10 Things I’m Telling Myself As I Sweat

If you read my post from Monday you know I’ve got body issues. What woman doesn’t, right? We live in a world that says you have to be skinny to be loved. I scroll through my Facebook feed and all I see are posts about the latest exercise fad and the tasty shakes promising to rid you of those unwanted pounds.

I have a love-hate relationship with my hips.

I have a love-hate relationship with exercise.

I have an addiction to Dr Pepper.

I have a tendency to get really down when the number on the scale isn’t as low as I’d like it to be.

I want to workout for one week and slide easily into my pants the next.

Wouldn’t the world be a lovely place if it were that easy?

Last summer I worked hard to drop a few pounds before our beach vacation. I had one goal – fit into the cute shorts that were just a little too snug.

Guess what?

I worked out, I made healthier choices, I drank a few less Dr Peppers and I wore those shorts in Florida.

I also felt stronger, had more energy and proved to myself I can do more than I think I can.

But then I came home and life got busy and I stopped those healthy habits.

Those shorts I fit into last summer – yea, they’re snug again – and I’m so mad that I’m back to square one.

But there are 10 things I’m telling myself as I sweat these day….

1. It’s About Progress, Not Perfection.
2. I’m Starting Two Months Earlier Than Last Year – and this time I’m not going to stop after vacation.
3. I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength – repeating this verse over and over and over again is what kept me pressing on last summer. It really is about getting your mind right.
4. Yes, I’ve Gained Some Weight; but I’m Not Where I Was Four Years Ago – You have to celebrate the small victories. If I work hard, the shorts will fit!
5. Eat Out Less – I got into a bad habit of going through the drive through. Last summer John and I gave up eating out for a month (we had a few cheat days) and we noticed a huge difference. I’m going to see progress if I eat at home.
6. Drink Fewer Dr Peppers – I don’t have to quit cold turkey. Should I? Maybe. But I’m a Texas girl who loves a DP with extra ice. Progress y’all, not perfection.
7. Keep Walking – I try to get 10,000 steps a day on my Fitbit. Walking really does make a difference.
8. Finish 21 Day Fix – Sunday I will finish my first round of 21 Day Fix (the exercises). I really do love the workout routines; I’m not sure I’m going to love the eating plan (because I’m a super picky eater). Maybe I’ll try it the next go-round; maybe I won’t. Either way, I will keep doing the workouts!
9. I’m Not Going to Get Tone and Skinny Overnight 
10. Persevere!!!!! Exercise does not come easy for me. I’ve never really enjoyed it. It seems like a trial. But James 1:2 says, consider it pure joy brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.