The Key to Change...

"The key to change is more of the same."

I heard this on one of my favorite podcast last week from Elevation Church. It made me think about all of the new gym goers I have met at the gym in the last few weeks. People who are starting out on their own fitness journeys. This is a time of year that regular gym goers dread and despise but I love it! Sure the parking lot is full and you might have to park a little further away, and you might have to wait for your favorite machine. (Use this opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try something new!) But I love seeing people try to make an honest change in their lives by taking control. Just think how we can be there as inspiration and encouragement to our new gym mates.

Change is hard. It's uncomfortable. It all starts with walking through the door. You feel like everyone is watching or judging you. You feel out of shape because, quite honestly, you are. But you have to remember that we all had to start where you are. Every single one of us have had our first day at the gym. It gets better. The more consistent you are with your new healthy habits the easier will be become a lifestyle.

 

"Let the routine be the reward."

A month or so down the road you might find yourself frustrated. Maybe you aren't seeing the results you were expecting and you are ready to throw in the sweaty towel. It usually takes time to see physical results so don't give up on yourself so easily. Try not to get caught up in the results you are after but instead celebrate that you are, in fact, doing something about it. Find a form of exercise that you enjoy doing and keep at it. Keeping this SAME routine of SHOWING UP will pay off. Maybe try making a chart where you can cross off the box with each workout you complete. Commit to doing so many a week or month. Don't become a New Year's Resolution statistic. You were made for more than that.

Happy Sweating my friends!

2015 - New Day, New You!

I've been asked multiple times this week what my resolutions or goals for 2015 are.

I woke up early New Year's Eve morning to catch the final sunrise of the year and thank the Lord for all that He has done for me. The show was nothing short of spectacular! I don't know how the Master Artist keeps outdoing Himself.

12/31/14

As I stood on the banks of the Neuse River a couple quotes circles around in my mind. "I may not be where I want to be but I'm not where I used to be" and "nothing is wasted." 2014 has been a good year. There have been some bumps here and there but I'm stronger today than I was 364 days ago. Every experience I've had, good and bad, is preparing me for what's ahead.

I have no doubt that 2015 will be amazing. There will be awesomeness and there will be disappointment. There will be days that I am full of hope and peace and there will be days that I doubt. There will be days I eat healthy and days that I eat chocolate cake for breakfast. Days I workout till my limbs are shaking and days I sleep in. There will be days that I am faithful to God and there will be days that I fail Him. There will be days when I trust His plan and days I try to make my own path. Days that I laugh so hard I cry and days that I cry and want to be alone.

So what is my goal for 2015? My goal is to live my life in a way that honors Christ. I don't expect to be perfect at this goal but I will give myself grace. I will live by the verse:

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness." ~Lamentations 3:22-23

I want to live my life One Day at a Time. Every day is a new chance to get it right. Whether I venture down the wrong path, fall off the diet or workout wagon, or make a poor choice, I can decide to make it right again at any moment. I don't have to wait until January 1st 2016 to start again. I will live in and embrace each moment of 2015 that I am blessed with. You never what the day will bring and He is able to do GREATER things than we could ever even dream! I don't know where the coming year will lead me but I do know that if I follow close to the One who has already been there I will be in good hands. :)

Have a Blessed Day and Year my Friends!

1/1/15