Does every day seem like a fight?  Well in reality - it is.
 

Does every day seem like a fight?  Well in reality - it is.
 

Fitness goals are essential on several counts. These goals hold us accountable, redefine our perception of what’s possible and what isn’t, and push us through temporary pain for a longer-lasting change. But finding out a way to set fitness goals that you’ll actually want to attain can be a bit of art and a bit of science.

The other day I heard this song from the 90s by a rock band called Extreme.  The chorus goes "stop the world, I want to get off."  It made me stop and think.  
The world has been crazy over the last few years.  At times I am left feeling disoriented and would like to stop the world...and get off.  Luckily I have a good coach who keeps me from crashing and burning.

One of my friends made the comment the other day that everything seems to go right for me.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Hi Tracy,

I love Proverbs 22:13: "The slacker says, "There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!"

It nails one of the biggest pieces of head trash....Excuses, excuses, excuses.

People always find fake "lions" i.e. excuses as to why they can't be successful. We live in a world at the moment where 'cancel culture' is abundant. Folks are being 'cancelled' left and right because of things they say or actions they take.

What do you think about yourself?

Philippians 4:8 says: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Are you a positive thinker? 

Proverbs 23:7 says "As a man thinketh so is he."

Truly what we think becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

Henry Ford, the founder of Ford motors said  "Whether you believe you can do a thing or
not, you are right."

"Do ALL things without complaining and arguing." Philippians 2:14

Here is a great story I like to read when I find myself complaining.
 

I grew up living on an acreage lot surrounded by woods. It was a lot of work to keep it up.  Every weekend my dad had my brother and I out doing chores in the yard.

Our "favorite" was moving railroad ties.  These were long and heavy blocks of wood covered with nasty creosote oil that would cause a rash if it came in contact with your skin.

At the time I didn't understand how moving railroad ties would affect the rest of my life... but it did.  You see, my dad taught us the value of HARD WORK.  We would work hard first and then we got to go have fun with our friends. Many times he paid us extra after completing the work.
 

So much information is coming to us from so many different sources. What we forget is the most important place to clean up - our mind.  I've known too many people that watch too many things and experience information overload or maybe a better word is information overwhelm.  Knowledge is good. However, knowledge isn't much use to us until we apply it.
 

Regular physical activity comes with a lot of benefits, from promoting strong muscles and bones and improving respiratory, cardiovascular health, and overall health. Staying active and fit means keeping your body functioning at a high level.

There are times in life where we all "fall down."   Injuries, illnesses, financial hardships, divorce...all these things can knock us right off our feet.  They usually happen at the most inconvenient time. I mean, is there ever a convenient time for a hardship?  The trick is to not allow the "fall" to continue.  Recognize when we've fallen and work to get back up sooner rather than later.

"Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense."  Proverbs 12:11.

According to a recent survey in usnews.com, the average American spends 3.1 hours per day watching TV.  Digitalmarketing.org puts the average social media time at over 2 hours per day.

When I look at these numbers it's apparent most of us have plenty of time to kill.

The problem along with killing time is we are killing opportunities too.
 

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life."  James 1:12.   Simply put, when we are faced with trials in our lives, we are forced to grow and change.  It's a choice we get to make.

"Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them." Proverbs 26:12

When I worked at the big club there was this guy named Dale who would always come up to the trainer desk to talk fat loss strategies with me.

More like argue and debate his theories with me.

Normally I'm pretty open minded to talk with someone and share ideas.

When I think about the times in my life I've grown the most, it was always when I was facing some sort of trial.  One trial in particular was the divorce from my first wife.  That event shook me up - but it also woke me up.

 

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man."  -Proverbs 6:10-11

This proverb is powerful.  It applies to so many aspects of our life.  When we think of poverty we usually associate it with lacking money.   But it can also be associated with our health, our relationships, even our spiritual well-being.
 

Proverbs 11:14 says "Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

Who do you have on your "wise counselor" team?

Are there people in your life who support and guide you no matter what the circumstances? Do they say the hard things to you that others may shy away from?  Who keeps you moving forward in your life - to help you see through the forest that, let's admit, can get very dark at times?