It's Always the Little Things

In the past two weeks the Lord has really been impressing upon me the need to use my time wisely.  Last week I had been feeling the pressure of the various things I needed to complete, but I didn't feel like I had the time to even sit down and come up with a solution to manage my time.  Unless you count last Thursday when I wasted good time and then felt guilty afterward.  {ahem!}

This week started off the same, until the Lord made it evident to me that I really do have time to do the things I need to do.  I just got my priorities out of whack.  If we do the necessary things first, then the rest will fall into place.

First thing in the mornings I've begun to do something as simple as writing down on paper the studying and reading I must get done that day for the ministries and Bible studies I'm involved in during the week.  I couldn't believe the difference it made. 

Really?  Could it be that simple? 

I can look at that short list and know about how much time it should take me to finish my work after I get home in the afternoon.  For some reason, having it down in print makes it easier to assess how much time I will need to spend. 

I know all you list makers and organizing junkies out there are scoffing at me right now.  Listen, I have never been a list person, and I didn't really want to become one.  It's probably the "recovering" perfectionist in me.  If I were to fail at completing the tasks on the list, I would give up.  And then I'd get frustrated.  And mad.

It's just that I'm now seeing the value to doing this one little thing, and I'm pretty sure that the Lord directed me in it.  Typically, if I do something opposite of what I would normally do, I know it's the Lord who's prompted me. 

And if I didn't start using the list, I think I would continue living with guilt day after day for not doing the needful things.  So a list, albeit a small one, will be assimilated into my life.

It's all about the baby steps, you know?

  

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"Weighing" In

Has anyone noticed how there's never a mention anymore of my treadmill, my stellar eating habits, or an exuberant proclamation of my most recent weight loss goal being met?  Oh, no?  That would be because I haven't stepped one toe onto that treadmill since October (at least I think it was October), and my eating has consisted of cookies and chocolate for snacks... and weight loss???  Um... we're gonna have to call it weight gain.

{sigh}

Yeah, I fell off the First Place wagon big time.  Before you go feeling all sorry for me because it was the holidays, after all, I just can't blame the holidays.

I only have myself to blame.  It all started when I made an allowance here and then one there.  Next thing I knew, I didn't care anymore that I was eating sugar cookies and cupcakes at the carry-in dinners at church.  I didn't care that I had to have just one more piece of birthday cake at my niece's party.  It was a party, after all, and it was a big cake that needed to be eaten or it would go to waste.  Shouldn't the goal be that a good time was had by all, which means eating as many baked goods as one can, so that they feel really good and had fun?

Well, not so fast, girl.  Let's think about this.  If I've learned anything in the last year, it's that discipline is good for me in ALL departments - physical, spiritual, mental and emotional.  And I'm not just spitting out a First Place mantra here, okay?  I've seen it worked out practically in my life.  I just forgot.  I'm really good about forgetting.  You too?

The Christian life is all about discipline, that I will be sober minded, focused, able to discern the will of God.  The baked goods have been weighing me down, becoming cumbersome, so much that I lost my focus and continued to make allowances.  I forgot that being healthy is a choice of my will, not waiting for a special feeling that would make me stop dead in my tracks and drop that cake right into the trash can.  Yeah, like THAT'S gonna happen!

So I'm back at it again, as of Saturday, making the choice with my will.  I'm taking small steps by writing down everything I've eaten on my fact sheet and making good food choices.  Since you all know now, I guess I better stay with it.

Reading. It's a Good Thing.

Remember the new goal I set for 2009 of reading 10 pages of theology a day?  I just love it.  And when I say reading theology, please don't think that's as deep and profound and stuffy as it sounds.  I'm just reading books about God and spiritual growth.

I'm finding there are a handful of benefits resulting from this exercise... 

#1: I look forward to my reading time because I know I'm going to learn something else about God and my relationship to Him that I didn't know before.  Sort of like going on an adventure.  The book I'm adventuring through now, Let's Start With Jesus, has been amazing.  I'm seeing God's love in a whole new light, and light bulbs are coming on for me concerning the command to love others.

#2: I am reaping the very result I had anticipated - an ongoing meditation over the spiritual truths I'm reading.  I enjoy the thought processing and putting together the new stuff I'm reading with the truths I've previously learned.  Making those connections is a treat. 

#3: I really enjoy time spent with my friends, discussing what I'm learning and then in turn listening to what they're learning in their studies.  Often the Lord puts it all together, and we find that what each of us is studying separately meshes beautifully.  I thrive on these discussions.

To be honest, I've cut way back on my blog reading in the last week, and the book reading has easily taken priority.  I'm feeling content that this is the direction God has sent me in.  How I look forward to the next book!

What are you reading?  Leave a comment and tell me about it.

Accountability: 5 days done!

