I was reminded yesterday not to think too highly of myself.
I tend to think I’m really great at something until I do it. Or think that because I used to be able to do something well, that it just carries over, no matter the length of time between then and now. This applies to exercise, weight loss, diet, work, family, spiritual life … anything. You fill in your blank.
The bottom line, however, is that if you fall out of practice of _____, you WILL get weaker at ________. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be weak at anything – not at sports, not at work, not at home, not at anything! I feel vulnerable and out of control, and especially unprepared. (*Note: perhaps this is why Christianity or marriage can be especially difficult at times… I want to be in control instead of depending on God or my husband for xyz…)
****UNPREPAREDNESS is HUGE. It’s one thing to do your best, work diligently and be consistent day in and day out at ______ and fall short, but it’s a totally different thing to not do jack, show up 1/2 the time, not put any heart in ______, and expect awesome results. ****
Kettlebells rocked my world yesterday. I haven’t been able to train with a kettlebell since I left Knoxville. Oh, I’ve used dumbbells in their place, but not often enough and it’s just not the same.
I broke down, drove to Jackson and spent the high dollar at Dick’s on a 1 pood kettlebell (35 pounds). I also got some foam blocks (for push-ups, etc.) & an ab roller at Marshell’s for next to nothing! 🙂
My workout consisted of the following:
- strength: 3 sets of 10 ab roll outs/10 back extensions (no machine… I improvised with a tractor tire!)
- workout: 75 kettlebell swings
This all took less than 10 min. and the swings weren’t bad… I did 40 straight, then 35. With kettlebell swings, you just dig in and finish them because it takes a bit for the pain to set in. If you rest often and allow the pain to catch up, you’re doomed.
Although I squat, deadlift, military press, and/or power clean each weak, I was amazed at how weak my trunk was while performing the ab roll outs and back extensions. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but I definitely saw room for improvement.
Here’s my improvised Glute Ham Raise that works amazingly well!
The kettlebell swings were the same way — they were fine but I realized how much I have neglected certain areas of my body in my training with excuses like, I don’t have time or I don’t have _____ piece of equipment! Time to shape up or ship out!
I find similar applications to my spiritual life. Clint has been stressing “living as we are called to live” to the teens lately, being the change we want to see in the world, walking the walk instead of just talking the talk. Although in our weakness we are strong, it doesn’t give an excuse for unpreparedness. If I’m not talking to God, studying consistently, and expressing that in my actions through loving other people on a day-to-day basis, I WILL get weak and it’s no wonder that I slip up, fall flat on my face, and am left to pick up the pieces. I should EXPECT that to happen if I am not diligent.
Same thing with family. How often do we get so wrapped up in our jobs or whatever we’ve got going on that we fail to have even a 10 minute conversation with our spouse or significant other? Do you know what their favorite food is? What book they are reading right now? When’s the last time you took a walk together? It’s no wonder you’re weak if you haven’t been practicing.
My favorite part of the book His Needs, Her Needs is this: you chose your significant other/spouse based on your dating-relationship. Neither of you expected that to stop once you got married, nor should it. We made time with each other a priority before marriage and we should continue after the “I do’s”!
What’s your _______? Use some improvement anywhere? Comment below!