I don’t know about you all… but I’m a little sweaty.
Ok, not sweaty at this very moment as I type, but I was sweaty earlier. (I showered. You are welcome.) This operation fortitude fitness business is sweaty work. Plus, it’s now July in Georgia.
Yikes. Can someone hand me a towel?
Anywho, June was a good month for my “Smart Changes” for 2012. (Click here to read the original post to get caught up to speed.)
Back in January, you were “voluntold” to be my accountability partner. (Much easier to stick to goals long term if when I don’t achieve them I have to write in my blog “Uh, yeah, it was too hard/sweaty/I quit.) So as promised here is my monthly check-in.
SMART Change #1: Operation Fort-itude Fitness. In short, my goal for 2012 is to log at least 98 miles per month via biking, swimming, running, elliptical etc to “travel” from Fort Benning, Georgia to Fort Riley, Kansas. Also, in order to stay on track with my strength training, I need to do 2,500 various reps per month. As of last update, I had logged 682.5 miles Jan-May and “arrived” in Springfield, Missouri.
RESULT: GOAL MET… June was LEGIT. There was A LOT going on this department. So for your sake, I am going to bullet point this bad boy:
- I ran my 3rd 5K. And it was great. Set a personal record. Got sweaty. Didn’t die. Receive a great God message in the process. (Read the whole story here.)
- We fasted for the month of June, eating only 7 foods. My energy level was awesome considering the lack of sugar and caffeine in my life. (Read about THAT here.)
- I logged 166 miles and “arrived” in my hometown of Colony, Kansas!! YEAH!!! ALMOST THERE! (And way ahead of schedule.) PS: Hi Mom and Dad!
- Did much better with strength training. I am working on my sit up/push up abilities and also started ruck marching. (Fancy army name for walking around with a heavy pack on your back.) My total strength reps for the month was 2900. Can you say sore muscles?
SMART Change #2: Spend significant time Lord’s presence by using my Jesus Calling Devotional and studying the accompanying Scripture. I will also continue to keep a prayer request list in a notebook and/or iPad.
RESULT: ON GOING Coupled with our fast, I have really developed a hunger for God’s word. I’ve spent more time reading the Bible than probably ever before. Also, there have been some great prayers answered on my app as I took some time to follow up with people. Finally, God REALLY broke through in some areas in my life (but that’s tomorrow’s blog!)
SMART Change #3: Complete my 1000 Gift List (inspired by Ann Voskamp’s book) by the end of 2012.
RESULT: COMPLETED!! Whoot! Throw some confetti, crank up the tunes! This is the first goal on my “smart change” list I have officially completed. Granted, some of my goals are ongoing lifestyle changes, but I made it to 1000 gifts this month.
Oh and by completed, I mean I am continuing past 1000. I am currently at #1031. And no end in sight. Boomshakalaka!
SMART Change #4: Memorize a book of the Bible, starting with 1 John.
RESULT: ON GOING Did much better on this goal for the month of June. I have been working on it more– but memorizing a book of the Bible takes A LOT of time. (Why didn’t I realize that before?) 1 John is great and it has been awesome how I am able to recall pieces and parts of it when needed in discussions. However, it is still challenging. I have dubbed it the “Book of semi-confusion prepositions.”
SMART Change #5: Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry and submit to God DAILY in all areas of my life.
RESULT: ON GOING Um yeah, definitely experienced some breakthroughs here too… But again– I don’t to give it all away just yet… Let’s just say that my heart is more peaceful than it has ever been before due to my daily submission to Him and the fact that I am actually DOING it not just saying it. Also, I am learning to chill out a bit– and figuring out that hurrying is really overrated.
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me in 2012. It’s been a big year so far and I am excited for all that He will continue to do with myself, our family and this remarkable ministry. I would love to hear how 2012 is shaping up for you (Scale of 1-10)… leave a comment below!
Running to the Finish Line, SGK
“So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.” ~Philippians 3:15 (MSG)
