Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 47
January 20, 2017
Fitness Friday? Did I Exercise or Not?
Okay, here you go! It's been one week since the first #OSJFitnessFriday blog posted and I have to share. No. Admit. Yes, admit, what happened on Saturday. So after sharing my obesity score and BMI with all of you, the alarm went off on Saturday morning and I hit the snooze. I'll work out later, I said to myself. Once awake, instead of putting on my gym clothes, I put on jeans and a nice sweatshirt, not even a bump-around-the-house shirt, for the day's adventures. So you know going to the gym wasn't on the agenda anymore. Our morning plans changed so we didn't need to scoot right out the door and we didn't have a schedule to keep, this was good.
I asked my daughter, "Do you want to go to the gym with me?" Her response was less than energetic or willing but she sighed out a "If you want me to." Then I got cranky and displaced MY LAZINESS, MY LACK OF MOTIVATION, AND MY LACK OF DETERMINATION on to her and bit her head off. BAD MOM! I apologized and said, yes, I really want to go but if you don't want to then I'll go by myself. She responded to my negativity but softened with the apology and acknowledgment of guilt.
Guess, what? WE WENT TO THE GYM! Thank goodness, what kind of blogger, woman, mother, friend, or encourager would I be if the very next day after encouraging you I sat on the couch eating an Oreo and drinking soda from Burger King? (Neither company gets anything from my sharing their product pictures with me (pretending) to binge eat or for using their name here. The only thing they provide are extra calories, high sugar intakes, and a case of the drags from eating less-than-healthy food options).
After getting home from the gym and grocery shopping, I finalized my goals and printed out the document I created to monitor my progress and hold me accountable. I plan to tack my goals and charts on the bathroom door for my family (and any visitors) to see. Yes, anyone who visits our home and uses the restroom or walks past the door to go to our kitchen has full access to my 2017 goals. This MOTIVATES me to stay the course and focused.
Last year Mag's college roomy came home and checked out my goals and said, "Are these your goals?" I nodded and said, "Yes." She looked at them again and then back to me and said (my paraphrase, bad memory, sorry), "You're not doing so good. You might want to do better next week!" All I could do was laugh and thank her, she held me accountable!! I did much better the next week because I thought, "What if Mag's roommate comes home with her again?" So, an eighteen year old I met for the first time kindly reminded me of my goals, shouldn't we do this with our loved ones too? Gentle and loving observations, not nagging. If you'd like a copy of the template I made for myself to track my goals, it is attached below. What is ONE of your goals for this year?
January 19, 2017
Thankful Thursday: January 19, 2017
With a thankful heart you can see opportunities to be thankful each and every day, in all circumstances. This is a challenge when you first begin YET when you start with a thankful mindset and outlook, the ability to find things to be thankful for only gets easier. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,Let me share a few of the things I am thankful for this week:A husband willing to work overtime so I can have a reliable and beautiful car to driveA daughter applying all she's learned in her short eighteen years and blossoming into an amazing young woman and member of her college communityA father who loves unconditionally and around the clock, modeling the love of Jesus without realizing it. Time with my parents, and family are always blessings I count, everyday and sometimes throughout the dayFor aunts and uncles that love me and look out for me - relationships I cherishFor God placing a friend's name on my heart and when I send a quick text to let her know I said a little prayer. We never know when this little prayer and acknowledgement of a prayer can encourage another person. Later my friend responded with, "I needed that verse and prayer at that moment. God is good."For the roof over our head, food in the house, heat and running water - these are blessings not everyone can count - remember to be thankful for ALL you have, regardless of how little it might feel, there is always someone in a worse condition than me, or youFor the ability to use my gifts to bless othersFor sleeping through the night without nightmaresFor all of you, when you take time to read the blog and let God work in your heart, this encourages me and inspires me to keep writing. Thank YOU! What are you thankful for today?
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
January 18, 2017
It's #OSJWritersWednesday...Brighter Days
What is the sunshine and laughter in your life at this very moment?
Write at least 200 words
in your journal or if you're brave...here.
January 17, 2017
T.O.P.'s Tuesday: What are YOU Writing?
