As of today, I have intentionally walked an extra 91,633 steps.
You see for the last year, my 45th year, I have been in a struggle with my body. I've always heard that as you get older maintaining your weight is more difficult and that what you did or ate before doesn't seem to work anymore. I was sure I would defy this BUT one year has proven this to be true, at least for me.
Sadly, my workouts had become less and less. I would get into a routine but would quickly be diverted from it due to a project, traveling, etc. - you get the idea! 45 was my year for exercise excuses. This is somewhat ironic because of how dedicated I was just a year or so before not only getting to the gym and doing additional training but following a very strict eating plan (okay, the eating plan was more a beginning eating plan that needed to be adjusted over time.) If you know me well, you know I'm either all in or all out, I'm very rarely an in the middle kind of girl.
Because I can be an extremist, finding a happy medium has been a struggle and let me tell you my scale has not been a friend lately....it has been a foe! I know, I know, I shouldn't be "hung up on a number", "muscle weighs more than fat", "you still look the same" etc. But here is my confession, I have always struggled with how I look. It goes back to my early teens like it does with so many girls. No, I am not going to give details because that really isn't important. I just want you to know that this self-esteem issue has been a life long issue. Now, I am a Christian and I know God makes no mistakes. I also know that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). Because I not only know this but believe it, each day I have to turn this insecurity over to God. Why? So it doesn't keep me from doing what He has planned for me in order to bring glory to Him. So, with His help, I'm working on this "struggle" trying to make exercise and eating well part of a healthy lifestyle and not a fad for a number or an acceptable look to others.
There is a group from my church who started an early morning workout program and my one friend, Jen, is a part of it so I thought I would join in. On Thursday, August 29th, I met up with Jen at 5a.m. (yes, that is a.m.) and we did our first speed walk together. This started a whole new exercise plan for me. Now, before I go any further I have to tell you that Jen is my inspiration. She has been losing weight the smart way through diet and exercise and is a great encouragement to me. Jen is beautiful through and through and I am so proud of all she has and continues to accomplish.
Okay, so on my birthday, Sunday, September 1st, I started my "new year" off by walking 6 miles and keeping track of the extra "steps" I'm taking toward being healthier. Out of the last 19 days I have walked 11 of those days. I do take the weekends off although occasionally I will walk early Sunday morning before church. Also, I did for one week join the church team for their strength training workouts, however, being at the park at 4:15 a.m. was hard for me so I decided to stick with my walking routine for the time being. I'm a morning person but blame my age, I'm too old to be getting up before 4 to workout at 4:15. At least that is what my mind and body are telling me.
Getting up and walking at 5 has also allowed for me to make my spiritual life healthier too. By the time I come home from walking, I have 30 to 45 minutes before the kids start getting up for school. The quiet allows me to focus accordingly on what God is showing me in His Word and in the devotional I use. Sadly, before this routine it was easy to say, "I'll do it once the kids are at school" or "a little later in the day" which would most of the time result in me not spending time with God that day.
One humorous "revelation" of this early morning routine is that our bunny has proved to me that somehow he has to have canine blood in him. We always joke how much Mr. Jingle is like a dog, well how is this for proof? Each morning when I return home, I open the door of his cage (which is in Matt's room) to let him out. Jingle meets me in the living room and assumes his place in front of the patio door waiting to be let out. Jingle runs a few laps around the enclosed patio, running up the stairs, in the door and slides across the living room's hardwood floor. The first time he did this, I had to laugh. I though he just didn't know his speed coming in and would never do it again. Well, no, he proved me wrong. He does this "routine" 4 to 5 times, then heads into the kitchen to get his morning meal of fresh veggies. I tell you it is like having a dog. Even now with the mornings being cooler, Jingle still likes to go out.
All in all these first 19 days of my 46th year have proven that I can get back to a balanced routine of exercise, healthy eating and daily spiritual nourishment. Now they do say it takes 90 days to make something a habit, so I pray that the cooler weather coming won't deter me and lead to excuses. Thankfully I have friends to keep me accountable in both area of my life - physical & spiritual.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
