Aug. 22, 2008 - My First Day

Funny how Day One happened so instantly.  I'm a procrastinator by choice (not by nature). 

For years when planning a new workout routine (such as this one), I would have to begin on a Sunday (the first day of the week).  I would decide to start living healthier ... Next Sunday.  But yesterday evening, the day nearly past and all those unhealthy choices (Braum's burger, frozen yogurt, ect.) already tainting the day, I decided enough was enough.  2/3 of the day past or not, I was going to start "here and now". 

It was only God's goodness that it happened that way.  God doesn't want procrastinators in His kingdom.  He can't use them when HE wants to!  He can only use them when they are good and ready.

So ... Week One, Day One began with most of the week gone.  But how wonderful it feels to be healthy again!

For starters, I completed two sets of dumbbell rows (20 repetitions each), two sets of pushups (20 repititions each), two sets of dumbbell shoulder press (20 repetitions each), two sets of standing calf raises (25 repetitions each), two sets of dumbbell curls (20 repetitions each), two sets of overhead dumbbell extensions (20 repetitions each), two sets of dumbbell squats (20 repetitions each), two sets of stiff-legged deadlifts (20 repetitions each).

For dinner, I had a few bowls of Spanish rice.  Ingredients were as follows: ground beef*, Texmati rice**, zucchini***, squash***, onion**, butter**, sea salt**, pepper**, Muir Glen Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil****.

*NOT organic.  May include hormones.

**NO chemicals listed on ingredients. May not be organically grown/processed.

***Organically grown in home garden.

****Organic.  Contains naturally derived calcium chloride and citric acid.

I never drink any sodas, so I can't tell you it was a change to only drink water last night.  ;)  And so Day Two Begins ...

Aug. 21, 2008 - How It All Got Started

As I watched my little brother get on that bus to answer the call of duty, the little wheels in my head began to turn.

One year seemed so far away.  365 days until he'd come home. 

But the time my brother was to be away from home put many things into perspective for me.  I got to thinking about those 365 days he'd be gone and how quickly the previous set of 365 days had passed. 

I've always lived for tomorrow.  "Someday I'll do this", "Someday I'll do that", Someday, I'll BE this".  Someday has yet to come for many things in my life.

And then I began thinking about how God has suffered in all this.  My procrastination has been a weight to the kingdom of God.  What I could have accomplished in one year's time had I only accomplished those tasks set before me.  Father, forgive me.

When God chose the children of Israel, He set some rules before them on how they were to act, what they were to wear, and what they could and could not eat.  This was so that all the other nations would see how blessed; how rich; how healthy they were and know .. That there was a God.

Jesus commanded that we live in such a way that brought glory to God.  And Paul continued this in his letter to the Philippians when he said 'Do every thing to the glory of God'.

My brother having departed to the other side of the world, I purposed in my heart to live my life purposefully.  I decided as I drove away from those buses and left them behind in my rearview mirror, that God would get the glory for the next year of my life.

Here I am.  One year of healthy choices.  One year of giving my everything to God.  One year of working out consistently.  One year of giving myself.  One year of praise.  One year of thanksgiving.  One year of receiving all that God has for me.  One year until my little brother comes home.