You ever have days you just don't want to do something? Well today is one of those days, and what I don't want to do is blog. But because I said I would blog each day, I want to stick to my word. So please keep in mind that I have no motivation or fun today with the blog.
I drank my gallon of water today, and actually I drank more than that...what a difference it made. I also had my best workout today on the elliptical, 30 minutes and with the resistance dropped down a bit I definitely covered more distance more quickly. I am definitely beginning to see some small improvements from where I was 2 weeks ago, which of course is encouraging.
Thankful for a new day, for goals that were met, and for yet another chance tomorrow should the Lord allow.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Truth Hurts
I love Sundays, a day of rest and reflection filled with quiet moments and sleeping dogs. I woke up this morning just exhausted, my body aching from a week of hard work and yet suffering from a severe lack of sleep the night before. I stumbled out of bed as the rays of sunshine spilled through the blinds, welcoming me to a new day.
One thing led to another and the next thing I knew it was 5:00 p.m. and I had not had one sip of water. The previous 6 days I had been drinking at least a gallon of water each day. My body was literally going into shock as my head began to pound and my body began to demand answers. I felt like a plant withering in the sun of the desert. Desperate for a pick-me-up, I threw down a Diet Coke and had some chocolate pecans, perhaps one too many chocolate pecans.
Here it is just moments before bed and the ending of the day. And it is the truth of today that hurts and causes me to reflect even more deeply than I prefer to, at least on a Sunday. I only finished half of my gallon today, so my daily goal of drinking one gallon a day was not fulfilled. I ate enough chocolate pecans to realize, there is no joy or peace or satisfaction in the most desired of foods. It was not the best of days and yet, I am beginning to learn the best of lessons. My failure is not the ending of a journey, but merely the beginning. As Henry Ford once said, "Failure is the only opportunity to begin again more intelligently."
One thing led to another and the next thing I knew it was 5:00 p.m. and I had not had one sip of water. The previous 6 days I had been drinking at least a gallon of water each day. My body was literally going into shock as my head began to pound and my body began to demand answers. I felt like a plant withering in the sun of the desert. Desperate for a pick-me-up, I threw down a Diet Coke and had some chocolate pecans, perhaps one too many chocolate pecans.
Here it is just moments before bed and the ending of the day. And it is the truth of today that hurts and causes me to reflect even more deeply than I prefer to, at least on a Sunday. I only finished half of my gallon today, so my daily goal of drinking one gallon a day was not fulfilled. I ate enough chocolate pecans to realize, there is no joy or peace or satisfaction in the most desired of foods. It was not the best of days and yet, I am beginning to learn the best of lessons. My failure is not the ending of a journey, but merely the beginning. As Henry Ford once said, "Failure is the only opportunity to begin again more intelligently."
Saturday, January 29, 2011
A Celebration
I can't believe I only have 2 minutes left for the day and I am just now submitting my blog entry for the day. I guess it goes to show the busyness and productivity of my day. Today is a day of celebration for me, in small ways and in big ways. Little did I know this morning when the sun arose and I did too, what today would hold for me.
I have a new number. 176. I never thought after years of failed attempts and big disappointments that I would be able to succeed, to accomplish much of anything. Today and these last 2 weeks have proved me wrong. And the 3 digits of 176 confirmed yet again what I blogged yesterday, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And though the resistance was increased from 5 to 8 today and it seemed as though I were hiking up a rugged mountain through snow, the change in the number somehow lightened my load. I was encouraged.
And yes, while today we mourn the loss of a young man who found he had no hope and took his life, today I still celebrate. I celebrate a God that is bigger and stronger and more powerful and glorious than all these things. As the song so simply states, "Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades." Today there is great reason to celebrate for God is alive and well and active in changing men and making all things new.
I have a new number. 176. I never thought after years of failed attempts and big disappointments that I would be able to succeed, to accomplish much of anything. Today and these last 2 weeks have proved me wrong. And the 3 digits of 176 confirmed yet again what I blogged yesterday, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And though the resistance was increased from 5 to 8 today and it seemed as though I were hiking up a rugged mountain through snow, the change in the number somehow lightened my load. I was encouraged.
And yes, while today we mourn the loss of a young man who found he had no hope and took his life, today I still celebrate. I celebrate a God that is bigger and stronger and more powerful and glorious than all these things. As the song so simply states, "Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades." Today there is great reason to celebrate for God is alive and well and active in changing men and making all things new.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Ultimate Power
I woke up this morning not feeling the best at all. I thought that maybe I should just rest, take the day off. But there arose something within me that would not allow that thought to linger for longer than a second. 179. I began to sink at the magnitude of the dilemma. And then I was taken back to a week ago, when I was sitting in a local coffee shop with a dear friend. We were discussing various diets out there and ways to make healthy, positive changes in your life. I was taking notes on my phone as I listened and had actually become a bit discouraged. Reality was setting in and I realized that I would not be able to achieve anything without hard work. But then in the midst of it all, she said something that shifted something within me: "Just remember, with Jesus at the center of it, you can do anything!"
