Category: Uncategorized

Work in Progress

Posted on By wrenhowsway

To sum up my weight loss journey quickly- I’m not done.?? I’m a work in progress, so I give myself grace.

Post age 30, my metabolism slowed down. My body feels like it stores everything I eat and my scale is broken. If I weigh myself on Tuesday I lost 3 lbs, by Saturday I’ve gain 3.4 pounds back. ?

So, I had to find ways to stay motivated.

What am I currently doing for my weight loss journey?

1. Instead of using a scale I purchased waist beads. I got the idea from my friend Erica. As the beads become looser, I know I’m losing inches and I purchase new ones. In addition, the beads are cute and are a confidence booster!

2. To stay focused, I’ve completed a 100-day and 60-day workout challenge last year and I’m currently on day 43 of another 100-day workout challenge.

3. I have an accountability partner that I have to message and send screenshots of my workouts to daily. S/O to my accountability partner Rickeeta, she sends me side-eyes ? if she hasn’t received my daily post.

4. I also modified my diet. I consider myself vegetarian-ish (I’ll explain in my next blog). My main focus is to eat more fruit and veggies.

5. I switched up my workout routine from cardio to more strength and weight training. #hugedifference

I have weight loss goals, but I remind myself I’m human and I have struggles just like everyone else.

Like for example, I love chips, particularly the flaming hot Doritos. I’m not sure who came up with the seasoning recipe, but it has to be award-winning. ? Like I tried to eat a bag yesterday and the bag was stale y’all ?. I guess someone wants me to stay on track ?.

In conclusion, I briefly listed a few things I’m doing to have a healthy lifestyle, but of course, we all have to decide what works best for us.

Question of the Day? : What are some fitness tips that you practice?

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Fear

Posted on By wrenhowsway

We all have those big things we fear, but what about those small hidden fears that only you and God know about? You know the ones we don’t like to bring up. Yes, that one!?

Storytime: I was auditioning for a dance group at church this past week and I was debating on telling my friends about the audition. This sounds minor saying it now, but I allowed fear to grip me and paralyze my decision making or at least I almost did. Fear doesn’t always start with those large things, it creeps in as a little small thing that we deal with on a daily basis and then before you know it, Boom!? it manifested into something larger.

So, in my situation, in order to “cover” my fear, I decided I would only mention it to my friends if I made the dance group, that way we could celebrate the accomplishment ? bringing it up before, just in case I didn’t make it. #savingface

We all have those doubts about, I’m not good enough, I’m not worthy, I’m going to fail. You know that negative self talk- that we should cast down before it even forms into a complete sentence.

God showed me that what I feared the most revealed where I trusted God the least. -Pastor Craig Groeschel #thatsretweetworthy ?

But, surprisingly my devotion this week talked about fear and I remembered God’s word says, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

And I also remembered God word says:

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 #howsway ?

After remembering those scriptures, I realized God was with me every step of the way. Am I nervous about the audition -yes, but I’m no longer fearful because God has everything in his control.

I told my sisters and some friends before the dance tryouts about my audition because you know what they will do – cover me in prayer and encourage me. And even if I don’t make it – guess what life will go on. God is the author and has the manuscript for my life!

P.S. I didn’t make it. My sisters and I laughed about it and life, welp it went on. ?

I Forgive Because I’m Forgiven

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I can think back to many times that I’ve messed up. Like truly jacked stuff all the way up. You know how the Bible says, he will provide a way to escape – I saw the way to escape and still went the opposite way. ? But the great thing about God is he is such a great father, rich in love, mercy and grace. That’s just his nature. It is just who he is. As soon as we mess up, we can ask him for forgiveness and we are forgiven instantly. #howsway

I think about myself and how I’m so far from perfect, heck all of us are. I remember instances with others in which I quickly forget God has forgiven me and I’m not always quick to forgive them. I’ve had people in the past apologize and I’ve said- let me think about it. #honestmoment

But, then I remembered I always want forgiveness, so who am I to hold something over someone. ? I want forgiveness, so I will extend forgiveness to others. Try it! It’s so freeing! I heard a quote from Pastor Mike Hayes that said – the amount of time it takes for you to forgive someone determines your maturity. And in the end, forgiveness is not for them anyway, it is for you! ?

“bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.”

