Buffet

My husband and I have determined to lose weight and feel healthy. By living in a truck for six years we have lost a lot of flexibility and have very weak muscles. Even though we tried to walk between 2-4 miles a day, we rarely moved our bodies much more than that. 

So he researched (his favorite thing) diets and eating plans. 

I told him that I wanted something realistic that did not eliminate any food groups, such as fruits or carbs. Because I want a plan that can work from now on, not just until we reach a goal. 

My goal is lifetime health, however long that might be.

So after a whole month, yes! A whole month! He fixated on a plan that he thought would work for both of us.

So almost three ago now, we began. 

I must say the food part is very easy and very doable for us. We like all the fruits and vegetables, etc.

But the exercise part that accompanies this plan is very hard for us. After the first day, which we could only manage doing about 1/3 of the exercises, we were so very very sore. We awoke during the night with cramps. But we continued. Each day of the week was a different DVD. We struggled, breathed hard, limped, and exhausted ourselves as much as we could manage. 

By week two, we were doing a little better. We could almost keep pace with the girl that does the modified exercises for out of shape people. We are still getting some cramping, and still somewhat sore.

By now, near the end of week three, we are still having some muscle tightening and tiredness but we are getting through the complete workouts each day.

On Sunday we do a yoga workout. There is a position called, corpse pose. You lie flat on your back with your arms down by your side and your legs somewhat spread apart, and you lay very still for 30 seconds. That is our favorite exercise, lol.

I am so glad that we are in this together. It is so much easier for both us. There are days where it would be so much easier to just eat a bowl of cereal. There are many times where I would have just given up the exercising for the day or probably even altogether if it wasn't for him and his encouragement. Really, who likes to push themselves beyond the limits?

At the end of the day, we laugh together at our weaknesses and feel a sense of joy in overcoming them.

This is also the way of our Christian walk. There are struggles daily, throughout each day. We get tired, we get beat up, we get weary. It would be easy to quit or just do part of it. 

Do we research how and what we need to do to be spiritually healthy?

Do we follow the plan even when, no, especially when it gets hard?

Do we seek out others that are on the same plan to help inspire and encourage us? Are we inspiring and encouraging them as well?

Do we continue after being so beat up that it feels like we cannot possibly move?

Do we look back in joy at the obstacles that we got by with God's plan and the help of others?

I am praying that we, together, can push each other on toward that goal, the heavenly prize. Hopefully, the scriptures below will be spiritual encouragement for us.

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8 ESV)

But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue. (1 Corinthians 9:27a AMP)

Note: this is ˈbə-fət\ to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows. NOT  bəˈfā a meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves. Lol.

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness–in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]. (Hebrews 12:11 AMP)

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV)