Tuesday, January 1, 2013

The First Small Step

Years and years have gone by in my life with me knowing a change was needed for me to become a healthy, fit person.  It's not like I was ignorant that my health was headed in a bad direction.  Like most people, we can be aware of something, but not have the will power or the education to make the needed changes.  But a little over a year ago, I decided that I needed to do something about my health.  I was suffering from edema in my legs and feet.  Some days it was so bad that I couldn't fit my shoes!  I recalled going to a doctor and I asked him if he could give me medication for the swelling in my legs.  He said he could, but also handed me a pamphlet for the "Diabetic Diet".  I told him I didn't have diabetes.  He replied, "That's true, but if you eat this way, you'll lose weight and won't have to worry about the swelling in your legs."  He  followed that by saying, "If most of my patients would eat right and exercise, I'd have to give up practicing medicine and become a plumber."  I thought what he said was humorous, but the simplicity of his statement stuck with me. Taking water pills and reducing the use of table salt helped a little, but that alone wasn't the solution. I began to take his advice.   

One of the first steps for me was joining the gym.  I joined the one at work, instead of one across town. The likelihood of me making excuses to not go was diminished because I walked past the gym everyday for three years to go home from work before every visiting. How absurd was that?  I started out going two times a week, spending about 45 minutes working out - and not over doing it. Each time it became easier.  Then it became a routine and I looked forward to it.  I noticed a difference in my legs.  The swelling didn't go away completely, but I could see the improvement in my condition.  Within the first four months, I lost about 15 pounds.  I felt better.  It was the first step in the right direction.  That one decision, helped me to make the next healthy decision.

My encouragement to you today is to make just one small change.  Don't think about ALL the changes you need to make.  Just make one simple one.  Something you can stick to.  What is the one thing you can do today to help you start on your journey to a better you? 

3 comments:

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    1. Yes, we will both DO BETTER! Let's be inspired together. :)

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  2. Well I know that tomorrow, by the grace of God, I will begin the 10 day Daniel Fast for 21 days, in order to help me return to my vegan diet for my Multiple Sclerosis. I am currently vegetarian, but my craving for sweets is absurd at this point! I know that the Spirit of the Lord will help me return to personally eating appropriately; but nonetheless I thank and praise Him for healing me from MS!!!

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