So we're half way to our 30 day goal! Whew! What a journey it has been so far.
Today is Day 15 of 30. I'm at 60 miles down... 65 miles to go! 1240 crunches completed. 1760 to go! Let me just tell you, crunches are still my least favorite part. But I'm pressing in, crunching upwards and making it happen! Even when I don't feel like it. I even think I have ONE LESS dimple! How exciting is that???
OK... maybe you're not as excited as me... but when you notice one less dimple, that's time for some snoopy dancing! If I snoopy dance enough, that might take care of another dimple! Hmmmm... maybe I should start a snoopy dance class at church. :)
When I'm walking on my treadmill, I have a picture in a magazine of this skinny, flat ab woman in front of me. I'd like to say it keeps me pushing through when I want to stop because I want her abs. But the truth is, the ONLY thing that keeps me pushing through is a determination that I CAN accomplish my goals when they are being led by God. Which they are! It brings new meaning to the verse "I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Who gives me strength."
When He lives on the inside of you... as He does me, then you can feel, sense and know His presence in a way that makes you know you can actually accomplish ANY goal... including a weight, eating or exercize goal... Because you're doing it for Him. I've dedicated these 30 days to Him.
I CAN say no to that mouth watering Big Mac... and hot fresh fries... groan... and that delicious chocolate that makes you druel on your pillow at night as you dream about swimming in rivers of chocolate. Yeah... I can say no to that. :)
Someone said to me recently "you're addicted to chocolate like I am". If I'm dreaming about rivers of chocolate, it might make you think so... but the truth is, I'm only addicted to Jesus! It's Him I love. BUT... I really really really really LIKE chocolate. A whole Lot! Milk chocolate of course. That dark bitter stuff is just weird to me. It's like eating tree bark. Why would you? I simply don't get it. But I can live with that.
Chocolate is a craving of my flesh. A really YUMMY craving... but just a craving. I've tried so hard to make it spiritual to justify my need for it, but I simply cannot find a way around it. :)
Learning to "say no" to things that are not good for me is empowering! I still think about Big Mac's... but the more I focus on the GREATER ONE on the inside of me, the less "power" the temptation of a delicious Big Mac has over me. Saying NO gets easier the more I focus on saying "YES" to God.
Isn't that the same for every area of our lives that would cause us to sin and stumble? The more we focus on God, the GREATER ONE on the inside of us, the easier it gets to say NO to temptation, evil, satan and our own selfish desires. We all have them... saying no is much easier when we're saying yes to God. It turns a negative into a positive.
I say NO to what is unhealthy so I can say YES to keeping my temple healthy for God to use. It's worth it. HE'S worth it!
So, to you "half way mark" I say... you're behind me where you belong. I'm going to be like the Apostle Paul... forgetting those things that are behind, I PRESS towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
This one's for you God! I can even EASILY say no to Big Macs and Chocolate for you. It doesn't even compare. 125 miles, 3000 crunches, 10 pound loss... here I come! :)
