Author: Caleb U

Fitness

Fitness Goals 2023

INTRO: I have exercised since high school when I was a scrawny little youngin. I enjoyed the idea of pushing myself and had fun doing it. BUT, I didn’t feel like it got me anywhere. It is 2023 officially (as of 2 weeks ago) and I have worked at 3 gyms. That is potentially over 6 years of some form of weight training. I have hit seasons of plateaus, months of no working out, and years of wanting to get bigger but “not being able to eat enough”. This year I am coming in with specific goals and am going to achieve them no matter what!

I want to challenge myself. I want to be a well-rounded dude, healthy in each aspect of my life. I know aspects of wellness and general health can be intertwined and build off of each other. I want to be my best in each area. Mentally, Spiritually, Physically, Relationally, and Emotionally.

“Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can do what others can’t.”

Jerry Rice

I am about to begin my time as a student teacher and don’t know how I am going to continue but I know I will. Maybe it’s just me but when I picture a teacher, I tend to think of somebody who can be any age, but they look older than they are. They also tend to look unamused or sad in general. Do they have time outside of school, planning, and grading to work on themselves? I think life is too short to not. Right? Maybe this is me projecting my fears of overwhelming stress onto teachers?

The Why

  • General Health
  • Energy
  • Athletic Performance
  • Aesthetics (😏)

With four brothers that are all competitive and a constant desire to be healthy, I have been very blessed with good general health. I am 24 years old now and want to continue to build healthy habits and set myself up for continued healthy life. 

I don’t want to grow up and be lazy (although I do feel that way more often than I’d like to admit). I honestly want to be a highly energetic adult who is always down to clown. Whether that be disc golf or spikeball with friends, a random workout with Kendall, or wrestling my kids one day, I want to be energetic.

I love to mess around with my brothers and friends and want to stay on top of my “game”. I want to have the feeling of being capable of anything. I already WHOOP everybody in whatever I do and I want to keep it that way. On a more serious note, I have never really challenged myself in this way, and think it will be fun.

Lastly… the looks. I’ve always been skinny but eventually got toned. Now is the first time I will seriously try to put on some weight. I know what I want to look like and think it would be an enjoyable project to work on my physical body in this way.

God blessed me with this body and he dwells with me. My body is a temple and is not my own so I strive to take care of it. What better way than exercising, eating well, drinking lots of water, and getting good sleep?!

The How

I am NOT a personal trainer myself. I have not taken courses or anything like that. BUT, I have worked at several gyms. I have had seasons of deep research into the health and fitness world. Many of my friends are personal trainers and I often work out with them. Others around me ask for information or if I can build their workouts.

DIET: My diet will be mostly clean (whole or “healthy” foods, not things like pizza). I am aiming to gain weight so I would have a calorie surplus every day. I will be eating roughly 3,400 calories a day. I could eat a little less.. But I want to be sure to gain weight. This number is also set so if I miscalculate the amount I consume, I should still be in a surplus. I will also be drinking lots of water. That should always be the case. I will add a list of foods to eat at a later date.

EXERCISE: My workouts will change month to month and sometimes vary a little each week. I will be doing weight training 3-4 days a week and more endurance-based, fun exercises 2-3 times a week. This could be CrossFit WODs, swimming, sports, etc. This will help burn some fat from all the food as well as make the process more enjoyable. Gotta have time to play! I will add the workouts in this blog at a later date.

REST: I tend to be an early bird. I have no issues going to bed early and waking up early. Muscle growth is stimulated when you workout, fueled when you eat, and happens when you sleep! I typically get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Mentally I believe I thrive off of 7.

Progress Pics

There are a lot of ways to track your progress. I personally enjoy looking at other people’s progress pics. Seeing the physical difference can make people sooo so proud. I will track my weight weekly but am also going to be doing progress pics. Please be respectful, I am trying! Some of these early pictures are crazy to me even now. I am already much further than I used to be and excited to see what is to come.

