Day Six - Find An Exercise You Love

Snow still on the ground, ice still on some roads, and saying this challenge has been a challege in itself this week is an understatement. I, like everyone else probably, was looking forward to the meeting tonight to help me get re-focused. It didn't happen but as I learned on Day Four, I must "Monitor and Adjust."

I have been drinking more water and for exercise I walked in the snow, which helped get my heart rate up more than I realized it would, and spent time sweeping and cleaning the house. Anything to keep moving. I haven't had a chance to row on the rowing maching all week and am having major withdrawls!

With the snow, I am sure many of you have not been able to even get to the Mauldin Sports Center to check it out and look for a way to exercise. Let me encourage you to FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE TO DO! Believe me, it will make all the difference in the world when it comes to exercising. I love to row, therefore I can't wait to get on a rowing machine every morning at 7:30 or 8:00, five days a week. It is not a chore or something I dread, but something I can't wait to do. This has been the key to my exercise, finding something I love to do!

Another idea that may help you exercise is to find someone to exercise with you. This could go right along with Rodney's devotion for today when we look at it from the standpoint of working together.

Friction – Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

     Movement creates heat and energy.  When two people work together with passion and force there is bound to be some things you don’t see exactly the same.  However with mutual respect and focus the result is often far better than either of you could ever have achieved on your own.  Work together for like minded goals and build each other up in the process.

Closing Day Six with two powerful statements from Phil: "Always keep the dreams alive in your heart. You will get there!"

Now, go for it!

image courtesy of photobucket.com

Day Five - Home Sweet Home

Day Five and all I can say is that I am glad to be home. And not only am I home, I have my traveling daughter with me. I may be on a 90 Day Fitness Challenge but the past 4 days have been a challenge in themselves.

I am not where I thought I would be on Day Five, but honestly I didn't know what my first week would be like. I usually take Wednesday off from rowing, so I don't feel behind in my exercise, but when it comes to eating better and drinking only water . . . tomorrow is another day.

As I read Amy's words today about faith, I prayed to have my faith increased. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1 NKJV). My version for now . . . faith is the substance of things hoped for--being in better shape and more healthy--even though I can't see it happening right now. Not only am I praying for my faith to be increased, I am praying for more discipline also. Anyone else?

Tomorrow is another day AND the snow will hopefully start melting. I feel great things are ahead for all of us as we learn from Phil and Amy and put what we learn into practice. It will be great to be with them tomorrow night at our meeting.

Still with me? Hope so, the best is yet to come.

Before I leave, a shout out to my Mom. What a trooper she was to go with me to Charlotte for a couple of days only to sit in the hotel room, hang out in the lobby, ride in cold vans, and sit in a cold airport while we waited on Ally. Loved my time with her and will cherish the sweet memories forever.
Thanks Mama . . . I Love You!!!

Day Four - Monitor and Adjust

Day Four and trying to stay focused. With an eye on the weather, waiting in Charlotte for my daughter to land today, no access to a real kitchen (or restaurant for that matter) I feel as though I am already getting off track. Not to mention I missed the conference call last night. The only thing I have done that seems on track is work out on the treadmill each day.

Anyone else feeling like they are getting off to a bad start? In a conversation today my mother this morning, she said she was told in an education training meeting years ago to "monitor and adjust." That is what I am doing today . . . monitoring and making an attempt to adjust!

Hope you can do the same. Remember this is a JOURNEY . . . and we aren't going to let a little snow and ice stop us!

image courtesy of photobucket.com

Day Three - Reflections

Today I've been reading the first five chapters of the Parham's book as I continue to check off my homework list. (What else do I have to do while being snowed in at the Hampton Inn in Charlotte waiting on the Kenya team to arrive tomorrow!)

I did get up early this morning and exercise on the treadmill (wouldn't have had this opportunity if I had been snowed in at home). Ate my free breakfast - waffles and sugar free syrup, 1/2 bagel and orange juice, and then sandwiches for lunch and dinner. Caved some when I had a little Diet Pepsi (I know . . . a no-no), and some of my mom's banana-nut bread. Doing my best over here in a hotel. At least I AM drinking a lot of water.

Don't know how my friends are doing during the snow. Maybe you too are getting some of your reading done and taking time to reflect as you begin this challenge.

My thoughts today:

• I could relate to Amy's words on Day Three in the book when she said "Women are especially notorious for doing everything for everyone else and putting themselves on the back burner."
• Loved being reminded that God is the giver of dreams.
• I realized I thought I was too old to dream being over-weight and unhealthy fueled the lies I was believing.
• That I want to dust off my dreams of long ago and dream some more.
• I also want to continue to discover new things about myself. I have already recently discovered my love and desire to write along with a new-found love of rowing. Who knew?????
• And what other new adventures, desires, and dreams will be uncovered as I go through these 90 Days?

