Constant Encouragement

Joshua 1:9

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Psalm 27:14

 ¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.

Getting back to exercise!

How to get your exercise mojo back!

January 3, 2010 By Kimberly Linton

Do you feel like you have lost your exercise mojo? No longer are you jumping out the bed at 5am to get in that workout or remembering to take your gym bag to work? You keep making excuses after excuses. What the heck is going on? What is demotivating you?

Motivation isn’t something that just happens to you, but something you create for yourself. Exercise may be all about moving the body, but you won’t get anywhere until you move your mind first. Reflecting on your mental exercise blocks is all well and good but, while you’re chewing on that, why not take small steps towards a more active lifestyle? You don’t have to turn your whole life upside down. Here are a few tips to keep exercise on the front burner!

1. Just accept it–you have to exercise. There ain’t a pill, diet or nip & tuck that can take the place of being active. Embracing this fact can make doing it a little easier and, the good news is, you’ve got options. Exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym or take up hours of your time. Knowing you can create your own exercise experience may help you get up and get moving.

2. Make exercise mean something to you. For many people, exercise is a means to an end — a way to lose weight and get that perfect body…or at least a better one than they have now. Future goals are nice, but there’s another part to the equation that, when missing, makes exercise hard to stick to: Purpose. In other words, your workouts need to have value, regardless of whether you ever reach your desired goal. Always working for some future, intangible thing isn’t enough – we need it to mean something now.

So, what does exercise mean to you besides a way to lose weight? Is there any value, outside of your weight loss goals, to working out? For me, exercise guarantees I look good naked! For you, exercise might be the only time you get to yourself each day. Find you’re own value and meaning and you’ll find your motivation.

3. Do what works for you. Too often, the mainstream idea of exercise involves things like health clubs, cardio machines, fitness classes, etc. You can’t get motivated to do something you don’t like, The good news is that you have the freedom to do whatever the heck you want. If you hate the gym, don’t join one then. If you hate boring machines, try something more interactive like a game of tag football, spin class, or race up stairs with your boo:-) If you like to keep things simple, you could take several walks throughout the day or add some laps the next time you shop at the mall. Find out what you like and throw the rules out the window!

4. Identify the excuses you like to use and have a ready made response. If time is an issue, make sure your workout clothes are ready to go. If you have young children, get a good jogging stroller or set up a babysitting swap with other parents in your neighborhood: you can watch their children while they work out and vice versa. Don’t know where to start, hire a fitness professional. They will help you get a solid program in place that fits your lifestyle and is excuse proof!

5. Stop trying to fall in love with exercise. Some people think if they exercise long enough, they’ll wake up one day and suddenly LOVE exercising and eating healthy. While it does get easier, you’ll always have to find ways to motivate yourself for your workouts. If you’re waiting for a shining moment of excitement, you might be waiting for a long time:-)

6. Be accountable. Set a flexible schedule for exercise and share it with a friend or family. Then you’ll have a support team gently reminding you about your workout plans. Maybe start an online journal or blog. Its a great way to share your progress and stay motivated to keep going. I came across Skinny Hollie’s blog. Hollie even started a Facebook Fan Page where friends and family could publicly support her journey.

Now, stop reading and start MOVING!

Enjoy!

John 10:4

⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

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John 11:25-26

²⁵Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

Isaiah 26:3-4

³ You will keep in perfect peace
   him whose mind is steadfast,
   because he trusts in you.

 ⁴ Trust in the LORD forever,
   for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Romans 4:7-8

"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him."

Isaiah 30:18

 ¹⁸ Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
   he rises to show you compassion.
   For the LORD is a God of justice.
   Blessed are all who wait for him!

1 Corinthians 1:8-9

⁸He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless

on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God, who has called you into

fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.