I Choose... Me

In June 2013 I had a choice to make. The answer was obvious, but not easy.

Today, I have a choice to make. The answer is obvious, but not always easy.

I think people often have a misperception that I get up every day and am excited to workout, twice, and eat healthy all day long. Would you be disappointed if I told you that is not the case most days? But, I do choose to do it anyway- most days.

Making the choice and being disciplined is not always easy. Actually, it's rarely the easy choice. And this is true regardless of what you are disciplining yourself for. I went 34 years of my life living the complete opposite of a healthy lifestyle. I still live in a house where the majority of the people live an unhealthy lifestyle. It's not easy.

I want to sleep the extra hour instead of working out, so I go to bed an hour early sacrificing time with the t.v. or staying out with friends, scrolling Facebook or just vegging out. I choose to ignore the brownies, cupcakes, cookies and whatever else might be in the house at any given time. It's not deprivation, which honestly, is what I've grown up to believe, it's the opposite, it's benefiting me far more than those "treats" ever will.

Like I said I don't always want to make these choices every day, and I don't ALWAYS make them. However there are some things I do want in life. I have goals. And while I realize life is not guaranteed, I would rather make my chances greater, at least when it comes to the circumstances I can control. So, yes, I choose me.

I want to see my son graduate high school and college (if he chooses)
I want to see him marry and hopefully have a family
I want to play with grand-kids (MANY years from now, boy that sounds weird to say)
 - and I don't want to struggle getting to the floor or up from the floor, or beating them in races down the street, I want to enjoy taking them to a movie or to get ice cream.
I want to return to Belize over and over - or wherever God leads me
I want to enjoy friendships that include, road-trips, shopping and nights out
I want to encourage others to get healthy
I want to be strong

What I don't want... I don't want life to pass me by. If I'm honest, I did that for a lot of years. I regret that, but I can't change it so I move forward with much expectation for the future!

Life is all about choices. Take it a choice at a time. Focus on how each choice will get you closer or further from where you want to be. Our devotional at workout tonight reminded me that my choices don't just affect me either. They affect those around me. Our devotional talked specifically how if we are not using the gifts and talents God gave us, we are hurting others by not sharing that with them. For example, it God gave me this journey to share with others to encourage them to get healthy and I chose not to do it. I could potentially hurt the people who were meant to hear my story and make a healthier choice.

Make a choice.
Choose you.
God chooses you.