How I'm able to succeed

So, I've now decided that my posts should have more meat to them. I've been charting my progress, and that's good. But I want this documentation of my journey to be much more than that. I'll still chart my progress at the bottom of my posts, but I think that'll be more of an afterthought.

I've decided to talk today about how I can succeed. I know I'm not there yet, but I should hit my halfway mark on Saturday, and I've been doing this for almost 4 1/2 months. That's crazy to me. Just crazy. I never thought I could do this for a month, much less 4. I never thought I could exercise 4-5 days a week. I never thought I could lose over 60 pounds. I never thought I'd have the fortitude, or the tenacity, or the will power. And then, last night, while talking to Anna, it occurred to me: I can't. I don't.

I can't do this. I don't have the power to do this. The power is God. He is the one who is strong enough. He is the one with real tenacity (Read the book of Judges--or most of the Old Testament--if you want to see how God keeps on trying even though we keep on failing). I'm just a sin-sick man. I'm just a lying cheating failure. I am. We all are. BUT that's not the end of it. I'm so blessed to have Jesus in my life; to have the Holy Spirit within me; to have the LORD watching over me. That's the only way I am able to do this--through the power and support of Him. True, I have great support (both in person, and in comments). True, I still need to walk those miles, to jump that rope, to stay away from that poison (my old eating habits). But I can only be successful with Him guiding (and sometimes pulling me).

Now, some people might be able to lose weight on their own. And some people my never have God rescue them from their obesity. And some will see God help them out of their unhealthy life only to fall in again. I'm not sure why that happens. I can't explain the way the Lord works (or evil forces: Satan, demons, etc...for that matter). It's a battle field out there, and I can't begin to understand why everything happens. But, I know, for me (in this one area for now), God is helping me through it.

It's so funny. I was raised a Christian (my late mother was one of the best examples of living a Christ-filled life ever). I strayed a little, but not too much. I've been baptized. But it was always intellectual faith (talk about a contradiction!). I knew I believed it, but I didn't feel it. Well, you know what? I do now. And man, it's a great feeling! Praise God.

So, sorry to those who weren't expecting me to rave about God like this. But man, I just feel so blessed. I'm honored, but more than that, humbled that God would involve Himself in my life so intimately. Wow.

Okay, stats time!

Tuesday:
.5 Hours on the Elliptical
1- 3 mile walk/run (man, this kicked my butt!)
150 calf raises
75 sit ups
7- 20 second Planks
Read the Bible (Ezra 8-10)
Pray Daily
Went on date with my wife (great Lebanese/Middle Eastern Restaurant in Renton)

Total:
1 Hour on the Elliptical
300 Calf Raises
150 Sit-Ups
Jump Rope for 9 minutes
7- 20 second planks
Read Bible (Matthew 1-2; 1Corinthians 1-2; Ezra)
Prayed
Went on date with Anna

Remaining:
1.5 Hours on the Elliptical
3- 3 mile walk/runs
400 calf raises
200 sit ups
Jump rope for 12 minutes
Build up to 10- 20 second Planks
Read the Bible Daily
Pray Daily