The First Run

Okay, this is actually the beginning of week four, and I thought it fitting to change up the routine and push myself more than I had been. It is about 11 pm on Monday night as I type this. I just got done with my first real RUN of the transformation. Well, it actually was a Run/Walk, but you can understand this is my first time, right? Lungs still sting a little, coughed a bit, and my legs and rear feel like tree trunks right now. Will soon be replaced by soreness and shin splints, for sure. But with that out of the way, I gotta say this really feels good right now! J Is this an endorphin rush? Well, I LIKE it. It is refreshing, and I can see that I need to create this on a daily basis to effect my physical transformation, along with some modifications of my meal (fuel) intake (as I NOM NOM NOM munch on this NOM NOM NOM fresh pear).

Here’s what I did, specifically. I knew I wasn’t going to set a record for a mile run today. Not at my weight or level of fitness. I did, however, want to do something that would challenge me and be hard. I knew that going in. So, I did some basic stretching in the driveway, grabbed a cup of ice water (left it in the driveway for when I returned) and headed off into the night. For the first 60-count (didn’t bring a stopwatch, just counted), I walked. Not a calm walk, but a tense walk, with every muscle in my body engaged. Knees were bent, core was solid, chest and arms flexed in almost an isometric state, and pushed myself forward with a rhythmic use of glutes, hammys, quads and calves. Kind of felt like I was wearing an Iron Man costume. I prefer to think of it as a muscular athletic guy in a 140 lb fat suit. At the count of 60, I took off thundering down the road in my best effort to look cool while making sure I didn’t fall on my face. I did this for the next 60-count. At about count 25, my mouth must have looked like the air intake of one of the engines on a 747, and I thought I might just die. I was seriously re-thinking this running thing when I got to count 60. I spent the next 90 count walking, sucking air, wheezing and hoping Jesus would return right at that moment. But eventually, through the wheezing and coughing, I remembered my decision and why, so I took off for another 30 count run. It was as if my body said “What the … don’t you remember what the last run felt like? Are you nuts?” So at the end of 30, more wheezing and recycling air. Then I started another 60-count power walk, then another 30-count run. Somehow, this run became a little easier. I rested only 30 counts this time, then took off on a 60-count run. I didn’t believe it would happen, but that 60-count run was easier than any of the other runs so far (!!!!!!). After another brief rest, I did a 30-count run and arrived back at my driveway. It was probably about ½ mile altogether, which isn’t really bragworthy, with so many of you doing 193 mile sprints recorded faithfully in Daily Mile, but it was my humble start. Yeah yeah, it adds up to only about 7 ½ minutes, but it felt like an afternoon. The best things I can take out of tonight would include feeling great right now – not the accomplishment, but the physical feelings I am experiencing, and then the fact that even in the middle of the run, the latter stretches were easier to do than at the beginning.

Posting a ‘before’ pic of myself might be in the next entry or two. I honestly have some anxiety about it, and kind of feels like one would feel a couple days before knowing you were going to have to stand on stage in only your underwear. But it might be a good idea to let you all know where I stand right now. I am 5’7” tall, and 295 lbs and actually have a wide-shoulder athletic frame underneath all that extra weight. My soon-to-be-posted before pic will also serve as some accountability for myself.

In today’s OwnIt365 reading, David is running from Saul, and Saul is driven by his anger and bitterness towards David. When Saul discovers that the priest Ahimelech had helped David and his men by feeding them the shewbread and giving David the sword of Goliath, he was exceedingly angry and called for Ahimelech. When the priest appears before king Saul, he tried to play dumb and the king will have none of it, then orders Ahimelech and all his father’s house to be killed. The soldiers standing around him would not do it, so this guy Doeg the Edomite does it for him:

1 Samuel 22:18-23

And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.

And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests. And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house. Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

That last verse stuck out at me, because this is very similar to what Jesus said to us in the New Testament. Abiathar means “excellent father; father of the remnant”. There was an acknowledgement of what he had gone through (v. 22), like Jesus did with the church in Revelation 2-3. He says to abide with him, like Jesus did in John 15. He says he that seeks his life also sought his life, which was also said by Jesus in John 15:18-20. And he ends it by saying “but with me thou shalt be in safeguard”. Wow. Am I the only one who sees that? John 6:37-40 talks about that which God gave to Jesus (us!), and how that he will in no wise cast us out (v37), and then says in verse 39 that it is God’s will that he should lose nothing of what God gave him. David is a ‘type’, of Christ, meaning that he personified many things that teach us about who Christ was. Anyway, I thought that was cool and I wanted to share that with you as well!

Hope you all have an awesome day, and hope these posts have been a blessing to you!

Steve

Ups and downs

Well, here I am starting week 3 of the transformation. All in all, I think I feel pretty good, but I would like to say I have had more success fighting those old procrastination strongholds. I have put off several workouts, but I have found a positive out of this thing.

