Life's Race

What started out as me searching this week to find out what the Bible says about exercising, turned into a whole different thing.


Here's how I started...

Everyone always goes back to 1 Corinthians 6:19, so I began there.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;"

We should take great care of our body as it is the place where God's Holy Spirit dwells within us. We should take great care of the place in which God lives! I know this but I wanted to go a little deeper, to get a little more specific.

Here's what I found:

1 Timothy 4:8 -

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Clearly this verse tells us that godliness takes priority over physical training. Note that it doesn't tell us that physical training has no value; in fact, it tells us there is some value to it. I kind of knew that already :) but it was nice to be reaffirmed.

Another passage I found interesting is 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. It was after reading this verse that this post became more about "Running Life's Race" and less about exercise.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

That particular scripture reminded me of a video we watched during bible study last year...

The teacher was talking about the zeal of Elijah and while he was talking the screen showed a pair of bare feet, running fast, pounding in the dirt. I don't remember everything he said but the point was that we should be running life's race in such a way that when we reach the end we have absolutely nothing left to give.

This got me thinking...

Remember the race I ran in April? My goal was to feel physically spent at the end and I achieved that goal. I had to go over to a bush and puke once I was done.

I have also ran races and felt so good at the end that I couldn't help but wonder if I gave it my all.

Paul is calling us to "run in such a way as to get the prize". To me that means giving it all you have and then pushing yourself further.

I am SO not doing that right now. That disappoints me.

When I meet Jesus in Heaven I want to collapse in front of Him not only because of His Might, but because I have used all my life, all my power to glorify Him. I want to bow my head to Him not only because His Beauty is more than my eyes can handle, but because I have used all my strength serving Him in my life and am too weak to lift my head.


Man, I got nothing else to say on that...




Here are a few other verses I found regarding exercise for those who haven't tuned me out completely :)

Ephesians 5:29 tells us to take care of our bodies -

"After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it..."

2 Peter 1:5-7 reminds us to assert self control - that was a big thing for me. I never really used self control when eating.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love"

As a side note, we are warned quite a bit about vanity -

1 Samuel 16:7 -

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Proverbs 31:30 -

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

MORE ON THOSE LAST VERSES LATER.

Thanks for reading!


Challenge:

Be a Genie :)

Kneel on a mat or rolled-up towel with feet together, knees slightly apart.

Cross arms over chest.

Keep your abs tight and back straight as you lean backward. Pause.

Lean forward to return to start.

If your back hurts, do not lean back as far. You can also have a partner hold your feet for support.

Something New for Thursdays

First off, how'd you all do on the challenge?

Octavio actually came home and reminded me I had a challenge to complete!

All I got to say is one down, 199 to go :)


For some time now I have been trying to think of something new to add to the mix throughout the week. I toyed around with the idea of having a "Dear Healthy Chelle" day or a "Guest Blogger" day but neither seemed right.

After much thought I have decided Thursday will be...

* DRUM ROLL *

Comments of the Week !!

From now on I will use Thursdays as the day I showcase and respond to some of my favorite comments from the four days prior (Friday of the week before and Monday through Wednesday).

I will choose five comments each week. Kind of a Letterman's Top 10 meets World News Tonight's Person of the Week. Don't get upset if I didn't choose your comment this week. There's always next week so keep on showing me love!

(Some are just excerpts from a longer comment.)

Here goes y'all -


Ashleigh said...
You're incredible, I'm so happy for you and proud of how commited you are. I would have quit a long time ago, but thats the laziness in me! Ori's outfit is....cute! haha. She is getting so big! We need to come and see you all again soon. I'm looking forward to another week of blogs, I don't know what to do with myself on the weekends! :-D

This comment brought a little tear to my eye. Ashleigh, I really have felt a true connection with you the last few times we have been together. I think you are an amazing aunt to the girlies and I love the direction of relationship is going. It made me feel nice to know that you are excited when Monday rolls around and you can "read me" again.


Cheri said...
Wow. I don't know what to say, I'm so impressed by your will power, it makes me want to throw on some workout clothes and run down Miller Rd.

I enjoy reading your encouraging words, Cheri. You do a great job of making me feel special by always letting me know how something I said impacted you. I mean who in their right mind would even consider running down Miller Road? :) I am really hoping you can make it to the run in July. If not, I'll just have to figure out another race to do with you! P.S. I am hoping to figure out a way to meet up when you come this way!


Susan said...
That is fantastic! I can't wait to tell Michael our challenge. I think he will be very excited! I bet the Horrar couple surpasses 200 every couple of months. LOL. You go girl!

Susan, you crack me up. Hope you and Michael got the opportunity to do the challenge! I appreciate your comments both on and off of this blog. I look forward to getting a chance to meet for coffee and discuss plans for the next Healthy Chelle Giveaway! You're on to something! P.S. LaVonda, who you kiddin'? You know you guys do it like 200 times a week!