2018 /// All about 130-135lbs
2020 /// ~140 lbs
January 2023 /// 140 lbs
2023 GOAL /// 150lbs 8% body fat by June —> 160lbs 8%body fat by December

Work In Progress

I am excited to see what will happen this year. Excited. To challenge myself in this way. I do know some stuff about fitness but not everything so if you have any tips, words of wisdom, or encouragement, feel free to send them my way!

Sincerely,

Caleb 🙂

Personal

The Lucky One

  • by Caleb U

If you keep up on our blog posts, I hope you feel like you have a glimpse into Kendall and I’s lives. I know she loves writing. As she writes more and more, not only do they get better, but you can also see her heart behind her words. You get a glimpse into what is happening in our lives at that moment, not just a topic we wanted to study.

I get the honor of reading and helping Kendall edit some of her posts before they are officially published, and I am amazed. If this blog is nothing more than a journal for us, it’s important to note: I am the lucky one.

We started out at a distance, finally made it to the same place, are now preparing for a wedding and life together. We are learning what the “real world” looks like (as all the old folks say). We are setting out to become our own. We have so many questions and try to spend a large chunk of time figuring out what is right or best for us. From insurance and phone carriers to what state do we live in and how much should we spend on rent.

I am The Lucky One. As we work to discover what God has for us, I am continually amazed by Kendall. She knows exactly what I need to hear and how to break things down for me. Life can seem overwhelming with all of these ideas weighing us down, where do we even begin. How do we figure all this out but also try and slow down (Like we talk about in this post)? Kendall has a way to slow the world down and make it feel like it doesn’t all need to be figured out.

I am The Lucky One. Kendall is such a hard worker. While we feel inadequate and fearful of life’s expenses, Kendall’s character continues to shine. She decided the best thing she could possibly do was to work 3 weeks straight with no off days… several of those days were over 8 hours long. While this is too much and she needs rest, the heart behind it and her willingness is amazing.

I am The Lucky One. As we create the life that we want to live and define the things that are important to us for the future, we continuously learn. Somehow, someway, Kendall is able to learn about things (things like rest, photography, sustainability, you name it) in a ridiculously quick amount of time. And not just the basics, she dives in and sees what God says, how to practice or do these things, then she lives them out like a total #boss.

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31: 10 – 12

I am The Lucky One. There are so many reasons I might go into one day. But for now just know this: I made a detailed list of what I want in a wife a while back, and I mean very detailed, and she checks off every box. Not just a little check, but a big, fat, green one.

Thank you Kendall Lexia for choosing to be mine and giving me the honor of being by your side for the rest of life. I love you most.

Financial

Financial Mindsets

Kendall and I are fairly different when it comes to finances. I have been saving for a car, house, and the future since I was 7 years old. If I get money, my primary instinct is to put it somewhere to save it (whether that be a bank or swanky jar or whatever). 

Spending money on other people is a lot easier than it is for me to spend it on myself. Often, if I want something, I have to convince myself that I have earned it in some way. There are times of regret when I spend $20 on something silly or go out to eat and later regret it because that little amount of money could have gone towards something like our wedding, a house, bills, or helping others. Kendall on the other hand has worked hard for her earnings and is a lot more comfortable spending. (Credit where credit is due, she’s been killin it lately… like a #BOSS. Working hard and saving so much of it).

Our current saving jar from Goodwill! Put lots of work into it

Lately we have been dreaming and planning. We are in school, prepping for the wedding (obviously), saving for future housing, wanting to travel more soon. Lots of things to look forward to. Really exciting things, cause life is great! But… they all cost so much. Me thinking about finances can be a huge cloud over exciting dreams. When dreaming, a big question came to mind:

How do I reconcile spending money on myself when there are more important things or people that need it? 

I asked this question to the one and only Daniel Brown (a friend and I’m sure there are several Daniel Browns in the world, but he is the realest Daniel Brown). He pointed out, while God does want us to donate or use money to help, while God does want us to be good stewards and save or invest, money is also a tool that can be used to enjoy His creation. 

What exactly does God tell us about money?

There are over 2,000 Bible verses that discuss money and finances, all with varying points. Below are a few of the recurring points I have picked out!