Last week I shared about goals and leaked a shocking truth to some, I am dabbling in fiction! There, I said it, I'm attempting a fictional story. Don't get me wrong, I still prefer nonfiction yet as I attempt to share from the depths of my heart lately, the words don't flow to the paper as easily. The good news, as I get my focus back and LOOK UP and SEEK HIS FACE, the inspiration to write and share is renewed within me. A connection between faith and using the gifts God's given me? I think so! Yes, I used an explanation point. Yikes, the editors reading this are hoping I don't add another one because you should only have a couple of these "exciting marks" in an entire novel, so one has to be the limit in a blog. I digress. So what is the point of this week's TOP's Tuesday, to let you know I'm writing and appreciate all your prayers and encouragement. I'm thankful for your notes, messages, and encouraging words when we meet at a book signing or speaking event. God's is using people like you to draw me closer to Him and back into writing. I know there are more books within me - if they are nonfiction or fiction, only God knows at this time. The one thing I know, I'm hope, plan, and pray to do my part. What are you writing or hope to write?
God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10 NLT
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
January 14, 2017
Getting Creative with...Week 2
For the month of December I made my dad a placemat with a Christmas tree on it, so he'd have a tree in the house. It was a little reminder for him each morning as he enjoyed his coffee of how much we love him. Something simple yet a gift that could keep on giving.With the Christmas decorations tucked away now, it's time for a new placemat. I thought about what to make for him this time. My hope was to have something that could last him through the rest of the winter yet be encouraging and uplifting. I looked at blue materials and thought about doing a snowy scene but with Lake Ontario practically in his backyard, he doesn't need anymore snow reminders.
Then it dawned on me, what about a cardinal? A cardinal is a sign of someone you love in heaven stopping to say hello. Hmm...this sounded perfect but then on to the next challenge, to find a quilt block pattern simple enough for this beginner to make. I found one here. I'm thankful for those who share their gift to create a pattern. I'm not making the entire quilt, only one block. One symbol of love from me to my Dad and a reminder from heaven each morning as he enjoys his coffee, missing his coffee and life partner...my mom.
A special thanks to Country Junk'tion for sharing your quilt patterns with others.
"FREE Patterns are for your personal/Guild use ONLY.
Pattern may not be re-sold for profit. Finished quilts created using my quilt block patterns may be sold if a tag is attached stating “[Cardinal] ©2017 Country Junk’tion”
http://www.countryjunktion.com/ What are you creating this weekend?
Do you create to encourage others?
January 13, 2017
Sharing Fitness on Friday...
My husband and I joined the gym this past Fall after finding we had more "time" with our daughter being at college. I've focused on the cardio, typically the tread mill up until this week. With the help of my daughter, I'm learning how to use some of the machines to build more strength and muscle.Do you belong to a gym, workout at home, or a combination of the two? What works the best for you?
Do you track your daily steps? A friend gifted me the "Fit Bit Zip" last June and this inspired me to focus on achieving the daily 10,000 step goal. I noticed I started to sleep better at night when I reached this goal, especially when I completed this walking outside.
My goal isn't to wear a size 2 but instead to be healthier so I can live longer and hopefully live to be 100 or so. I know the risks associated with obesity and the various health risks triggered by carrying the extra weight. If I want to work until I retire and help raise my grandchildren like my parents did with our daughter, I need to be healthier.
According to the BMI and suggested target weight for my age and height, I need to lose between sixty-three and one-hundred four pounds! Yikes! Personally, this seems like too much weight and fear I'd look sick. My first mini goal is to fit into a size 14 comfortably, with wearing a size 12/14 as the ultimate goal.
I don't know how much weight this is but in order to reach this goal, I know it's time to start weight training alongside with my hour of cardio. I have the "Black Card" at Planet Fitness so I can always bring a friend with me. To have an accountability partner helps keep me focused and on task. What helps to keep you on task?
In order to keep the blog real and honest, I'm sharing my weight and BMI with you. My husband, daughter, and a few friends are my accountability parnters BUT to post this on my blog, OUCH! This motivates me not to roll over when the alarm goes off at 4:15 again. Please don't judge my numbers, one day and one workout at a time...I'm striving for health.
If you haven't checked your weight with a BMI chart, will you take a moment to check? If your number startles you, will you let this motivate you to be healthier? I hope so.
Height: 5 feet, 7 inches
Weight: 222 pounds
Your BMI is 34.8, indicating your weight is in the Obese category for adults of your height.
For your height, a normal weight range would be from 118 to 159 pounds.
CALCULATE YOUR BMI HERE
Are you ready to get healthy?See you next Friday for another Fitness blog.
