2012: I resolve…to get in shape.

Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.  Even the hilt went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the dagger out of his belly; and his entrails came out.

(Judges 3:21-22)

Ok, you know you have eaten way too much cake, even gluten-free cake, when someone kills you and loses their sword in your belly fat. Ewww!  I think I am going to post this quote on my mirror, because it just makes me want to go on the treadmill, and eat carrots and broccoli.

Every January, a good lot of people decide that they are going to get in better shape.  They resolve to eat right, exercise more, and listen to their doctors and other experts.  They buy DVDs of fitness tapes and new yoga outfits, they might get some hand weights and a treadmill, they read diet books, and they cause gym memberships to peak at the first month of every year.

Why do we do this? Remorse from eating with two forks at Christmas?  Wanting to keep with the tradition of making resolutions? Or is there something inside us that just gets excited by the possibilities that a new year can bring?

Something else happens around end of February-March. We get tired of eating carrots and broccoli. We stop watching the DVD.  We put laundry on our treadmill. We are too tired from work to go to the gym.

Why do we run out of steam so quickly? Well, it takes a lot of work and discipline to get in shape.  The only successful method to keep to a plan is to resolve to change your life, permanently.  Something has to click in your spirit, where you realize that this is not just for fitting into your old pair of jeans (this applies to both men and women, let’s get real) but it’s also for your health, and hopefully, an improved quality of life. It’s an endurance race, where the finish line is God-willing, many, many years away.

This week marks 7 years since Bruce and I lost John LeMoine, a most dear friend. A couple of years before John died, my poor Bruce was very overweight.  It was a product of letting himself get roped into the sedentary lifestyle of high-tech and too much overtime. Bruce was in the military when he was young and he was always in top shape, so it was hard for him to have his body sluggish and unhealthy.  Twice Bruce tried to stick with a fitness regimen and twice he failed.  The third time, he went regularly with John.  Bruce said to John that discipline was really hard to achieve and maintain.

John’s response was, “But discipline is a fruit of the Spirit.  You already have it.” (Galatians 5:22)

It was one of those BOING moments for Bruce.  Something just clicked.  He not only maintained his fitness, he searched out trainers to change up his routine.  He sought new ways of getting stronger, running longer.  (Yes, he’s my six-million-dollar man!)  When he severely herniated a disc a few years ago and was told he should not run, Bruce eventually defied that.  This year, he ran his first 10-K race!

The funny part was that an old friend from the Navy saw Bruce after he had lost 50 pounds.  He hadn’t seen Bruce since they were younger and he and said to Bruce, “Wow, you haven’t changed a bit!”

I found it interesting that my Bruce was inspired to succeed after he had been told he already had something that he thought he didn’t have. I think the number one thing that slows us down is discouragement.  We can talk ourselves out of goals, and we can listen to negative talk from others who have a defeatist attitude.

There is more to health than a mind-body connection.  What takes us over the top is the spiritual connection. I can have a positive attitude, I can eat my carrots and broccoli, but what sustains me, is God working in me.  When I can’t keep going, it’s His Spirit that is my personal trainer.  That’s the still small voice that tells you that you can do it, you can do anything, through Him, who gives you strength (Philipians 4:13). God encourages the best things for you.  Don’t listen to anything that tries to distract you from being who He wants you to be.

If your end goal is just to be a ripped jock, and leave God aside, well consider this…

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

God doesn’t care about your abs, or if you look good in those jeans, if your spirit does not love.

Oh, and if you are spiritually on board and are just looking for the secret to losing weight and keeping it off, here’s some wisdom I found that works:

“Eat less. Move around more.”
~ Craig Ferguson

See you on the beach in June!

Happy new year, everyone!