I am very honored to be featured on my friend, Alyssa Serchia’s blog, Home Field Fitness.
I would love for you to stop by and comment.
Check it out here!
My Story
God Can Do Anything!
I have been reading about Joshua off and on for a while now. I love Joshua. I love his faith. I love how God uses him.
This morning I was reading in Joshua 2 and 3. The story of Rahab the prostitute and the crossing of the Jordan. And as I was reading the last part of Chapter 3, I was struck that God can really do anything.
Joshua 3:13-17
13 And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”
14 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenantwent ahead of them. 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.
The Jordan is at flood stage and the moment the priests set foot in the Jordan, the waters flowing downstream were cut off and stood up in a heap. Can you imagine how big that heap was?? And the heap was at the town of Adam (I don’t think that was a coincidence – have to do some research on that). Can you imagine what was going on in the minds of the people of that town? The priests stood firm on DRY ground. It wasn’t wet, sinking sand they stood on. And all of Israel crossed on DRY ground. God took care of EVERY detail.
So what is your Jordan river that is at flood stage? What is the obstacle or mountain that is in front of you? Do you believe that God will take care of you? Do you believe He cares about every detail? I am not saying He will remove the obstacle, He may not. But what I am saying is He is with you and He will get you through that obstacle. He will do amazing things but you have to hold His hand and walk through that flood stage Jordan with Him.
Before Joshua lead the people to the Jordan, he told them this:
Joshua 3:5
Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”
Whatever your struggle, whatever that obstacle, whatever that mountain is you are facing, believe that God is with you and He will do amazing things! If He can lead the people over DRY land through the flood stage Jordan, He can do anything!
Tell me below what you are believing God to do – I would love to know and also pray for you as well.
Happy Sunday friends!
Recipe: No Bake Chocolate Shakeology Balls
I have been drinking Shakeology consistently for almost a year and a half. I have seen a lot of recipes for making No Bake Shakeology Balls but I just I not tried them. I guess I was afraid I might not like them.
But as I was working on my meal plan last week, I decided to try them. I thought these could be a great end of the day snack. Especially when I am wanting just a little bit of sweet to end the day.
So last night I made them and put them in the freezer. When I was getting ready to make my Shakeology this morning, I saw them in my freezer so I decided to take a bite to see how they taste. And oh my I was in love! I ended up eating the whole ball. It was that good! And what is awesome about it is it is a Chocolate Healthy Snack.
Here is the recipe:
No Bake Chocolate Shakeology Balls
Ingredients:
8 tablespoons PB2, (low fat, high protein powdered peanut butter)
3 tablespoons Natural Peanut Butter
½ cup Shakeology
3 tablespoons raw honey
½ cup quick oats
Directions:
Mix PB2 with water until it is a paste like consistency. Mix all ingredients, including PB2 mixture together in a mixing bowl. It may take some time to blend all of the ingredients together. If it’s to sticky, sprinkle in additional protein powder so that it’s a pretty dry/crumbly texture.
Next, roll mixture into small individual balls and place on a wax sheet. Makes about 12 balls, 1 oz each. Put them in the freezer until firm.
If you are not familiar with Shakeology and would like more info about it, leave me a comment or go to my facebook page: http://www.fb.com/leighisheefitness and leave me a message.
If you try it, let me know how you like it!
I threw out my scale today!
Yes you read it right – I threw out my scale today. I also deleted My Fitness Pal from my phone. Gasp!! You may be thinking “You are a Beachbody coach, how could you throw out the scale?”
Let me tell you why – the Lord has really been laying on my heart how my value does not depend on a number on the scale or how many calories I eat. My value is not in what I do or do not eat. My value is in what He says about me. He loves me. He loves me with an everlasting love that does not depend on what I do. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The boundary lines for me fall in pleasant places. I am made for a plan and purpose. He has paid the price so I can live in freedom not bondage.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery
Galatians 5:1
For me that yoke of slavery is the scale.
