Aint Nobody Gonna Hold Me Down

Isn't it a great day?

It's Sunday, the day I spend with my family focusing on the love of our Heavenly Father and all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. And today, I really, really see so many things he has blessed ME with. One of the best parts about my faith is the fact that I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father knows ME, knows my needs, my concerns, He is aware of me every moment of every day. There was a time that I didn't know this quite as well as I do today. There was a time, only a few months ago even where I chose to not pray for help or guidance for things in regards to my fitness and health because I figured Heavenly Father didn't really care whether I ran faster, got bigger muscles, or ate with more self control... but a really good friend shed some light on this topic for me. A girl with one of the most amazing, inspiring testimony's of the Lord's love for his children, she said "I know, that what is important to us, is important to Him."

And so I have spent this Sabbath day marveling at the fact that I am a daughter of a King who loves me and thinks I am important, beautiful and strong. He loves me for who I was, who I am today and He loves me even more, because He knows of the person I am capable of becomming.

I do not workout on Sunday's, with the exception of maybe a leisurly walk or jog. Today the rest from the gym jam was exactly what I needed because tonight when I got my next two weeks worth of training emailed to me from Big Jon I was like a kid in a candy store. I AM SO EXCITED for my workouts this week. Seriously, like giddy.

Why, can't I be that excited about my new nutrition plan?

I think I need to pray about that!

In all seriousness though, I had a great week of training and eating last week. This week I am preparing for, is going to be a hard one to stay on nutritional track, it is my BIRTHDAY. Please feel very fortunate that I do not know you, my reader, that well. Because if I did, I would definitly have been reminding you for the past two weeks that my birthday is this week. I have always been this way, since I was a kid. Something about my birthday has always been so magical.

I remember, it must have been my 20th birthday. Driving to the gym in my ol Chevy Cavalier before I went to my classes for the day. I distinctly remember thinking that birthdays are the days people should set their "new years resolutions," because it really is their new year. That was the year I set mine, I would get healthy, exercise more, and take care of myself better than ever. I have been on and off the path since then, more on than off I'd venture to say.

But since last year, I can honestly say this has been my year of health and fitness. The year I made health and fitness a priority in my busy life, and although sometimes this brings sadness when goals are not met or progress hasn't come as quickly as I'd like-- it has brought more happiness and a big sense of self pride I never knew before.

I have two bootcamps to teach this week, helping my dad all day at work one day, my birthday and the midnight showing of the Twilight series (holla!) this week. Lots of funs, lots of reasons to celebrate and I am not going to miss out on any of it! I can't waite for all of it. I will train hard, I will enjoy the company of friends and family and I will eat what I feel like eating. Then I will get back on track-- nourishing and fueling my body the way it needs to be taken care of.

It is just so great to be excited to get to the gym and train, and Wednesday the big birthday is "leg trashing" day according to Big Jon. Happy Birthday to me and my legs. I.can't.waite.

There is no time like now, to become the best we can be. No time like now to look around and thank the Lord above for all that we have been blessed with. No time like now to take care of the body the Lord loaned us. So the question is not when, but it is how.

How are you going to take care of your body, you have been loaned, today?