No more excuses

3:49 p.m. Today's project was to sign up once again, at our neighborhood LA Fitness gym.

The last time I worked out there regularly was in 2009, my last year as a teacher. I'd go directly after work a few afternoons a week, go on an evening when Steve attended men's Bible study, and go on Saturday morning while he puttered around in the yards. Added to the running I would do in the mornings with my 6th grade students, and walking on alternate days with the gym workouts, I was in pretty decent shape! But  the Apostle Paul said this about dropping pride in his former religious prominence in favor of knowing Christ in Philippians 3:13-14,

...forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

So, after four years of  joblessness and disability (Steve's) and retirement for care giving (mine); sorrow, stress, and ultimately Steve's death in January of this year, I now see the need to "reach forward" in several areas of my life. The kids have moved in, and we're beginning to make good headway with repairs to the property. Also, thanks be to God, my Mary Kay business is flourishing. Now my physical body needs repair! Praise the Lord I am not taking any prescription medications at age 61.Thanks to using natural supplements rather than drugs, I only have occasional twinges with my arthritis. And the physical work around here does have strengthening benefits.

Even if I don't tire easily despite long hours, and have tons of energy, and no bad medical tests, it's time to drop the weight! And the the snacks need to go, sadly. Below is just a portion of our Easter candy selection--delectable, but deadly!!

Yes, my behavior must change.I've found wonderful success over the years with the Atkins diet, because I love protein food s the best, and had little trouble cutting my sugar intake for two or three years at a time. My persnickety digestion improves, and there's no after-sugar fuzz to deal with late in the day when you grab a bad snack to wake you up. So i know it can be done. As for exercise, my walks with my buddy Michelle can still take place a couple of times a week for accountability; but playing my "Faithful Workouts" show is a little tougher with several early risers including my darling 1 year-old Clark who doesn't need to awaken by the sound of a TV in the family room.

So that's where the gym comes in. Now I have to peruse the daily class schedule and find a time and activity I can stick with!

In past years, I've shunned classes because I was working full time and also I needed the flexibility to just show up, jump on a bike, then treadmill, and move through my weight-training machine circuit. But classes will allow me to make new friends as well as see neighborhood pals I've lost touch with since our kids grew up.Life has moved all of us former PTA moms onward, as time must pass.Yet, I can identify with 3 John 1:14, where the apostle expresses his desire to see his friends, rather than just write to them:

I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name. 

And Proverbs 18:24 reminds us, particularly if we want to make friends as a door to witnessing for Jesus to others,

He who has friends must show himself friendly.

Looking at the schedule, I think that Zumba would be a reasonably doable class, and it's offered two weekdays and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. before I can even make phone calls to customers and contacts. I think we can safely state that "Kickbox Cardio" and "Boot Camp Conditioning" are out...maybe by the end of the year.

As people created by God, we are body, soul (our personality) and spirit (the part of us that communes with the Lord). Now it's time for me to care for all three. Your prayers will be much appreciated!!