Days 30, 31 and 32

I was on vacation with my wife, away from children, away from the big city, away from life as we know it. And fortunately, away from a computer and internet too, so I wasn't able to post for a few days. I did workout, though, all days. Still staying off my ankle but I did upper body exercises every day.

I also had great quiet times with God, spending lots of time reading and reflecting on what he's teaching me right now. Exciting times.

Day 29

Still recovering from my ankle twist, but I'm walking pretty well today. I did 100 push-ups today for my workout, and weigh 162.4 pounds this morning. I've been enjoying studying daily writings from John Eldredge, and the Bible verses that coincide. They've really got me thinking.

Have been good about eating vegetables, and not cheating on my diet. I had a great salad (chipotle lime shrimp) today, and didn't eat too many desserts.

Day 28

My ankle is still a little messed up from the fall, but it's getting much better. I don't think I'll jog for probably another week or so, but I can walk almost without a limp today. Tonight I did 100 push-ups, and was convicted of how easily I justify my sins, by reading Romans 8 and some stuff from John Eldredge. Romans 8:9 in particular smacked me upside the head.

It's so easy to justify our sins; so easy to create a reason why it's okay, or to do it "just this once". But I need to remember that I am controlled not by my sinful nature, but by the Spirit of God. I think by praying it over tonight, slowing down when it comes to making the decision to justify, and remembering that the Spirit dwells within me, I can get the upper hand on this pretty quick.

I am thankful that I am forgiven for all past, present and future sins, because of the price Jesus paid on the cross for me.

Day 27

I didn't post yesterday, but I did exercise. I was running around my neighborhood and I twisted my ankle pretty bad. I had to walk a half an hour to get home, but made it. So, I got exercise yesterday, but none today since I am resting. So I won't count today since I am resting my ankle. Plus it's Christmas and I have better things to do. I'll do upper body tomorrow and for the next few days until I'm back feeling good.

Day 26

I got up before my family this morning to spend time with God. I was reading more from Philippians, still stuck on what I read yesterday about my self-centeredness and lack of concern for others (in some areas - my wife's sitting right here telling me I'm not generally self-centered. That was nice to hear). I saw the Blind Side yesterday (great movie, by the way) and I know that reading about serving one's self before others, right after seeing that movie, has a greater impact. Please pray for me that I will learn to sacrifice more for others.

I had a good workout this evening. My legs are burning! I did 30 lb. bicep curls (3X10), 30 sit-ups, 100 squats. I need to get back into running. I was good with my diet today. I ate very little junk food, and ate a salad my wife made for dinner.

Day 25

Today I went golfing. For the third time ever. I didn't keep score. If I had, it would not have been pretty. I had a great time, though, and can hit the ball pretty hard, or I can hit it much softer and it will go somewhat in the direction I choose. So, that way my workout for the day, and although I didn't sweat (it was kind of chilly outside) it counts because I got to use some different muscles than I'm used to, and walked some.

Philippians 3:17-19 hit me today, especially the part that said, "their God is their stomach". Read it to get the context, but it hit me because my thoughts are often so engrossed in what my next meal will consist of, or where I'm going to get a cookie, that I'm not thinking of how I can serve others, or provide for the most basic needs of those around me. How selfish I am! I need to be thinking of the needs of others rather than how I can satisfy my own desires (I can't call them needs, as there is really very little that I am truly in need of). How do I get to that point? Lord, change me on the inside. Change how I think, how I operate at the most basic levels. Please create in me a heart that is not seeking how to please myself, but how to please others first.

One of the points of this 100 day commitment was to make a sacrifice, but as I have sacrificed some foods, I have only replaced them with an ever stronger urge for others that I am allowed. God, change my heart! Help me yearn for others, not for myself.

Day 24

This morning I weighed 160.2 pounds. Back up to where I started before I was sick. It's amazing it took only a couple of days of not eating (stomach flu) to lose about 4 pounds, then it took a couple of weeks to put it back on.

I did 100 sit-ups today, and 100 push-ups: 2 sets of 35 and 1 set of 30.

I stole this quote (paraphrased) from something I was reading today:

The process of our Christian walk rests entirely on our ability to see life from the basis of the question, "What's God got to do with it?".

Psalm 131

"My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty..."

Proverbs 6:16-19

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven things that are detestable to him:

-haughty eyes,
-a lying tongue,
-hands that shed innocent blood,
-a heart that devises wicked schemes,
-feet that are quick to rush into evil,
-a false witness who pours out lies,
-and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

It is incredible how much power our eyes have over our bodies. Our eyes have the power, if we allow them, to control what we think, which can, if we allow it, translate to what we say and do.

