All That We Can Be

Last January, just 3 weeks into my "lifestyle change", I wrote about exercise. (I used to make fun of the term "lifestyle change"--true story.) This is part of what I said about my "Frienemy", exercise:

I'm not sure what a "frienemy" really is, but in this case I thought it would apply to exercising since I hate it (enemy part) even though apparently it is really good for me (friend part). I have been working out on a somewhat regular basis for about 3 weeks now. I have a membership at a local gym. The main thing I do is walk/jog on the treadmill and some resistance weight training. This was kind of a big week for me in the physical activity department. I had set a 12 week goal for myself to be able to jog a mile without stopping. I did it this week! Week 2! I completely surprised myself. I don't think I have done that since high school... Read entire post

This is what I looked like at that time:



Prior to this time I had done no exercise in years. By years I mean since high school, and even then I didn't really do much exercise. Even when I dieted, usually Weight Watchers, I rarely chose to exercise. I remember going to walk in a neighborhood with my mom a couple of years ago and having to stop after a few minutes because my calves were cramping so bad. We were walking. Slowly. In my entire life, I can assure you that no one would ever characterize me as being athletic, fit, or in "good shape".

My point in all of this is to say that you can do active things even if that's not "your thing." You are capable of change. We all are. I've heard people say this a lot: "I'm just not a runner." Well, heck! You're not until you are, that's all! A little over a year ago I shocked myself by running 1 mile. On Sunday I ran a half marathon! (Just in case you missed that!)

I'm not saying we all need to be runners. I'm just saying be something. Be consistent. Be dedicated. Be enthusiastic. Be purposeful. Be faithful. Be HOPEFUL. The Army says it best:

Be all that you can be!

We try to make things so difficult. But really, this is just putting one foot in front of the other--over and over again. Step by step. Run by run. Day by day. This has been a gradual development and sometimes I forget just how far my body has come.



If someone had told the girl on the left she would be the girl on the right one day, the girl on the left wouldn't have believed it. It would have been beyond her comprehension. I'm so thankful the plans for my life are not limited to what I can comprehend....

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity..." Jeremiah 29:11-14