We should recognize that God made the world, everything in it is His.

Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. Exodus 19:5

Who has given me anything that I need to pay back? Everything under heaven is mine. Job 41:11

Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath. Deuteronomy 8:18

“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1

We are called to not love money.

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. Proverbs 23:4-5, 

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. Matthew 6:24

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Luke 12:34

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. Hebrews 13:5

“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

We are called to be content. 

 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

“If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives.All their years will be pleasant. Job 36:1

Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Proverbs 19:23

It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly. Psalm 37:16-17

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Matthew 6:25-27

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. Proverbs 28:25

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10

We are called to work hard.

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11

Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 

John replied, “Don’t extort money or make false accusations. And be content with your pay.” Luke 3:14

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 1 Peter 5:2-3

Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich. Proverbs 10:4

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

We are called to be generous.

“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. ‍Exodus 22:22

‍If you lend money to any of my people who are in need, do not charge interest as a money lender would. Exodus 22:25 

Do not charge interest on the loans you make to a fellow Israelite, whether you loan money, or food, or anything else. Deuteronomy 23:19

When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Deuteronomy 24:20

When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don’t go over the boughs twice. Leave the remaining olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Luke 12:33

Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. Proverbs 28:22

The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Psalm 37:21

A Christian, Financial Mindset

We should work in a way that honors God and would make Him proud. Be an example to others. Everything under heaven is His (including money). We should be content with what he entrusts us with, if we can’t be trusted with little, why would He entrust us with more? We should show love and worship God through our giving through tithing and donating. There are many verses throughout the Bible I didn’t use that tell us more about money. Telling us we should diversify investments, make a budget, be less risky as we get older. While those are all good and great and useful, sometimes simple reminders take that cloud away from dreams.

God is going to provide. If we obey, He will provide. “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” Matthew 6:26. I am not sure about you, but birds seem pretty happy to me! I need these constant reminders. But God is great and life is great!

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Personal

The Proposal

The Proposal Story

On November 29, 2020 my best friend said YES to making me the luckiest person ever by agreeing to spend her life with me! This post is all about our proposal in Houston! After research, planning, confusing texts/calls, and last minute ideas with her family, the proposal went amazing. I am beyond relieved with how it went given that she was very particular with how it happened, even before we were dating. In order to get a “yes” I was told:

  1. Her nails needed to be done
  2. It had to be a complete surprise
  3. Her family needed to be near

Months before I even asked, she knew I had the ring. In order to meet her requests the best I could, I had to throw her off my tracks. As far as she knew, I might ask her to marry me at my brother’s wedding in Arizona (early November), during thanksgiving when we were with each other, or I would sneakily drive to Texas right after Christmas and surprise her. I did my best to keep all the options open and “accidently” hint at each of them. Her family was very helpful in keeping the proposal a secret as well. They took her to get her nails done, they helped throw her off my tracks (stressing to get shifts covered), and just make the whole day run smooth.

Weeks before the proposal I asked for her family to text me their availability. Many of them got their schedules the week before so I asked them to request off that Sunday. Both of her parents were off that day and it was normal (not suspicious). That morning, her twin sister acted like she got called in early (so she could leave early to be at the park in time for the proposal), her brother left for work right after we left to go downtown to explore. Her youngest sister acted like she was called off that morning so she and her boyfriend could go with us, and Kendall’s parents, downtown.

We left to go downtown soon after lunch. Because we wanted to/needed to make a trip out of it, we explored. Walking in city parks around Houston, seeing sights like Minute Maid Stadium, and looking around the numerous shops. Finally, when it was almost time for her sister/brother to secretly show up at the spot, we headed to the Galleria (a mall). It was the weekend after Thanksgiving so the mall was very crowded. Lots of lines of people waiting to get into stores (because of COVID-19). We exited the mall at the door closest to the Waterfall Park, not the one we came in, which was a little suspicious but she didn’t really think about it (phew!). As we walked, the huge wall came into sight and I had to act surprised, like what is that?!