Days 22 and 23

I didn't post yesterday, but I did sweat both yesterday and today. I have been good by following my dietary restrictions, but cramming way too much junk in my mouth that's not on the list, like cookies, and desserts, and lots of juice since I can't drink soda. I think it's all just so much more accessible this time of the year. I may need to add some more restrictions if I keep this up. I'll keep you posted.

Yesterday and today my workouts have consisted of upper body only, both days. Push-ups seem to be my exercise of choice when I don't have time for anything else. They make me feel so good, because they pump up my chest and my arms. A great all around exercise. Yesterday was bicep curls (40 pounds bar), and today was push-ups. I know I need to be doing more, though. I hope to workout in the mornings during this time off, and get back into squats, sit-ups, more runs, and more biceps.

A little Christmas verse for you:

"O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins."
Psalm 130:7-8

Day 21 - December 18

Even though I didn't post last night I did get some push-ups in and some time in the Bible. I was reading through Psalms, and spent good time in prayer. I'll post again later today to reflect today's workout and Bible reading.

Day 20

This morning I weighed 157.8 pounds. I was not good today with junk food. There's so much around work that I take a bit of each time I pass by: cookies, brownies, stuff like that. I need to have better self-control.

I took a 30-minute run today, and it felt great. I am still so surprised that I'm enjoying jogging, because I have hated it for so many years.

Looking forward to having 2 weeks off, but I know I'm going to have to be real disciplined about keeping my commitments, since I won't be on a regular schedule.

"Give ear to my words, O Lord,
consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation."
Psalm 5:1-3

Day 19

You may have noticed that I had no blog entry yesterday. I left my house at 5:50am, and got home around 9:30pm. I could have stayed up real late and exercised, but I made the decision that sometimes life gets in the way of our commitments, and if something had to go, it was this one. It was for a good cause, though. I spent the evening out to dinner and Christmas shopping with my wife. We had a great time, and I in no way wanted to cut it short because I had to go home earlier to exercise, especially since I have been doing a good job with this.

Today I weighed 156.8 pounds. I ate a great chipotle lime shrimp salad for dinner. I took a short run, did some push-ups, and spent another great evening with my wife - the second night in a row to have dinner and Christmas shopping without the kids, thanks to my parents. It is so wonderful to spend time with my wife, but today we got home in enough time for a short work out.

'Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."' Isaiah 30:21

Day 18 - Is a brownie a fruit or a vegetable?

This morning I weighed 158.0 lbs. I just had to eat a couple of carrots because I had eaten no vegetables today. I did eat a brownie after lunch and a piece of cherry pie after dinner - I hope that makes up for the lack of vegetables today.

I did 100 push-ups. I hope to run tomorrow, but I'm not sure that I'll have time.

I have been reading out of Judges (7, 8, and 9). Lots of life lessons, some from good examples, some from bad. Like the officials of Succoth and Peniel who wouldn't feed Gideon's troops out of fear of retaliation from the neighboring tribes (who were about to be slaughtered by Gideon). God was on their side - and siding with God will always be the best bet. My commentary says, "Because God will prevail with or without you, be quick to join others who are engaged in his work. Lend support with your time, money, talents, and prayer."

Day 17

I did 100 push-ups (4X25) today. I am understanding lately how psychological working out is. If my goal is 25 push-ups, then I'm exhausted by number 25. But if I set 35 as my goal, I can blow right by 25 even if it's not my first set. I need to be setting good daily goals keeping this in mind.

I have been good with my diet restrictions, and eating vegetables today.

Before I started my 100 days of sweat, I would often spend all evening with the Lord, in prayer, worship, reading the word, hanging out with him. Not that I did it everyday, but if I started, I'd spend a couple of hours easy. Now that I'm focusing on exercising too, I spend much less of my time with the Lord. I find that exercising comes first, then the Lord. I need to reverse that, or figure out some way to make them work together better, as I am missing my extended times with the Spirit. Please pray for me that I'll be able to find those times again. It seems like eventually I'm just going to have to start getting up earlier in the morning to exercise before work (I dread getting up any earlier than I already do). That way I'll still have my evenings. I also have Christmas break coming up, and although that will afford me much more time for all this, I don't traditionally do well when my schedule changes. That will take lots of discipline.

