Drafting

A few weeks ago I spent a long weekend at Hilton Head with my daughter, Jody and our bikes.  We explored just about every trail we could find, and then some.

One morning we took off on the sandy beach, heading east into the sun.  I was going faster than I had ever gone before.  I was practically flying. I felt like Superwoman!

After a few miles we turned around to head back to the motel.  What I didn't realize was it wasn't all ME that was making my bike fly over the beach.  I had been riding with the wind to my back.

Now, heading west, we were riding straight into the wind and I was beginning to doubt if my legs were going to get me back to the comfort of my beach chair and a Diet Coke.

Jody knew that I was struggling.  Duh, sweat was pouring off me and I was huffing and puffing like the Big Bad Wolf.  She moved in front and instructed me to come up behind her and stay as close as I could to her back tire.

It was freaking me out to ride that close to her.  I didn't have the confidence in my skills to be that close to someone else.  Still... when I did as she told me, the drag of the wind diminished and my ride was taking less effort.

Today I was out for a solo ride and about 10 miles from home I was riding along a country road feeling really good about myself. I wasn't having to work hard at holding my speed to about 13 mph (my average is around 9) and my legs felt really strong, until I turned around to head home and discovered I'd been riding with the wind to my back--again!

As I slowly made my way home I got to thinking about my relationship with God.

Most of the time when things are going right and I'm accomplishing great things I'm quick to take all the credit for my hard work and perseverance and not realizing/remembering that God has my back the whole time and He is the one that makes all things possible.

I fail to give God the credit (glory) for what He accomplishes in my life.

And when I hit the head winds in life (and there are always going to be head winds) I need to remember that I can draft behind Jesus every time.  I just need to have the confidence to move in close to Him and let Him lead the way.

When you draft with a fellow biker you've got to keep your eyes on them to avoid disaster.  The same is true of Jesus.  Keeping focused on Him will help me avoid disaster and although I still have to put effort in the journey, He makes it a whole lot easier!

I'm sure there's a good analogy about going up the hills.  I'll be thinking about that the next time I'm faced with one.

Pinckney Island, July 2012

If it were only that simple

The second night of the new fall class and it was already half the size we started with... and I'm not referring to the numbers on the scales.  Two class members knew they would be out and gave me a heads up about missing.  I get that. We have busy lives.

Two class members were out because of illness.  Again, I get that.

But three class members were missing in action with no explanation.

According to the 'grapevine' two of the three who dropped were disappointed in the class.  It wasn't what they were expecting.  They wanted someone to TELL them what to do and then they would do it and they would magically lose weight. Problem solved.

If it were only that simple.  I wish I had some magical solution to obesity.  I don't.  However, with this program I do have practical solutions that will help all of us achieve balance in our physical, emotion, mental and spiritual health.

The problem of course is that in order to benefit from the practical solutions you have to have a head and heart ready to RECEIVE them so you can APPLY them.  You have to have to be willing to PERSEVERE when things don't go as you hoped they would.

First Place 4 Health isn't for everyone. I know that.  It's hard. I know that. It takes time. I know that.

I don't need someone telling me what I need to do to lose weight.  I already know that too.

I just need the support, accountability and encouragement from the ladies in the Wednesday night circle. I need the help and comfort of God to keep me focused and motivated.  I need to press on!

What I do in the middle of this journey will determine how well I finish.

Never giving up

I've started a new First Place 4 Health Bible study.  Motivated to Wellness.  The ladies that joined me this evening are a wonderful, diverse group.  I'm looking forward to the next 12 weeks, with the anticipation of losing a few pounds, gaining some new friends and restoring the balance in my life by keeping Jesus the center of everything I do.

I know what I need to do. I've "started over" dozens of times before.  The good news is that I'm not alone, and I'm not going to give up!

FP4H

This session our group is going to focus on a different 4.

We're FOR making healthier food choices, FOR exercise, FOR daily quiet time, FOR journaling, FOR giving thanks that God is with us and FOR us in this journey.

Focusing on what is good and positive will strengthen us when we feel weak.

First Place 4 Health has given us the tools we need to bring balance into our life, and I'm all FOR that!

The Enemy

This battle with my weight drains and defeats me.

In a battle, you need to know your enemy.

Who is my enemy?

I am my own worst enemy!

I am heartsick and battle weary.

But I haven't given up hope.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

But a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

Time to Walk the Walk

The Bible study, New Beginnings is finished and we're taking a break from FP4H until after the first of the year.

Going it 'alone' without the benefit of my support group and the regular Bible study to keep me focused on Christ is going to be tough. I can already feel myself slipping into old habits.

I needed a break from leading the class, but I clearly still need the accountability our group offers.

The next few weeks will be a test to see what I've learned and taken to heart and what I've just regurgitated for the benefit of the ladies sitting in the circle this past year.

I am determined to keep pressing on toward the goal that has been set before me.

Welcome to the Clean Plate Club

My dinner plate.  How many meals have been served on it?  How many times have I had to wash it, dry it, put it away — only to get it out and get it dirty again?

There's no getting around the fact that every day that plate (or another one just like it) will require daily cleaning.  With the strong possibility that it might need cleaning more than once a day.

A never ending cycle — clean, dirty, clean, dirty, clean. Some days are cleaner than others. But as long as the plate is being used, it must be cleaned.

I don't think about the gross junk that was stuck to it yesterday and I can't worry about what might be dried on it tomorrow. I just need to clean the plate today. That's just the way it is.

Living healthy and making wise food choices is also a never ending cycle. With some days being easier and others — not so much.

I need to make intentional choices about the quantity and quality of the food I eat.

I can't worry about the gross junk I've eaten in the past and I can't worry about how I might mess up tomorrow. I need to just live in the present, making the best possible choices for me today.

In other words I can't give up and quit trying. I need to clean up my stinking thinking and do the next right thing. That's just the way it is.

My dinner plate also reminds me of forgiveness.  God's forgiveness.  No matter how many times I get all icky and stinky with sin, God willingly and gently cleans me up and gets me ready to be used for His good purpose.

Thank God that's the way it is!!