My big brother and I have often gone back and forth on who is in better shape. This week has been no different. He often challenges me to walk. When we went back to Indy last year, he and I were to take an 8-10 mile walk - and we would have, but he didn't want to leave hubby out and hubby does not like to take long walks. He only does what he has to do. So we didn't walk. I was disappointed. But now, this week, my big brother started sending me his walking stats, whether on his treadmill or out in the beautiful outdoors. He inspires me to 'do something'. He encourages me. He challenges me. He chides me. And I will not let him get the best of me!
Because he has had diabetes for years and because he has had heart surgery as well, he has been teasing this week that my 'old handicapped brother' has been kicking my butt. Well, he may be walking further in distance, but I'm doing my part! I reminded him that he has the time available to do all that walking; I do not. With working, my time even on the treadmill is limited. And I'm not crazy enough to spend my evening on the treadmill, either! But I have been getting on it because he has encouraged me to get active again. He doesn't want me to become weak and unable to do things as I age. And I appreciate that!
So this week I have been walking close to two miles most days on the treadmill; 15 minutes here and there a couple times a day - but yesterday, I really applied myself and got nearly 3 miles in! And my butt/hip is tender this morning! I did more than just walk. I used the 'Couch to 5K' app and it starts you out by walking 5 minutes, then for 20 minutes has you run for one minute, walk for 90 minutes, until the last 5 minutes in which you cool down. By the time I get to that last run, I can barely push myself to get to it - but I did it yesterday - and not once, but twice! And it got me nearly 3 miles. I am happy.
But I would not have even gotten on the treadmill (after all, it has been in that room for a couple months now without even being turned on) had my brother not encouraged, via challenging me, to walk.
Acts 15:31 (NKJV): "When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement."
I always have felt that encouragement was one of my spiritual gifts as I love to encourage others to achieve things. We all are capable of far more than we attempt, so why do we not try to reach our goal? Because we lack the encouragement of others who walk this journey of life with us.
When needing to eat right and exercise, especially, we often need people to encourage us to keep on doing what we are doing. Sometimes we beat ourselves us badly because we have failed to stay on course, and then we give up. And why do we give up? Because no one comes along side us to encourage us and help us stay focused. Why have I been on so many diets all over these years? Sure, hubby does them with me (sorta).... but I don't feel the encouragement to keep doing what I know I need to do. We always start out good, perhaps for several days.... but then we feel discouraged and give up. We half-heartedly do it, until we just stop altogether.
I did that just last week. We were on this one 'diet plan' and I haven't seen my scale go down, although I have been pretty much staying on the plan. I finally said "I don't care! I'm tired of watching every bite! I'm going to eat what I want to eat - I know what to eat and what not to eat and I'll do it my way!" And I did for a few days. And I knew I wasn't doing what I said I was going to do... I mean, I wasn't eating bad, but ice cream had been calling my name, and it wasn't on any diet plan I knew of. Then this deal with my little sister and her issue about weight lately, I decided I needed to encourage her - perhaps we could do something together. Oh no, can't do that. I begged her to clean off her treadmill (under clothes, of course) and get on it at least 5 minutes a day. And start building from there. She complains she has no place nearby to walk outside since they moved two years ago to this house. She has a treadmill (just like I do!) so use it! She did tell me yesterday that she had cleaned it off, but no, had not gotten on it yet. So I begged her again, please just start with five minutes a day and hang on to one side to keep her balance. She agreed that she would start. I got an email from her that she has decided to go back to the keto diet and start on Monday. I'm ok with that. We just have to do something! No, I'm not doing keto. I'm going to eat more vegetables and fruit and pay more attention to what I'm doing. I love my air fryer so can cook without frying easily. Last night I baked salmon in my air fryer and added vegetables - and it was so good! See how easy it is to eat healthy?
Ok, I'll confess. Since we usually eat around 4-5PM as a rule (just as easy to start dinner after I 'get off' work), by 8PM I was getting hungry so hubby and I SPLIT an ice cream sandwich so that neither of us got a lot of calories, but was able to taste something cold and sweet, satisfying our hunger for some snack. No, celery never came up in the conversation. And I don't feel guilty about eating the ice cream! I am not discouraged because we ate the ice cream; it satisfied that craving. I am staying on track this time and I'm going to do this. And I'm doing it for me. But I do need the encouragement of others. My brother eats what he wants, and because he exercises, he can.
This morning we are going out to celebrate a granddaughter's birthday at breakfast. She invited us to join them. Haven't been to Hash Kitchen before, but I've heard that it is really good food and a lot of it. I looked up the menu last night and have decided that I can have a vegetable fritata and will still maintain my goal of eating well. Sometimes it helps if you go out to eat, to look at the menu first so that you can decide beforehand (especially if you can never make up your mind, like me) what you will allow yourself to have. I could go simple - scrambled eggs, you know-the usual breakfast, but a fritata is something I haven't made and rarely eat, although it is really good. So am excited to try it. Hash Kitchen seems a little pricey, but for a birthday celebration it is fine.
Which means I need to get off here and start getting dressed cause breakfast comes in the morning time, right? We're meeting at 7:30AM and I not only need to get dressed, I really want to make my face presentable by putting makeup on. My hair I can't do much with - it's straight. Hmmm. I made an appointment with my hairdresser for this afternoon to add some highlights (hopefully to hide some of this abundant gray coming through).... thinking about letting him cut 3-4 inches off. I love my long hair, but since he layered it several months ago, I can't fix it the way I like to. Maybe going a little shorter to even out the layers will make it easier. Still thinking about that. Even at my age, it will still grow, right?
Gotta go. Wishing you a blessed day, full of love and encouragement. And if you don't feel you have received encouragement, please go encourage someone else! Tell that spouse you appreciate them. Show that child love by giving him/her your undivided attention. Make them feel valued. Encouragement. We all need it.
Blessings!
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