It's a slow fade...

It’s a slow fade….

As I look back over 2013, it has been a year of transformations!  Both in the physical and spiritual!  I have learned what works for me to accomplish what I want in my fitness and well-being.  I have begun to see growth in my spiritual life that I have missed over the past couple of years.  I have seen God answer prayers for new friendships and changes in friendships.  I became content in where God has me while still aiming to be more for Him. It is a year of positive changes.  BUT...I must be careful.  Because fading is possible....

Today is Monday…Assessment day for me at the gym.  After an awesome weekend in Savannah for a wedding (more to come on that in another post), I was not too excited.  If I am honest, I knew this day would come. 

You see about two months ago, I began to slip in my eating habits a lot more.  Sugar became a regular fixture in meals.  Snacks began to come and they weren’t always healthy.  Starbucks black coffee would be substituted with my favorite Chai.  When my daughter wanted frozen yogurt, I didn’t think she could eat it alone.  Plain vanilla became one with toppings of fruit to one with butterfinger. 

It was a slow fade.  It didn’t show up on the scale at first.  It didn’t show up in my measurements at first.  But I did feel it in my workouts.  I knew it because my energy was off.  I knew it because my normal was not so normal anymore! 

Then as the scale started to show a bit of a difference, I found myself making excuses.  I was PMSing, I hadn’t had a chance to go…well to the bathroom.  I was at a swim meet; It is football season. I had been on vacation, I had been to a wedding.

But then comes THE wake-up call.  That is today.  I am not upset.  It is the realization that eventually the slow fade of bad habits shows in every aspect of your life.  It will show in your daily choices and feelings and then on the scale and in the measurements.  That is when you get to make a choice.  Do I shape up or do I ship out? 

I needed that in my face!  I needed to remember how to get back on board.  This was not a shock.  This was not a sudden eye-opener, I knew changes needed to be made and I had made commitments to step it up….and then slipped!  But there comes a point when your mind, soul and body are ready to take the plunge and dive back in and get serious.  I believe I began to have this talk with myself yesterday returning from the wedding as a song played. 

The song was called “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns.  It hit home in so many ways!  I’ve outlined it in my physical life but the song describes the spiritual.  I had 5 hours to really examine both. 

As I look at the song, God has used it to show me the slow fades in my life.  This morning it was used again as I heard a commercial at 7:30 AM on a normal TV station that used a curse word.  I see it in our political arena, I see it in our churches, I see it in relationships…everywhere I turn.  If you are like me, there are aspects of your life that you pause and wonder, "How did I get here? When did this happen? Who am I? Where did Allison (insert your name) go?" 

It is slow, it is gradual…it is devious.  Scripture says that Satan seeks us out to deceive and devour.  He knows he must be sneaky.  He must be slow.  He must be cautious so as to not allow our conscience to be too alarmed.  Then step by slow step, he introduces things that will draw us away from where we need to be. 

It doesn't show up at first.  But slowly, we know...we know it is showing up.  That fade is affecting our lives.  We can feel the connection with the Lord isn't what it once was.  The connection with family and friends are altered.  There is a barrier that can no longer have excuses as to why. Do we shape up or ship out in our relationship with Christ?

The question becomes, do I have a “scale and measurements” for my spiritual life that will be my wake up call.  Scriptures says that we will know we are saved by our fruits.  Our measurements are our fruits. But do I even know what a healthy fruit looks like. 

This week, I look forward to making right decisions in my eating again.  I desire to crave the foods that make positive impacts in my life.  I look forward to seeing those impacts over the next weeks.  Reminding myself that instant gratification is seen in the fact that I am doing what I should.  However, it might take a bit to show on the scale. 

Spiritually, I want to match that dedication.  As I eat as I should, I look forward to focusing on where I am in my walk.  Where I have come and where I want to go.   I look forward to digging in deeper in my walk with Christ and the Word so that I might be healthy in my examination of my walk and the fruits I bear. 

I will reinstitute the statement my mom taught me years ago.  Do what is right because it is right until it feels right! 

Are there places that you have faded?  Want to join me in the fight to fade no more!

Here is the video and  song lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QASREBVDsLk

"Slow Fade"

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

When the Chains fall off....Let the season begin!

