Day 10 - Consistency is key

Deciding to start an exercise program is just one hurdle to jump.  Once you have started your personal fitness program the problem becomes being consistent.  I find people struggle with this more than any other single issue.  Life throws all sorts of curve balls whether it is from work, family or even friends.  If you are not careful your fitness program disappears in the depths of "I shoulds".

How do we become consistent with our program?  Listed below are some points to help you attain that regular opportunity to get a little more fit.


     1.  Start slowly, only one or two days a week.  You can always add a third day later.  Most people that take on too much in the beginning actually quit instead of reducing to a more manageable schedule.

     2.  Pick a time of the day in which you have the least amount of distractions.  If you have lots of meetings at the end of the day then exercising after work probably won't work, try the morning before work.

     3.  Carve out your time.  No one is going to give it to you, you have to take it.

     4.  Find a exercise buddy.  It is tougher to pass on exercising if you have a friend waiting for you.

     5.  Establish an achievable, long term goal and then break it up into smaller goals on a timeline.  It is very rewarding to reach little goals knowing it's getting you closer to your personal goal.

     6.  Have fun with your exercise.

Consistency over time, it's not an Einstein formula but the results can be dramatic and personally rewarding as well.
 
Thom Uhlir
Thomfit@aol.com
704-332-1081

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The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose

CHAPTER 10 - THE HEART OF WORSHIP

The heart of worship is surrender.

In today's competitive culture we are taught to never give up and never give in -- so we don't hear much about surrendering. If winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. We would rather talk about winning, succeeding, overcoming, and conquering than yielding, submitting, obeying, and surrendering. But surrendering to God is the heart of worship.

It is the natural response to God's amazing love and mercy. We give ourselves to him, not out of fear or duty, but in love, "because he first loved us."

There are three barriers that block our total surrender to God: fear, pride, and confusion.

Sometimes it takes years, but eventually you discover the greatest hindrance to God's blessing in your life is not others, it is yourself -- your self-will, stubborn pride, and personal ambition. You cannot fulfill God's purposes for your life while focusing on your own plans.

Surrender yourself to the Lord today. 

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 Point to Ponder: The heart of worship is surrender.

Verse to Remember:  "Surrender your  whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes." Romans 6:13b

Question to Consider:  What area of my life am I holding back from God?

 

Fitness - Don't wait for tomorrow

Today is the day to start your own exercise program.  You can't do anything about yesterday, but you can do something today and why wait until tomorrow.  Many people wait until Monday to start a program, I'm never quite sure, maybe they want one last piece of chocolate cake, or just one more pizza or even, "why waste a great weekend by exercising."  What ever the reason, people put off exercising for as long as possible.

In reality it should be part of our everyday life.  The benefits of consistent exercise over time has been well documented.  So, why do we put it off, it might be our approach to exercise or our perception of what an exercise program is, but no matter what the reason is we simply don't take care of ourselves.

These are some simple guidelines for starting your own program:

     1.  Start today
     2.  Start slowly, you can't get in shape in 24 hours, so don't try.  Look for long term results.
     3.  Keep it simple, start with  few exercises to avoid being overwhelmed.
     4.  Start with a minimum frequency, like beginning with just 2 days per week.  You can always add more days later.
     5.  Enjoy your activity

Follow these simple steps and you are well on your way to a rewarding change in your body and mind....and don't forget.....START TODAY.

Feel free to email or call me if you have specific questions:


Thom Uhlir, Personal Trainer
email:   Thomfit@aol.com
704-332-1081

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The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose

CHAPTER 4 - MADE TO LAST FOREVER

This life is not all there is. Life on earth is just the dress rehearsal before the real production. You will spend far more time on the other side of death -- in eternity -- than you will here.  At most, you will live a hundred years on earth, but you will spend forever in eternity.  Death is not your termination, but your transition into eternity, so there are eternal consequences to everything you do on earth.

One day Jesus will say, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world " Matthew 25:34 (NIV)

God has a purpose for your life on earth, but it doesn't end here. It's more than "the opportunity of a lifetime"; God offers you an opportunity beyond your lifetime.


Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.

Verse to Remember: "This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." 1 John 2:17 (NLT)

Question to Consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?