Changing my mind--walking it out

My alarm went off at 7:00 am.  I wasn’t deep into a dream, yet it always takes a few minutes for the fog of sleep to thin sufficiently for me to get up.  In bare feet I padded into the kitchen to take my morning medicines.  Looking out the kitchen window, seeing the sun and feeling a easy breeze sighing through the open window, I determined that I had to go for a walk. 

Actually I’d felt more awake at 5:30 am when I awakened by the nudge of nature to go to the toilet.  But since it wasn’t time to get up, I went back to bed.  At 7:10 am, that bed was sure tempting—especially since my husband was tucked up and snoozing. 

What deterred me was the memory of Tuesday.  I’d procrastinated so long that I missed walking.  And I wasted a whole day—because I was so sleepy and lethargic. 

The Lord has been surrounding me with reminders of His will for my life; the calling on my life.  He has let me know that if I want to reclaim my life, my productivity and accomplish dreams, I have to renew my mind; change the way I think—which will lead to a change of habits.  I’ve probably mentioned this before. 

I’m so glad that we now have a “sky-box” which receives the satellite signals for several Christian television stations.  This means I get to watch messages from conferences, Christian movies, and especially some of my favourite teacher; Joseph Prince and Joyce Meyers. 

Recently Joyce Meyers has been teaching on the battle of the mind.  She made the remark that we need to learn to ignore our feelings; “Feelings don’t even get a vote!” 

Another source of encouragement and inspiration is the book I’ve been reading/reviewing the last couple of months. 

 A few years ago I bought the book Never Say Diet by Chantel Hobbs.  (Richard Simmons’s best seller, also entitled Never Say Diet, was written in 1982.  I read it years ago.) 

When I first got Chantel Hobbs’s book, I read the chapter titles.  Chapter Nine is; Phase 3: Make Food Boring.  Well, at that point in time I thought; “No Way.”  I wasn’t THAT desperate.  So the book went into a cupboard.  And it stayed there. 

Now I am so uncomfortable in this overweight body.  I prayed:  “Almighty Father, you know my heart.  I cannot face another trip around this mountain.  I want my life to shine for You.  Being overweight and unfit shows that my life does not manifest the fruit of self-disciple.  I feel embarrassed, ashamed and guilty.  I can’t do this again without You.” 

I suppose that I was drawn to Chantel Hobbs’s book because of another book I’d been reading: The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory.  I’d had so much junk food whilst in Florida that I just wanted to eat very healthy for a while—just fruit, vegetables and lean meat.  Through a magazine article, I was led to Susan Gregory’s book.

Both Susan Gregory and Chantel Hobbs emphasize the importance making a quality decision.  Susan Gregory writes:  “Your soul can be transformed to the degree that you renew your mind, change your attitude and conform to the word of God.”  The Daniel Fast, page 45.  She also writes:  “A quality decision is one that is firm, deliberate and entered into with consideration and forethought.  When you make a quality decision, you plan to employ the full strength of your will to follow through.” The Daniel Fast page 58. 

Chantel Hobbs writes that her weight loss came out of desperation for change.  Her change began with exercising.  My determination to get moving was kick-started reading her story.  But God also provided me with another reason to push myself. 

About once a quarter, The Vicar asks me to attend a Parish Staff meeting.  This is a time where I can present any questions or suggestions to the other two vicars in the parish and Parish council members.  Around the middle of July I was told the next Staff meeting was on 31^st July.  Christ the Worker Church, where the staff meeting was to be held, is about a mile from our flat.  I wasn’t accustomed to walking that far.  But I made up my mind that I would walk to Christ the Worker every day for about 17 or 18 days, so that by 31^st July, the walk wouldn’t leave me exhausted and falling asleep.  It was a good goal, and it worked.

Chantel Hobbs says that to begin with, she treated exercising as her “new job”.  She gave herself no excuses, no questions asked.  She set the example, but more than that, she showed me HOW to change my attitude. 

In July I realised that I wanted to be capable of walking several miles a day.  There are Ramblers Groups here in the UK, and this might be something I aspire to.  Joining a club will depend upon whether or not there is a group around here.

My next goal is to lose ten to 14 pounds by 3^rd November.  That’s the day our youngest daughter, “Floss” is marrying her lovely man, “Harry.” 

Walking in the mornings is best for me.  For one, I have the most energy for the day when I first get up.  Secondly, if I walk first thing, it’s done for the day.  Another thing is that I actually feel more awake and have more energy through out the day when I walk almost first thing.

Waiting to have coffee, or breakfast or trying to read my Bible first is a means of procrastination.  Therefore, getting my kit on and out the door shortly after taking my medicine is the best habit.  Once it gets too dark in the mornings, or the weather really is too bad, I can use the Walking with George Foreman DVDs. 

I’ve already been able to increase the distance I walk.  I’d like to walk about three miles a day.  I thought I would get bored with a set walk.  However, if I just want to get it over with, then I can do it without thinking.  But the area is large enough that if I want to change it up by walking along another street, I can do that. 

I’ve been increasing the use of the MP3 player The Maverick got me a couple of years ago for my birthday.  I have lots of music on it—but so far the best albums to walk to are by Michael W. Smith. 

The Maverick is thoroughly pleased with my progress, supportive and encouraging.  We’re both hoping I’ll get strong enough to start bicycling again. 

As James writes:  “So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).”  James 2:17 Amplified Bible. 

So, I’m working on not only changing my thoughts, but changing my actions.  I’m looking for opportunities to walk.  If I serve my body’s need for exercise, it will help me serve the Lord and others better.  And that is my goal.

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith,

“Lady Helene”