Think On These Things

I don't know how many times I have mentally beat myself up that I didn't stick to my eating plan perfectly, or do the workout I had intended.  I get caught up in the imperfection of my day and THINK on all the things I could have done better, eaten less of, tried harder at.   Insert eye roll and defeated heavy sigh.  You get the picture right?

The mind is a beautiful thing, and I know it can also be my strongest enemy when it comes to reaching my goals if I am not careful of what thoughts are going in and taking up valuable space.

After finishing a run, my brain has two options.  It can say, "You go girl!  You did it!  You finished that 6 miles in the hot sun and you didn't quit!  Just think of how far you have come!  Remember the days of NOT being able to walk to the mailbox or around the block with your boy?  They are GONE!  You just ran six miles on your 3rd day of "getting back" in to running!  You are amazing, your body is strong, and you have come a long way baby!  Next run will be even better!"

Or.....

It can say, "Well YOU are not in good of shape as you were last summer. That's it?  You aren't even doing a half marthon or the Ragnar this year.  You haven't been on top of your goals now have you?  What is the matter with you?  You have worked so hard and you are not even better than last year.  Some inspiration you are.  You are a slacker!  Why would anyone be inspired by you?  You might as well quit now."

Same run.  Different mental paths.  One sets me up for more success, one sends me down the slippery slope of defeat.  One gives me hope, peace, and strength.  The other breeds fear and sadness in my heart and mind.

Paul was an amazing apostle and motivator (and I like his running analogies).  Even HE  tells us that the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep in our hearts and minds if we allow it.  "Whatsoever things are true, honest (you just finished 6 miles!) just, pure (You go girl!  You did it!), lovely, of good report (remember how far you have come!), virtuous, or praiseworthy,..... think on these things. (Philippians 4:7-8)

Thanks for the reminder Paul!
Here's to dwelling on seeds of positive possibility and success.....and to letting them take root (leaving no space for the negative nasties) in my heart and mind.
May you do the same...and see the flourishing fruits of success!

Always moving forward....

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sticky Fingers Dilemma

This is a repost done from the blog on MFP dated January 22, 2015 So it happened today.  I went to lunch with my sister, and thought I was making a healthy choice.  I ordered a salad....check.  Ordered the dressing on the side....check. I was short on calories for the day so I ordered the sticky fingers as my protein...check.  Or not.    Food arrived, and I placed the bowl (yes bowl) of Ranch dressing on the side and tip-dipped my fork in it as I began my first bite. The salad was delicious, and I felt so good about my choice - used very little dressing. Once the meal was over and I got home, I searched MyFitnessPal for the meal to add it to my daily calories.  1110 calories .  Not even kidding.  I even searched the restaurant website to make sure it was right.  I had ordered the lunch salad after all, and that high number just had to include the bowl of ranch. Nope.  The lunch salad without dressing is listed as 1110 calories.   Two-thirds  of my calorie goal on my eating plan - in on
Read more

No Excuses...NO LIMIT!

Image
There have been times in my life when God sends me messages in very overt ways. It is usually when I have already felt something (usually a course of action or idea) in my heart and then I sit back, and procrastinate with it. Now, mind you, I am NOT ignoring it completely... just letting it sit idle for awhile, looking the other way, waiting, and making all kinds of excuses as different things get put in line before it. Waiting for what? Who knows. Why do I procrastinate and allow myself to turn away? Distraction? Fear? Doubt? You get the point (and could probably add a few more good ones to the list as well). This pivotal course of action and idea got distracted a few weeks ago by a host of things and just kept getting lower and lower on "the list." Until this weekend. Within just 3 days I was well aware of my lack of focus and the long list of excuses I was beginning to believe. I have been set straight again. The first clear message (in case I missed that b
Read more

Exercise At Home

One of the obstacles I faced at home was finding time and "umph" to exercise. I had big plans to jog every morning before breakfast and hike on the mountain in front of home. I found myself measuring distances from my parents to different stores, etc. to see where I could run to. I did jog on a couple of days...and 6 miles...while I was there, but with the snow and coming down with a touch of a flu/cold my big plans didn't end up so great. Eating was a bit of a struggle. I wasn't in my kitchen, and sometimes didn't have a choice as to where or what was available to eat, but I really tried to remain focused and center my energy on making healthy choices for food and exercise. Besides jogging, we also swam, went for short walks, and played outside. I haven't weighed in yet, so I don't know what the final results were, but I did feel pretty good about what I had done.
Read more