My 3 Things

What are the 3 things you can do in 2009 for your health that will absolutely change your health?
1. Exercise 4 times a week for at least 40 minutes;
2. Eat according to the food pyramid;
3. Seek Peace and pursue it! Avoid stress.

As promised, here are my three things. We all can do so much more but these are my 3 priorities I will seek next year. Change comes in small steps. I heard Joyce Meyer saying something interesting the other day. She said 'no one wakes up saying: boy, I need to find a bad habit to acquire today!' Bad habits are easy to acquire, good habits take time, diligence and commitment. These 3 things are not resolutions, these are habits I learned this year and I want to keep up for next year. Many are wondering if I can keep this up with a newborn. We’ll see won’t we? I know that through Christ I can do all things. I know that if I delight myself in the Lord He will give me the desires of my heart. God really wants us to walk in health, so I’m sure He’ll help me in my time of need.

Another thing I heard on TV was that most people who are physically fit eat correctly and exercise often. Not because they feel like it but because it’s a discipline. Do I agree with that! I could choose to look at my many obstacles: my family has one car, we can save the money we’re giving for gym membership and use it elsewhere, I’m tired after a long day of work, I don’t have a workout buddy… I choose to look at the other side of the coin. I have to trick myself to do it sometimes:
1. Have my gym bag, membership card and headphones ready to go.
2. Write down a goal for the week and stay accountable. The way I stay accountable is to write my goals for the week here in the blog. It helps me and it gives me a great sense of accomplishment!
3. Reward myself with things that are not food. I love manicures and pedicures. Even tough I do them myself, it’s still a treat.

These are the three things I do. Today I had to use an extra trick. So, I’m getting back in the habit of lifting weights and I thought about skipping weight lifting this morning. I told myself: your goal for this week is to lift twice. Why wait for tomorrow if you can do it today? That thought and doing the hardest repetitions first helped me get through it and now I’m done til next week.

Exercising is the one thing I get to do for myself (and for my baby) most days of the week. I hope that health will continue to be a priority for me in 2009. How can I take care of a growing family if mama is not healthy herself? Learn how to walk in health, it’s so worth it! God will lead you as He did for me.

Goals for the Week:
{1} Work out 4 times for at least 40 minutes; (1 more to go)

{2} Lift weights, for at least 2 times; (DONE!)
{3} Drink at least 2 liters of water per day; (OK!)
{4} Snack before attending holiday parties; (OK)
{5} Pedicure & manicure! (Can’t wait!)