Musings of the SciFiPastor

This week marks a milestone for me.  I have officially completed three months working with a physical trainer.  One of my goals for this year has been to lose thirty pounds and to run a mile.  I’m not there yet, but I am well on my way.  Here are the stats so far:

• I’ve lost about 15 pounds.  But when you factor in that I’ve gained about eight pounds of muscle (according to my trainer), I’ve actually lost over 20 pounds of fat.
• I’ve lost about three inches so far in my waist.  The kakis I got for Christmas that were comfortably tight now have sort an “M.C. Hammer pants” effect in how they hang off of my legs.

Here’s a picture from last Wednesday’s Missionette’s program at church.  You can see how my clothes are hanging off of me.

(By the way, that’s my older daughter Elizabeth in the white dress.  She achieved “Honor Star” last week.  If you are not familiar with Missionettes and Royal Rangers, that is basically the equivalent of becoming an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts.  Yay, Lizi!)

Anyway, my training has involved both exercise and nutrition, and it has not been easy.  Props to my trainer, Romen, for his patience and persistence with me!  But not only have I learned about fitness, this experience has highlighted some other life truths:

• Big goals are achieved in small, daily decisions.  Fish instead of cheeseburger, water instead of Coke.  Treadmill instead of recliner.  Each of these choices can be difficult, and the results are often not readily evident.  Over time, however, things begin to change for the better.
• We never really “arrive.” I’ve completed my three-month program, but I still have a little ways to go before reaching my goal for the year.  But even when I get there (and I WILL get there!) that does not mean I can quit the gym and head back to my favorite Chinese restaurant on a daily basis.  I will have to continue the habits that led me to better health, and I will undoubtedly want to fine tune in certain areas.
• We benefit others when we take care of ourselves.  My wife has also lost weight as she has adapted to my nutrition requirements.  Others have been inspired to get in shape as they have watched my success thus far.  When we achieve our goals, we help others to realize they can reach theirs, as well.  Success is a great motivator.
• There is no shortcut for hard work.  I’ve wanted to try the fad diets and whatever pill I could pop to lose weight.  Fortunately, my wise and beautiful wife repeatedly talked me out of it.  Now, in retrospect, I would not take anything for the experience of nearly puking my guts up during my first workout and then sticking with it until I could make it through a whole workout and still function the rest of the day.
• Growth is painful.  This experience has been very difficult physically.  I have ached and hurt like never before.  It has become a part of life over the past three months.  But the results have been worth it.  And, oddly enough, the pain feels good after a while because I recognize what is happening when my muscles ache.  An aversion to pain will keep us from growing.

What goals do you want to achieve?  What’s keeping you from going after them?  Make a decision today to move toward those goals.  Start with the small things.  Small things, done every day, lead to big things.

You CAN achieve your goals!