Just when I want to give up, God sends a reminder that I’m doing the right thing.
A couple weeks ago, a friend sent me a text, asking if I would join her in our local gym’s “Biggest Loser” fitness challenge. I wanted to decline, but I was nudged into remembering how I’ve been wanting to get in shape and lose a few extra pounds. I haven’t been feeling well and I thought signing up for the class would motivate me and keep me accountable so I reluctantly said I’d do it. If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I HATE exercise with a passion! I hate sweating. I hate getting overheated. I hate jumping around with strangers. I hate hurting. I just hate most things associated with the gym. Needless to say, I’ve been packing up my gear, putting on my sweatpants and buckets of deodorant, and lugging about a gallon of cold water with me to the gym the past two weeks. My body has used muscles that I didn’t know I even had (until the day after the workouts when I can’t sit down or get out of a chair because my thighs scream in agony!)
Have I told you how much I love food? I love the smell of food. I love the taste of food. I love going to new restaurants. I love cooking new recipes. I just love most things about food!
I’m beginning to despise fruits, veggies and salads because it seems like that’s all I’ve been eating for two weeks! And after subjecting myself to all of this torture, I went to weigh in for the “Biggest Loser” challenge. I’ve lost a measly pound. Yes, folks, that’s right 1 POUND!!!!!
Talk about wanting to give up and throw in the towel!
I was so incredibly discouraged. I came home and was telling my son and he simply reminded me, “Mom, it’s not about the weight, it’s about getting in shape.”
Hmm….I guess the young man has a point.
So, I’ll pack up my gym bag again and trek off to the 90 degree gym… I hate that blasted place!
But maybe in the coming days I’ll see some progress. Maybe my body will begin to feel better and hurt less. I guess I’ll stick with it for a few more weeks!
Tell me about a time you wanted to give up? Why did you stick with it and are you glad you did?
My first half marathon which I did without a partner, I collapsed from dehydration a half mile from the finish line! It was humiliating!! They had to put two IV bags in me before I left the first aid tent. It was hot and humid but I chose not to drink at the water stations. I was so nervous running by myself. I signed right back up for the next years half marathon. I changed my training routine to include cross training and focused on I am never by myself because God is with me even when I am running:). Since then God has blessed me thru my training and runs with personal best times and interesting people. Last years half marathon God blessed me with a running partner a few miles into the event who was a believer, liked my running music and was reading the same book, “The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst”. The blessings of choosing not to give up have been overwhelming. “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13”