A New Concept

I’m starting something new this year. Very new. Now, I’m not one to make resolutions at the first of the year. To me a resolution is nothing more than a set up for failure. But I AM trying a different course to life and the initiation date just happened to be the first Monday in 2011.

This novel approach to my life is discipline. You read that right. I am going to practice self-control and perseverance in a way I never have before. Or at least never with any consistency.

On Monday I got out of bed about 30 minutes earlier than usual and walked on the treadmill for that 30 minutes. Not only did I start my day with physical exercise, I also spent that 30 minutes in prayer. I’m glad He isn’t opposed to labored breathing and sweat because I really enjoy hanging out with Him first thing in the morning. It’s amazing how those two disciplines first thing in the morning can shape the entire day. My mind is more clear and my soul is more content.

Another thing I started doing is counting calories. I know that sounds so passe’ – who does that anymore? But I need the structure of counting calories to keep on track.  I’ve kept to about 1200 calories this week, but I’m bumping it up to 1400 to 1500 next week. Incredibly enough, it’s been pretty non-horrible. To help with my motivation I’ve joined the neighborhood “Biggest Loser” challenge. We all coughed up a ten-spot and every week we check in with either our weight or the percentage of weight we’ve lost. (I’m totally doing the percentage because if I tell anyone other than a medical professional how much I weigh then have to kill them and I doubt that would go over well in the `hood. Know what I mean?) At the end of twelve weeks the person who has lost the largest percentage of weight will win the pot. I’m reeeeeeally looking forward to going shopping for my smaller clothes with all that money!

But wait! There’s more! I’ve always subscribed to the “baby steps” philosophy, but it hasn’t worked so well with me. As long as I’m becoming more disciplined in these other areas I may as well add one more thing.  Two Bible studies at one time. My Homies were supposed to start a new Beth Moore study (Stepping Up) this morning, but a winter snow decided to show up at the wrong time. The other study, however, I DID start this morning and it doesn’t matter what the weather as long as the electricity doesn’t run out. It’s an on-line study called Backpacking through Joshua written by my good friend and Whidbey Island Compadre, His Girl!

A week or so ago I mentioned on Facebook that I was going to do this study with a link, as did many other women who had already signed up. Amber ended up with so many people she had to divide us into groups and it turns out the majority of my group is made up of either women from my current church or women from my church in Arkansas. Cool, that.

So let me recap. I’m striving to make the following changes:

1. Get up earlier
2. Walk at least 30 minutes on the treadmill
3. Spend that 30 minutes in prayer
4. Count my calories/watch what I eat
5. Immerse myself in two separate Bible studies.

One business week down, twenty-four hundred, give or take a couple hundred, to go.