"As the rain and the snow fall from heaven
And do not return to it without watering the earth
making it bud and flourish
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater
So is my word that goes out from my mouth.
It will not return to me empty,
but will achieve what I desire
and accomplish the purpose for which I sent it."
Isaiah 55:10-11

Day 16 - Still catching up

Today I weigh 156.6 pounds - still down about 4 pounds from normal. So, I am catching up (or maybe I'll stay down, we'll see). I am also still catching up on my energy. I feel a lot better, but tired. I did sweat today - 50 push-ups (2X25). I planned on doing 100, but felt shakey and weak after doing just 50. I need to let my body slowly catch up to where I left off.

I have been obeying my dietary restrictions, but did not get into God's word today at all.

I remember that in the past when I've had physical goals, getting sick is what threw me off. Like once I was running a lot and doing the fitness test regularly, and keeping track and in a good routine, then I got a cold, stopped for a few days, and that was it. Also, I was practicing my unicycle daily, then got vertigo (which for those who don't know is an inner ear problem causing dizziness and nausea) so I stopped riding due to that - and haven't been back on it. So, I am going to keep up with this 100 day plan, slowly get back into my solid routine, and get back on my unicycle.

Good night.

Three Days Down

I haven't exercised for the past three days because I've had the flu. Couldn't do much. I had to decide whether the "consecutive" was more important than the "sweat", and decided that sweat won over, so I'll start day 16 tomorrow. I hope I'll have more energy to put in a good workout, but I'll at least do something small.

I did lose 4 pounds after not eating much for three days.

Speaking of losing weight - I've decided not to weigh myself every morning anymore. I think it's a waste of time, since it's always 160 or 161, and I don't really care if I lose weight anyway. It's okay to change a goal like that, I think. I'll still check in and report every once in a while, but not necessary to do it daily.

I haven't been reading my Bible either the past couple of days. I tried but I couldn't concentrate when I felt like garbage (Jason's favorite word). All I could do was watch t.v. and order my wife to bring me water and more blankets and cover up my feet and put another log on the fire and take my temperature and find the remote and tell the neighbor's dog to shut up and bring my saltine crackers and bring me the mail and clean up the vomit in the house and turn the t.v. up when I couldn't find the remote and put a movie in the DVD player for me and bring me the laptop and my cell phone and disinfect all the stuff in the house I had touched. She's a great wife; I am a blessed man. She's also a great mom; both of the boys were sick, too.

Day 15

This morning I weighed in at 160.6 pounds. This is one of those days that show that this is a great workout plan for me. I started to do an upper body workout, thinking I'd do another 200 push-ups day, a bunch of curls, sit-ups, etc. After doing 2 sets of 25 push-ups and 2 sets of bicep curls (40 lbs.), I was exhausted and barely got through. So, I stopped. I had met my requirement. It is great that on days I am tired I can stop; I think that's what helps me push on days that I'm not.

I did well with diet today. Figured out a good way to get those disgusting protein shakes down: mixed it in the blender with 2% milk, vanilla yogurt, strawberries and ice. Yum!

I read from Judges 8 today, right at the beginning, about how God needs those who are behind the scenes, and they're just as important as those on the front lines. Made me ask myself: Are there any areas of my life that I'm not giving God my all because I resent the fact that I'm not on the front lines, in the limelight? Nothing came to mind, but I'll keep asking that question. Good stuff.

Day 14 - It was the best of times; it was the worst of times

Today I was vomited upon by my 2 year old. He threw up five times between noon and 6, and once while he was in my lap. Almost every article of clothing I was wearing had vomit on it. We had to cancel what would have been some really fun plans, but I got to bond with my little boy by loving him while he threw up. We didn't go anywhere (because of our sick boy) and it was cold outside, so I built a fire and I got to bond with my older boy by building an awesome Lego firetruck and ambulance with him. He loved it - played with it for hours.

This morning I weighed 160.0 lbs. Tonight I took a good run. It was late so I told myself I'd only run for half an hour. I made it seven laps around the block; it seemed like I was moving pretty quick a lot of the time. I felt good. Ate some veggies today - didn't cheat on dietary restrictions.

I read this evening about Gideon and his defeat of the Midianites and Amalekites with only 300 men (Judges 7). Remember, that's the story where God uses such a small army so the glory will go to him and not the Israelites. What in my life am I taking credit for, that God should have the credit for? Or what amazing battles is God calling me to fight with the limited resources that I have, that maybe I'm saying "no" to? Not sure, but great questions to ponder.

Day 13 - It Took Two Days to Get Credit for One

You may notice that I didn't post yesterday.

