Day 48...and counting

Although I have not been faithful about posting lately, I want my readers to know that I have been exercising daily, and have been following the food restrictions. I had candy in my mouth at the Johnson's last week, chewed it for a few seconds, then spit it out remembering my diet. That was the only time I have been bad, and at least I caught myself.

So, what I've been doing to sweat lately has mostly been upper body. I need to get back into cardio - jogging, etc., but my ankle is still bothering me a little bit. Not enough to even matter when I'm walking or playing with my kids, but every once in a while there is a pain and so I have been wanting to rest it still. I know I can slowly get back into it now.

I've been doing pull-ups, push-ups, crunches, squats, and bicep curls. Lots of days I will do 100 squats (1X100), 100 push-ups (4X25) and 100 crunches (1X100). But I developed a new set that is quick and seems to work well for me. I set a stopwatch for 2 minutes. My rep takes 4 seconds (2 secs up, and 2 secs down) for each exercise, so although I am only doing 30 reps in the 2 minutes, they are very controlled with good form. Sometimes if I just try to crank 100 out, I get sloppy. This workout lasts 10 minutes because I do 2 minutes of each of the following:

• crunches
• push-ups
• squats
• bicep curls
• 2 minutes plank (hold it the whole time)

So, this may sound like a light workout, but at least it keeps me going, and is better than nothing. I like it because it's quick.

Hope to get back into some consistency with my posting.

You'll notice if you counted days, that I should be on day 49, not day 48. I did skip a day - my 10th wedding anniversary. Shame on me.

Day 38

This morning I weighed 161 lbs. I had a great cucumber salad tonight, and did push-ups, sit-ups and squats.

Pastor McMaster spoke on Philippians 2:3-4 today and what I got out of it was that I should be treating my wife in a way that reflects that she's more important than I am. I need to take that into consideration more often.

"...in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests,..."
(so it's okay for me to have interests and do satisfy them at times)
"...but also to the interests of others."

Philippians 2:7 goes on to say that Jesus took on the nature of a servant.

• How can I be treating my wife in ways that will show her that I hold her in a more important place than myself?
  
• How can I do a better job of looking at her interests, and satisfying them?
  
• What would it look like if I took on the nature of a servant in my marriage?

Very important things to consider.

Day 37

Today I did a good upper body workout, with crunches and push-ups. I also took a walk.

I ate a ton of vegetables today, and no sweets.

Really tired - will post more tomorrow.

Day 36

I took a long walk today; still not ready to get back into jogging on my ankle. It's a little sore tonight. I did walk briskly, though, and got good exercise. I also did upper body tonight, bicep curls and push-ups. I want to work on my chest more. I know that push-ups work chest, but I feel like they are working my arms more, at least that's what's sore the next day. Maybe I need to change my form.

I was good with my diet today. This morning I weighed 160.8 pounds.

I have been enjoying Psalms and Isaiah.

Days 33, 34, and 35

Haven't been able to post for the past couple of days due to internet connection problems. I've been eating good, lots of salads and less junk that right around Christmas. I've been keeping with my dietary restrictions. I was thinking back the other day and realized that in the beginning of my 100 days I would do the fitness test each week. I haven't done it at all yet, so I'll do it this week. It's a good, quick workout.

I have been a bit lazy with my workouts the past few days, honestly, just doing a minimum. Day 33 was good, though. I'll try to kick it up a notch tomorrow.

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.