It goes back to high school, when I was on drill team. We had a very strict weight requirement to be on the team. Every week during football season, we had to weigh in to see if we were the correct weight to perform. I did not make those requirements. It made me feel shamed and worthless. There was one week I was 3 lbs away from that number and on the sheet for everyone to see it was written “Only 3 lbs to go!” I was embarrassed. Not encouraged.
I look back at my drill team pictures and see that I was not fat but I was made to feel like I was a cow.
For many years after that I did not get on a scale. It wasn’t until about 6 or 7 years ago I bought a scale. But it has become a yoke around my neck. I would measure my worth based on that number on the scale. If I lost weight, I felt awesome. If it was not the loss I was expecting, I was frustrated. If I did not lose anything or gained, I saw myself as a failure. My emotions and self worth were dictated by that number on that machine.
The same thing goes with calorie counting. It drives me insane and it is a yoke around my neck. I am sooo tired of beating myself up if I mess up. Instead of calorie counting, I focus on the nutrition I am putting in my body. That is why I drink Shakeology every day. I also go to the Lord to see what small step I need to take this week and follow what He wants me to do.
Does that mean you have to throw out your scale and stop calorie counting? I don’t know. It depends on your story. Is your life dictated by that number or by what you do or do not eat? It is something that you have to go to the Lord with. For me, it was necessary. And I tell you for me, there was a weight lifted after I did it.
Does that mean I will eat whatever I want and not care what I put in my body? No!
What it means is that whatever I eat, I do it for God. I go to Him and have Him direct my path. I have done that a lot this week and it has been a great freedom for me. But in order to do this, you have to believe that God is good and He is for you. You have to trust Him with leading your life.
I truly believe that we are to be good stewards of the body that the Lord gave us. That is why I workout. When I workout, I truly feel His pleasure. Now when I allow Him to direct my eating and drinking, I feel His pleasure.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17
So when you ask me how much weight I have lost, I will tell you I don’t know. It is the truth. I haven’t stepped on a scale in at least a month. My glory is not in how many pounds I have lost, my glory is in God, my Heavenly Father, who loves me for who I am but also loves me soooo much that He wants the best for me, which means relying on Him through my health and fitness journey.
Does that mean I will judge someone for saying how many pounds they have lost? Heck no!! I will rejoice with you!!! I will celebrate with you!!!
Please know this is what God has for me. This is my story. Your story is different.
I love being a Beachbody Coach. I love helping others with their health and fitness. It is so fun to walk along side you and be your biggest cheerleader in your journey. I love hearing your stories and helping you reach your goals.
But the Lord has shown me, that for me, success lies in seeking Him and letting Him guide me in this journey. My day is successful when I am tempted and I turn to Him and let Him show me the escape route. It doesn’t mean I will never eat sweets again. No, I guarantee you that I will be eating something sweet tomorrow but that falls in the guidelines He has for me at this time.
So what I am saying is my victory is in Christ. I cannot be successful in my health and fitness journey without Him. Seek Him and see what He wants you to do. It might mean that you need to use a scale or count calories, eliminate something from your diet for a time, or follow a certain nutrition plan. But let HIM tell you what you should do. Let HIM guide you in your journey.
And if there is anything I can ever do to help, please do not hesitate to go to my FB page and send me a message. I will pray with you, I will help you, I will encourage you.
Please see yourself as an amazing person. I do! I truly do!
P.S. – Sorry about the awful first pic. It was too dark this morning when I left to get a good pic. But that is my scale in my garbage can.
Motivation for your Day – LOVE Yourself!!
Here is a very short video I posted on Saturday. I hope it encourages you.
What I have been learning….
It has been a while since I have posted. It has been a pretty busy summer. One of the things I have been doing is leading a Bible Study at my church. We are going through Brave by Angela Thomas. The Lord has really been using this study in my life. I have really loved it.
This Bible Study has brought up so much in my life. Especially in the area of my health and fitness. I plan on doing several posts on what I have been learning and processing.
I have also been going through the Crave 60 day devotional by Lysa Terkuerst. This has been an amazing resource for me in my health and fitness journey.
