Growing older is never something I have embraced. I like being young. I guess that is why I am in youth ministry! This month I turn 39, I have always dreaded turning 40…I am not a fan of it! I have realized recently that maybe, just maybe it is time I start to re-think things that I am doing in my life and start to take some things more seriously…like my health.
On my mom’s side of the family we have high blood pressure and vision issues and on my dad’s side of the family we have diabetes and heart disease. Sounds fun, right? I want to try and avoid as many of these as possible, obviously, and I also know what I need to do in order to make that happen…I need to lose weight.
I am not extremely over weight, just at the high end of over-weight and almost to the obese line. I need to drop 30 pounds and I want to do this by my 40th birthday. Here are some things that I am planning on doing to see this happen.
LESS SODA, MORE WATER – I am a Mt. Dew junkie! I love soda and always have. I also know that drinking 2 or 3 sodas a day rots teeth and puts on calories and fat. It is unrealistic for me to just quit all-together so I am doing it gradually. I will only have 1 per day and try to not have any in a given day. I will drink more water, kool-aid, tea, etc…
EAT BREAKFAST – I have never really been a breakfast eater. I don’t usually wake up hungry, in fact I usually don’t even get hungry until almost lunch time. I have read a lot of diet plans, however, that claim eating breakfast, a morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, supper, then a evening snack is the way to go. It all starts with breakfast, so that is what I will do.
HEALTHIER SNACKS – Gone are the days of eating ice cream at 11pm and crackers and cheese at midnight (not on the same night!). I know that my snack choices are to be healthier so I am going to sit down with my health expert (my amazing wife) and come up with a plan.
EXERCISE – I ran track in Jr. High. I love to run and walk. I need to make a priority to get back to doing that and working out to get in shape. I want to run a marathon in my 40’s and I am in no shape to do that at all.
These are the 4 areas that I am focusing on to try and lose weight and be in shape to live as long as possible. Yes, you read correctly…I am trying to give up not only Mt. Dew, but all soda gradually. As my friends feel free to hold me accountable and encourage me as I try and train my body to be a better temple for God to use.
Thanks for reading!
