3 Things To Reach The Prize

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?

So run, that ye may obtain."

1 Corinthians 9:24  KJV

Holidays are always hard for me. I love the chocolate covered cherries. My daughter and son-in-law make the BEST Peach cobbler and leave it at my house for me to enjoy. And, don't even get me started on the hot rolls! This year I had two full blown Christmas dinner's with the works!

You are saying or thinking, "So what?  I had Christmas parties and cookie exchanges and .... "

I know some of you have been beating yourself up over those extra goodies you ate that might have added pounds back on. Well I'm saying, (insert Italian accent here) "Forget about it!"

It's time we all suck it up and get back on program. The healthy program we all know God wants us to be on.

Let's move on! I am and here's how:

Small Goals! aka The Prize!

I have to set  small goals. I start with only one ... one I know I can meet. A good example of this is: I am aiming for a specific date to get into a dress I want to wear on Valentine's Day.  You may have a weight goal (make it small enough you can reach it, don't set 50 pounds as your goal for Valentine's Day!) Your goal/prize can be whatever you want it to be, just make it a small goal.

Focus!

Focus for me is planning ahead. This doesn't mean focus on food. It means, asking God to help you focus on what you should be eating and then planning your meals or snacks ahead of time. If you know you are going to have an apple for your mid-morning snack, more than likely you won't go buy a bag of M&M's. The apple is there and you will eat it and feel good about yourself! For me, focus also means keeping the M&M's out of my house, car and office desk. Yes, I do love the little chocolate treats. Will I never eat M&M's again? No, I know that if I want them I need/have to plan for them. Just like the runner, I have to focus on the prize, for me that is a healthier body, mind and most important Spirit.

Reality!

If I'm going to stay on track long term, over-exercising and trying to stick to a horrible diet, is not the answer for me. I've done both before and gave up quickly! I know breads and sugars are my bodies enemies. Have I cut them all the way out? NO! there is no way you can go completely carb free, even fruits and veggies have carbs in them. But I am very careful in what I chose to eat. I know I can chose to have bread or sugar once a day. Those M&M's I was talking about earlier, if I really want them, I can have them. But, I am realistic enough to know that I have to set limits on the foods I love. The runner doesn't just wake up one morning and run, it takes small steps and training to run a race. You see every step in the right direction counts...especially the steady small ones.

Enough about me, what are your favorite ways to get back in the health & fitness?    

                                    What is the prize are you running toward?

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