?The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.? Proverbs 21:5

I actually showed up! - at the gym. They say that is the first step to getting fit, healthy and losing all that unwanted weight, but for me, the most important step was to get out of that bed at 4:30 am while hubby is still snoring away! Especially after a long, long break, and only wake up when your body is sore from sleeping. Yes, sore...I am convinced that older bodies do not want to sleep anymore...maybe because we know we are running out of time.

I did not plan for a new year's resolution! I planned for many other things, but God knew that deep down inside of me, I wanted to get rid of the extra me! I was sick of what my body looks like, especially when I walked past a store in a shopping mall and saw my reflection in the window. What on earth is my husband thinking! He did not marry this! I know he loves me and all of that, but I am busy signing my death sentence.

So, it happened! We went on holiday for a week in January. At the traffic lights, someone stuck a flyer in my hand. ?CHALLENGE - Body Transformation! Was this a sign? I was thinking about it for that whole week. I even came up with a million excuses why I should not do this challenge. Like it cost too much...and since when do you have to pay someone to make you suffer! I even considered intermittent fasting with a very low kilojoule diet, but my healthy brain tells me that it will not be sustainable.

First thing people tell you to do to ensure success is to write down your goals and make it public. Truth being told...it works. I have tested that theory in the past when I won an online competition in 2018. I had to create an online business in 3 months, launch a course and make money - If you could do that you will win an all expenses paid trip to Indonesia. I wrote my goal down, made it public - because that makes you accountable and guess what? Hubby and I went on our 2nd honeymoon.

Now that was a totally different story. I could do that as there was no pain and nothing to give up except a small bit of my time. Now, there is pain involved and no sugar and junk food!

In my devotion today, I read about Nehemiah that had an impossible goal. Yet through constant prayer combined with preparation and planning, he was able to make the impossible possible.  I need to be like Nehemia, because I will be confronted with an overwhelming goal each day. The difference between me and Nehemiah, he mourned, fasted and prayed before attempting to do anything. I just thought about it and a shift happened. I know God is with me in this journey and even though I did not fast about it, I can still pray every day. 

So, the first day was weighing measurements, photos and exercise. The type of exercises was a mix between endurance and strength training. All of these exercises were done in increments of 2 minutes each before you move to the next station.

No rest was allowed, you had basically just 30 seconds to move to the next exercise. Let me tell you, I had complete muscle failure. I could not even push myself to do another. Now, you might think. Was I not embarrassed? Heck no, you are so freaking tired that nobody around you matters.

I have to say that I would not have done these exercises by myself at all. Being part of a group really makes a difference because you do not feel alone. 

Fast Forward

Six months later. Covid-19 strike and life changed completely. No more gym but I lost 8kg and feel so good, but I am not yet at my goal weight. It is also Winter and I feel like a Sloth - struggling to get out of bed in the morning. The cold bites and the only way to avoid that is to stay in bed and neglect exercise. I am convinced, if I was still at the gym, I would be at my goal weight and I would look super awesome and toned. Besides the exercise, food is an issue, especially in cold months but if you really want to change, you can. You just need to choose and I choose Jesus.

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You need Jesus, whether it is to lose weight, stop biting your nails, become successful in your business or even being a good parent. Without Him, life has absolutely no meaning. He completely fills that empty spot in your heart. He gives you the strength to keep going. He guides you and corrects you and most of all, loves you.