You may also notice that I didn't take credit for the day, either.

Friday, December 12 was supposed to be day 13. I weighed myself at 160.6 lbs., then took off for Disneyland all day with my family. I was considering getting up way early to take a run, but after going to bed late on Thursday night, and having to get up early enough to pack and be ready to stay overnight near Disneyland, that was early enough. So, yesterday I didn't exercise, but I did walk around Disneyland burning calories most of the day, and I did sweat (before taking off my sweatshirt - I know, that doesn't count). I ate a huge salad and obeyed my diet restrictions even while my entire family was eating ice cream cones.

Today I exercised and had another great diet day. I did 200 push-ups (8X25). I hope to find the time to run tomorrow. I couldn't weigh myself because the hotel didn't have a scale. I'll be back on the scale in the morning.

I keep a small memo book of Bible verses that have a particular impact on me, and I've been going through the verses I have memorized in the past. I've been enjoying seeing how many I still have memorized. I'd like to get from the point where I can recite them from memory, to the point where I truly use them to benefit my own walk or to help others at crucial times. I guess I need to spend more time with them; allow them to sink deeper into my soul and penetrate my heart. More time might help, and prayer. 2 Peter 1:5-8 is one of my favorites. Check it out some time.

Day 12

Weighed 159.6 pounds this morning. Long day. Was at work for 14 hours today. Ate some veggies, did 50 push-ups, re-read and studied Psalm 1. Signing off for the day. Hope to have time to run in the morning.

Day 11

This morning I weighed 160.0 pounds. I have been looking forward to working out all day. I keep thinking I'm going to start getting up earlier in the morning to workout, but I haven't been able to motivate myself to get up that early yet. So, evenings it is, until I can get caught up on my sleep enough to force myself out of bed at 5am.

Here's what I did today:

• 100 squats
• 100 sit-ups
• 104 push-ups (1X34, 1X32, 1X28, 1X10)
• 45 bicep curls - 40 lbs. (3X15)

I ate salad with dinner, and did well with diet overall today. I was going to allow myself to have a hot chocolate tonight, which has 34 grams of sugar, but I was able to avoid it easily.

Today I read from Isaiah 32:3-8 - and it made me consider, "what does God want me to see that I'm not seeing now?" (verse 3), "What does God want me to hear that I'm not listening to now?" (verse 3), What does God want me to understand that I'm not understanding?" (verse 4), "What do I need to do now to turn my foolishness into nobility?" (verse 5), "What foolishness am I speaking?" (verse 6). I could spend lots of time considering each of these questions...and I think I will.

Isaiah 32:8
"But the noble man makes noble plans,
and by noble deeds he stands."

Day 10 - Bleachers

Great day of exercise. I ran to the local high school, did 2 miles around the track, then up and down the bleachers a few times, then some sprints up a hill a couple of times, then back home. It felt great. I was disappointed yesterday that I couldn't get out for a run, and am glad that I enjoyed it and was so productive today. Tomorrow will be back to upper body stuff.

This morning I weighed 161.4 lbs. Not sure why I keep going back and forth between 160 and 161. If I am going to drop any weight, I am going to have to watch my diet more closely. I have been good about not eating the things I limited from day 1 (except for my two cheats), but I still eat too many carbs and some junk food. Seems like diet is the toughest part of this challenge. I had a salad with lots of veggies with dinner today.

Psalm 3:3-5

"But you are a shield around me, O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."

I will now sleep in comfort knowing that God will give me rest, and He will lift me up again in the morning to find peace and joy in my relationship with Him. I can cry out to him, and he will hear me. He is my Protector, my Strength.

Day 9 - the Feast

I weighed in at 160.6 pounds this morning. I am realizing more and more how bad it is that I go through most of the day without eating much food, then pound it down in the evening. You should have seen how much tri-tip, chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pie I ate for dinner. It was an insane amount of food. If only I could eat that way at breakfast, then be tapering off toward the evening. I think that it's habit at this point - all psychological. I am going to work on that.

Short exercise today:

• 100 squats
• 100 sit-ups
• 80 push-ups (1X34, 1X26, 1X20) - I was just too tired to pound out the last set of 20

Today my wife and I took communion together, and prayed together. I read from Hebrews 11 about great men of faith. Signing off for now - it's really late.

Tomorrow should be another 10 laps day.

Day 8 - Skittles Brought Me to My Demise!

