Celebrating!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Temp: 68 degrees inside

Skies: Raining, thus the "inside" at the gym

Humidity: 93% this morning

TOD: Lunch break

MMW: 185.5 (big happy face!)

Today was a really fun workout day. In case you've missed the scoop here, I'm 49 years old and have never run any distance in my whole life. About 5 weeks ago, I started on a "Couch to 5K" training program to help me lose 50 pounds before I turn 50. That will be Feb. 27, 2010. I bought good shoes, good socks, and a heart rate monitor. I decided that blogging this adventure publically would provide me the necessary motivation to get out there and get it done. So far, it's been great. The blogging helps get me on the road, and the encouragement (read that as "comments"...you will comment won't you?) from friends and family keep me going through the tough spots. Thank you, everyone!

I missed yesterday's run, so I was determined to get to it within 24 hours. I dashed out at lunch, grabbed enough to eat to deal with my low blood sugar (major yawning is my signal), and bounced onto the treadmill at the gym. I set the incline level at 2.0 and began my 30 minutes. Today was my final 21/9 (21 minutes of walking, nine minutes of running, however I want to get it in there). I warmed up for 5 minutes and then...bam! Jumped the speed up to a roaring 4.3 (not sure what that means, just that it's a nice jog for me) and ran for 4.0 minutes straight!!!!! For you newbies, I couldn't run 60 seconds when I started this. Then I walked for 4, and then ran 3 more minutes. Walked again, and finished up my requirement with 2 minutes of running. Walked and cooled down the rest of the time. Forgive my enthusiasm, but WOO HOO! That's major progress for me and I'll take it.

Speaking of taking it, at Celebrate Recovery this past Friday night, I picked up a 30-day chip. Thirty days of following the plan...of writing about it...of not giving up. Now, most people may think that a running program is not worthy of a token, a chip, a celebration. But not me. Anything that I do in obedience, when my nature is to be a slug and justify my behaviors, is a step forward, and I'm gonna celebrate every chance I get.

What would you like to celebrate? What do you know you need to change in your life, but so far on your own, it hasn't happened? Step 1 says, "We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors (add your own thing here _____________ - mine was slothfulness and sugar), that our lives had become unmanageable." My slothfulness and laziness made my health and weight unmanageable (honestly, I wasn't managing it at all! My efforts were...failures...if I'm really honest.) The short version of steps 2 & 3 say, "He can. I'm letting go." And here I am. It's not me doing this. Yes, I'm doing my part...but it's me trusting God's care for me, His direction, His purpose and leadership in my life that's really getting it done. Thanks for letting me share it with you.