I’m Going the Distance

These picture are from 6-9 years ago. I wish I still had the endurance and strength I had when these photos were taken. I was a different person then. I was at a completely different place in my life. The woman in these phots was fiercely determined. She wasn’t afraid. She was tenacious. She ran in the rain, the snow, through tornado warnings and jumped downed trees after the ice storm. She competed in OCR’s, 5k’s, 10k’s, a CrossFit competition, took CrossFit classes and lead boot camp classes. She was trying to be a positive example for her children. She didn’t back down. She took time for herself.

I could learn a few lessons from her. She knew taking time for herself made her a better person, a better wife and a better mother. As, time past and circumstances changed I put myself last. It’s easy to do. Nearly, all of us do the same thing. My priorities shifted and I hit the bottom of the list. I was too stressed or tired to care about myself anymore. I allowed excuses and fear to burden me.

There were things during those years that was more important than hitting my 25 miles a week. I don’t regret taking care of those people and things. What I do regret is throwing my health and fitness down, completely. I didn’t squeeze much of any physical activity into my schedule and when I did it was beyond sporadic. Sometimes it isn’t about how often, it’s just about getting it done and I wasn’t getting it done.

Running and working out wasn’t just for my physical health. It was for my mental health. I used to say my fitness euphoria only compared to riding on the back of a motorcycle. It was freeing and powerful. Slowly, that feeling drifted away. The truth be told the diet went out the window with the exercise.

The past few years has been a yo-yo of ups and downs with my stress, my weight and my life. The woman I used to be faded away, in her place stands a tired, but wiser lady. A lady who gave her heart to the Lord, praise God. In many ways I’m stronger than the woman in the pictures. I have God with me now. I’ve gained strength and mental fortitude through loss and trails. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not super human, but I am stronger than I had thought I was.

Today, I told myself there was no more excuses. No more waiting for Monday. No more I’m just too tired. No more it doesn’t matter. I can’t change through wasting time and excuses. I hit the treadmill and did a small workout after. I’m doing yoga tonight before bed. I’m important and it’s time I invest in myself again. You’re important too! Tell yourself that! Believe that! Invest in yourself!

I’m going to find the gusto I had years ago. My fear doesn’t stand a chance! I’m going the distance! I’m proclaiming victory! I’m giving it to God!

These verses tell us He wants us to be healthy. Read them. Memorize them. Rely on them.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: 
but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22