A New Transformation

Real Transformation will impact every aspect of your life. I started on a journey 3 weeks ago that is changing my life every day. As a matter of fact I'm seeing the impact and implications of this journey that I believe will improve my lifestyle and life. I know, you're saying by now, "get on with it and get it out already". I don't blame you, I'm the same way. I made a new commitment to get healthy and started a program called "P90" from BeachBody.com.

Now I have started workout routines many times in my adult years. For the last 30 or so years of my life I have been a member of many gyms, bought and rode bikes, stayed fairly active with some sports but in the last 6 years or so I have seen my weight and health start to go south. I must admit that I have tried and started this same program 2 times before. I failed both times. Now you ask, "so what makes this time so different"?

#1. I will say personal determination. I know that at 53 years of age that if I do not make it happen now I might not ever make it happen. I want to finish strong not go out with a whimper. So it's now or never.
#2. A willingness to do whatever it takes to succeed. I got to the point where I did not care who thought I had lost my mind or anything. I refused to let anything keep me from my goal. Years ago I read a book on debt by David Ramsey and he said that to get out of debt you have to have the attitude of a gazelle. You have to run like your life depended on it and be willing to expend all of your energy to survive. I have made up my mind to have the same attitude about my health and weight.
#3. Accountability. This time I asked a few people to hold me accountable. I do not mean "Encouragement" but real accountability. I told them that if all I needed was encouragement I would have already done it or at least been in better shape than I am. So, they have my permission to even get in my face and make me mad if that's what it takes to keep me going.
#4. Support. I have also jumped into getting support from others that are also doing this some program on the BeachBody website using their Message Boards. I have to admit that this was a stretch for me. To jump into a conversation with people that I don't know to talk about stuff that I'm still trying to figure out and knowing all along that they are ahead of the curve. Well that took a few days to get up the courage for. But I have started talking to some people and asking for their help and advice.
#5. Results. After only 23 days working out, not counting a few rest days, I have lost 5 pounds, a little over an inch in my gut and my energy level is up and my abilities to do the workouts are 100 % better. I'm only in level one and can not wait to get to the top.

Now, some of the other benefits are that it is forcing me to be more regimented with my days. It's helping me to be more organized. At least I'm seeing a start with my diet and exercise and I expect to see it spill over to other areas. I already feel better about myself and feel like I'm actually accomplishing something beneficial. That in and of itself impacts my relationships with my family, the people around me and my faith. I know the verses that say, "If God is for us who can be against us", but I feel the greatest enemy we have is ourselves. The person that scares me the most, well, it's me. How many times have we let ourselves down? How many times have we not followed through with a promise to others or God? To make a keep a promise to yourself, well, that's huge! You actually start to believe that you can do it. Whatever that might be. You actually start to believe that you can make a promise and keep it. Doubt and self hate is our greatest enemy.

I think we give up in many areas of our lives and it even starts to show in our health. We stop doing the things we want to do because we start to believe that we just can't or we are too old, or we tried that before. I started to hear people say things like, "when you got to be your age". I started to look around and decided that I could not stop time or change my age but I could change my attitude. I can't change my hairline but I could do something about my waistline.

In closing, last night I asked the men in our bible study, why can't we make the same decision to transform our approach to our spiritual formation? Why don't we pull out all the stops to make sure that we grow and become stronger spiritually? What are we willing to do to change the way we are for the way we know we should be? I do not pretend to know what or where you are in life but personally I do not want to stay the same. I'm not satisfied with the way I am and I plan on doing something about it even if it kills me. At least no one will be able to say that I did not try. At least my family will know that I loved them enough to give it my best. At least I can leave a legacy for them that can push them to a higher level. Think about this, most people remember how you finished this life. What will that look like for you? I'm on my way to change mine, want to join me?

Just my thoughts,

Paul