Fitness Friday

Fridays. Hard to stay committed to your goals. Work, chores, activities. You get up, and you go until you drop into bed after everything.
Let me tell you a story first. I used to tell my mom I need more patience.
She would lovingly reminded me of a time when I was younger and she would pray to God to help her lose weight. The problem? Every time she did the car would break down! She would have to walk, everywhere until the car got fixed. Being newly married with two young kids the dollar didn't exactly go very far.
My mom tried all kinds of crazy diets. She even attempted a cabbage stew diet that reeked up the whole house and their clothes. Hearing my dad tell the story is really funny! He begged her to stop because of the wretched stench.
The point was my mom would remind me don't pray for something unless your willing to let God hold you accountable.
 Flash forward to a year after my wedding. I had started to let some of the weight creep back on that I lost for our wedding. I said a prayer.
I bet you can see where this is going...
I said a prayer. I needed super strength to say no to things I shouldn't be eating.
I'm not sure why (probably newly married with little dollars) but the hubs was running late at work and there was nothing but pasta left in the house. I made myself a heapy pile of what was going to be a delicious cheesy buttery dinner. As I pulled the beautiful black and white bowl that we had gotten as a gift out of the microwave I fumbled.
The bowl shattered to pieces at my feet in front of the microwave. Cat hair was now the topping to my buttery noodles.
I remembered.
The words of my mother had come back to me.
I sighed. Shook my head and realized... I should have chosen vegetables or the protein bar I had stashed for emergencies.
I'll wait till you stop laughing...I know what I did!
Oh goodness. The Lord guided me.
'Here are your choices Amanda'
'GRRWAT! I chose pasta'
CRASH!
It was tbe equivant of getting book checked by Jesus.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

He sure helped establish my plans by breaking an old cycle. For both me and my mom. But we still needed to do the hard work.

Here are just a few ways I stay committed.

*Plan ahead. My workout gear is right next to my night stand. I will get in my work out gear as soon as I get out of bed. (And brush my teeth and feed the monster of a hungry dog we have) make sure lunches are packed for the next day. I will make mine while I'm making dinner. (I mean, I'm already in the kitchen)
 *Have specific gym days and times. Its literally a commit to yourself. Think of it as multiple doctors visits. You have to keep the appointment. You've already rescheduled before, don't do it again.
 * Have a backup plan. This one is key. Life is chaotic. When you can't make it to the gym before work, go after work. When you want pasta, make sure you portion control with veggies and a protein. IF ALL ELSE FAILS Stretch and drink water. That will at least put you in a mind frame to make better choices.

Here's a list of things you can ignore in order to exercise.
*Dishes. (Not 3 days worth...just 1...okay 2days)
*Laundry (provided the clothes are actually dry, in the dryer)
*your furry hungry hippos especially if you have just fed them. (Not if its their meal time.)
*calling people back. Unless they feel Luke listening to you grunt or pant while lifting... call them tomorrow or later that night. (Unless its your mother, always call your mother back. She's going to talk your ear off anyway may as well do a 100 abdominal workout while you listen.)

Another thing I like to do (A dear person commented in an earlier post) is to imagine Jesus on the next treadmil. Training with me, cheering me on. He becomes the power in my legs to keep driving me forward. (Nice to know I'm not the only person on the planet who does this)

Having that reminder and that presence in your fitness routine can only push you to become the warrior you truly are.

There was no time to get to the gym tonight so I ended up with the Jillian Michaels DVDs again. I chose the metabolism burning one because I really enjoyed it the first time but the tendon in the back of my knee has been acting up. So I switched over to her power yoga  ((Insert confident cocky voice here)) Level 2.

Jillian makes a comment in the DVD about setting your intention for the work out. And not phoning it in.

It reminded me. Start strong, finish strong. My plans have established.

I'm committed. I'm dedicated. I'm established.

...and I had a cheerleader. One of my fat rats on my yoga mat ;)


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