Nothing Butt Tough

This time last year I'd made the decision and investment to buy a road bike.

I was nervous about spending the money.  What if I bought it, rode it a few times and then it sat in the shed?  It would be one more thing I had wasted money on.  It would be one more thing sitting around, taking up space in the shed.  It would be one more reason my husband could say "I told you so." It would be one more thing I quit.

When I first got my bike I could only ride for 15-20 minutes.  I didn't have the legs, and it hurt my hiney - big time!

But I kept at it.  Each time I'd ride I could last a little longer, go a little further.

Before the weather turned cold and my attention was directed to Christmas cookies, I could ride for 40-45 minutes and I was putting some serious miles on my bike.

Spring time found me a little rusty and my butt had to toughen up again, but before long I was out and about, exploring new roads and feeling stronger and getting braver.

I've had set backs and road blocks and literally some huge hills I had to conquer that have discouraged me and in some cases even scared me.  But I didn't give up.

Today I just got back from a 17 mile ride in the country.  I went further from home than I'd ever been before.  Granted it took me two hours, but I keep reminding myself I couldn't sit on my bike for two hours this time last year.

I've proven to myself that if I don't give up I'll get better. Confident. Healthier. Stronger.

My journey to a healthier lifestyle is requiring the same perseverance.  It's taking time.  There are set backs and road blocks and even Christmas cookies that will slow me down, but I know that if I don't give up I'll get better. Confident. Healthier. Stronger.

It's Decided!

Because of scheduling changes at FBC, the FP4H class needed to be moved to Sunday evenings — a time slot I wasn't thrilled with.  Sunday evenings have traditionally been a time for me to chill-lax at home before the rush of a new work week hits.

But I decided that I needed the class and sacrificing my Sunday evening was a small price to pay for a smaller number on the scales.

Besides, change in inevitable, right?

Once I conceded that I could give up my Sunday evening for a smaller pant size, I started to think about other positives:

•  It might open the class to more people.
•  We won't be rushing from our jobs to get there on time.
•  Weighing in might help keep us 'on track' over the weekend (the hardest days as far as I'm concerned).
•  The encouragement I get on Sunday evening will inspire me to have a great week.

Orientation will be 6 p.m., Sunday,
Aug. 21 @ First Baptist Church, Rock Hill

I am committed to live the life God has called me to live, and if that means giving up "The Amazing Race" on Sunday nights.

So-be-it.