Leigh Ann said...
So glad you and the hubby got to run together! The couple who runs together, stays together!

Ain't that the truth, Leigh? It doesn't have to be running but it's got to be something! I love how you are always doing something with Michael. Taking a walk together, playing with Jakob, going to Karate. Your strong sense of love for your husband reminds me of me!


Leslie said...
GREAT JOB!!! OH MY 4.4 lbs!! WHOOOOO HOOO! AYE CARAMBA! (I don't know how to spell it, sound it out and see if you know what I am saying) haha. YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!! I'm so glad this week really paid off for you. I think you worked really hard this week, especially to be sick.

So Leslie can't actually comment on here because she reads these from work and only actually gets to read my blogs because I email them to her directly. The comment above was never posted on the actual blog but was sent to me privately. The cool thing about reading Leslie's comments is that I can hear her voice when I read them. Les, you always have such enthusiasm and are so quick to compliment and encourage me. I cherish our friendship!


This was fun! Not only did I get to go back through and re-read a weeks worth of encouraging comments, I also read each blog. It felt good to reflect on my feelings even if they were from just a few days ago.

I look forward to doing it again next week!

A few other things...

Ori is signed up for T-ball! (I feel bad posting this, Leigh, because I know you want Jakob to play!!) The baptist church in our neighborhood had a sign out front, so I inquired. I believe Ori's BFF Elena is going to be signed up to play too and they'll be on the same team. How cute!

In the process of signing Ori up for T-ball I found out that the church has a coed adult team and they were still looking for players! I guess they have one team formed already and about half of a second team. I am so excited and hope they get enough people so that the second team is a go. Our church used to have a team but couldn't get enough girls to commit last year so they stopped playing.

I also found out they play indoor volleyball somewhere. I am dying to play that to and am waiting to hear a word back!

AND

My friend Nikki sent an email about a mom's soccer class where they teach you the fundamentals of the game. Although I can only pick one sport right now and softball is at the top of my list I look forward to pursuing this opportunity in the future. Then, maybe my husband won't feel like all he is doing is chasing my bad kicks!

Anyone out there got a summer sport?

Challenge:

Reverse Crunches - these were tough!

1. Lie on your back, bend your knees, and lift your feet until your thighs are perpendicular to the floor.
2. Cross your ankles and keep your arms at your sides and your palms on the floor.
3. Relax your shoulders and, keeping your head and back on the floor, contract your ab muscles as you slowly lift two to four inches off the floor.
4. Hold for a count of two. Lower and repeat 10 times! WOWZA!

Chasing Shadows

* I had every intention of getting this blog posted before 9 a.m. but for some reason my daughter seems to want to catch up on all the hissy fits she thinks she missed out on in her third year on earth. Pray for me...actually, you might want to pray for her. *

Man, yesterday I had 5 friends leave comments who have never left one before! That really feels great! I have said it before and I'll say it again - it is reader support that keeps me consistent and honest. I need you so that I can get healthy! Thanks friends!

If you are a new reader and are interested in finding out more about the race in Michigan on July 12th and the training for that race, which begins May 19th, READ THIS!

Now, to bloggin' -

I was on fire yesterday after my weigh in. I mean seriously, 4.4 pounds! Ali who?

Every moment that wasn't consumed with a child or housework was used to burn some calories or tone some muscle.

Here's what I did -

• 150 crunches (25 during every commercial while watching Dr. Phil) :) I know, I know
• 25 push ups (not in a row)
• About 20 minutes of training with my 5 lb weights
• 2.8 miles of running

My dad left a comment yesterday saying that when my mom got down under 200 lbs that's when she really started to pick it up. I can't wait to get there!

I love that it seems like everyone around me is catching the fever!

• My cousin Kristol is only 1/2 lb away from being under 200!
• Kellie and Dave began training last night!
• When I called my parents they had just finished running a practice 5k, that hilly one I showed you all yesterday!

I am not saying that I made them all do this but I just feel like I might be encouraging others. That feels better than any 4.4 loss week.

Today I am going to work out on the ball with some training on www.youtube.com/sparkpeople

I'll be sure to fill you in on that tomorrow!

When I began my run yesterday I was right behind this other runner. I admit I was checking her out and comparing myself to her. She was fairly thin, looked pretty athletic, and had a cute bouncy ponytail.

The sun was to my back - the other runner was my shadow.

I used to hate that part of my run - the beginning - when my shadow is right in front of me, magnifying my shape and reminding me of what I look like.

Yesterday I fell in love with her.

Funny, on the run back to the house the sun was in my face and that other runner was behind ME, chasing ME.

She wishes :)

Challenge :

Lunges!

Stand with your arms at your sides and step forward with your right leg. Bend your knees and lower your back knee towards the floor until your right thigh is parallel to the floor. Keep your right heel down and your right knee directly over your ankle. Tighten your abs and push through the front heel back to the starting position. Repeat with the opposite leg.

Do 10 reps on each side!

Baby J says YOU CAN DO IT!