Don't Stop Believing!

I was sinking. 

It was the end of my sophomore year in college and I found myself surrounded by my professors who expressed their concern about my progress in the music program.  They were unimpressed with my vocal maturation and asked if I was teachable.  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.  After years of being positively affirmed, for the first time in my life my greatest strength had been described as a weakness. I ran to my dorm room and cried until my eyes could no longer produce tears.  I had no idea what to do.

When confronting failure, the most natural thing to do is to succumb to a state of pity and regret.  I regretted going to Spelman.  I regretted being a music major.  I regretted not working hard enough.  I felt pitiful and had no plan to combat the rejection and fear.  It was during this time that faith in God made all the difference in the world.  He would either lead me in another direction or strengthen me to continue.  I didn’t at that time know which would occur, but I knew I had to look to Him.

Peter said if you are the son of God then call me to walk with you on water.  Jesus said “come.”  Peter went.  After defying the rules of gravity Peter, noticing the tumultuous waves, began to doubt, and subsequently sink.  He could have surrendered to despair and drowned, but he instead called out to the Lord for help.  Jesus, though disappointed in his lack of faith, reached out and grabbed him.

Believing God can seem like an impossible task, however the hardest part about believing is not so much the initial step but the continual decision to keep believing.  With so many distractions and reasons to doubt, the measure of one’s faith is the ability to look at the obvious and yet believe the impossible.  I, like Peter, had to get past the hurt and shame, and believe that God was the same Savior in whom I believed before the failure.

God is God in victory and in defeat.  When faced with defeat look to Him, not your circumstances.   Look to Him, not what surrounds you.   Look to Him, not to others.  He works everything for our good if we love Him and are the called according to His purpose.  One of the signs of loving Him and being the called is trusting Him and choosing to believe Him, even when believing seems harder than giving up.
  
- B. Landi

Supplementary Verses:

Matthew 12: 22-33
Romans 8:28

The 24-day CHALLENGE!

I’m inspired!!

In preparation for leading Saturday workouts at my church I decided to commit to a strict dietary and workout regimen for the entire month of April and May.  What does that mean? Well at first I had no idea, so I decided to do some research. 

I found the 28-day challenge by Robert Brace, which outlines either 28 workouts back-to-back or 28 workouts over a designated period of time.  In addition to the workouts is a high protein, low carbohydrate, low fat, low sugar eating plan that includes, meats, green vegetables, fruits and oatmeal.

I chose this plan because it seemed straight forward and with so much going on in my life, the less I have to think about food and exercise the better.  I decided I would exclude bread, rice, potatoes, candy, desserts, and salt from my diet during the first month of exercise (April) and then slowly but surely reintroduce them back into my diet during the second month of exercise (May).  I’ve committed to 3, 45-60 min, exercises a week, which decreased the “28-day challenge” to the “24-day challenge.” Hey you know me...I gotta mix it up a bit!

So welcome to my journey! I will post meals and workout tips that will hopefully inspire you to be the best you.

DIET LOG

Week One (April 1-7):
(I had a variation of these meals everyday)

Breakfast: Fruit (apple, orange, and/or banana), Oatmeal, or Honey Nut Cheerios (serving size amount) with Soy Milk

Lunch: Grilled Chicken Salad, Grilled Chicken Sandwich with portabella mushrooms and lettuce as a bun (pictured below)

Dinner: Grilled Chicken salad, Salmon salad, side of Carrots

Snacks: Unsalted Cashews, Popsmart popcorn, Fruit, Yogurt

WORKOUT LOG

Workout #1 (April 2): 45 mins 1.5 miles on elliptical, 1 mile run (treadmill), 20 lb dumbbell curl ups, various gym machines, various plank styles

Workout #2 (April 4): 50 mins 1.5 miles on elliptical, 1 mile run (treadmill), 20 lb dumbbell curl ups, various gym machines, various plank styles

Workout #3 (April 6): Outdoor workout (2 mile run, jumprope, 15 lb dumbbell curl ups, plank styles)

Workout #4 (April 7):
I didn’t plan this ahead of time but decided at the last minute to go to the Zuumba class at Club Fitness and also walked a mile on the treadmill with an incline of 7.