Confessional: I cheated again today. Last time it was with pizza. This, now my second time, was Skittles. I took my son to the movies today and bought us popcorn and Skittles. He and I were sharing the Skittles, innocently, until I remembered that I'm not supposed to be eating candy. The bag was about 1/3 of the way gone, and I knew I couldn't give the rest to him or he'd be sick. So, I tried to keep the rest in my pocket, but I failed. He and I finished the rest together. I am doing so great on this journey in all other ways, but I have now failed twice with food, in the first 8 days. Let's see if I can do better in this area.

This morning I weighed in at 160.2 pounds.

Short workout today:

• 100 push-ups (5X20)
• 40 bicep curls -40 lb. bar- (4X10)

Read from Psalms today.

Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits;
and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

O Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

No matter how hard we try, we cannot push the Lord away. We sin, and he is still there. I cannot help but to cry out his name. My soul waits to hear his reply. He will hear my call.

Day 7

One week down! I have been enjoying how I feel and looking forward to exercise.

Today I weighed in at 160.6 lbs.

Today's run was rough. I did 1o laps again. I thought I was in a groove, in that I would jog the first 6 laps, then run real hard laps 7 and 8, then walk the last two laps for cool down. That didn't work today. I was pushing hard just to keep moving on laps 7 and 8, but I did it, and it felt good.

As far as vegetables go for today, well, I'm on the fence on that one. I had 2 pickles with lunch, and another with dinner. They are cucumbers (which are a vegetable, right?) but my wife says all the nutrition is probably sucked out of them in the pickling process (I think she might be on to something). So, I'll eat a couple of carrots before bed, I promise.

This evening I was reading some stuff from 1 Corinthians.

"...those who buy something, (should live) as if it were not theirs to keep;
those who use the things of this world, (should live) as if not engrossed in them.
For this world in its present form is passing away."

Then from Isaiah 31,

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots
and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
or seek help from the Lord."

We too often rely on the things of this world, or depend on our own strength or the strength of those around us, when we need to lean into God. This will all pass away, our possessions that we engross ourselves in, our strength, will not matter in the end. Let's you and me commit together to look to the Holy One of Israel, to seek help from the Lord, to turn our eyes to him, rather than to this world and the things that are passing away.

Day 6 - brussels sprouts

Today I tried brussels sprouts for the first time. I was able to stomach the first two, but barely made it to the trash can to spit out my third. I had a salad loaded with greens to make up for it. Thanks, Wifey, for roasting them even though I couldn't take it.

Today's workout felt more difficult, but I still enjoyed it:

• 100 sit-ups
• 100 squats
• 60 push-ups (3X20)
• 45 bicep curls (3X15) - 30 lb. bar

Great insights from reading 1 Corinthians today. God has given us our bodies, and as we give them back to him, for his use, for his purposes, for his design, for his kingdom, that's when freedom is released. We so often think that this Christian walk is restrictive; yet it is through getting to know Christ, drawing close to Him, surrendering all, that true freedom comes.

Day 5 - Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving. I know that as I am off work for a few days now, and for an extended time closer to Christmas, this routine is going to be much more difficult to maintain.

I weighed 160.6 pounds this morning. Did a short workout while watching Sesame Street with my kids. I love being at home with my kids.

• 45 push-ups (3X15) - might do more later
• 45 bicep curls (3X15) - 30 lbs. barbell
• 100 sit-ups
• 30 dips (2X15)

Read from Isaiah 61 today. "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness."

Day 4

On day 4 of my 100 day journey, and I feel great. Exercising is always difficult to start, but once I get going I am enjoying it, even though I'm sore and tired. I enjoy working through the soreness.

This morning I weighed 159.0 pounds. I ate carrots and broccoli today, and drank 2 protein shakes. They are vanilla flavored and they taste like garbage, but I think I can stomach 1 per day.

I charted my diet for Flex Milligan a few months ago, and he found that I don't get enough protein in my diet. He also found that I don't eat enough in general. On most weekdays I consume most of my calories between 3pm and 10pm. I don't stop to eat during the day. So that's something else I am going to work on. Today around 4pm I crashed. I felt horrible. My head was pounding and I was exhausted. I ate a ton of food, then felt a little better. I ate more food an hour and a half later, then felt great. I realized that I had hardly ate anything all day.

This evening I had a short but solid workout:

• 100 sit-ups
• 75 push-ups (3X20, 1X15)
• 40 bicep curls (4X10) on a 30 lb. bar

Great insight from Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable -
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy -
think about such things."

What we allow ourselves to think about dictates our words and actions. It's funny to think that something as small as a thought has that much power. Controlling our thoughts will determine who we become.