That day, Kendall had brought her camera. When she found out that it was a waterfall, her instant reaction was to ask her sister and her sister’s boyfriend if they wanted to take pictures. While she was distracted taking pictures, I sneakily took the ring and its box and put them in my back pocket. She finished her mini photoshoot on the outside part of the park and her mom asked if we wanted our picture taken (setting up for the big moment)! We rounded the corner to see the inside of that huge wall. Some random dude was in his own little photoshoot with a phone, just taking his sweet time taking pictures. Once he finally finished, I sneakily handed my phone to her dad (Facetiming my parents), Her siblings were just outside of sight taking pictures and watching, and her mom was taking pictures. We posed as one normally does, a little bit of chatting and not really paying attention to the cameras. I asked her if she would be willing to spend the rest of her life with me (still standing) and she responds with something similar to (well DUH!) still not knowing what was going to happen. Right then, I got down on my knee and asked her to marry me!!!!! She said yes, started crying, people clapped, fireworks went off, it was amazing (maybe not the fireworks). But it really was amazing!!!!

The Proposal- November 29, 2020

Choosing The Location

As I wrote about earlier, there were some requests from Kendall when it came to the proposal. Because of that, I knew I wanted to pop the question in Houston where she lives with her family. Because I am from Indiana, I had to do some research and ask her sisters for ideas. I also wanted to come up with some backup places just in case.

I wanted the location to be somewhere in Houston that wouldn’t be too busy. A place where we would be able to step away from the big city, all the people, and all the noise. To just be in our own world for that moment. That is when I decided I wanted to propose at Gerald D. Hines Waterfall Park. 

The park is a public space that is very spacious and, from pictures, it looks peaceful and beautiful. It is public but read that it’s never really busy. It sounded perfect! Kendall’s parents were amazing helpers when it came to the proposal, they wanted to make it just as amazing and special as I did. They were willing to go out a week or so before to make sure the location would work during the day and night. Kendall’s mom also had the amazing idea to go to the mall just a block away so as we walk back to the car, we randomly come across the waterfall. Pure brilliance. 

Choosing The Ring

Kendall made choosing a ring fairly simple, She knew what she wanted, and made sure I knew (lots of ideas from Pinterest). I just needed to come up with where to get it!

I bought Kendall’s engagement ring and wedding band at a jewelry store named Shane Co.I didn’t know much about rings or diamonds so I talked to my cousin, who is a jeweler and diamontologist, to get the inside scoop. She gave me some information that I found very valuable as well as helpful!

When shopping for a diamond, its important to remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When buying diamonds, they are all graded based off clarity, color, cut, and carat weight. Prices for diamonds are based off of their rarity, not their beauty. It is important to ask to see other diamonds and remember at the end of the day, the diamond will be on your lady’s hand. Not under shimmer lights with a perfectly white background and people looking at the stone with a microscope. While looking, they may try to upsell you by showing you clearer or diamonds with less color. If that is what you want, great, but there is a price. But there are diamonds that will be graded as slightly worse, look just as beautiful to your eyes, and will be nicer to your wallet.

Some Cardinal Rules when buying Diamonds

  • Never buy under jewelry store lighting conditions, insist on normal office lights (5,000 kelvin tubular fluorescent) or natural light. In my case I did have to ask for different light and we went to an area with no shimmer lights but lot of windows to compare diamonds
  • Never buy a diamond you haven’t seen loose. To buy a diamond online, you don’t know how beautiful it is, you’re buying based on grade/rarity in that case. In person, you want to get a diamond that isn’t already in a ring so you can view it without anything adding or taking away from the stone. 
  • Select based on eyes, not based on description. As I wrote earlier, the charts classify on rarity, not beauty

I was fortunate to have a jeweler help me who was willing to listen to my needs for all of those things as well as for my budget. I did have to be specific and ask and, at some points in my time there, really press for what I was going for (so I wasn’t upsold. I’m grateful Kendall wanted a simple ring). But he listened and I got out of the store with a ring that I am proud to give to my best friend!