Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Workout Rebellion

Now that my ankle has healed and the temperatures are a bit cooler I have started running again. Unlike my friend Susan, who runs mega marathons, I run just enough for a quick workout in hopes of fitting more comfortably into my clothes.

Unfortunately all the rumors about 40 yr. old metabolism are true and I'm afraid that for me running is not enough anymore. I now have to "mix up" my exercise routine in order to trick my body into burning fat. And even worse, I have to curb my eating habits! Of course as soon as I decide that is what I am going to do I am confronted with some kind of "Death by Chocolate" dessert. Get behind me Satan (and I don't mean on my thighs, lol)!!

Anyway, I have found myself in some strength training classes at the gym recently. After my brain invented several good excuses as to why I couldn't go (battling a cold, I was already "cleaned up" and didn't want to sweat off my makeup, it was too nice of a day...) my body paid no attention and I ended up in the middle of a military-like workout nightmare!

Not that long ago I prided myself on my workout endurance. I was determined to work as hard as I could, lift as much weight as possible and do whatever it took to keep up with the instructor (let's just call her Cruella). Perhaps it is my first-born, rule-follower nature that led me to believe I didn't have a choice but to LIFT when told to "lift" or SQUAT when ordered to "squat".

Well lately I have found myself in exercise rebellion. I start out the class strong but I have been shocked to find that there are times my body does not follow Cruella's instruction. She says "JUMP" and I hear my mouth say "I don't think so." She says "GIVE ME 4 MORE!" and I mumble "No Way!"

The thing is, my brain wants to keep up but my body is shaking and uncooperative. At that point I don't care if my arms jiggle or my rear end sags, I just want out of this torture!! Besides, Cruella is on my payroll and I don't have to do what she says. Why, oh why have I signed up to suffer like this??

And then Cruella said something that I have not been able to get out of my mind. She said, "In order to get stronger, sometimes you must make yourself weak."

~To build muscles I must be willing to physically push my body to its limit.
~To love someone I must be willing to be vulnerable.
~To be a good Christian witness I must be willing to walk by faith, not by sight.
~And I certainly must humble myself before God if I want to be filled with the power of His Spirit!

HMMM! Perhaps I need to listen a lot more carefully to those people God places in my life, including trainers at the gym. And more importantly I need to be obedient to endure the trials and struggles that come my way by persevering through pain and exhaustion in order to develop and strengthen my "faith muscles".

Who would have thought I would get all of that out of an hour workout class? Thank You Lord for using my weakness to speak so strongly to me!!

Romans 7:19; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 2 Thessalonians 1:4


26 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Isn't getting old so much fun?...at 45...I can't offer any hope it will get better. Sorry! I love the way you RAN with it( hahahaha..aren't I funny?)and applied it spiritually! Keep up the good work!

Kelly said...

Kelley- I just love your writing. I just turned 40 in March, and am experiencing those consequences that you are! But I love what your instructor said, and how you applied it to all areas of your life. Too true.

Joyful said...

"I am weak, but He is strong" Ah, the words to Jesus Loves Me are ringing in my head.

God's Word certainly speaks to this: 2 Corinthians 13:9; 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 4:10

Keep going friend. You're doing great!!!! I'm actually signing off to go exercise right now!!

Have a great day!
Love & prayers,
Joy

Runner Mom said...

Woohoo! You go, girlfriend! I am so proud of your dealing with Cruella :). My Cruella's name is Kristi, and she happens to be one of my best friends--I am leading a Bible study at her house!

I actually say those words out loud in her class!! ( NO....I don't want to....why do I have to do that?) She laughs, and makes me work those muscles anyway. I love the way that you incorporated the faith muscles. Those are truly the ones that I need to give a workout to each day.

Stick with it--I know that you can do this!!
Love ya!
Susan

Krista said...

Hang in there; it's worth the pain when you see the weight loss. And it feels good to go through the rest of your day feeling strong.

Reaping a few benefits myself (at a 12 pound loss),
Krista

Joy Junktion said...

Good for you Kelley.
I will be 50 in 30 days ~ Yikes!
I cannot say I have been as faithful as you to work out. I push myself to walk everyday but as for the other stuff ~ well...

I suppose I need to hire myself a Cruella!

