Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sport or Fitness (02/15/07)
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TITLE: Mixed Metaphors | Previous Challenge Entry
By Author Unknown
02/21/07 -
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That's not me. I'm not saying I'm genetically predisposed, though I know that can happen. What I am saying is that years of watching my parents overeat, indulge, and poo-poo exercise has not made it any easier for me to reclaim my temple. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm having a tough time with this.
About 6 months after my son was born, both my husband and I came to the startling conclusion that if we didn't set a good example for our son, who would? He'd be destined to our fate or spend his life fighting it, like we have, if we didn't make some changes pronto.
This was phenominally easy for my anal-retentive spouse who latches on to new things like fat on my thighs. He started recording every molecule that went into his mouth. He went from a sweet lump on my couch to a spinning top. Every electron jumped a level and spurred him on to faster cycling, his chosen method of exercise. In less than a year he'd managed to shed 60 plus pounds.
I, on the other hand, was more of a tortoise. I, too, recorded my food and tried to work up the energy to "walk away the pounds" just one more day. The sad reality is, I hate exercise and I love food, so I get fat. At least that's how I excused my increased portions and hidden treat troves. While still aboard the wobbly bed of the weight wagon, I managed to shed a solid 23 pounds. Not as impressive as my husband's 64 and it certainly lacked the same notice from friends and family.
So, I gave up. I couldn't see how I'd ever enjoy this aspect of my life without my indulgences and I hated having to be accountable for every chip and every dip. I just wanted to be 10 again where everyone told me I was too skinny and shoved food my way.
The sad part about this is that when I started to break free and drift back into my old habits, so did my husband. We'd give our health some lipservice now and then before eating, but that's where it would stop. That is until about a month ago.
I experienced a bit of an epiphany. Through reading, praying, and some good hard looks at myself I've come to understand some things. First, I can't do this on my own. Like any other beast or demon out there, there's only one sure-fire way to shut the mouth of a lion and that's with God's help. So, I started praying. The praying led me to seeing that I am only sabotaging my full purpose in Christ if I keep living this way. Physically, I get too tired and too discouraged when I don't take care of my body. Third, I'm going to keep on falling back into that lazy river if I don't figure out how to swim, and that's going to require lessons. It's one thing to know how to swim in your head, it's quite another to actually do it. I knew I was going to drown if I didn't get some lessons.
Now that I've started to piece together this puzzle, I am starting to see the bigger (pardon the pun) picture. It's true, God can still put the puzzle together without my piece put in, but the picture is much more stunning without that jagged hole in it.
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