Clean

I love organizing! I enjoy the aftermath of cleaning. Sometimes I even enjoy the process of cleaning. That's what I did for most of the day.

Then I hit the gym to start a new training program.

Press: 50 lbs x 5; 60 x 5; 70 x 10 reps.
Dips: 7; 7; 7; 7; 10
Lat Pulldowns (not sure when the last time I did these was): 50 x 15; 60 x 10; 70 x 10; 70 x 10; 80 x 10
Tricep Extensions (with ropes on pulley): 20 x 20; 30 x 10; 30 x 10; 40 x 10; 50 x 10

Walked on treadmill for 30 mins (5 mins at 15% incline, 10 mins at 10%; rest of it at 5 ... all at 2.5).

Had a largish breakfast and ended up just having protein shake with a banana prior to working out. Didn't seem to effect me, though felt a little low energy on treadmill.

Love how sometimes I think God just really helps me out with not cheating. Starving post workout and as I was shopping for veggies, I thought, "Why not treat myself to some of those dumplings ... will be so much faster than my dinner plans." As Grace would have it ... TJ's was all out. ;-). Thank you Jesus.

Time to clean myself, make dinner and then ... Looking forward to a friend visiting. Day 2 of this new year is almost in the bag and I think it was a pretty good one.

New Beginnings ... avoiding forfeit

It seems like each year I think, "I should discipline myself to write more" ... then the idea of yet another blog, followed quickly by the realization that I don't really have anything interesting to say.

Jesus asked his disciples, "Is gaining everything in this world you want worth losing your soul" (Mt 16:26, Mk 8:36, Lk 9:25)? That's a pretty serious question. The ESV even uses the word "forfeit". This word conjures up images of competition. Every athlete knows there are rules set up to help judge one competitor against another. We train with those rules in mind. In training, however, we have more latitude. For instance, an olympic weightlifter can practice a few parts of the lift instead of all of it. This is acceptable in training. When competition day comes those training days will hopefully help the lifter reach a new personal record.

That makes me think ... what am I doing each day in my life to prepare for the moments when I'm on a platform and the spotlight is on me. Those platforms aren't just in weightlifting meets ... they include moments where we make tough personal choices, moments when I get up to train my soul, to train my body, to train my mind ...

It's another transition day for me where I'm headed towards starting another Whole30 program (http://whole9life.com/start/).

I've also decided on a lifting program to get my strength up for a powerlifting meet in April. This includes more conditioning as well.

Today is a day of rest as I'm still not feeling 100%. Tomorrow, the plan goes into action.

Another year. I welcome it!