Tug of War... with ourselves?

A friend of mine recently broke up, or rather got dumped by his fiance less than a month before the wedding. I really dont want to concentrate on why she broke it off with him, and rightly so, I just dont believe that they mesh well. But, his actions before and after the break up are something of an analogy for everything we do. He drinks, not all the time but when he does, he does in excess. During one of our "why doesnt she want me" talks, I reminded him that everything he did would either get him closer to one result or another. Back together or moving on, giving her the space she requested would make him sihine in her a eyes a positive light, bugging her not so much. Talking to other girls, flirting, dates, sex would be fun but it wouldnt exactly help him repair things with each other. I hope you can see where I am going with this, because he didnt, and stil doesnt. At the time of writing this it looks like they are each doing things as they did before but for being the glimmer of truth that I am, I am being marked as the single guy who just wants everyone else to be single. Not true, however, I am reminding them thateverything we do, good or bad, brings us closer or further away from our goals.
Really wish I remembered that a few nights ago at Golden Corral! I attacked that buffet with what can only be seen as domination. With regards to both healthy food (plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fish) and not so much (carrot cake, ice cream, and my glorious double digit steak.) It was really good and a nice change of pace from Mcdonalds. My kids didnt get to play but it was nice to have a family meal and just sit at the table without them polishing off thier food as fast as they could so they could do to the PlayPlace, what I did to that buffet! I have also been working longer days at a new job, which I am very thankful for. However its retail in November. So my exercising and all around nutrition is not what it should be. Yet another reminder that everything either brings us closer or further from where we want to be!

Paul told the same thing to the Galatians. Kind of the whole serving two masters thing. You cant pound out at the gym to be able to eat more. It just doesnt work that way! Thats why fad diets and exercise programs which refer to just one of the sources (diet and exercise) do not work. It has to be a matter of incorporating both together. ike Paul was telling the Galatians, our faith and works must coincide, not battle each other. If we push and pull in opposite directions we wont go anywhere, which is to simply go the opposite of where we want to be. Both efforts are compromised, unfortunately. Luther, in his commentary on Galatians, called this very act idolatry. How about that for calling your efforts (worship) counterproductive?

Today's point is simply to examine our actions and before continuing in our current paths, asking ourselves, "is this bringing me closer or further away, from the life I wish to lead?"

Motivation

I just got done reading an article about "somking Joe" Frazier, and his rivalry with Muhammad Ali in the wake of Frazier's death yesterday. The article spoke a lot about how thier rivalry, and three famous bouts, were motivated by thier hate for each other. However, if you read other things and even watch the Ali movie with Will Smith, you find out it is not so much hate but mutual respect. Both are huge motivators.

My bluntness has been one of my best qualities. Some people also cannot handle it and I am okay with it. I go for absolute truth and see the world in black and white with limited shades of grey. When it comes to my own weight loss, something must change though. I have lost 70 lbs and am mere inches (less than 5 lbs) away from my goal weight. When most people lose a significant amount of weight they reward themselves with new clothes, however, my long torso makes me stay within the XXL range. So that "magic number" or new wardrobe cannot be my motivators.

Doing my best, perfecting my form, my ultimate goal of not being ashamed of taking my shirt off in public has still been my motivator. I know the cliche answer is my kids, and I think about them often, but they dont necessarily push me to go the 10 miles I did yesterday. I hope that they see in other areas of my life (because they are not around when I work out) the same tenacity, intensity, and lack of quit that I put into my workouts. I believe it is rubbing off on my parents. I havent necessarily seen much action being done but my two obese parents have started making somewhat better choices in the kitchen.

So what is your main motivator? I say main because we all have smaller motivators that are nice but supplement the big picture rather than become it. The medal supplements you running the race! Looking in the mirror and seeing a triple digit number at the end of the barbell plays second to the pride you feel after you rack your weights. I dont want to feel my heart pounding out of my chest, but I do want to feel pride in myself, that the Flash needs a head start! ha ha! Think to yourself about what motivates you, not just in the gym but at work and with your family and friends. Notice how, like I mentioned with my kids, the attitudes overlap!

Instant Lifestyles

What is it about these days? Instant coffee, intant messenger, quick trip, quick start, instant tea, instant oatmeal, instant water: just add water! We live drive through lives! We work more for less. How do we make sense of a work with overtime and no down time, or even lunch time? And how are we to wait of God's training in a world of diet pills and fitness contraptions promising instant results? No wonder my pastor just began a series called "Strange Days Indeed."

God tells us that He speaks not in a clash, but in a still small voice. They waited thousands of years for King David's descendant and they missed Him! What are we missing by rushing through our lives? We could miss an opportunity, an opportunity to grow! An opportunity to further the Kingdom!

It has been proven that when you rush you make more mistakes. In physical training form is just one of many things to suffer! You are more prone to injury when you rush! Did you know, you actually get more out of a bicep curl when coming down slow, rather than rushing through your repititions?

Take time today to rest, enjoy life, do things right, and hear what God and the Universe are telling you!

Accountability partners, Thank you!

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

I started a new job yesterday. It is very exciting, and even moreso nerveracking! I should be well established in my career right now but I am starting over. Fitting I suppose. I am starting many new phases in my life, including friends and family. New baby on the way, reevaluated those I want to surround myself with. New attitude.
Praying that God helps me to see people in a new light. My life started to change a few years ago when I excited a great job I excelled t because I could not stand how I was forced to treat people, that is, very disrespectfully. I have tried a few other jobs and nothing seems to fit. I hope this one does. After two days, I am very hopeful. Hope. I am also hopeful for the new way I will be able to see people, as creatures of God. They are not competition but rather brothers and sisters in Christ. I have my convictions and those I surround myself should be able to help me with those. No negativity if you want to be around me. I have lost that focus in the past few years. I am proud to be regaining it. "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view (2 Cor 5:16). " it wont be easy which is why, with anything that you want to stick, it is good to have those who will keep me accountable. If you are reading this, that means you! Thank you! Sometimes it can be easy to give up on yourself, not so much on those around you.
I started 2 separate 30 day challenges. One is to rework through PrayFit. If you have not picked up Jimmy's [Pena] book, definetely consider it! 30 days examining your health- spitiual and physical. The mental can't help but follow! I am also pushing myself with Movember, a pledge to run 90 miles in Novemeber! Some of the participants are extending this to walking as well but not me! I will run it! Thank you to everyone helping me through these and every challenge I face on a daily basis!