Sometimes the best I can do is to show up and give my best. This is the way I feel about my approaching 5K. Without asking God too many questions why, I march towards this 5K race without being ashamed of having 40 extra pounds on top of my knees and having a beautiful, healthy baby boy to show for some of my body change.
I spend days trying no to compare myself to moms that run with their jogger stroller and don’t look like they’ve been pregnant a day in their lives. I spend days remembering good health habits and trying to put them to practice a meal at a time. I now have a young man looking to me as an example of healthy eating. I told my husband we really need to eat better because we want him to eat a huge variety of fruits, veggies and legumes. There is more power in spending time getting ready for a positive impact in my child’s life than spending 1 hour reading People magazine and dreading the fact that I don’t fit on a size 0 jeans four months after my son was born.
Showing up is not the problem, the issue is, what is your best? My best has been training 3 times a week. My best has been studying our current family meals and making sure they don’t become a 'starch feast.' My best has been encouraging a friend to sign up to the race with me so we can reap the benefits together.
My very best happens when I keep God involved in all of this. My husband says we can’t separate God from small details of our lives. He cares and I need Him to care for me. Today I make my words the words of Paul:
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)
I’m not yet able to run the Chicago marathon but I will get there one step at the time.
So here is my challenge for you:
{1} Take 1 hour to exercise and pay attention in what you do. Do you throughly enjoy the benefits or do you compare your body to others in the gym?
{2} Do your best to get out there often and exercise, even if it's for 30 minutes.
{3} Recruit others to join you. If you can't find a buddy to exercise with you, join fitness sites such as dailymile.com where many people are encouraging each another to do just that, keep moving!
Previously on The Power of 1 (hour) Series:
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