I was inspired, I was excited, I was reminded of the ultimate power...Jesus Himself. I was reminded of my old school favorite Scripture verse, Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." And that is what changed it all for me. 179 is a big number, the very problem itself is overwhelming at best. But yes, with Jesus in the middle of it, I truly can do anything...even what I deem to be the impossible!
So what did I do today as my legs became 30 pound weights and the machine whirred and my heart thudded? I prayed. What did I do today when I felt so terrible and just wanted to go home and get in bed? I asked Jesus to help me. And what did I do when I began to think that all of this was in vain and mere foolishness? I reminded myself that with Jesus at the center of this, I can and will do anything!
I was inspired, I was excited, I was reminded of the ultimate power...Jesus Himself. I was reminded of my old school favorite Scripture verse, Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." And that is what changed it all for me. 179 is a big number, the very problem itself is overwhelming at best. But yes, with Jesus in the middle of it, I truly can do anything...even what I deem to be the impossible!
So what did I do today as my legs became 30 pound weights and the machine whirred and my heart thudded? I prayed. What did I do today when I felt so terrible and just wanted to go home and get in bed? I asked Jesus to help me. And what did I do when I began to think that all of this was in vain and mere foolishness? I reminded myself that with Jesus at the center of this, I can and will do anything!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
I Almost Died
As is the case with every other day, I did not want to work out today. Today, I was feeling more sore than I had in the week and a half that I had begun this journey. A journey to make significant lifestyle changes that will hopefully allow me to do the following: Honor the Lord with my body, since it is a temple of His Spirit. Feel better about who I am and how I feel. And to live the dreams that have accumulated dust over the years.
I was on the elliptical and the clock seemed to be working against me today, almost going back in time instead of moving forward. The first ten minutes were great, I could see myself achieving all of these great things. The last 20, hard as ever. Negative thoughts of quitting and throwing in the towel came rushing through my head. At one point, it felt as though my legs were literally going to buckle underneath of me. The pain was so real, the defeat lingering over my head was so intense, I thought to myself, "I am going to die if I keep going."
In the midst of the flying sweat and pounding heart and bass beats of the music, I then heard a still small voice that reminded me. Yes, I will die if I don't do this...if I don't finish. My dreams will die, my body may even die. It's true, I have a problem. I am overweight, unhealthy, and not happy. I need to lose 179 pounds. That is a big number, and there are times that I am so overwhelmed at the task at hand. But one thing remains true. I will not be overcome, but I will overcome. And I happen to know a God that is bigger than any weight problem, that loves me just as I am, and that has not only saved my life but will enable me to finally live the abundant life I've always dreamed of.
I was on the elliptical and the clock seemed to be working against me today, almost going back in time instead of moving forward. The first ten minutes were great, I could see myself achieving all of these great things. The last 20, hard as ever. Negative thoughts of quitting and throwing in the towel came rushing through my head. At one point, it felt as though my legs were literally going to buckle underneath of me. The pain was so real, the defeat lingering over my head was so intense, I thought to myself, "I am going to die if I keep going."
In the midst of the flying sweat and pounding heart and bass beats of the music, I then heard a still small voice that reminded me. Yes, I will die if I don't do this...if I don't finish. My dreams will die, my body may even die. It's true, I have a problem. I am overweight, unhealthy, and not happy. I need to lose 179 pounds. That is a big number, and there are times that I am so overwhelmed at the task at hand. But one thing remains true. I will not be overcome, but I will overcome. And I happen to know a God that is bigger than any weight problem, that loves me just as I am, and that has not only saved my life but will enable me to finally live the abundant life I've always dreamed of.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
When Temptation Comes Knocking
Sundays are indeed a day of rest at my house. A day spent in the house of the Lord, a day full of lounging around, lots of football, and this year with the football comes the disappointment too. This last Sunday there was an unusual knock on the door, and as I opened the door to the frigid air there stood a beaming girl scout ready to sell me...yep, cookies. I laughed at the irony of the knock, just ten minutes prior I had denied myself the oreos that I had been thinking about for 20 minutes. As I stood there, unprepared and caught off guard, I wanted to declare "Get behind me Satan!" But then, I remembered the sweet, little girl that stood there...lol. So I made the purchase and supported the cause, handing over the wrinkled bills in exchange for a chilled box of cookies. And then with complete satisfaction, I ate one cookie. In years past, I would have killed one box in one setting, but not this time.
When temptation comes knocking, I remind myself of my dreams, all of the things that I longed and had hoped to do one day but never did. I also remind myself of the reality in which I live, one of disappointment, of frustration and despair. But when temptation comes knocking, opportunity comes knocking too. An opportunity to choose differently, to live more wisely, to change the path that these tired feet tread on. Yes, temptation knocks...but opportunity knocks too. What is it you will do with the moments of life that seem so mundane, yet the ones that have the chance to radically alter the course of your life?
When temptation comes knocking, I remind myself of my dreams, all of the things that I longed and had hoped to do one day but never did. I also remind myself of the reality in which I live, one of disappointment, of frustration and despair. But when temptation comes knocking, opportunity comes knocking too. An opportunity to choose differently, to live more wisely, to change the path that these tired feet tread on. Yes, temptation knocks...but opportunity knocks too. What is it you will do with the moments of life that seem so mundane, yet the ones that have the chance to radically alter the course of your life?
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