Have you ever fallen off a task you previously committed yourself to do? I have. And that task was working out and exercising at least three days a week.
Before falling, I worked out two or three days a week. But a few days ago, I tried on a pair of black pants I needed to wear for a gig, and I could no longer fit into them. I thought about what I’d allowed into my mouth in excess and that I let weeks go by without working out – except for the occasional ride on the stationary bike.
Reflecting on my fall, how did I get off track? I can blame the pandemic of 2020, lack of time, or my being easily distracted from staying on task. But looking at it with open eyes, there is no such thing as a lack of time. And, to blame a worldwide event is just silly. Regarding being distracted, learning to prioritize tasks and time keeps you sane and grounded – this goes to the point about time.
So, on this 9th day of October 2022, I awoke a bit on the groggy side (because I drank the wrong thing before going to sleep) and thought about working out. I pulled up Faithful Workouts on YouTube, cast it on my TV, and just looked at it. However, my stiff joints and sore lower back cried out to get up and do it. So, I did.
It was slow going. My body hurts in areas that shouldn’t be compromised with pain: My elbows and my hip flexors. I couldn’t even do the exercise holding my light weights because the pain in my elbow affected my ability to hold onto them- I started blaming menopause. Really? How is it that my elbow joints hurt? But I pushed through the cardio, strength training, squats, and stretches. At the end of it all, I got up and said out loud, “It was hard, but I did it!”
And I felt my insides come alive again! I told myself that I would push and do this again tomorrow.
Making the first step to reclaim, recover, rekindle, or revive is always hard. But that first step is needed to receive or even see the beginnings of a breakthrough.
If you want that passion back, get up and do something (that includes talking to my doctor about my elbow pain affecting my pincer grasp). If you’re going to see a healthy difference in your life, your weight, your practice routine, your performance, whatever it is, get up and start again.
Here is a promise from God toward your breakthrough that you should hold onto. You can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength.
By the way, it is now Day 3, and I’ve worked out every day since I wrote this piece.