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The Next Stage

A little under a year ago, I started this journey.

I weighed in at 368.4 pounds.

I wore size 48 pants.  And had just started wearing 3XL shirts.

I would get winded going up a flight of stairs.

Now, almost a year later, things are much different.

I now weigh 226.6 pounds

I should buy size 34 jeans.  I'm only bringing Large shirts on my trip this week.

And I routinely climb 130 flights of stairs on the stairstepper 12 minutes a day 5 days a week.

What a change in such a short time.

But this blog is about more than just losing weight.  As my header says, this journey is about becoming healthy; communing with God; and fulfilling my obligation as husband, friend, and disciple of Christ.  I've done pretty well on the first criterion (though I still have farther to go).  And I'm making strides on the second two criteria.  So I'm adding more intention to those areas.

I also firmly believe that as I grow in my relationship with God, I will become more capable of a husband, friend, and disciple.  Therefore, I'll be adding a Rule of Life to my...well...life!  At our church, we are focusing on a four stage rule of life:

  1. Scripture Reading
  2. Prayer
  3. Generosity
  4. Service

I have some goals for each stage:

Scripture Reading:


Prayer:

  • I will commit to daily personal and communal time with God.  Right now, although I pray each day, it is usually more of a quick, formulaic thing.  That will not be any longer.  I will take no less than 30 minutes a day to spend time with God.  Each day will consist of an individual prayer activity and some prayer time with Anna, as well.

Generosity:

  • I will spend $40 a month of my "spending" money stocking my car with bottled water and energy bars.  Then, when I'm at an intersection and there's a man (or woman) holding a sign asking for help, I will bless them with some food and drink.
  • I will commit to shopping at thrift stores before buying new--thereby allowing us to have more money available to use for God's work.  Additionally, if I buy something new, I will do my best to donate something to Goodwill.

Service:

  • I'm still fleshing this portion out, but I intend to become a big brother/mentor in the near future.

This Rule of Life addition is in no way meant to be legalistic.  There's no life to be gained from that (in my opinion).  But it is a way to help me get into right relationship with God.  I see it like my exercise plan.  It's not all or nothing.  It started out as a processes--and still is.  There are times I don't make all my goals.  And that's fine.  As long as I fail while trying--instead of failing to try.  The specifics of my Rule of Life, like my exercise and eating habits/goals, are in no way meant to provide the way to live.  They are my way to live, and that's it.  I post these here for nothing other than to let you all know where I'll be going from here.

Now my updates will consist of both ROL (Rule of Life) updates and exercise updates and eating updates.

*whew*

That's it.  Hope I didn't build it up too much.  I am, though, very excited for this next stage in my journey.  What about the rest of you?  How are you caring for your spiritual lives while improving your physical lives?  I know some people take the time to focus on Yoga and Meditation: Kim, Kat, etc...  But how does everybody sustain their spirit?

(Just had to add some words to this post.  When I put it in Word, it showed the word total as 666.  Yikes!  Hehe! Now it's 693.)

9 comments:

  Chad

April 3, 2010 at 6:03 AM

That's a pretty amazing journey over the past year. Great job, beej!

  South Beach Steve

April 3, 2010 at 6:34 PM

Beej, what a great summary of your year, and a better outlook on the future. You have really come a long way my friend.

You mention caring for our spiritual lives. I have made great progress here in the last 6-12 months. For me it has centered around daily time in the Word and in prayer. There is more to it, but that is the centerpiece of the program.

I love that you mention becoming a mentor to someone. That is the one thing I am missing in my life right now. I have had strong mentors in the past, but our paths have went different directions. Believe me, these relationships have made a tremendous difference in my life though. I am sure your mentoring will mean that much to someone else too.

  Shelli Belly

April 4, 2010 at 1:51 PM

Phase 2 ~ I'm very happy for you Beej.

"How am I caring for my spiritual lives while improving my physical live?"

I need to find more rest in Him. I've been striving this way and that trying to find balance. I believe that I need to rest in Him and then take a step. Whew!

  Kat

April 5, 2010 at 1:32 AM

Awesome post Beej! You are an inspiration to me on many levels. I love your holistic perspective and spiritual foundation.

  Hua

April 7, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Hey Beej,

Your progress has been so amazing, especially in such a short amount of time. Keep up the good work!

I found your blog while searching for unique and helpful content on weight loss.  I think you could benefit from sharing your personal story to those seeking connection to other people who are in similar situations regarding weight loss. Wellsphere's HealthBlogger Network (HBN) is comprised of over 3,000 of bloggers who motivate and support each other through 150 communities. 

For more information about joining, please visit http://www.wellsphere.com/health-blogger or email me at hua [at] wellsphere [dot] com.

Best,
Hua
Director of Blogger Networks

  Anonymous

April 7, 2010 at 4:52 PM

Wow Beej! I am in awe. So much accomplished in a year. Love the ROL. C.S. Lewis is one of my favourite authors. I am sure you will enjoy his book.

I hope you are all having a wonderful time in Italy!!!

Miss you!

  Unknown

April 7, 2010 at 5:25 PM

Man what a great year you have had with such accomplishments, you are one amazing person that God has blessed this world with. I love how you are adding more balance into your journey. It's something I would like to do, but don't know were to start. I guess by opening up th word of God and start reading would be a good place to start.
Hope all is well and that your trip is a safe and enjoyable one.
Thanks for being a there and for the support you provide.

  William Hanson

April 10, 2010 at 12:25 PM

Hi Beej... very inspirational post. I'm just beginning another attempt to battle the bulge. I'm hoping that blogging about it at the same time will provide me with some motivation and inspiration (which your blog has done). I haven't been as close to God over the past several years as I had been in the past. Perhaps it's time to allocate a bit more of my day to prayer (which would be any at this point). Thanks for planting that seed... having a little devine assistance in my journey can't hurt :-)

wmhanson

  josie (35 and Shrinking)

April 12, 2010 at 8:28 PM

First, congrats on an AWESOME, life changing year. I am constantly amazed and inspired by you. I wish you nothing but success with these new goals of yours. What a journey, and I'm honored to know you!

Second, I hope you are having a BLAST! I am SO jealous...LOL. Hoping you share pictures when you get back.

Third, THANK YOU so much for what you did. I'll send a separate email with some specifics, but WOW. Just WOW.