I did it!  Today I completed the last day of my personal 5-day treadmill challenge.  After not feeling so well yesterday I wasn't sure what would happen this afternoon.  No problem, though.  I walked for 16 minutes and ran for 14. 

Tomorrow, bright and early, is First Place and the weigh-in.  I'm always nervous about it when I know I've put in extra effort or successfully escaped many food temptations through the week, unsure as to whether it will result in a loss.  I really want a loss.  BADLY.  I always have to keep my feelings in check, though, because I've been told numerous times it's not about the number.  It's about your heart.  Eventually, I'll "get it."

You're welcome to keep track of my progress here on my blog, over there in the sidebar to the right.  I have a Traineo button up that tells how much weight I have left to lose.  {But if you thought it would display my actual weight, you must be out of your mind!}  I'll be updating it tomorrow afternoon when I learn what my weight is.

Oh...by the way...guess I'll be heading over to Sephora to pick up the lip gloss that I perspired my little heart out for.  I'll bet you thought I forgot.  {wink}

Accountability Check-In

I was back on the treadmill this afternoon.  I decided I would only walk for 30 minutes, rather than doing any running.  I also chose to read a book while I walked. 

It worked out pretty well for about 20 minutes.  I was distracted by the book, which made the time pass quickly.  Only problem was, once I was 20 minutes into it, I started feeling ucky.  I tossed the book down and walked the last 10 minutes without distraction.

(I'm not sure you're aware of this, but I have dizziness/motion issues and have to be careful with things that can set it off.) 

I never did recover from the ucky feeling.  When I walk I feel a little dizzy and just *bleccckkk!*.  It even makes me want to eat a little crazy, too, but I'm not falling to that temptation.  I've worked too hard this week to succumb to a silly craving that is basically "smoke and mirrors". 

It seems this feeling should subside overnight.  I don't even know that I'm feeling it completely now.  We shall see what happens tomorrow and whether I will get back on that treadmill or not.

My husband has reminded me repeatedly today that if I don't get on the treadmill tomorrow...NO PHILOSOPHY LIP GLOSS.  It's funny how perspective changes.  I'm not even sure that would bother me.  I know the work I've put in this week by exercising, sticking to my food boundaries, and drinking 8 glasses of water a day.  All of that success is confidence-building.  I doubt I need the lip gloss incentive now.

I'll let you know how it all works out.

I Do Not Run Aimlessly

A week ago a friend gave me her old bike because I had mentioned I was interested in getting one.  She's getting ready to move and is trying to downsize.  So my other good friends decided that since I had a bike to ride, they would take me with them to a local state park to ride the trail and go fishing afterward.  Pretty relaxing, you think?  Well...not entirely.  Do you know how long it's been since I've ridden a bike?  I'm guessing it has been 20 years.  Granted, I feel like I'm fit enough, as fit as a girl can be who can run .7 mile.  Thank you very much.  But running and biking use different muscles.  Muscles I haven't used in 20 years.

As we got ready to start the bike ride, I was told that the trail was 3.3 miles, and we would have to ride to the end and back.  They were just saving that little tidbit of information until it was absolutely necessary to inform me.  That means I would be riding a total of 6.6 miles.  I was thinking, Uh yeah...I'm game!?!  The ride was grueling!  There were lots of hills and some steep ones, at that.  There were moments I thought I would die because of the searing pain in my knees and quads, but I just kept going.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt like I was sick.  My body ached, my head was cloudy, and I was so tired.  But it was Sunday, and there surely is no rest for the weary when you're in ministry.  I was finally functioning by the time I got to Sunday school, so I was glad of that.

Despite the discomfort of the challenge, I found myself wanting to ride my bike again.  I kept thinking about when the next time might be when I could do that.  That puzzled me.  Why wouldn't I dread it?  It was hard!  As I was out for my run on Monday, though, the thought came to me.  I like being physical.  I enjoy pushing my body hard, exerting energy, and striving for a goal to see just how far I can reach.  It brings me a satisfaction I don't get from other things in my life.  Suddenly, everything clicked in my mind, and I understood why I like playing tennis, golfing, biking and running.  It's because God made us to be physically active people.  He gave us muscles that we might be bodies in motion.  He puts it within us to do the grueling thing that we might learn to be disciplined.  Of course I find satisfaction in being physical.  I'm using my body the way God intended it to be used.

This is the last thing I ever thought would come out of my mouth.  I have always hated exercise.  That's why it confounded me when I started to crave going out to run.  I learned to be disciplined in my running, hoping that it would flow over into my spiritual life.  So I kept working at it.  Today I guess I feel like it's come full circle.  The spiritual is now effecting the physical.  I finally see God's purpose in the physical, and I believe they work hand in hand.

