering it.  However, my weight loss is comparable to a time when I purchased expensive health-care products to help in weight loss--so if you're comparing, it may be worth it!

Workout Schedules:

I workout about 4 days per week (one hour each of the four days): 3 hours of REFIT® and 1 hour of Kickboxing.

Food Intake:

We've been following the Prayfit Menu.  Some of it has been very tasty. There was only one dish that I couldn't eat: a tuna and olive wrap with greek yogurt.  The breakfast fruit salad pictured below was both my husband and my favorite!

Prayfit Days 2-3

It's 11:30 at night.  I'd like to say that everyone is asleep, but that's not true.  We've had a power outage tonight, so the kids are on the couch with a movie on the laptop (what did we do prior to this?) and I've continued to get what needs to be done, done.

These past two days have been super busy as I prepare for our church's upcoming Vacation Bible School.  However, tonight I was completely humbled.

I jokingly say that I'm humbled by the fact that I had a bad hair day today, after previously posting on social media the other day, that I was, in fact, having a great hair day!  The hair kharma gods are out to get me.

Except I don't believe in them.  I believe in the one true God and His Son, Jesus.  Tonight, I'm humbled by the fact that this amazing God, who created all things, cares for me and longs to know me deeply, to have a relationship with me.

I am humbled by the fact that God uses me, that I have opportunities to uplift others, and hopefully let them see Christ in me.

Tonight, after REFIT®, I spoke on putting things into perspective.  It is my perspective that God is an amazing God.  And, regardless of a good hair day, or not, God cares for me so much, that He knows the hairs on my head!!  

And here's the bonus part: He feels equally the same about you!  If you've had more than one child, you might've wondered how to share your love between them.  But, it doesn't work that way.  Your love just multiples, doubles, and grows stronger.  The same can be said for God and His everlasting love for you! 

The Prayfit diet is going great so far.  I've lost weight already and it's only been a few days.  I've been trying to only drink water, but I've "cheated" on that a bit by having a sweet tea on both days two and three! I also had a Gatorade during my workout today.

Workout schedule:

Day two: zilch

Day three: 1 hour of REFIT® (cardio/toning)

Here's the breakdown of my food:

Day 2:

Breakfast: egg and cheese on wheat bread with grapefruit

Lunch: spinach and pomegranate salad with chicken

Snack:almonds

Dinner: steak with feta cheese, spinach, sweet potato

Day 3:

Breakfast: peanut butter on wheat English muffin and bowl of berries

Lunch: turkey salad with greens, avocado, egg whites, and tomato

Snack: edamame 

Dinner: chicken and pasta

Confession: I didn't like the salad for day two, not sure if it's the pomegranate or the dressing.  However, my husband had enjoyed all meals so far, so it's probably just a personal opinion.

Prayfit Day 1

My husband and I are starting the PrayFit diet.  Let me preface this by saying that I am not endorsing this product, nor am I being compensated for my reflections.  My plan is to blog about this 33 day journey, much like I did when I was participating in the Advocare 24 day challenge and posted on my blog, A Proverbs 31 Challenge.  I will also continue to refer to this as my "journey", because I don't like the word diet.  We're working on a lifestyle change, not necessarily a diet.  The blog is a way to hold myself accountable for my fitness endeavors, as well as hopefully encourage you, the reader, along the way.

So, let's begin.   As I said, we are following the book, The Prayfit Diet .  In the book, Jimmy Peña explains Biblical principles about eating, as well as explaining that your "plate" should be 33% fat, 33% protein, and 33% carbohydrates.  Jimmy bases this plan around the number 33.  This is a 33 day plan.  The reason:  Jesus gave us 33 years on Earth!  How awesome is that?

I chose this plan because I'd been following the Prayfit ministries, through their devotions.  If you've followed me at all, you know that I desire to merge my faith and fitness.  I'm a REFIT® instructor.  I originally found REFIT® because of the faith-infused songs they use.  Such is similar with Prayfit ministries.

"Our health is a means of praise" ~Jimmy Peña

The Bible speaks that we shouldn't worry about what we eat or drink, because God will provide.  That doesn't mean we shouldn't care about what we eat or drink.  Our bodies are where God's spirit resides.  The body is set to hold our soul, which is what God cares about.  However, a healthier body, or temple, will help us go further for the kingdom of God.  Amen?

While looking at the spiritual side of things, I am still a very practical, logical person.  So, despite the fact that Jimmy says "health should go beyond the measuring tape".  I did, in fact, get out the measuring tape and scales.  Not so much that I'll have something to brag about at the end of 33 days (although I hope I do!), but, much like this blog, so that I have accountability to myself.

My day:

My food intake:
Breakfast: Honey Nut Oatmeal
Lunch: Baked chicken, rice, black beans, and salsa (combined all and it was great!)
Snack: (not pictured) Carrots and cottage cheese (Still not a fan of cottage cheese!)
Dinner: Turkey burger and broccoli

My workout:
One hour of REFIT®

Pros:  The book has menus and shopping lists!  Love this!
Cons:  While my family spends a lot on groceries anyway, it was still about $40 more than we usually spend per week.  But, I'm hoping that it is just because it was week one.