This past weekend I completed the first half-marathon of the season.  The trio of running amigos went to Nashville to run in the Women’s Running Series. 

 

I must admit, I was a little nervous.  Although I have been slowly coming out of the running struggles that had plagued my running and mind for the past few months, my last long run went well but the post run was disastrous!   My stomach cramped up, I felt weak, I was nauseous… I just couldn’t figure out what was going on.  I believe now;  I was dehydrated. 

All week the excitement grew!!  This race was the kick-off to five half-marathons before the end of the year!  I knew I had run all summer, I knew I had trained on hills, I knew I could do the distance BUT…could I really?  My goal was simple…FINISH!  I didn’t even want to look up my PR, I didn’t want the pressure or allow that to enter my mind!

Our crew was pulling out of Tally on Thursday as soon as we completed our day at work.  As we left, you could begin to feel a change in the air.  It made me more energetic as I realized the fall was coming, humidity was leaving, and that could only have a positive effect on my running!

We stopped in Birmingham on Thursday night and made a trip to Wal-mart.  I mean can you really travel and not stop at a Wal-mart!!??  With ESSENTIALS purchased we crashed for the night and decided we would sleep in and make the final three hour journey to Nashville the next morning.  We were up and on the road by 8!  Seriously, who considers traveling by 8 as sleeping in!!  I have been working out and running at 5:30 AM too long now!!  This needs to be addressed! J

Each mile that draws you closer to Nashville also increases the intense smell of BBQ! This trip we stayed at the host hotel, The Renaissance.  It was perfectly situated for our weekend and the view we had was spectacular!  The expo was pretty good and we grabbed a couple more “essentials” before headed out to check out the sites and crashing early for the race!

The alarm went off early!  I love traveling with the trio of running amigos!  We have our routine…it includes not talking much in the morning!!!  We met up with a group of MRTT ladies from several states!  They were so nice and it was encouraging to have other faces to look for during the race!! 

As the buzzer went off, the nerves begin to fall away as each foot hit the pavement.  Soon, I was in the groove and checking out the sites of Nashville.  I was so grateful for the training that I did in Tally!  We trained by running hills, doing TRX and Tabata Bootcamp.  Each of those strengthened my legs to conquer the very hilly Nashville route! 

 

As I ran, it was a great time to reflect and chat with God!  I felt good.  I realized that just like my walk with Christ, as I began to get rid of the chains that held me back, my walk with Christ felt better, I could see things clearer, I was stronger.  The chains were just a reminder of what happens when my focus is not properly on Him. 

In my running, as I ran and each step felt great, I realized that running in cooler temperatures and no humidity made all the difference.  I had to train with “chains” but as those were removed, I could see the strength that was gained during the trying times!  It was freeing, it was exciting, it made the run seem so much lighter!!

As I crossed the finished line and realized that I had achieved more than just finishing that I had set a PR, it was a smile that could not easily be erased!  Oh and did I mention the medal was HUGE and a BOOT!!! 

My favorite post run activity was the “Freshen Up” Tent!  It had deodorant, body spray, baby wipes, chapstick (individual ones), and other items to make you not feel so sweaty and smelly!!!  This was proof that this series is dedicated to women!  This tent should be mandatory at ALL races!  I mean really, men smell too…a little apple spray could go a long way!!

The weekend ended with a fun busy day looking at sites and seeing Reba McIntyre’s “FANCY” red dress and being hit on by drunk people on the strip!  Hey, hit Nashville if you need to feel fancy and hot! J  The drive home was fully caffeinated thanks to Starbucks! (sidenote: I know that Starbucks and I are going to have to break-up again soon….they are slowly taking me back in their grasp and it is not good…but that was not discussed during this trip home!!)  A tin rooster, Les Mis soundtrack, and plenty of laughs brought us home and searching for what our next trip will be!

If you have not ever heard of the Women’s Running Series, check it out!  It is fantastic!  We are headed to St. Pete in November to stay at the Vinoy and grab another HUGE medal!!  Come join us!  Each step will make you realize that there is nothing better than being healthy, being active and being bold!! 

Live loud, Live loving Him!