Enough horsing around. Time to get serious. I have done a lot of reading this year. Much of the research has been self-help stuff, and I’ve gained a little something from all of it…a little head knowledge at least. Though I’ve put some of what I’ve researched into practice, I haven’t done any of it long enough to realize any substantial benefit.
I think about what I preach at work: In order for an organization to realize change of any lasting value, it must be planned, reasonable, and deliberate; it also must contain an element of accountability.
I wonder why it hasn’t dawned on me before now that I need to do the same thing with my life: In order for me to get my act together, my intent must be planned, reasonable, and deliberate; it also must contain an element of accountability. OK, maybe it has dawned on my before now, but I was hoping something easier would come along!
I’m sick and tired of worrying about every last piece of food I put in my mouth, and I’m also tired of not liking what I see in the mirror. I’m tired of being tired, of feeling older than my 46 years. I waste a lot of energy worrying about things and trying to justify bad choices. I’ve had it. I want off this ride for good. I want to get healthy and stay healthy – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Starting November 1, I will do the following:
Physically – Though I want to cut white flour, sugar, diet Coke, and preservatives out of my diet, I won’t focus on what I’m restricting myself from but what I’m giving myself:
I'll give myself at least 30 daily grams of fiber, primarily through Flax Seed (2 Tablespoons per day) and fruit and veggies (a minimum of five per day).
I'll give myself at least 96 ounces of water per day.
I'll give myself the minerals and vitamins necessary to help me make the most of every day:
- With breakfast: Multi-vitamin, Vitamin B complex, Lysine
- With dinner: Calcium + D
- At bedtime: Melatonin
I'll give myself time to exercise:
- Weight machines on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
- Yoga on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- An average of thirty minutes of aerobic activity a day, as much outside as possible – this might mean raking leaves or going for a walk outside or cleaning the house, running after the grandbaby, or doing an exercise video inside
My hope is that I won’t have room for things I want to cut out but, if I do, so be it. I’ll accept it and go on.
Emotionally – I will give myself a break. I won’t save candles for special occasions but light them whenever I feel like it. I’ll get books on tape for when I travel. I’ll read and write. (Good thing I like these two things, since my job pretty much demands that I do them!) I’ll plan dates for my husband and me and actually carry them out – same goes for design plans on the house. I’ll prepare dinner out of love, not out of compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7) And if I don’t feel like it, I won’t feel any shame in offering the family cereal and toast.
Spiritually – I will read one chapter of the Bible a day, asking God to reveal His will through it. When I spend my time outside on my walks, I will worship. When I’m tempted to worry about what the scale says, I will turn to God. When I’m tempted to eat out of boredom, anxiety, or “just because,” I will turn to scripture. When I eat because I’m truly hungry, I will rejoice in the Lord’s provisions.
OK, I have the planned, reasonable, and deliberate part down; all I need now is the element of accountability. That’s where you come in! I commit to check back with you both mid-month and month-end so you can hold my feet to the fire. I’ll let you know how things are going physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and I’ll be honest! In the meantime, if there's something you'd like me to lift up in prayer on my walks, please drop me a line; I would count it a priviledge.
