Thursday, May 7, 2009

Baby Steps

Lately, I've felt very convicted to consider my ways. Wise, godly women have shared their hearts about stewardship and time management, and I've felt specifically called to make some changes in the way I'm doing things. God has been gracious and has granted me the ability to implement some of these changes, and we've seen abundant fruit. But something I've tried to be really careful with is taking baby steps.

I'm notorious for diving headlong into a new way of doing things and ending up overwhelmed; I end up trying to do what I've called myself to do rather than what God has called me to do. (By the way, that never turns out well.) So back to the baby steps. God has really rewarded some of the baby steps I've taken lately. Just the other day, I was telling a friend about baby steps, and how I was trying to focus on just one new thing at a time.

So this week, I decided that it was time to spring clean. And start a new workout program. Those are baby steps, right? Oh yeah, and I'm a mom to two little ones. Somehow, I thought this was a good idea. And it was, at least for the first day.

But neither spring cleaning nor working out is a one-shot deal. And I'm not doing just any workout. After reading review after review on Amazon and on some other blogs, I took the plunge and purchased Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. Supposedly it's fantastic, and it'll whip you into shape. And it's only twenty minutes! I'd been doing Walk at Home for the past two months for 40 minutes a day, so I figured this would be no big deal. In fact, I thought the shorter workout would be perfect for this spring cleaning venture.

Let me just say: it's called shred for a reason. I can barely walk. I've done it for three days now, and it is doubtless the hardest workout I've ever done... and once upon a time, I worked out with a personal trainer. As Jillian says, the results don't come free. (By the way, I can already see some results.) But add not being able to walk to heavy-duty organizing and elbow greasing, along with an uncharacteristically cranky 7 month old... let's just say something has to go. And it isn't the baby.

So the cleaning is postponed, at least the whole organize-and-clean-everything-in-my-house part. Because remember, I'm all about the baby steps right now.

And frankly, this workout is ensuring that I'm only taking baby steps.

4 comments:

Lauren said...

Oh my! Those are very ambitious. My goals still involve showering and brushing my teeth. I desperately need to work in spring cleaning and working out though

Unknown said...

i've heard great things about the shred. and also painful things :) let me know in a few weeks if you think its worth getting!

Anonymous said...

I love Lauren's goals! hahahahaha! As my mama (along with lots of other mama's) always said, "this, too, shall pass!" My darling daughter...God continues to use you to teach me, which I am humbled by and embrace with delight. Keep that thought always in your heart..."baby steps"...another word would be "grace." We all need to remember God has called us to one day at a time...rejoice always. I so love you!

Melissa said...

Please, please, PLEASE keep us updated on your workout and results. I'm in such a rut right now, and am doing nearly nothing. I have considered getting her workout DVD...so please update us and encourage me! hehe!

Melissa :D