So there I was, in lane 3, dragging myself through the water. In lane 4 was a slip of a thing, gliding effortlessly lap after lap, tumble-turning at each end. At times, we would leave the wall at the same time; by the time I got to the end of my length, she was half way down the lane for the next one. Comparison is toxic. My swimming attempt this morning was not helped by the fact that I ran 3km and cycled 10km before entering the water AND (O foolish one) I had not eaten. To add to the slowness, yesterday I had done about bazillion arm exercise resulting in an inefficient stroke. My goal was 32 laps. At 10 I just didn’t know how I was going to accomplish the rest. It was at that stage as I laboured along that I thought if you want to be a better swimmer, you have to swim more – you have to put in the laps, no matter how hard it is. You can stop and get your breath – but make sure you finish 32 lengths.
And so I did.
And as I did, I realised that this straightforward concept applies to everything:
- If you want to be a better golfer, you have to play more golf.
- If you want to be a better writer, you have to write more.
- If you want to be a better preacher, you have to preach more.
- If you want to be a better parent, you have to parent more.
- If you want to be a better worker, you have to work more.
And so it goes on.
Truth be told, I am not athletic and never really will be, but for that very reason, it makes my quest for fitness all the more fun. I love it. I really enjoy exercising. It’s so challenging and yet rewarding. Slowly, slowly, I am seeing tiny little increments of weight loss. When we came home from our holiday at the end of October, I weighed 75kg. I’m now 72.7kg. I have never put these pics on my blog, but seeing as I’m writing about it, I see some other small changes too…I think there’s slightly less of me! 🙂
I’m feeling stronger, more agile and flexible.
Exercise works!
#662 of my 1000 thanks is for the gym shower. I think so many people are showering at the gym, the water is always hot, so there’s no waste. I can shower with a hair wash in about a minute. Love it.
2 Corinthians 13:11
Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
What a lovely verse.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- Bike ride: 10km in 22:37
- Run: 3km in 20:25
- Swim: 32 lengths (400m) – I was in the pool for 30 minutes.