One thing she discusses in her devotional and her book of the same title is that the goal of our health and fitness journey should not be a hot body or to fit in a smaller size but it should be having peace with God and ourselves.
I get so tired of beating up myself or listening to all the voices of guilt and shame that constantly try to derail me. I want peace. I want to glorify God with my life. When I glorify God, I am at peace.
So how does this fit into my journey of health and fitness?
I need to seek Him first.
There are so many resources and programs available for us but it can be so overwhelming and discouraging. So I need to seek the Lord and have Him direct my footsteps in this journey.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. – James 1:5
I must do what He says
But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord being a double -minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:6-8
Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land you will possess. – Deut 5:33
I must rely on His strength.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power. – Isaiah 40:29
Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest fro your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
I must praise Him along the way.
Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations; His marvelous deeds among all peoples. – Psalm 96:2-3
If I am faithful in doing these things, I will be glorifying the Lord and I will have peace in my inmost being.
How about you? Do you think peace is more important than a great body or a smaller clothing size?
50 Things
Took this from my friend Kristin
1. Do you like blue cheese? I would eat it in a salad but I don’t seek out to eat it.
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette? Yes, a very long time ago. I used to smoke when I drank but that was 22+ years ago.
3. Do you own a gun? No but I would love to learn how to shoot. Especially a shot gun.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Don’t drink Sonic except on a special occasion. I do like a Vanilla Dr. Pepper.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really but I have not had an appointment to be nervous about thank goodness. Blessed!
6. Do you like hot-dogs? Sure but all beef ones. Don’t have these often either anymore.
7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Shakeology and my coffee.
8. Can you do push-ups? Yes but I need to do them better.
9. What’s your favorite meal? My favorite is Mexican. I could eat it everyday. Thank goodness I don’t. I have a weakness for pizza too.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Pearls, my wedding ring, and earrings. I feel naked if I forget to wear my earrings.
11. Favorite hobby? Working out, reading, decorating, sleeping (has to be a hobby when you are a mom because you don’t get to do it that often)
12. Do you work with people who idolize you? No
13. Name a trait that you hate about yourself? Getting overwhelmed too easily.
14. Middle name? Leigh – yes I go by my middle name.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this moment: Filling out this survey, make sure I get my workout in tonight, glad I get to sleep in some Sat.
16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday: Vanilla Shakeology packets. I think that was it.
17. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink: Shakeology, coffee, water
18. Current worry right now? Managing everything that I need to do —>>> overwhelmed!!
19. Current hate right now? Rubber neckers on the highway. Pull off to the side of the road if you have to look at an accident.
20. Favorite place to be? Beach, London, New Orleans.
21. How did you bring in New Years? Slept. Too tired to stay up.
22. Favorite place to go? I love to travel.
23. What is your most recurring dream? To be able to take my son to school and pick him up.
24. Introvert or extrovert? Extrovert with limits.[Kristin I liked your answer ;)]
25. What color shirt are you wearing? Navy blue
26. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never have
27. Can you whistle? No
29. Favorite color? Pinks or Reds
30. Would you be a pirate? Don’t think so
31. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don’t think I sing in the shower.
32. Favorite girl name? Too many to name probably.
33. Favorite boy name? Brayson.
35. What’s in your pocket right now? No pockets.
36. Last thing that made you laugh? My son this morning.
37. Bed sheets as a child? IDK. I did have Shaun Cassidy pajamas as a little girl.
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? I have been blessed not to have too many bad injuries. But my brother did accidentally slam my thumb in the car door. I had to open the door. My thumb was numb for a while.
39. Do you love where you live? Yes – I really like Katy.
40. How many TVs are in your house? 3
41. What is your worst habit? Starting things and not finishing them.
42. How many dogs do you have? None. Don’t want any really either. Been bit by a dog so I could do without them. I don’t hate dogs. I just don’t trust them.
43. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope my husband. Ha Ha!
