Today is the first day of this week’s topic: Strengthening Your Body – and focuses on boosting your energy level by walking at least 3 days a week. I am already doing this on the treadmill in the garage for approximately 30 minutes a day. I am not quite ready to head outdoors to walk yet – soon, but not yet. 🙂 My concern is that I will get halfway out in my hilly neighborhood and will start hurting and won’t be able to make it back, so for now, the treadmill will work. When the time is right, I know I will get out in the neighborhood, most likely with my little dogs.
I want to be vigorous – full of life and energy – and am looking forward to the strength that regular exercise will provide. After so many years of being inactive resulting from RA, I am looking forward to this change in my life. The author recommended having a walking prayer partner, GOOD walking shoes, and work towards a goal of three 60-minute walks per week. I already have the shoes and am well on my way to reaching the walking goal, but finding a walking partner that I can pray with is a little trickier. I will pray about that one and see if there is a solution.
I like the memory verse for this week (click for a larger image you can save and print to help with your memorization)…
I like the idea of being able to work vigorously when it is needed and being strong enough to complete my tasks – there have been too many years when I was frustrated because I could not do the things I wanted because I did not have the strength or energy. Having enough energy and strength is definitely something I am looking forward to. 🙂
Will there be days in which I am tempted to NOT exercise? I am sure of it! However, God can help us with that, too. I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV) says:
13Â No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
So, when I am tempted to crawl back into bed after the kids are off to school, I will pray and I know God will help me to get past that temptation. Thank you Father!
Great Alicia – love that you are still walking. Just a reminder that it is fear that is stopping you from going outside to walk – fear is Satan’s hold on us – a suggestion as your accountability partner…. just go out for 5 minutes a day for a week (or 10 minutes). So walk on your treadmill for your 30 minutes then go outside for the 5/10 minutes to start. You don’t have to do it all but at least get outside as your heart is calling you to do and your fear is stopping you – just like the food challenge we can do a little by little and move forward in God’s plan NOT jump all in. I love being partners because as it is with Judith and I as I am speaking to you I am holding up that mirror in my face reminding me to move past what is stopping me – excuses which is the other OUT for Satan to sabotage me! Thank you for being honest and thank you for allowing me to see what I am doing too!
You are exactly right! As I clicked the button to post this, that is the feeling I was having in my gut & you just confirmed it! Thank you for saying what needed to be said!