During the holidays our waistlines grow and our wallets shrink. As a result, I have a few thoughts to share. Perhaps only waistlines today and wallets tomorrow.

Random thoughts on waistlines:

• To lose weight it requires a one, two punch – diet and exercise!!!!!
• I pretty much hate exercising, although I do love the positive benefits, mainly physical and emotional energy.
• I am a horrible eater – I love everything that is bad for me and hate everything good for me ( a little exageration but not much)
• Denise is trying to help me eat better.
• Some things I have eaten in the last few days – oatmeal with honey, fish with multi grain rice, celery and peanut butter, peanut butter sandwhich with 8 grain bread, scrambled eggs with hot sauce, sloopy joe with ground turkey on some wheat thin bread thing (actually was delicious), a lot of chicken. Yes, I have also had pizza, soda and some desserts but I am trying to do it in more moderation.
• Soda is so good and yet so NASTY for your health. I am drinking more water this year!
• For me the current goal is to run 10 miles a week. Last week I ran 7 and most of those were in temperatures around freezing.  Even though I didn’t hit my goal last week, I will shoot for it again this week.
• I currently weigh around 203 and would like to get to 190. Saying that makes me a little more accountable.
• Some good books I have read are – Body by God and Heart Health for Men.
• Our bodies are a gift to us from God and also His dwelling place, we need to take good care of them.
• One of the things we can give our spouses, children, friends and co-workers is a healthy self.
• You are responsible for yourself. Nobody can take care of your body but you!
• There are some of you at church who have lost some weight – Here is a SHOUT OUT to you – you look amazing! Way to go!!
• What are you doing to get healthier and trim your waistline?

In tennis, ping-pong and raquetball I like to serve – that is, I would rather be serving than be receiving the serve. I feel like I have a better chance of scoring when I am serving.

In the morning, afternoon and evening; at work, at home and with friends I like to be served. When I am being served it feels like a score, it feels like a win.

I recognize that I am more self-centered than most and I admit that.  I know that the Lord desires to continue to humble me and I need to be more of a servant. I am trying to keep one thought in mind, especially when it comes to my family (a good place to start) – How can I serve you?

How is your serve?

God has a sense of humor – we all know it! Here is proof:

Yesterday was our staff’s first weigh in for the Biggest Loser. Although the goal is to get healthy and lose weight, one person actually gained weight – the author of this post!

Vacation and a week at camp did me in – I actually gained 3 pounds and am at my heaviest weight ever, 205 pounds! So yesterday renewed my determination. I had a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, a salad for lunch and what I would call a normal dinner. Last night Seth and I were home alone and for an extended period of time I fought the urge to eat a pack of Little Debbie snack cakes. I even opened the refrigerator and stared at the pack for a few seconds, but held strong and did not devour.

Denise came home a little while later and announced she had bought quick bake cookies. So much for my hold out! Not only did I eat some cookies, but rather than just having 1 or 2, I ate until I was full – very full.

Here is where the funny part comes in. Part of my daily reading today included Proverbs 25:28, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls”  The meaning: If you have no self-control you will lose the fight. Very funny God!!

My goal is to run my 3rd half-marathon October 3 and to get under 190 lbs. but neither will happen without discipline and self-control.  I consider myself pretty disciplined and fairly good at self-control but obviously I was thinking a little to highly of myself. I have a long way to go and this morning’s verse was a great reminder. As a result I wrote in my journal 5 or 6 areas in my life where I need to display greater discipline or self-control. Where do you need more self-control or discipline?

I also got to thinking about a friend of mine who has exhibited great discipline and recently lost a ton of weight. I won’t tell you who he is, but his initials are Rick Siboni. Way to go Rick!!

Memorize Proverbs 25:28

I have been absent for a couple days and just thought I would shoot out a quick post.  Our family is enjoying 2 days of fun in the sun!  We all enjoyed the day together yesterday – beach, swimming, snorkeling for Seth, he and I came in 2nd in a kick board relay and we all have red shoulders.  Today Seth and Denise are continuing to have some fun in the sun. I am doing a little work, mainly getting ready to speak at a Christian School commencement tonight at 7:30. I did share in church a couple weeks ago that I was one of three in my graduating class. I have no idea how many graduates there will be in tonights commencement but the Christian school has 1,300 students – which is good size for a Christian school.  There is one thing that all good commencement speeches have in common – brevity!  They have asked me to speak for 20 minutes- I am shooting for 19. Just ask my staff how hard they think that is for me!

Looking forward to our weekend services!!!!  I have really enjoyed our series on Elijah. This weekend we will see the story take a DRAMATIC turn. Don’t miss the weekend – our attendance has been awesome. Come and experience some Life Change this weekend!

One thing in closing, let me ask everyone who reads my blog and attends our church, PLEASE be off the chain friendly!!! We want all of our new friends to feel right at home!