44. Do you own slippers? Yes. I have some cute red ballet slippers from Land’s End
45. What is your favorite book? The Bible plus way too many others to name! I like to read.
46. What is your favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
47. What is your favorite sports team? Dallas Cowboys. Texas Rangers. I am a coach’s wife so my life is sports!
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Not sure just want the gospel preached at my funeral for sure.
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night? Sleeping.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? Snooze button – just being honest!
Did you learn anything new about me?!
Tag, you’re it!
Summer 5 Day Challenges
Are you looking to make some changes this summer but don’t know where to start? Is it overwhelming to make big changes in your life?
Making positive changes in your life can be overwhelming. That is why I am a big advocate of making small changes with consistency over time.
Every week this summer, I will be hosting a 5 Day Challenge on my Facebook page. Each challenge will start on Monday and end on Friday.
The first week was making sure you were getting enough water by drinking at least 64 oz a day. Last week was doing push-ups. This week is writing down everything you eat and drink for those 5 days.
The intent is after 5 days, you will see some progress and incorporate these changes in your every day life.
I am doing these challenges as well. You can go to my Facebook page and see the updates on my progress.
I would love to know what type of 5 Day Challenges would you like to do this summer! Leave me a comment below or on my Facebook page. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Bummed But Thankful
Last night as I was getting ready to make dinner, I went out to the garage to pull the block cheese out of our deep freeze. Only to find out that our deep freeze has died. I am so bummed. I opened the the door to the freezer and water started to poor out.
I am so thankful that I found it in time before all the meat we had in it went bad. Needless to say we will be cooking a turkey very soon. I am thankful it did not short out and cause a fire.
But I am still bummed. We have had to shell out so much money the past 12 months with the move and the sale of our house in Mesquite that the thought of needing to shell out more money for a new freezer is not appealing at all.
I think we will wait a while before we purchase a new one but at some point we will need to shell out the money.
Wendell said to me last night that the Lord is reminding us that the money is His. I said I know, I think I have learned that lesson enough over the past 12+ months. 🙂 But really, I do believe it is His. He can do what He wants. We are so blessed, I can’t complain.
Just wanted to share my random story.
I Have PCOS
Have you heard of it? Do you know what it is? Chances are you know a woman who has it.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an endocrine disorder that affects at least 1 in 10 women. Many women do not know they have it. I was not diagnosed with it until my mid-30’s.
One of the symptoms of PCOS is insulin resistance, where your body doesn’t use insulin like it is supposed too and it can predispose you to getting Type 2 Diabetes.
Your hormones don’t function properly which can cause a variety of symptoms like infertility, hair loss, hair growth, excessive weight gain, difficulty losing weight, acne, and irregular periods.
Unfortunately, I see too often that women who have been diagnosed with PCOS feel it is a death sentence. I hate to see so many women who have lost hope in losing weight or having a child.
I am here to say it is not hopeless. I believe if we stop focusing on the problem and the symptoms and focus on our health and well-being, we will see success.
It is not easy. It is not fast. It can be hard to see others get fast results while we are lagging behind but I am here to say your labor in this fight against PCOS is not in vain.
Cysters, focus on making the appropriate dietary changes you need. Take it one step at a time. Don’t try to make a huge change all at once. Start small and build on your changes every week. Believe that slow and steady wins the race.
You also have to exercise! You have to strength train. Weight bearing exercise helps our bodies manage insulin much better. You have to lift heavy. You have to do it 3 times a week. All the fast pace cardio may get you some results but you have to LIFT!
If you are doing the same exercise program you have done for years, it is time to change it up! Your body gets used to the workout. You need to cause muscle confusion so your body will work harder.
My weight loss journey has been a slow process but I refuse to give up. I will beat this and I will have success.
If you have PCOS and are hopeless, discouraged, don’t know where to start, I would love to help you. Please go to my Facebook Page for health and fitness information.
I would love to help and support you in your journey. Please don’t give up hope! PCOS is not a death sentence.
Let this be your mantra:
Let’s beat PCOS together!
Please let me know your story in the comments below. I love to hear your story!
Leigh Ishee 