Tamara, Author at The Workout Mama

On My 32nd Birthday…

November 17, 2015 by Tamara 3 Comments

My Mom said she could always tell when I was getting sick because there would start to be a trail of used kleenex all over the house. While I am not as bad as I was about leaving my germ infested kleenex all over, I knew that the week leading up to my birthday, I could possibly be coming down with a cold. Not from the trail of used kleenex but because of my worsening sore throat. Then I was congested and then I admitted to myself that I should probably go to the doctor after having symptoms for a week.

I really wasn’t super bummed about having a cold. In the past year my anxiety and overall outlook on life has gone through a major overall. As my birthday was quickly approaching I was just super thankful that my family was not showing signs of stuffy noses and coughs.

Last Thursday, the day before my birthday, I made an appointment with the doctor. He said if my symptoms got worse to call and he would call in a prescription for me, but he was fairly confident that by the next day I would start feeling much better.

On my birthday morning I woke up to no voice. Yikes! I knew at this point I needed to get ahold of the doctor again. Thank goodness for text messaging and email. Josh was on shift but he was able to get in touch with the doctors office and explain what was happening and he also was able to come home for the day until the kids went to bed to help me. I really thought I could handle it on my own but I am so thankful he came home.

At this point, Caden started coughing, and I knew that he was sick too. So we decided to have a sick day, watch movies, and drink green smoothies. Not a bad way to spend a birthday cuddled up on the sofa with your loved ones, minus blowing crazy grossness out of your nose all day.

Right before dinner, as I was in the kitchen getting the food dished up on the plates, Maisie walked into the kitchen crying. This is not super unusual because when she knows it is getting close to a meal or snack and she can see the food, she wants the food. Suddenly my kitchen floor was covered in throw up. Again and again she got sick on the floor, on me, and on the floor again. I felt so bad for her. Once she was finished her little body was shaking and she nestled her head under my neck and snuggled in.

Dinner ended up getting cold as we cleaned Maisie up in the bath, the kitchen floor was mopped, and soon enough it was bedtime for the kids. Josh went back to work and I was asleep quickly after he left. Not the day I planned but I wouldn’t trade it.

The amazing thing about this to me is that in all of these moments I never once thought anything negative or wished the day away. I have really come to understand that life is such a gift and each day should be treated like it is. Sure it would have been nice if we had all felt better, but you know what? People get sick everyday, some much worse than a stomach bug or cough.

Perspective is everything and life should be treasured. Even in the moments when you don’t feel good. There is always something to be thankful for. This was such a great reminder for me NOT to allow negative thoughts to rule my mind. By keeping focused on all the amazing blessings in my life I was able keep myself out of the bottomless pit that I can easily put myself in with my negative thought pattern.

It was so fitting that the past week in my bible study was all about peace. God so knows what he is doing and how to prepare us. On this day He knew that I would need the extra reminder of all the great things I have going for me so I wouldn’t get weighed down in the muck.

As part of the study I was asked to write down three specific things for which I was grateful to God despite whatever difficulty I was currently facing.

The three things I was grateful for this day were…

a roof over my head
my husband who took time off to come home to help me
antibiotics

Next question. How can you incorporate these three things in your prayer strategy this week?

Then I incorporated these into my prayer life by praying for…

our landlords and neighbors
Josh, his coworkers, and our car that gets him from A to B
doctors

When we choose a thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry we demonstrate a sweet trust in God. This keeps us from being absorbed in our circumstances and allows God to activate a deep peace within us.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

I don’t know about you, but for myself having access to more peace is never something I will turn down. God’s peace is amazing. It is dismantling my emotional barriers and securing my runaway emotions. Which to me is the best birthday gift of all :).

xoxo, Tamara

PS…If you struggle with automatic negative thoughts like I do, try changing your perspective. Start a gratitude journal. Each day write three things you are thankful for. Seriously try it.

Filed Under: Faith, Personal Tagged With: Birthday, Peace, Prayer, Sick

6 Ways to Pray for Your Husband

September 1, 2015 by Tamara Leave a Comment

I recently joined a women’s bible study and at our first meeting one of the ladies shared 6 Ways to Pray for Your Husband with the group. I was so encouraged and want to share this prayer with you.

There is so much darkness in our world today. Our husbands are constantly being tempted and as wives we need to continually be praying for them. Marriage is not always easy but it is worth fighting for. God’s word is powerful and I love that these prayers include the scripture references. I hope this blesses you as much as it has encouraged and blessed me. These could also be used to pray over your children.

I pray that my husband may seek first Your kingdom today. Help him to live righteously. And as he seeks you, Lord, I pray that You will provide everything he needs today. And show him what his true needs are, compared to what the world says he needs. Thank you for providing for every one of his needs, Lord!

