Think about your high school graduation. Believe it or not, all assignments, all books you did not wanted to read and your attendance led to you holding your diploma. I can think of the same thing happening during my college years. There were assignments that to me did not make sense but everything came together when I graduated with my B.A.
Exercising as a habit is similar to the education process. I see it as a means to a goal. Every time I lace my shoes, every mile conquered, every time my heart rate is raised in a healthy way, I am reaching my goal. My long time readers know that my goal is not a skinny pants size but a lifetime of optimum health.
I see investing in nutrition the same way, a means to my goal of being a healthier person. I do look very different than I did 10 months ago but it’s all part of the process, not my goal. A good question at this point is: how do I start? I’m a good person to answer this question because I’ve given all kinds of excuses from I don’t like to sweat to it will mess up my hair to I don’t have time.
1. Changing (or renew) your mind • your mind is the battlefield. That’s where you win and lose many battles. Here’s what the Bible encourages us to do in Romans 12:2
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| The Kids & I at my first 5K of 2011 |
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
2. Involve God in your Journey • I’ve been blogging for years that the God who created my body knows what’s best for me, even when it comes to exercise. When I involved God in my journey, I found more strength and encouragement. I believe God wants our health to prosper. I believe God can even help me get organized enough to fit exercise in my schedule. He’s a prayer away.
3. Redefine your Goals • If you read my entries from 2005 you’ll read a desperate woman trying to go back to the weight of her youth. Because I accepted the challenge of renewing my mind and involving God in my life, the goals I had changed. I realized that a healthier me can serve others better. I realized that a healthier me can contribute more to the good of others. I clearly saw that I was largely responsible for inflicting harm to my health by the habits I had. New goals meant a new exciting journey which needs recalibrating every now and then.
I hope you don’t think so people are magically built or made to exercise on a regular basis. You can do it. We all have 24 hours but we all make different choices. I knew that when I was concerned about my hair. What really helped me was changing my mind, involving God and redefining my goals. What has helped you to keep exercise as a habit in your life?
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