End of Week ONE thoughts:

I can’t believe I’ve gone without bread for 7 days!  It was actually easier than I expected.  I was offered twizzlers (MY FAV!!!) and I turned them down.  I went to church three night this week and each night the kitchen cooked fried wings and french fries, which filled the entire hallway with the aroma of grandma’s kitchen, but I prevailed!

I have learned to never leave home without a snack and although eating healthy makes one very gassy (watch out for those mushrooms), my workouts have been easier, I feel lighter, and have already lost 3 pounds.  More updates to come!!!

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN ME?!!

- B. Landi

Are You Judas or Peter??

A few days ago my co-worker mentioned the theme of her church’s Resurrection play.  She said it was written by the pastor’s son and its objective was to uncover the similarities between Judas, Peter, and each of us.  I was immediately intrigued.

As much as we would hate to admit it, we are either one or the other.  Yea you.  You are either Judas or Peter.  Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus for 30 shekels of silver, or Peter, the one who declared his undying love for Jesus and soon after denied Him, not once, not twice, but three times.  Hard pill to swallow huh?

The descriptions of the men above are hard to read and even harder to liken ourselves to, but the reality is we are either Judas or Peter.  I remember being in high-school and being so ashamed to admit to my friends how often I went to church (which felt like everyday!).  I would often claim I had “something else to do” when they invited me places, knowing if I told them I was going to church again they’d consider me wack. 

Whether it’s being ashamed to bow your head at a restaurant or telling a blatant lie, we have all sinned and denied God in some way, and in most cases, knowing what we should do we did the complete opposite.  So we all are either Judas or Peter.  The difference between these two characters was their response to sin.  One (Judas) was filled with guilt and shame, so much so that he decided to take the law in his own hands and kill himself.  The other (Peter) was also filled with guilt and shame, but left the law in the hands of Jesus, repented, and realigned himself with the purpose of God.

We have all fallen short, but deciding to move forward is what empowers us.  I choose to be Peter.  No, I am not what I should be, but I refuse to allow the devil to trick my mind into believing I have nothing to offer.  The death of Jesus gives us all the opportunity to acquire righteousness through His perfection.  We are given the choice then to receive His grace or to reject it.  The argument is not whether we have sinned, but whether we will receive His forgiveness and grace.

The power of the cross allows us all to be Peter.  Which one do you choose to be?

- B. Landi (Peter)

Supplementary Scriptures
Matthew 26
John 21:15-17

Transparency: Ask the question.

Transparency is tough.

When you’re raised to know what is right, sometimes the hardest thing to be is transparent or honest.  Everyone expects you to not only know right, but to choose right, and sometimes neither are the case. 

I remember sitting in class wanting to ask a question so bad, but feared looking dumb.  Had I fallen  asleep?  Why does it seem everyone knows what’s going on except me?  I would often jot down the question in my notebook to later figure it out on my own. Why couldn’t I just bite the bullet and ask? My fear of judgement stifled my learning, but was just a reflection of what I did in other areas of my life.

The fear of judgement often bridles our tongue, preventing us from spiritual and even natural development.  None of us want to feel less than a Christian or less than saved, but if one has a struggle, it will only be overcome by first uncovering and then addressing it head-on.  People often try to diagnose and heal themselves, but our weaknesses are prolonged in secret.  The moment it becomes common knowledge we are free to grow and learn from the strengths of others. 

When we are transparent we are humbled and reminded of our dependency.  We were never meant to live in a vacuum, but in community, where we not only serve but are served.  There’s a tendency to want to be the best.  To never need help or assistance, but the greatest people are those who realize no one has all the answers.  We all need counsel.  We all need to raise our hand every now and then and ask the question everyone in class has been wanting to ask.

If you are having trouble with being transparent:

1.  Pray and ask God for a friend that loves Him and you.  Share your struggles with that friend.

2.  Start a journal and jot down your thoughts concerning your struggles in life.

3.  Be a friend to someone else and offer your help in their struggle (even if it’s simply prayer).

4.  Make a commitment to be as honest as possible when addressing God, so that He can be given the opportunity to work on your behalf.

- B. Landi

Supplementary Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4: 8-12
Proverbs 24: 6

Choose THIS...not THAT!

