A long lost friend.... by Kelli Johnson

Early 2000, I received an email from a customer who inquired about our daily schedule. After viewing the schedule, she asked, "Where do you fit in the time to exercise?" I was embarrassed that I had to reply....."Exercise??? Well, I don't! For many years, my idea of exercise meant getting up and down from the computer chair, and going from room to room in our home. Now occasionally the boys and hubby would encourage me to go out and play "Ollie, Ollie, Oxen Free" with them.....However, I would tire VERY quickly and in fact would swear I was tasting blood from my lungs....I was physically shot! We have a pool, but I couldn't say that I swam, because my idea of swimming is to lay on the raft in the middle of the pool. (that's when the weather is warm enough! Maybe about 3 weeks out of the year, if I am blessed ((this is when we lived in Wa state))) I can't say that I have ever been too terribly overweight, Maybe just 15 pounds or so. So, I haven't been too overly motivated to do anything about it. Oh, yes, about 2 years ago I went through "The Weigh Down Diet", but honestly, I wasn't very disciplined. I was still hung up on the diet idea....I would much rather do the "quick fix".....give me pill......oh, please don't make me be disciplined! Why is this sooo easy for me to teach my children, yet so difficult for me!

So about May 1st of 2000, I fought with this whole discipline issue....why can I be disciplined in other areas of my life, but not with my body? I know that we are to take care of our bodies, not allow food to consume our thought life......but I have yet to allow God control in this area. I knew that the pull to the espresso drive thru was becoming way too controlling.....That I had very little discipline in saying, "NO" to my flesh.

In the last few weeks, I have begun to say, "NO" to my fleshly desires. I am FINALLY giving this one over to the Lord. Now, I agree, that when we do this, we are to let go and let God, so before I continue, if you have gone through the Weigh Down Diet program, you will recognize some similarities in what I am doing...but I have felt the Lord is having me put some "discipline" issues into practice that will help me along the way.

My Long Lost friend....EXERCISE!!!!!!!!!

I am now going to the gym by 5am every morning.....yes, I said 5 AM!! Call me crazy, but this is the best time for my family and I am actually VERY motivated at that time in the morning. 

Update: As of January 23rd, 2003--I lost over 15 pounds and have been able to maintain it now for over 1 year! I run approximately 2-3 miles 5-6 days a week and meet a couple friends at the gym about 6 am. I absolutely LOVE running now and feel so good after a good work out. Hey, if I ca do it, so can YOU!!! 

Update: As of March 2005, I am still running. Not as consistent as I would like, but averaging 3-5 days a week and alternating free weights. I would love to go to a gym, but right now there isn't one very close. Once a gym opens up around here I will be first in line.