I have been thinking only in terms of a specific workout, like running, weights or power 90. But with spring in full swing, I can say that there are plenty of other projects around the house that require sweat. On Saturday a good friend helped me unload 2 and a half yards of dark brown mulch. That was in the heat and occupied the better part of an hour. Then I played a four hour gig at the Carriage Club. On Mother's day, I bought Missy some nice painted clay planters and several blooming plants. Moved and filled the planters, then planted all the flowers. Then began trimming shrubs and moving the mulch around. That was some good workout action. Woke up this morning a little stiff, but feeling good.

Today, after working until 8, I came home, prayed with the kids and moved mulch again for about 45 minutes.

I have thought of myself as being more confident, particularly in the last 2 years. However, something about making a decision of this magnitude has given me a measure of confidence... Specifically when dealing with people who I would have otherwise been intimidated by. Maybe its just a 40 thing, maybe it is a result of feeling better.

Proverbs 14:26 KJV

In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

This verse came to mind as I thought the confidence I feel. The decision I made was based in transforming myself so my body did what I wanted it to do, not the other way around. That way, I could better "yield my members" in the spirit of the following verse:

Romans 6:13 KJV

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

This will be an ongoing theme, and it will develop, I am sure. Well, that's it for now. More to come!

Workout Wednesday

Today started at 5:30 am when I had to go outside and take the trash container to the curb. Drat! I forgot to move our old trash from our old container to the new container. It was heavy, the sun still hadn't come up, and some animal had gotten in there and tore up the bags. That meant I had to physically lift up the old container and "dump" it into the new one. I am no weakling, but that was hard to do 'quietly' and with good aim. Most of my neighbors also were not up, so I wanted the ruckus factor to stay low. While walking by my truck in need of a good cleaning I collected the remains of toy ads that looked like a newspaper insert, a sonic cup, and several candy wrappers from the back seat. Not a huge workout, but with my arm now hurting again from dumping the old trash container (after making some progress on my injured forearms), it required plenty of effort. Now, to wake up my children...yes they were in rate form this morning. All 3 of them decided I was in the mood to be a jungle gym, so I rassled with them for a bit, then jumped in the shower.

I am not really considering that my workout. I plan on doing some of that after work. Might run or get out on my bike. I do know that skipping yesterdays workout definitely had a price. Didn't feel as good yesterday or this morning. At 40, my body adjusts much slower than it used to. More grunts groans creaks and pains.

Proverbs 20:4 KJV

"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing."

Folks, this tells me that there will always be excuses not to workout (plow, or till the land of my body). In other words, if you want something to BE different, you must be willing to DO different. If not, you will be regretting your lack of action later.

Troublesome Tuesday

Today I slept in. Absolutely exhausted. I think this is a good time to evaluate the amount of sleep I am getting, along with the quality. When not working out, five to six hours seemed enough. Boy, it doesn't now! So, no workout this morning. I work until 8 tonite and then have a late rehearsal. Another later night. But with sleeping in today, I should be able to get up early tomorrow and resume my workouts. Please pray!

In addition, many years ago, life seemed a lot less jam packed. Working until 8 or even 6pm every day takes its toll.

Yesterday was pretty good from a productivity standpoint... I just felt like I was playing catch up until I went to bed at 10:30.

It is a Good Monday

Good morning! I woke up this morning to another Power90 workout, which was rough, but I am finding that although I am not necessarily able to do more of the moves on the dvd yet (the largeness of my, um, belly makes power yoga very difficult), I was able to increase the intensity of some of the moves. That made for a very good workout, much more intense than last week's workouts.

I missed blogging the last few days about this, so I will catch you up with how I am feeling after this first week of my transformation. I have experienced a big change in my flexibility and ability to reach down and pick up things on the floor. If you have ever been old and fat, you can understand the importance of that second one, particularly when you have small children running around. I also have found that the pain and stiffness that result from sitting for long periods of time have almost disappeared.

I have also dropped soda altogether - I have not had a carbonated soda drink for almost three weeks now. I take that back - I had one for a movie night, but could not even finish it. That's a big deal to someone who didn't believe he could live without a soda everyday.

It is no small bit of news that last night, a team of American Commandos, Navy Seals, conducted a raid in Pakistan that resulted in the death of Osama Bin Laden, one of the most hated international terrorists in history. I am not sorry he is dead, but I do pause to think about a soul that went into eternity without having confessed the Lord Jesus nor believing that God raised him up from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Given his philosophy of life, and knowing what the brand of Islam he subscribed to preaches, as well as the orchestration of the deaths of thousands of Americans and other westerners, it certainly plays into our sense of justice that he should go to hell (where he certainly is at this moment). But a bit of perspective on this - Bin Laden isn't in hell because of the despicable life he led, nor for the thousands and thousands of people he killed on, before and since 9/11. He is in hell because he did not accept the gift of eternal life that God freely offers to all. The bible tells us that we all fall short of the glory of God. There is none that doeth right, no not one. Where do you fall in all of this? Have you received the gift?

Last night we learned of a monster that was slain. Today, are there any monsters being slain in your life? Do you have any strongholds that need to be destroyed? Anything keeping you from receiving that free gift of salvation? Let me know your thoughts...

"When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth."