In.Motion

I’m not sure what to think this week.
I started out by changing how and what I ate. That’s going well, and it’s going to take some time for it to become a lifestyle for me. My workouts have been going well. I’m doing strength training 3-4 times a week and I’m trying to run everyday, if I can. I got a Nike+ setup, and it is awesome.

Sara Beth told me about it a while ago and I made fun of her. I thought it was a dumb idea. However, it turns out that I was wrong and she is right. Not only does it track your runs and gives you data to look at and compare later, it gives you realtime info on how your doing. Tom, Martha & I are trying to run 150 mi before the wedding (July 11). I think it’s possible. Nike+ has turned running into something of a game for me, which helps (because I hate running).

So, lets get to it, the results for this week. It hasn’t felt like a good one, physically, but maybe there was progress. Here it is:

I was: 230 lbs

I am: 235 lbs

I’m a little discouraged by this. And by a little, I mean a good bit. I don’t really understand how my body works. I think the increase in cardio and running will help a lot, or so I hope. I’m trying not to get down on myself about this because I know I can do better. I just have to keep my head down and keep pushing. I refuse to quit on something I know I need to do.

One.Love

cd

You ever get in a rut with your Bible study?
I think in an effort to be diligent and to have consistency, I’ve driven myself into a rut with mine. I’ve made it into a chore, rather than an interactive study of something bigger than myself. I think it is good to change things up every once in a while, so I think its time to shake stuff up.

I like the way I execute my studies, but I’ve always had a hard time picking what to study. I’m quite in decisive when it comes to the subject because I could justify why I should read and study any of the Bible. I’ve decided to simplify things. Feel free to copy this if it helps you out:

My daily readings will always include:

1. The Gospels - (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John). I want to always have some reminder of the reason I want to learn and study.
2. The Psalms - As a worship leader, I think it is good to keep the spirit of praise or worship in your heart fresh. I’m trying to make sure I read through all of them by marking them as I go.

Then, It will include one of these four sections and will rotate through:

1. NT teaching - Books from Acts to Revelation and everything in between . . . which seems a little obvious.
2. OT history - Books from Genesis to Esther, to learn about the history of the Bible and the story of God.
3. OT writings - Books from Job to Song of Songs, which are considered to be wisdom literature in the OT.
4. OT Prophets - Books from Isaiah to Malachi, and this tends to be my weakest spot in my studies.

I’m starting right now in Luke, Psalms & Isaiah, so I’m praying for big things. Also, I really have enjoyed my method of study, so if you’re looking for something new, you should check out my older post to get filled in on that. It’s helped give me structure and method to my studies.

What are you studying? How do you choose what you study?

One.Love

cd

Can we be honest for a minute?
I think we can agree on something. We all, for the most part, lie about our weight. We all like to pretend we are more in shape than we really are. That we’re healthier than we really are. We praise ourselves on twitter when we eat a salad for lunch, but shut up about downing most of that pizza the other night by ourselves. The bottom line is this: We want all the pretty bonuses that come with a healthy lifestyle, but don’t want to deal with the self-discipline it takes to actually be healthy.

For me, I’ve always wanted to feel good about how I look. I’ve been pacifying myself by telling little white lies that build into huge, blinding lies about myself. The most ridiculous part is who I’m trying to lie to; myself! I want to feel good about taking my shirt off, but I don’t want to lay off the big, fat steaks I love so much. I want to feel comfortable playing sports, but I don’t want to get off my lazy tail to go walk instead of watching ANOTHER episode of that show. That is the truth, and it is ugly.

I think the only way to beat these ugly lies I’ve tried to pass off on myself is come at it with it’s opposite. Honesty, or as the kids say, keepin’ it real. I need to be honest about where I am, where I want to be, and what I need to do to get there. I need to know I’ll fail, but I can get back in the saddle. If the truth is out there, I’m free of having to lie about where I’m not. I’m free of pretending to be something I’m not . . . yet.

So, what is the truth?
Do you want to know?
Do I want you to know?
Here goes.

For my height/age/body (6′0/22/thick homey) type, I should be (drumroll?) . . .

180-190 lbs.

Right now, as I start this journey towards being healthy, I am . . .

230 lbs.

Ouch. That hurts to just say. According to my BMI (Body Mass Index), I’m technically obese. Double ouch.

Every person I’ve talked to about this doesn’t believe I weigh that much. But like I said earlier, I am, indeed, a thick homey. However, this is where I’m taking my stand. This is where I decide to be healthier. This is where I leave my excuses. I want to physically feel better. Heck, I want to straight up look better.

Now, how do I expect to do this?

My buddy and I are in the middle of a work-out program consisting of the websites 100 pushups, 200 sit-ups, & 200 squats three days a week and cardio at least twice a week. Check them out, they are very free and very easy to follow. I’m also following a free, healthy meal plan provided (again, fo free!) by 50 Million Pounds, which is a great resource for learning a healthy lifestyle.

***Warning: Gut Check Ahead***

If we wanna bring Jesus into this, like we’re called to, then we can safely say that being obese is not being a good steward of your body. Plain and simple. And I’m not ok with meeting Jesus and shrugging my shoulders in regard to how I treated my body, His holy temple. I don’t think “well done, my good and faithful servant” is reserved for just our ministry service. Chew on that.

I’m gonna update you guys on how I’m doing every Saturday. How my week went, If I’m still eating well, etc. I’d like for you guys to feel free to ask me how I’m doing and if I’m staying on top of things. Challenge me. Heck, challenge each other. Check out 50 Million Pounds and see what they are all about. Obesity is a definite problem in our country, and its something we don’t like to talk about. These guys are making an effort to educate Americans and improve our health.

So, what about you? Do you feel as healthy as you should?

Think about it. Keep it real.

One.Love

cd

We’ve been over this already: Summer is great.
However, there are a few things that come with the season that are definitely “not awesome”. Here are a few off the top of my head.

Crappy Summer Television
Why is it a hard and fast rule of the major networks to use the summer as the proving grounds for some god-awful shows. Terrible “reality” shows like I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Outta Here or Age of Love (yea, I had never heard of it either). How about some bad knock-offs of American Idol like So You Think You Can Dance or America’s Got Talent? This doesn’t even include the random specials they show for any random number of reasons. Ohh, how I miss LOST, and I’d even settle for a decent episode of Heroes. I guess I’ll just watch old Law & Order: SVU until September. Ohh, September . . .

Summer Sweater Vests
We have all been subjected, unwillingly mind you, to various shapes and sizes of the “summer sweater vest”. I understand the curse that is the sweater vest more than most, but there is such a thing as grooming.
Maybe you have caught one comin on strong (who’s Aaron anyways?):

Or maybe you caught it on the way out:

Both are equally disturbing. I mean, to their benefit, it is kinda like built in sunblock . . . right? Ohh yea, and if you would like to have the effect of a sweater vest without the hard work and testosterone that comes with it, you can snag one of these.

So what are some other rough parts about summertime?

One.Love

cd