Three days in the challenge and I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to change. And the best part . . . I don't have to do it alone!

image courtesy of photobucket.com

Day Two - Making Adjustments

Day Two of the 90 day Fitness Challenge. What did I hope to accomplish today? Reading the Parham's book mostly and trying to do some type of exercise, even if it was just walking. But things changed quickly.

What I ended up doing was coming home from church and lunch, packing my bags, picking up my Mom, and driving NORTH to  Charlotte, NC.  You see, my daughter has been half way around the world in Kenya on a mission trip with Clemson's FCA for 12 weeks without any contact with her. So, when the reports of snow begin to trickle in (trickle . . . right, just like a busted pipe trickles!) I was not about to let SNOW keep me from meeting her when she would only be 100 miles up the road!

Off on my first road trip and what did I pack? Not the usual sodas and chips, crackers and candy to snack on I assure you. Going into the cooler this time was bottles of water, wheat bread, carrots, cheese, and nuts. Who is this new person and what has happened to the old me? The OLD me has been replaced with the NEW me and the NEW me is checking off # 1 on the homework list "Make a decision that change starts today." I made that decision yesterday and I'm determined to stick to it.

So here I am, away from home, waiting impatiently with my carrots, cheese, nuts and water. I don't know what the next few days hold for me . . . whether I will be coming home as soon as Ally's plane lands or be snowed in for a few days. If we are snowed in, I am going to do my best to think about what I eat, get to the fitness room at our hotel to exercise, and read the Parham's book.

One thing about today -- it showed me right out of the gate that what I plan may not happen and I think this will serve me well. After today I can go through this challenge, AND  continue on this path after the challenge, with the realization that  I am going to have to "go with the flow" and make adjustments along the way.

And about the challenge we were given to drink only water every day? Well, just don't ask. Tomorrow is another day! :)

photo courtesy of photobucket.com

Day One - "They're Off"

I didn't hear a starter gun, see a green flag or hear a voice shouting "They're off!" but I do feel like I have started my journey. As of today, I'm no longer on the starting line!

So what do I do now? Well I have my homework:

1. Make a decision that change starts today.
2. Read first 5 chapters in the Parham's book about the Dream Principle.
3. Water, water, water!
4. Check out the Mauldin Sports Center and start moving.
5. Be on the conference call Monday night, Jan. 10th, at 8:00 pm.
6. Be at the Thursday meeting at 7:00 pm.

I think I can do everything easily enough except I'm a little concerned about the "water, water, water". . . this isn't going to be easy. I will definitely need help with this one so if you see me, ask if I have given up my sweet tea and drinking water instead. (Now that's what I call accountability!)

Something else about today, I saw a room full of unfamilar faces. Know what that means to me? Potential new friends!!!

So what are my thoughts on Day One of this challenge . . . I think the next 90 are going to be great!
What about you?

image courtesy of  www.visionphotos.com.au

Almost Time

It's one thing to talk about something, it is another to actually do it! For weeks I have been telling people about the 90 Day Fitness Challenge that would begin on Saturday, Jan. 8th at Mauldin First Baptist Church with Amy and Phil Parham. Well, it's almost time . . . tomorrow begins the challenge.

As I was taking time to prepare myself for tomorrow I read on the website that packet pick ups and assessments will begin at 9:00 am. I don't mind picking up my packet but what is this assessment? Whatever it is, I keep telling myself that if Amy and Phil can do a fitness challenge in front of a national TV audience, I can do it in my small hometown, even being assessed. Besides, I won't be alone, will I? (If the assessment actually includes a weigh in, I hope I am!)

90 days . . . sounded easy at first but on the eve of committing myself to 90 days (12 weeks, 3 months) I am anxious. I will be on this challenge during:

• my husband's birthday
• my step-son's birthday
• my mom's eye surgery
• my birthday
• Valentines Day
• my anniversary
• my niece's birthday
• my sister-in-law's birthday
• my twin nephew's birthday
• First day of spring
• my daughter's spring break
• another niece's birthday
• 12 weekends
• 64 work days

See where I am going with this? Lots of life happening during this time - special occasions, celebrations, obligations and even the FIRST day of Spring . . . 90 Days is a long time. But, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Eccl. 3:1 NIV). And now is MY time to get in shape, get healthy, learn to eat the right foods, and BE the person God made me to be and TO ACCOMPLISH the things He has planned for me to accomplish.

So . . . on the eve of committing myself to 90 days (12 weeks, 3 months) of a fitness challenge, I am looking at this 90 Day Challenge as a time in my life to get healthy and a season of activity! There is no time like the present and I, for one, am up for the challenge! Here I go . . .

image courtesy of photobucket.com