Life is about choices, but who wants to choose healthy all the time? Exactly...no one!  Sometimes I feel like a good ole Snicker.  Sometimes I feel like a bacon, bacon, cheeseburger from Jack in the Box (my sister and I actually ate these faithfully in high school).  But more than all of these urges I want to feel and look healthy. (Click here to see why)

So what does one do when a craving comes?  I say choose this...not that:

You crave salty?
Choose peanuts w/sea salt













You crave sweet?
Choose fruit (God’s candy)

Here are my favorite substitutions:

My “Banana Pudding”                                                                     

 

     

Actually graham crackers and a banana

______________________

My “Snickers”

 

Actually dark chocolate with almonds

____________________

My “Sour Patch Kids”

Actually a nectarine

(any fruit will do)

I understand cravings, I really do, but I do not want to pay for them in the gym.  By that point, I’ve forgotten how delicious the cheeseburger was. I often ask myself “Is it worth taking two steps backwards?”  Normally I answer “no,” but to be honest, every now and then I say “what the heck...live a little!”  It’s okay to cheat every now and then, but a “treat” is only a “treat” if it happens rarely.  Be smart.  Choose this...not that.

- B. Landi

WHY?

Why is this happening to me?

I can live without the answer to “when” or even “where,” but I need to know “why.”  I remember asking my parents “why this” and “why that” and the answer “BECAUSE I SAID SO” was just not acceptable to me, but often times, that was all I was given.  Pouting, mumbling under my breath, and stomping away did not change their response.

These days I find myself, not pouting, mumbling under my breath, or stomping away, but still being very much unsatisfied with not knowing “why.”  Sometimes the “why” is for myself, like “why am I not more successful at my age?”  And other times it’s for others, like “why would God allow this to happen to them?”  More times than not, I hear nothing.  I hear no great revelation and get no glimpse of the mind and reasoning of God.  But what I do hear is my asking.

No Answer, but I'm still Asking

My asking means that I believe someone is listening.   My asking means someone is there.  My asking means someone has answered before.   I have realized that the knowledge of the omnipresence of that someone, is exactly “why.”  God promises never to leave nor forsake us and it is only in calamity that we question this.  Therefore only through calamity can we prove our dependence and belief in Him and in His promises.

Things happen to good and bad people for multiple reasons, but we must remember that God is always in control.  The proof of our remembering is in our asking.  Not just simply asking “why,” but asking for strength and courage; asking for faith and reassurance. It is in our asking that we are able to prove our unwavering faith and limit the sifting of the enemy.

Don’t stop asking “why.”  But if you don’t get a response, don’t get discouraged.  Know that God is there and that he cares.  Know that He will empower you to endure any and all things and you will come out as pure gold.  And then maybe in hindsight you will ask “why not?”

- B. Landi

Supplementary Scriptures:
The Story of Job
Matthew 7: 7-11

5 Steps to Getting FIT!

So summer is around the corner and for some reason people often interpret that to mean it’s time to get fit.  Well, hey, I say whatever excuse you need to use, use! Now here comes the big question...HOW?

Step 1:  Write at least ten reasons why you want to get fit
This list will serve as a reminder the day you skip a workout to sleep-in.

Step 2:  Define success, by specifying a target weight or size
I always wanted to be 115 pounds.  I remember weighing 119 in the 6th grade! I was one of the biggest girls in my class.  I felt horrible because my best friend was taller than me but weighed less than me.  It’s funny how some things stick with you over the years.

Funny enough I have not grown much taller since 6th grade so I knew 115 pounds was a reasonable weight goal I started at 135, and now I stay between 114-118 pounds.

Step 3:  Make a Workout schedule
At least 3 days a week for 30 minutes, either in gym or at home.
(click here to see my home workout for inspiration)

Before having a membership, I started running up and down my street.  Eventually I invested in 8 and 15 pound dumbbells for a more holistic workout. Weight training has to be a part of your regimen for the best results.

Step 4:  Make a commitment to eat as healthy as possible with one cheat day a week
Since fruit is “God’s candy,” in my mind that is my candy fix for the day.  Meat is not a necessity everyday so sometimes I go without.  I also incorporate fasting for spiritual and natural purposes.

Step 5:  DON’T GIVE UP
Many of days I find myself in the candy aisle, wondering what I’m doing there.  Instead of downing myself I buy twizzlers which are less fattening than other options or dark chocolate, which is better for you than milk chocolate.  I know some people say “If you’re going to do it, do it.”  But I say “If you’re going to do it, do it smart!  Be nice to yourself and start each day fresh!