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT

Fill my husband with Your Holy Spirit and inspire him to live right and true according to Your Word. Strengthen his hands and knees. Guide him on a straight path and hold him up, so that he can be made strong.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT

Help my husband guard his heart. I know, Lord, that where his heart is that will direct the course of his life. I know that where his heart is, that is where his treasure will be. I pray his heart will be first to You, second to his family, and third to the mission and purposes you’ve designed for him on earth.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT

I pray that my husband will be humbled before You today. I pray that You will make him aware of the schemes of our enemy and make him strong to resist those schemes. I pray that he will desire to come close to you. I pray he will make the time to come to you. I thank you that You are always close when my husband approaches You. I pray that he will wash his hands from all the filth that he picks up just walking through life. I pray that if there is anything that my husband needs to seek repentance for that he will do it quickly so that he will not have to carry around heavy burdens and regretful thoughts. I pray that whenever his loyalty is divide between You and the world that He will always choose You.

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. James 4:7-8 NLT

I pray that my husband will turn to you to search and test his heart. I pray he will turn every anxious thought over to You. I pray that my husband’s heart will be tender so that when you point out areas of weakness that he will gladly and joyously turn over those offenses to You. I pray that you will lead him along the path of everlasting life, and I thank you that although there are struggles in this world that there will be no pain, shame, darkness or struggles and stumbling when we spend eternity with you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

I pray that when my husband gets overwhelmed today that he will cry out to you. Lead him to Your towering rock of safety. Thank you, Lord, that You are his safe refuge. Thank you that at this moment You are surrounding my husband with a barrier of protection—and that no enemy can reach him. I pray that my husband will look forward to worshiping in your eternal sanctuary forever, and that you will give him a glimpse of Your holy presence here on earth. May my husband always stay safe between the shelter of Your wings.

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Psalm 61:2-4 NLT

Thank you, Lord, for listening to my prayers for my husband. Thank you for always hearing my prayers.

PS…If you would like a pdf copy of this prayer you can visit TriciaGoyer.com.

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Marriage, Parenting, Prayer, Right Living, Strength

The Anywhere Pyramid Workout

August 20, 2015 by Tamara Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: Not all exercises are suitable for everyone and this or any other exercise program may result in injury. To reduce this risk of injury, please consult your doctor before beginning this, or any other, physical fitness program. Any user of this workout assumes the full risk of injury resulting from performing the routine.

Pyramid training is highly effective, challenging and can be tons of fun! When pyramid training you focus on completing certain amount of reps and recording how long it takes you to complete the circuit. In this anywhere pyramid workout you will be moving from one exercise to the next quickly, with little to no rest in between, so there is no need to then do additional cardiovascular exercise.

The anywhere pyramid workout can be done just as the name implies, anywhere. There is no equipment needed. Get ready to get sweaty!

THE WORKOUT

Complete the entire circuit as listed below by doing 4 reps for each exercise. Go back and repeat the circuit but now do 6 reps. You will continue adjusting the rep amounts as listed below until you finish with 4 reps. Set a timer and go as fast as you can.

UP DOWNS

Start in the top of a push up position.
Jump your feet in, bringing your knees to your chest and keep your hands on the floor.
Come to standing and jump into the air, raising your arms overhead
Return to a squat with hands to floor and then jump your feet back plank.
Modification: Instead of jumping to and from your hands step up instead.

SHOULDER PUSHUPS

Start standing with your feet hip-width apart. Fold your body forward from your hips until you can reach both hands flat on the floor in front of your feet.
Walk your hands out and away from your legs until your body is in an upside-down ‘V’ position, pressing your chest back towards your thighs.
Bend both elbows and bring the top of your head closer to the mat (be sure to keep your chin into your chest so you don’t strain your neck). Then, press away from the floor and straighten your arms.

STANDING KNEE TUCK

Stand with feet together. Lift left leg straight back, hinging forward at hips, reaching hands forward by ears; keep hips level and body straight from hands to heel.
Using your core, draw left knee in to chest, bending elbows to pull arms down to knee; return to previous position.
Modification: Hold onto the back of a chair.

PLANK JACKS

Start in plank postion.
Jump your feet out wide to the sides.
Jump your feet back in together.
Continue jumping your feet out wide and back in.
Modification: Instead of jumping your feet out wide, step one foot at a time out wide.

KILLER LEG CIRCLES

Start on your back. Reach your arms over your head and lift your shoulders off the mat. Engage your core and pull belly button into spine.
Place left foot on mat with ankle stacked under knee and extend right leg straight up in the air.
Make small circles with your right leg.
Make it harder: Extend left leg 1 inch off the floor and leave it hovering for the duration of your leg circles.

Let me know if you try this. Happy Sweating!

Filed Under: Fitness, Workouts Tagged With: Bodyweight, Exercise, Pyramid