Capturing Thoughts and Non-negotiables

Feb 5

Happy Valentine's and Mardi Gras month, everyone. I blinked and felt like January was gone. We have been dealing with increased family situations at home that have taken up most of my time, emotion, and brain space. When I am in a position with increased emotions, I must remind myself that my peace comes from God, not the world around me.

**Captive your thoughts**…..

I must look at what I can control and let the rest go. This means I set boundaries and keep my focus on God's promises. I can not sit and think, what if, should have, and could have. I must take my thoughts captive and continue my prayer life and daily routines.

My routine or habits I have created over the years help me make those healthier choices when I am stressed and don't feel like planning, cooking, or simply making a decision. One of my non-negotiables each week is meal planning.

This routine starts on Thursday, looking at the meal plan from the FASTer Way and planning out what we like from the menu, what I have on hand, what I can substitute, and what plans we have for the upcoming week.

Reviewing and planning the menu for the week only takes about 10 minutes because it is a routine I have been doing for years, and our meals are the same unless I get bored, LOL; hence the **Chicken Pot Pie Soup**.

By Friday, I have created our list for shopping. I like to go early on Saturday morning to leave Sunday open for church, family lunch, and meal prepping for the week.

Meal Plans

Keeping it simple with meal prep means boiling eggs, cooking meat I will use for my lunches, cooking my breakfast bowls for Monday and Tuesday, and cutting up veggies or fruit. I will meal prep my chia or overnight oats on Tuesday evening for Wednesday and Thursday.

My daily movement has been non-negotiable over the years, but since I broke my foot in July, I have struggled with pain and flexibility. I have continued to work and move as my body allows me. My non-scale victory for the first week of February was a weight increase for my chest press with dumbells. I moved to two 25-pound dumbbells with the chest press. I have finally decided I can not google or fix myself (hips, butt, and outer thigh). I have scheduled a doctor's appointment for physical therapy.

Keep doing what you can, focus on what you can control, and let go of what is not lifting you and making you a better person. Who is your circle? Do they add or take from you?

My FASTer Way community and coach does this for me. My faith and relationship with God give me strength, hope, and peace for the future.

What is a non-negotiable that you do each week to help you live a healthier life?