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Persevere

January 6, 2012 By 5 Comments

First things first, in case you didn’t get my email, click here for your 12/31 check-in, and thanks to those that already did so!!

Now, on to more important matters. Yes, we’re a mere five days into 2012 and I’m already breaking out words like persevere. This came in the mail for me just before Christmas and while I am not one for the feel good pep talks and warm fuzzies, Endorphin Warrior is right up my alley. It was hard to settle on this particular band, but “press on” wasn’t an option, and without the proper context, it sounds kind of like a sticker or some set of directions. Anywho…each order comes with a little card (mine had a few, actually) with some Warrior Wisdom. I had the perfect words on mine:

Working out really does make my whole life better. Some days, the vanity of going home and getting a cheap flex on for a few laughs makes it better (yes, I am totally serious). Other days, the time spent at the gym or outside running means that’s all I’m doing. I’m just working out. I’m not trying to brainstorm, problem solve, or use any mental energy for anything beyond what’s in front of me. I listen to my breathing, I watch my form, I get to be fully present in the moment without doing the mental multi-tasking we women almost always do. It slows me down and clears my head so I have a better perspective of how I am called to persevere in the different areas of my life.. 
More often than not, I feel like the one man show. I almost always work out alone, I run alone (although I went on my first run with a group this last weekend), and I’m usually reading, studying, or eating something different from the rest of my household. Case in point, this has been my dear hubby’s dinner every night this week:  
 
Why yes, yes those are Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in a burrito. Just two burritos? Oh no, that was the first plate. A couple one or two more would follow. I’m pretty sure the only thing ‘clean’ in this meal was the plate it was served on. Is that a knock on my dear husband? No, not at all. I was happy to be home to make something he enjoyed (…um, and to make it again when the leftovers were gone). But then there is a choice to be made. Do I partake of the spicy, salty, red dyed # whatever mix that apparently washes down well with a tall, icy Pepsi? Or do I choose to stick with the ground turkey, light sour cream, and altogether bland version? 
While the word persevere conjures images of surviving great trials, tribulations, and turmoil, here’s what the word actually means:

per·se·vere:

verb (used without object)

1.to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.
Well whaddya know, something as simple as making a better food choice IS a perfectly fine example of what it is to persevere, especially when healthy living and clean eating means a drastic change from habits and routines we’ve created over the years. (Oh, and no, I didn’t have a burrito. I opted for my organic, whole wheat pasta with a turkey spaghetti sauce and didn’t feel like I missed out on anything.)
Whether it’s our food choices, making the choice to work out after a long day at work or sit in front of the TV to unwind, or to survive a ridiculously tough season, our Healthy Hope Challenge is a call for all of us to to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.  
 

Where do you need to persevere? Is it with the small things like drinking more water or getting enough sleep at night? Maybe it’s a little tougher if you are on this journey without much of a support system? Leave a comment below and let me know. I’ll be praying for you, and a little giveaway never hurts! :)

P.S. Please don’t think I have got this down to a science or have arrived in any way shape or form. In fact, the only shape I’ve arrived in is somewhat rounder thanks to a seven pound gain over the past couple of months with limited running ability and too much eating. Really, I just let myself go to squash any fears that I’d gone overboard to chase down some stick figure fantasy. Right. :)
Thanks to Shirley, I’ve got some of the good stuff at the office and at just 50 calories a piece, I don’t need to go crazy. (Of course this was after the four – or was it five – firecracker truffles. In one sitting. Guilty.)

   

melissyk

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Filed Under: challenge, chocolate, choices, distractions, eating, endurance, endure, food, hard, Healthy Habits, Healthy Hope, journey, life, persevere, press on, priorities, Running, trials, weight loss

Comments

  1. Jennie Nelson says:
    January 6, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    This IS difficult. Just finished a three day juice fast to detox from the sugar insanity train I was on… Feel great, so much better. Now to remember and stick to good choices. Turkey and light sour cream sounds yummy by the way. Might have to make that this weekend! Hey- could you look into adding feed burner so these posts can get directly emailed to us? I forget to come look.

    Reply
  2. Shirley says:
    January 7, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Where do I need to persevere? Yes, I need to drink more water, yes I need to get more sleep, yes, I need a stronger support system. Tonight at Cheesecake Factory I was the instigator after my dear friends and I ordered the lower calorie selections from the Skinnyliscious menu; adding french fries and the red velvet cheesecake. No one dared stopped me! Honestly, eating out is my biggest downfall – tomorrow night it’s Chinese (let’s see if Sandi can restrain me from the orange chicken or sweet and sour pork).

    Ah, yes Melissa reminded me of those fun and delicious firecracker truffles from Chuao and yummy fiery hot Cheetos. I love sweet and spicy. There has not been a day in a very long time that I don’t have a piece of something chocolate.

    So I must persevere and burn calories…burn baby burn…

    Reply
  3. Karen a. says:
    January 7, 2012 at 7:33 am

    I like the “relentless” warrior band! :) Thank you for your heart sister! My eating has sure cleaned up since the trainwreck of Christmas cookies crashed at my house. I feel SOOO much better!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    January 8, 2012 at 2:43 am

    SUGAR! I LOVE IT!! Ahhh! Okay, so I eat quite healthy, and then I eat sugar like a crazy woman. That is where I need help…white refined SUGAR!! -Deidre

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    December 6, 2012 at 10:17 am

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