Day 3

This morning I weighed in at 158.0 lbs. I ate a salad for lunch, and steamed vegetables for dinner.

I ran 10 laps around the block (which I estimate to be about 4 1/2 miles, but I'll drive it soon to be sure), and did 100 push-ups. I was really tired, but was motivated by an earlier failure. But, my faithful readers, as in all failure in life, when we allow ourselves to consider our wrongs and make them right, we are grown and transformed.

Today I Ate Pizza

I know pizza wasn't on my naughty list, but white bread was. I would love to say that I started eating the pizza not realizing what I was doing - that I was consuming white bread - but, my faithful readers, that would not be true. It was premeditated. I considered hiding it, but decided to use it as an example of my integrity to you all. I will be honest about my failures and my successes during this 100 day journey. One success is that I began eating a roll (white bread) with dinner and quickly realized what I was doing, and put it down. There is definitely going to be some training in the process.

Eating the pizza today encouraged me during my run, so one failure led to a great success. Such is life; such is the Christian journey. We stumble and fall, sin and cause pain, yet God will lift us up, and if we listen and follow, He will transform us into beings more like Him each day.

Today I read from the Psalms:
"Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him."

Although my setback was minor (in the grand scheme of things eating some pizza is no big deal), God has given me much joy tonight, with the promise that we, his followers, will always, ultimately, return with songs of joy, carrying in the harvest of our lives, as we learn to follow and obey.

Day 2 - Pressing on Toward the Goal

This morning I weighed in at 160.6 lbs. I ate a barbeque chicken salad (lots of veggies) and did:

• 100 squats
• 100 sit-ups
• 50 push-ups

I sweated just during the 100 squats alone. My legs feel like jello. I have been stretching a bit today and yesterday, and hope to continue that too as I go.

I also read my Bible this evening, which is one of my goals. I revisited a passage that I have visited many times in the past month or so: "...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12). The commentary in my Bible talks about our goal of knowing Christ and becoming more like him absorbing all our energy - like an athlete in training we are to not allow anything to take our eyes off the goal. We must put aside anything harmful and forsake all that distracts us from achieving our goal - to become more like Christ.

The commentary then asks: "What is holding you back?" The first thing that popped into my mind is lack of discipline. God has gifted me in so many ways and so badly wants me to know him more. It's my lack of discipline that keeps us apart. I am so thankful to have spending time in the Word as one of my fitness goals, as my spiritual fitness is most important.

• For what did Christ Jesus take hold of me? To become more like him.
• What does that mean for me? I have a hunch that the next 100 days will reveal.
  

Day 1

I decided to start my 100 days of sweat at around 8:30 pm, after eating like a pig at dinner and then enjoying a large portion of dessert. So, although I did sweat today, I consumed ice cream (my last portion for the next 100 days).

This morning I weighed 162.2 lbs.
I jogged around the block 10 times.
I ate lots of salad (at lunch and at dinner).

I'll get more into the groove tomorrow, since it's already 10:42 and way past bedtime.

Intro to 100 Days of Sweat

I am not a fat man, by any means. I do think about my health, though, and often. A recent episode of "out of breath and sweaty" with minimal effort got me thinking - I don't often sweat. As I hang out with Flex Milligan and Lost 40 Johnson, I am inspired to not just be thin, but to be healthy - to have strong solid muscles, a healthy heart, a natural diet.

After much thinking and not a lot of doing, I have decided to begin a fitness program tailored to me. I don't have a lot of time, nor am I willing to make this a high enough priority to join a gym, take time away from my family, or invest in any equipment. What I do have time for - is to sweat.

So, I hereby set out to sweat. That's my goal - to sweat once a day, everyday, for the next 100 days. I have no mileage goals, nor do I have to sweat each day for a certain amount of time. I don't have to be able to bench 200 or have a low body fat percentage when I am done. Those types of goals may be in my future, but right now what will work is this one goal. Activities are open: skateboarding, run or jog, ride a bike, shag balls for the baseball team, soccer, the options are endless.

As I commit to sweating each day, I also commit to the following dietary guidelines. I will consume no:

• ice cream
• candy
• french fries
• chips
• crackers
• white bread
• soda

To sum up, here's what I'm going to do for the next 100 days:

1. weigh myself each morning and post daily
2. Sweat each day
3. Follow the food restrictions above
4. Eat at least one serving of vegetables daily
5. Take the physical fitness test once per week (http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/)
6. Read my Bible daily

So, off I go on my challenge.