Planting In Tears

This morning, I optimistically took a step toward getting into good physical condition once again by actually putting my workout clothes in the car. However, just as usual, I did not make it to any gym.

But I called Linda, my friend who works at Grant MacEwan's Wellness Centre, to see if I could try out the facility (this is only about the 10th time I've called her -- hey, I've been working up to this, you know!). However, she was on a well-deserved holiday to catch her breath before the hectic fall season begins.

I called Jocelyn, my friend who runs when her back feels good, and jokingly told her about my great big step forward this morning. But, when I hung up with her, it seemed not funny anymore. Well, not very funny that is.

I had such good intentions coming up here last year -- somehow my plan was to go to school full-time, volunteer at the church, get in massively good shape, practice the flute and piano, help organize a conference, participate in the Singing Christmas Tree, read, pray, journal, and develop a social life. And so I was quite exhilirated but tired, just thinking about these things!

As usual, the first thing to go was the objective to "get in massively good shape". What is it that is so hard about this one objective (not that I succeeded in all the others -- but I tried)? Anyway, the socializing and church activity resulted in a bit too much caloric intake and far too little output!

So, though I've tried this past year and failed, I am now trying again with an eye toward success. After I talked to Jocelyn earlier tonight, I assessed the workout room where I am housesitting right now and decided it was time to actually utilize it. And so we begin again. I decided to ease into it, put a CD on (Traveler -- funky world club music -- nice for dancing and working out!), and climbed on the treadmill.

Thirty minutes later I climbed down, having jogged 7 minutes out of the 30. I had worked up quite a sweat, so I decided that was enough cardio for day 1!

And then I stretched for another approximately 20 minutes -- gluts, quads, hams, calves (2 reps of 30 on each leg). Followed by just a wee bit of abs work on the exercise ball -- oh, memories of similar pains came back to me so easily!

Anyway, I wondered if this time I would stick with it and what would help me do so or enable me to do so.... habits are soooo hard to break, aren't they?

So, I sought inspiration in my bible, and found it in Psalm 126, verses 5 and 6: "Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest." The tears will be flowing as the pain of once again getting this body into working shape hits, but I know God will reward the work done on his gift to me -- my body.