If you're not a physically active person, find a friend to help you get there.  It doesn't have to be like gym class when they made you do what the teacher planned and then gave you a grade.  Pick an activity that you're curious about or that you've always wanted to try.  Ask a friend to teach you how to play, or just ask them to take a walk with you.  That's where it started for me, and I can testify that a pushy friend is even better at helping you do the hard thing.  Just get out there, and do something.  You just might love it after all.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27a

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control....

Temptation Running High

So, it won't be a completely wordless Wednesday. I decided I just have to post and get this off my chest. If you read Saturday's post, then you know I am trying to lose weight in the First Place program at church. I can report that I've been doing very well with my food choices for the last 12 days. I wasn't even experiencing any cravings because I felt very satisfied with all the food I was getting to eat, and I even planned out my special snack each night with these little low-cal cookies and my sugar-free cocoa. (Yummy!)

But now the cravings have started. They began to come on yesterday, and today they are full-blown. I've denied myself at every turn, knowing I don't NEED to eat half a bag of Sunchips, even if they do have fiber. And I don't NEED a Starbucks peppermint mocha, even though it is Christmas and they're really good...and it's Christmas and I love them...and did I mention that it's Christmas and I LOVE THEM?!? Nope, I don't need those things. I'm doing what's good for my body.

But do you know what my dear, sweet, loving, precious husband did today? He brought home...

THESE!!!!

No, not these exactly. The actual frosted, green & red-sprinkled, fat-filled, sugary cookies of death are up in the cupboard. Now. They were on the kitchen counter all afternoon. I made him put them up high and out of sight. Ugh! As they sat there ALL DAY, I would look at them and think about them. My tastebuds were whispering, Must. Have. Cookies. Now. My heart was saying, NO. NO. NO. Don't. Need. Cookies. So I did not succumb to temptation.

I just wonder what tomorrow will bring. (sigh)

Praising the Lord...

I did it! I DID IT! Did you hear me say, I DID IT!!!

I set a running goal today, and I nailed it. I decided to run one whole side of the park, and I was able to accomplish that. I was absolutely amazed as my little legs continued to carry me farther and farther down the road. One whole side of the park! I've never been able to do that before. I pretty much doubled my previous distance. I walked around the curve, and then I ran the other side of the park. Not the entire way because it's a lot longer distance than the other one. But I did it. Three laps!

I wish you knew how incredible I felt. I was praising the Lord all the way. I even threw in an extra walking lap out of sheer joy. To think I was going to quit two weeks ago. I've come a long way in such a short time. The only thing I can figure is that I pushed myself enough on Friday that I was able to break through a threshold. It all felt different today.

I'm just so excited!!! Can't wait for Wednesday now.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly...But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection"

Still Running

So this is what I did today. It's Friday, so I kept another commitment to a day I've chosen to run. I thought I'd just give an update on how things are going.

It has still been tough. I'm working on starting to run at the same spot at different intervals around the park. On my second and third laps I like to see if I can push past the set landmark to increase my distance. Sometimes I make it, and other times I don't. But it's a matter of perseverance. I just keep going now, instead of asking myself things like, "Why am I doing this anyway?" I feel like I'm in training. Not for a marathon. Not to beat some time record. Not to be the best runner ever. I'm training for life...spiritual life. It's that self-discipline thing that God has been trying to drive home with me for months. This is such a practical way for it to play out in my life.

Looking at running with spiritual eyes gives great perspective. It's so comparable to our spiritual battle. Sometimes I feel like I could run hard because I feel physically strong. Other days I feel lonely and couldn't hardly go on. At times I'd rather be alone, and there are times when I couldn't make it without a friend beside me. Isn't that how it is spiritually? We have mountain-top experiences with the Lord and feel like we could take on anything because we're so zealous. Then there are those days where we feel heavy oppression and cry because everything feels so hard. We go through alone times where God is the only one with us. And sometimes he sends a friend to walk alongside to keep us accountable and remind us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. I enjoy considering the comparisons.

Today seemed to be a day to push hard. I could feel it. My legs wanted to give out many times, but I just kept pushing. Now I'm feeling it, though. My calves hurt within an hour of arriving home, to the point it was uncomfortable to walk. So I have to share this funny moment...

I emailed my best buddy and told her my legs were really sore, and she gave me some suggestions. It was pretty hysterical when I read them. Not that SHE was funny, but how I read it was funny. The first bit of advice she gave me was "ice cream". What?!? I read it again. "ice cream will help..." Huh? Finally, after the third time of reading it I saw what was really written - "ice THEM" Duuuuh!!! Yes, of course. Ice my calves, and it will help with the discomfort. That makes total sense. Ice cream? That does not make sense at all. Just goes to show you what I dwell on - FOOD. But I still think ice cream couldn't hurt...