Peddling a Little Faster-The Power of Inspiration

Happy Monday!  I hope all of you have had a great start to the week.  I did!  I had a vacation day!  Woo Hoo...It was a cold, dreary day here  in Houston...I had planned to get in a good walk...be outdoors, drink in some sunshine...but NO!  So, I got up...had my morning shake...watched a little T.V. and did what any self-respecting human with a rainy day off would do...I napped!!! 

I thought about cleaning out a closet or cleaning house...but napping was so much more attractive.  After my nap, I did manage to get myself to the gym for a workout..nothing too heavy.  My blood sugar levels are adjusting to the Cleanse...so, my blood sugar has been taking a dive after my workouts.  I am trying to find the right balance so that I can avoid that feeling for the rest of this process. 

OK...so today is DAY 3 of the "the cleanse"...I am actually less hungry today.  This is good news considering that last night I dreamed about eating candy...not even good candy...some chewy, red, licorice type candy...that I would never actually eat anyway!  Last night, Riley (white dog) was begging for my steamed carrots and cucumber and red pepper salad...Really...I told her that if she was not careful...I was going to eat her food! (She had chicken Vienna sausages and carrots for dinner)...How is that for hungry!!!  But today has been better in general.  Headache is minimal, hunger is doable and I am adjusting to this whole veggies and fruit only thing.  But you can know this...though I am on a path to healthier eating...I have not reached the whole "no more meat thing"...I LIKE MEAT!!! 

So as I said above...I went to the Y today.  I was OK going but was not feeling "inspired" about my workout.  So, I did some stretching and decided to just do the bike.  I had been on the bike just a few minutes when I noticed a gentlemen working out on a machine.  I must admit he caught my eye because he seemed to be struggling.  I had just glanced in his direction before I realized that he had some obvious physical impairment.  I did not want to stare, obviously...however, I felt so compelled to watch...not because of his physical impairment but because of the amazing effort he was putting forth to exercise his body.  His limbs were twisted and it clearly took so much effort for him to just grip the weight machine handles.  Yet...I watched him painstakingly pull that bar to his chest...back and forth.  I did not want to continue to watch him in fear that he would see me and feel uncomfortable, so I averted my eyes...but in a few moments I watched him walk (with much struggle) across the room to a treadmill.  He stood looking at the treadmill for a few moments before he finally made the effort to place his foot on the belt.  However, he clearly could not lift himself onto the machine and after a moment or two, he walked away.  He did not stop though...he continued across the room to another machine.

I felt a number of feelings as I watched him...but the one that stuck out most was this...I felt inspired!  I watched this man...who had so many valid reasons not to subject himself to the gym...who clearly struggled to just walk across a room or open a door..I watched him "work" his body...take care of it as best he could...I watched him, I said a prayer for him, thanked God for my health and I peddled a little faster. 

Tomorrow is day #4...back to work and hopefully, ready for managing this cleanse within the confines of my normal daily activities.  I am feeling confident!

Before I go...I saw this prayer today written by Kelli Mahoney.  I thought I would share it.

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions. They lift me up in ways that keep my eyes focused on you and make my spirit soar.
Also, thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. You protect me from those things that seem to haunt others. You help me make better choices, and you have provided me with advisors that help me with the difficult decisions. You speak to me in so many ways so that I always know you are here.
And Lord, I am so grateful for keeping those around me safe and loved. I hope that you provide me with the ability and sense to show them every day how much they matter. I hope that you give me the ability to give to them the same kindness they have provided to me. I am just so grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I pray that you remind me of just how lucky I am, and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned kind acts. Thank you, Lord. In your name, Amen.