Have a great day.
Cindy

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Oh wow, can I relate. I'm having trouble sticking to the running. But you have re-inspired and re-invigorated me, sweet friend. Plus, Jorge signed us up for the Indy Mini in May. Ugh! :)

Kristen said...

Ah yes, the joys of being 40 something. I can relate! You know I am a cyclist, but yes... I too have to mix it up. Weights, yoga... it's all torture! ha ha!

"In order to get stronger, sometimes you must make yourself weak."

I love that statement!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

~ 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

One of my favs...

Laurie Ann said...

Good for you for learning lessons during trials. Cruella sounds like she may have a few more good sayings, so that alone may be worth the torture, I mean, incentive to go work out. Thanks for sharing your nuggets of wisdom with us today! Much enjoyed.

Paula V said...

I hear ya about the rebellion. I loved your excuses about being fixed up and your make up running and also it being a nice day. When it comes to exercise, I think we women are queen at finding good excuses. They are good, right?

Love the spiritual application through this.
Paula

Anonymous said...

The workout may be a pain (yes, pun intended!) but the results and benefits are worth it. Excellent post today, thanks!

Debbie said...

Oh How well I know what you are talking about!! I turned 50 yes the big 5 - 0 last week and it is even more difficult!! Maybe we need a support group!!!!!!!!!

Debbie

Shell in your Pocket said...

What a great post! I have heard 40 the metabolism slows down...keep going! You have realized some great truths in one hour!
-Sandy Toes

On Purpose said...

Okay if the whole metabolism thing wasn't supposed to happen until I turned the glorious 40...then I have a HUGE problem...and it has hit me 9 years early. I so needed to read this today. Thank you Kelly! I actually saw in black and white some of the excuses I have been using on why I "can't" workout/run right now!! Thank you!

Christina said...

I'm glad to hear you got so much out of that hour and shared it all with us. Very inspiring. Like you I get a little rebellious on the exercise and of course who could avoid chocolate even when dieting, but I keep on pushing and hoping for a miracle, like the loss of 10 lbs.

Lelia Chealey said...

OH, excellent words of wisdom my dear friend!!!
I love how you named her Cruella...that's hilarious!
This post really speaks to me Kelley.
Thanks for the talk the other night. I really needed to hear what you shared.
Yeah!! You saw Fireproof!! Awesome movie!
Thanks for your friendship. I'm so blessed to have you in my real life now. :)
love & hugs & slobbery kisses from Amiyah...
Lelia

LynnSC said...

Kelley,
Such a wise post. I need to heed this one. Something happened when I turned 40... and it is not pretty!!

By the way... I tagged you over on my blog. Let me know if you post.
Lynn

Jami said...

Kelley - I love how you connect those spiritual lessons with everyday life. God is everywhere and I just love how He shows up!! :)

Love you!

Rhonda said...

You are such an inspiration. I must say I'm a tad envious of your determination and will!

Anonymous said...

So does this mean you've been busy working out and haven't had time to update your blog? :)

Paula V said...

Are you okay? Hope life has just been keeping you busy. Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you and noticed you had not updated your blog lately.

Jamie said...

What an encouragement and inspiration you are! Those are some excellent life principles that I need to be applying to my life as well. Thanks for sharing!

Susan said...

Hey Kelly,

What's up? I've been missing you my friend!

Hope everything's OK, it's NOT the same without you out here.

Blessings♥

Leaon Mary said...

Hallelujah Kelley!
You are such a blessing!
But the exercise thing.. ughH. You are FORTUNATE to have a CRUELLA! I have 3 pembroke corgis who look at me like: WHY are you pedaling that noisy bicycle in your bedroom?
Well because the FAN and TV are in there... I can pedal while I watch Joyce Meyer or somebody like that!
Now I'm waiting for the chiggers and seed ticks to leave so I can start walking the pasture again.
Wanna go along?! I could WOG with you!
Love and Blessings!
Keep hearing His voice and sharing it with all of US!
Praise the Lord!!!
Lea

Angela Baylis said...

I just want you to know that you are on my heart tonight and I'm praying you are okay! Sounds like I'm not the only one missing you!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Joy Junktion said...

Hey Kelley,

Hope all is ok. I see you haven't been blogging for awhile.

I'm praying for you.
Cindy