January 11, 2017
An #OSJ Writers' Wednesday: Puddles
National
"Step in a Puddle
& Splash Your Friends" Day As a child when the rain started, the anticipation of jumping in the puddles was created. Like most things in life, the transition into adulthood has us view the rain as an interuption with potential plans (or watering the garden so we don't have to, woot woot!).
When is the last time you jumped in a puddle and splashed a friend?
Today's writing prompt: Write about a memory of puddle jumping or a write a tid bit about taking advantage of this fun activity as an adult? Who do you bring with you to jump in the puddle? How much laughter is there? Does this become a new habit?
January 10, 2017
T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Will You & I Reach Our 2017 Goals and Resolutions?
By this time in the new year I usually have at least a half dozen goals written down that I'm committed to. A couple spiritual goals, a few writing and speaking goals, and a few health and wellness goals. This year there isn't a list of goals or a notion of where to begin. I still have my WIGS chart posted on the bathroom door. What is a WIG? Thank you for asking, a WIG is a "Wildly Important Goal".I started strong in August and as the warmer weather lessoned, so did my motivation to monitor and track my goals. Thankfully, this desire returned around Thanksgiving and I'm slowly getting my groove back. I'll tweek my exercise goals for this year for a more effiecient way to track towards success.
In addition to my goals, I like to choose a theme verse and word for the year. This is something I started a few years ago after my friend and author, Elaine W. Miller shared with me. My goal is to have these selected by February 1st, I don't like to rush the Word and The Word God has for me each year. Good things come to those who wait, especially when you wait on the Lord. Do you pick a word and Bible verse at the beginning of the year? If you do, how does this help you throughout the year? If you haven't done this before, will you try this year and see how God works in your life through His Word?
I have other book ideas within me, even a fictional story but instead of sharing (or teasing as my Mom called it) at this moment, I'm holding off until I'm ready to commit 110% to the writing process and the time required to be successful. I do plan on keeping my creative juices in motion through sewing, crocheting, quilting, and writing. As I do this, I'll share snip-its on Saturdays when I have pics and stories to share. I'm calling it "Sew-Sensational Saturday" on the blog.
So do I have a list of goals? No, but I do have a plan and motivation to do so. THIS IS MY FIRST GOAL...TO SET MY GOALS! A peculiar goal don't you think. Is your first goal the same as mine or do you have your list started already?
What is ONE goal you are dedicated to?
January 8, 2017
As I enjoy staying inside on this cold and snowy, "snow day" of a Sunday I am reminded of a similar day many years ago. When our daughter was a peanut, a little older than this pic, church was cancelled due to weather. Our pastor encouraged us to have a worship service in our own homes with our family. This was a neat idea and we put it into motion, as did many of our families that week.January 7, 2017
Getting Creative with...Week 1
My inner sewing muse was ignited as I thought and prayed about what to gift my cousin and his bride earlier this year. As we moved Mags into the college and I found more time on my hand than I'm used to, I tried to remember what I did over eighteen years ago for fun. It is a bizarre happening, we slowly transition from an independent person, to a couple, to parents, and then back to a couple with new independence. Can I hear an "Amen"?I enjoy giving gifts that reflect my heart and encourage the person receiving it. This desire reminded me of my love to sew. My friend Ret taught me many moons ago. She was so patient and still is a resource when stuck. Thank goodness. I decided for my first sewing project that wasn't repairing a rip or shortening a dress would be a quilt.
Yep, "go big or go home" is the saying, right? Initially I planned to make a lap quilt but as we searched for the perfect fabric marriage, something bigger to snuggle under came to mind. They are newlyweds after all. It took too many hours to track and multiple trips to Hobby Lobby and JoAnn Fabrics for "one more thing". As I folded and wrapped, I realized something, sewing is another way to put my creative muse and juices to use.
Words have been a struggle for the past year but to sew and blend, marry, and reinvent fabrics allows me the freedom to creative without the pressure of someone asking, "what is next?" or dwelling on the "who"s that aren't alive to be my first readers. To write has been a passion since I was a little girl and to sew became a relaxer after Heidi's disappearance.
God created me to use my gifts of writing, speaking, and creating to encourage, inspire, and help others. As I walk on the tread mill listening to my praise and worship playlists, ideas of things to write or make flood my mind. My hope is to follow my heart and honor God by using all the gifts he's given me in a more efficient and balanced manner. Whether I'm sewing, writing, or preparing for a speaking engagement...let it be His will, not mine.
What are you sewing this week?
