Relief – a de-burdening of sorts. A happiness that follows difficulty or worry.
I know it sounds silly, but this weight loss journey has been no easy thing thus far. The bad thing about that is it makes me want to give up – yes, already I want to give up some days. The good thing about wanting to give up and knowing that I cannot, I just cannot, is that it draws me nearer to the Lord.
It’s no small thing that His word for me this year is persevere. Because lately every single day when it’s time to go for a walk, I have to push through this mental block.
I just don’t want to go for a walk today. My knees hurt, so I should rest. I don’t feel like it because I’m so tired. Maybe I can skip today and just work harder tomorrow.
The thing is, I know that if I make excuses for one too many days, I’ll have fallen off of the healthy wagon again. And I can’t fall off again, at least not for good. This is the year, friends, that I persevere, that I rely on the Lord and His power to carry me through, no. matter. what.
There is no giving up this time around.
And on most days when I’m walking harder and longer not because I want to, but because I need to, I’m just waiting. I’m waiting for my Fitbit (read “really cool pedometer”) 
I’m waiting for that sweet relief that says I’ve made it. I met my step goal for the day. I persevered through those 2 miles or 3 miles, or whatever mileage it takes to get me to that point.
It’s a relief.
And even though it seems silly, it means something to me!
I’m ten pounds in now, with a long, long way to go. But I’m learning more and more that He’s with me each step of the way. He provides the strength. He provides the nudge to get up and move. He provides the encouragement. He provides the will to persevere.
And I just follow. It’s what we were born to do, really.
For His glory!
Jen 🙂
I’m joining my Five Minute Friday friends again this week (albeit a day late!). We gather at Kate’s place and free-write for five minutes with no planning, no over-thinking, no editing – just words. Come join us if you like!
Also sharing with: Grace and Truth
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Oh I so totally get this! I have to admit that I’m laying on the sofa w/my Fitbit in my pocket trying to find motivation to go walking…my legs hurt from the past couple of days (finally up to 10,000 steps a day–it took 1 yr’s worth of increments and goals to get here). But yes!!! It truly is sweet relief to meet those goals and know you stayed the course! Keep waking! 🙂
Amy, yes. I get the aching legs! I increased my mileage last week and have had sore knees. So I’m taking two rest days in a row in hopes to start next week pain-free. 🙂
P.S. Great job on getting up to 10,000! 🙂
GO JEN GO!!!! I am proud of you for choosing LIFE and HEALTH!! I hope you are able to fall in love with healthy food if you have not already- the colors, the crunch, the aromas of delicious veggies sautéing and whatever else that will inspire and encourage you. I find that when I am exercising I crave healthier food choices. Stopping by from FMF. KEEP GOING!
Hi, Leigh! Yes, I am a veggie-lover (although there are a few I don’t care for). I’ve found a lot of ways over the years to sneak veggies into food for the family, too, ha! 🙂 Thanks so much for your encouragement here!
Jen 🙂
You are doing great Jen!! Love love love 🙂
Thanks, susa! I love the workweek challenge. It’s really helping me to stay motivated. Glad you all turned me on to the Fitbit! 🙂
Jen, I am cheering you on from here!! You can do this! The rewards are soooo worth the pain. I love that you are using your readers as your accountability group. Once we put anything like this ‘out there’ for others to see, we suddenly have an accountability group, don’t we? I did something of the same with my prayer life this past week. Blessings to you, my friend.
Leah, I’m reading your comment again tonight so that I could reply and I’m so glad I did. The rewards ARE worth the pain (and there has been pain this week!). I’m thankful for the push of other faithful bloggers, including the Loft group and Grace and Truth. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have chosen a word for the year. I also probably wouldn’t have shared about this personal struggle because let’s be honest – it’s embarrassing! Thank you for being a faithful friend and encourager here. 🙂
This was just as good the second time around! I’m so glad you linked up this encouraging word at G&T. Love you, friend!
Glad to hear it! 🙂 Thanks for the encouragement here.
Jen 🙂