Colossians 3:13 AMP

DIY – Do It Yourself

Posted on By wrenhowsway

Often times when we want to pursue something we get in our own way. I say we because I’m guilty too. I can think of a list of reasons or as some may call them excuses as to why I can’t do something. We will say we need a new camera or a photographer to blog or vlog.

I don’t have money to hire a web designer to launch my website.

But- can you imagine what will happen if you use the talents you have to glorify God until he blesses you with more? #howsway

Can’t afford a photographer like me?

DIY! I now take my own photos or I’ll ask a friend to take them. I like having new content for my blog; therefore, I am using the resources I have until I’m blessed with more. I would love to do weekly photoshoots; however, the way my budget is set up, I’ll DIY! I took the photo above. #slightplug ?

Need a new website? DIY! Godaddy and Wix are two great options to start from until you have coins to pay a professional. Also, there are a ton of YouTube videos for assistance.

We can think of a million reasons not to start, not even realizing someone is waiting on your skillset, your talent and your gift to come from an idea ? to reality.

The hardest thing to do is honestly the easiest thing to do – just start. No one expects perfection, but you. Life is a journey and we are all learning. Until you have everything figured out or you have money to hire the people you want DIY or phone a friend for help.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Philippians 4:13 KJV

Hurry Up

Posted on By wrenhowsway

Honestly, it really should be slow down bruh. You are moving way too fast.
When I think about my life, I’m at my worst when I’m in a hurry. I’m more likely to become irritable and frustrated. I can think of several moments in which, I was running late and now I’m frustrated sitting at a red light, hoping it will change immediately so I can go.

Hopefully, no one gets in front of me driving slow, because then I’ll speed around them to “make-up time” and become even more frustrated when I’m stuck at the next red light with that same car again.
In those moments where I’m feeling rushed because I’ve double booked or took too long getting dressed – what I’m learning (it’s a process) to do is to slow myself down and enjoy those moments instead of spending time frustrated, wishing I’m somewhere – where I’m not. My frustration of wanting to be somewhere quicker, is not going to help me get there any faster. ?
I can tell when I’m running through life full speed because I’ll start losing or misplacing things. This year, I told myself, I’ll slow down and not rush through life. I recently read a devotion in the Bible app and it talked about how Jesus never rushed to do anything. In fact, he slowed down several times to pray or even delayed his arrival – while it may appear he was late in our natural eyes, he was on divine time, perfect arrival!

So, when we are rushing through life, take time to slow down, relax and release the stress of rushing.

“Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Things I Learned About Going Through Trials or Issues

Posted on By wrenhowsway

I received this topic request from a friend.

I learned that just like others, I would prefer to go through things privately, whether that is binge-watching television or just sitting home alone.

Storytime: The most recent thing I had to go through was my break up, which all happened the same month I was releasing my book. #exhausting

I wanted to shrink, not eat and stay home, but I couldn’t. During that time God gave me strength that I didn’t know I had, so I could channel it into my book. I had already did a photoshoot, sent invites for a book release, so this book was happening. I just needed to get myself together. Lol. My faith grew stronger in God. Every morning I was up at 6 am praying to God because he was the only person I wanted to talk to during this time. If anyone asked me, I would just say, I’m good because I didn’t want to discuss it. I gave all my energy to my book and making it daily. I knew if I could push through to my book release party, I would be okay. I had one friend Melanie that disregarded everything I said and called and texted me every day for a month just to check on me. I thought I was a great friend, but her act of kindness called me higher as a friend. I also can’t forget my counselor, I randomly started counseling a couple of weeks before my break-up for something completely different, not knowing I would need it for this. My counselor is my advocate, one of my cheerleaders and my friend in my head. ? She helped me change my focus from OMG this just happened to- this relationship served its purpose and what are you going to do now – boss up and finish your book. lol

So what I learned is – when I go through things I want to break down just like anyone else, but as my friend Erica says – but God. I depended on God, I journaled, I allowed myself to feel all the feelings and hurt that I didn’t want to feel and I channeled my energy into something else to keep me occupied. I traveled – a beach and a glass of wine help a lot. ? I also leaned on my friends, they kept me encouraged and motivated to finish my book and ensured I got out of the house when needed.

Question of the Day – How do you handle things when you go through trials or problems?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Psalms 34:18 NLT

https://www.bible.com/116/psa.34.18.nlt