Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Time Is On Your Side


Time Is On Your Side

 

“The Lord will work out His plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.”
- Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

 

You’ve heard the saying “there is no time like the present.”  Often we don’t rise to meet challenges because of the time it will take to finish the task.  Many things we want to do take a lot of work and usually more time than we anticipate.  This can be very frustrating.  Here’s a little secret: time moves on with or without you.

 

I have heard people talk about wishing they brave enough to leave their job and attend college.  One particular person I heard about had the dream to be a doctor all his life, that was his life-long goal, but it would take a lot of time to get there—eight years of schooling and residency.  This was way too much time for him, so he chose to keep his current job and forgot about his dream.  Thirteen years have passed since and if the man had not given up on his dream he could have been in his fifth year of being a doctor.  Instead, he continues working the same job.  Time will pass whether you accomplish your goals or not.

 

Now is the time to remind yourself that you did not put on all your weight in three months, so you can’t expect all of it to come off in three months.  If consistently stick to the program, in time you will reach your dream of being fit and thin.  It will just take time, maybe even a little longer than you expect.  The most important thing to keep in mind is that in three months you can make pretty good progress towards your weight-loss goals.  Be inspired to be fit and healthy!

 

God has plans for you that include you being healthy and living a long full life.  He will help us accomplish what we set out to do, even weight-loss.  God is faithful to complete what He has started in us.  Trust Him to do it.

 

Mini-Challenge of the Day

Promise yourself to live one day at a time.  On some days it will be hour by hour, or even minute by minute.  If you do this, you will eventually reach your goals.

 

Tip of the Day

Find a Bible verse or positive affirmation that is inspiring and meaningful to your life.  Memorize it and say it out loud every morning after you brush your teeth.  Here’s an example: “It’s more stressful to continue being fat than to stop overeating.”  Keep positive.

Believe in your DREAM!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Dream A Little Dream


Dream A Little Dream

 

“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.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

 

When you were a little kid, did you dream of having an average, mediocre, or boring life?  I suspect not.  When I was a little girl I wanted to be just like Loretta Lynn.  I would stand in the living room and sing “Coal Miner’s Daughter” at the top of my lungs, pretending to be her.  My dad was a radio announcer, and when I turned six, he gave me the best surprise.  He took me to a country music show where I had the opportunity to go back stage and meet my idol.  Loretta even let me sit in her lap while she waited to go on stage.  I will never forget that day.  I remember every detail of it, even what she was wearing.

Unfortunately, I was no Loretta Lynn.  I couldn’t sing at all.  So I let go of that dream and moved on to other things.  But I never stopped dreaming.

Early in our lives most of us dream big dreams.  We want to do things that seem impossible.  We want to live a life that contributes to mankind in an important way.

I am convinced that we allow setbacks in life to cause us to stop dreaming.  When we experience heartbreak or difficulty, or inclination is to protect ourselves by not trying to reach a goal or commit to something that might bring us pain again.  My challenge to you today is not to give up; keep your dream alive.  If you got knocked down, it’s time to get back up.  If you failed many times with getting fit, it’s time to try one more time.

I know it can be easy to get stuck in a routine, especially if you’ve lost your desire to dream.  And let’s be honest.  Sometimes life can be mundane and boring, the same old stuff every day.  Don’t let life get you down; it can become exciting once again.  Your life can be completely changed!

Mini-challenge of the Day

Think about the dreams you may have had that have disappeared or are stored away somewhere in your heart.  What do you still dream you can become or do with your life?  This can be about your weight-loss goals or something unrelated to your health, such as starting a new business, learning a new hobby, or getting a master’s degree.  Whatever your desires, write them down on a piece of paper and put it where you can see it and be reminded each day.

Tip of the Day

Studies have shown that people who write down their dreams or goals have and 80% greater chance of achieving them.  Grab a bunch of Post-It notes and write something on them that relates to your dream.  You can write down whatever you want as long as it is goal-oriented and centers on your desires.  Then put them all over your home, your car, at work.  Seeing them written down will encourage you to keep going.

-Amy Parham

This was from the book “The 90-Day Fitness Challenge” by Phil & Amy Parham, former contestants on “The Biggest Loser.”