Tag Archives: weightloss

Physical Fitness, Spiritual Fitness

Seasons Change and So Can We!

 

smell the routine

Seasons Change and So Can We! YES!

I’m sad to acknowledge or accept this, but fall will be here in 3 weeks. It’s been hot and dry, but that doesn’t stop the fact that soon we’ll be complaining about the strong winds and flakes of snow/rain falling from the sky.

I treasure being outdoors during the spring and summer, because the outdoors and our expansive river valley becomes my training ground. Exercising outdoors has been shown to be more strenuous on the body (in a good way) and uses different muscles (e.g. going downhill, varying terrains). Unless you are living in a city where winter weather doesn’t get below, let’s say -5, then it’s time to get ready for change.

Commit decisions

Sometimes we make a goal and stick to it. We are committed and do all that we set out to do, but somehow along the way, despite giving it our all, we are not happy with the routine we have chosen. We are often made to feel bad when we desire change, but I firmly believe that change is perfectly alright when it comes to fitness. Fitness should result in feeling great about our health and accomplishments. If you’ve given it your all and you now desire something different, go right ahead and make some changes. I always say, ‘If seasons change, why can’t we do the same?’

Take some time this month to evaluate your fitness habits. What did you like/dislike: Why? Do you believe changes need to be made? If so, what are those changes going to be? Were you happy with your physical results? Yes/No; ask yourself why and again, if change is necessary, what will it be?

Walking-Joke

My knee is still giving me problems and I never did meet my weight loss and race goals for this spring and summer. I was not able to participate in any 10km races or tackle the “stairs of death” in my city. I was forced to make changes, but I knew that I would not commit to regular indoor workouts. I wanted to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, so I made due with short distances outside and everything else was done at home where the sun was still able to shine through. I have no regrets about not committing to the cement walls of my gym. It’s a great gym, but there are no windows in the cardio and strength training rooms.

We often associate change with bad things and this leads to struggling against change, but when it comes to fitness, change is a good thing. Have fun, be creative and watch change become a healthy part of your goals. God never changes, but He actively engages in changing what He has created. He changes people, circumstances, seasons, and a whole list of other things we are not aware of.

If it’s time for a change  below is a prayer by Rachel Wojo to help you along the way. My prayer for you is that change will bring about a renewed commitment to your health and great results! prayer change

Physical Fitness, Spiritual Fitness

Self-Inventory and Fitness (Physical/Spiritual)

 

The Process

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are two things in our fitness journey that never really tell the whole story, but yet we focus on them heavily. These two things are the scale and the amount of weight we lift. I think as humans we are probably obsessed with numbers as a measure of achievement. We count everything: how much money we make, the time it takes to get from one place to another, the amount of children we want, our age, calories in every bite, the days, weeks and months; we are always counting something.

I was skimming through Deepak Chopra’s book What Are You Hungry For?. It seems like a great book so far, and for those who fear it might be new agey, it’s not. The book is an easy read that assists people in learning to be mindful and aware of what they consume and the reasons for why they eat the way that they do. He has a Meditation Inventory that I think is important to consider for those of you who are on a journey to wellness. Here are the questions he poses:

  • Do I feel lighter?
  • Do I have more energy?
  • Am I more settled?
  • Are the hard things getting easier?
  • Has my mood improved?
  • Is my stress level lower?
  • Have I had some inspiring moments?
  • Do I feel more grateful?
  • Do I appreciate my life more?
  • Am I getting closer to those I love?
  • Do I feel that I belong?
  • Am I judging myself—and others—less than I used to?
  • Am I more comfortable inside myself?
  • Do I have inner peace?

I think these are necessary to ask ourselves in order to help gauge our health and wellness. It is best that our success is not measured strictly by numbers. Yes, it’s important for the scale to either decrease or increase, distances to be longer, speed to increase, and weights to get heavier. However, it is only one part of our success. What we do for physical fitness should influence other parts of our lives.

This sounds crazy, but I’ll tell you this anyways. I can’t play musical chairs, why? Because I become super competitive about a silly game and the next thing you know I’m hip-checking people and turning a cute little activity into some sort of combat sport. I play this game and anyone near me is on the ground and we are all wrestling and scrambling for the chair while the others stand there watching in horror.

Looking at the Meditation Inventory, I know that I need to improve in other areas. I’m getting physically stronger and developing more endurance, but it’s important to remember these need to be channeled into positivity in other areas of my life. What am I doing with the extra energy I have? Am I being more grateful for my improved health? Am I growing comfortable with my changing body? Self-Inventory never ends because we never stop learning about ourselves and the world around us.

I took 2 Corinthians 13:5-8 and applied it to the act of self-inventory.

Self Inventory