While I was pregnant with my first baby I gained 40 pounds. I was heavier than I had ever been in my life. But after power walking in the park, eating healthy, and nursing the baby, I was able to lose it. Then came baby number two and that time, I gained a whopping 50 pounds. After I had her, I breastfed and did some power walking, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't seem to shed those extra pounds.
But then one night, I was up late watching an infomercial for Winsor Pilates. I was hooked. I got my credit card out and made the purchase. Sure enough, it worked and after a couple months, I was able to get in shape again. The getting in shape part was a good thing, but I picked up something along the way that wasn't so healthy--a complete dependence on programs and "experts" to guide me all the time.
I suppose it was because of my body's lack of reaction to my independent fitness efforts before purchasing a professional workout program that caused me to believe I was incapable of getting fit on my own.
So, subsequent to the Pilates triumph, every time I wanted to reach a new fitness goal, I would look to see what the new program of the moment was. As we all know, there's always a "flavor of the month" workout or diet fad being released. Though I've never been much for chasing fad diets, I definitely was a workout junky.
I realized I had gone way overboard when I looked at all my DVD's and saw that I had all and I do mean all of the Pilates workouts for thighs, butt, arms, abs, back, total body, stretch bands... you name it. I had The Firm. I had all of Billy Blanks' Taebo workouts, I had the Walk Away the Pounds series and I just kept escalating, until I had a massive library. Who needs somebody to tell them how to walk in place?!?
Apparently, I thought I did.
I was out of control. I remember, during the height of my craze, I flew back home to visit my parents. Well, my knuckle head 18 year old little brother was showing off his new six pack. He was so proud. I said, "Wow! How'd you do that?"
He said, "With the exercise you showed me. See?" and proceeded to get down on the floor and show me the move I taught him. I remember how utterly confused I was. I was thinking, he managed to do that without an expert on hand? What I failed to see is that, I already knew what I was looking to the "experts" for.
At the time, that went right over my head.
Well, I'm glad to say, I've learned quite a bit since then. I haven't purchased any new workouts in quite some time now and I've continued to exercise on my own with great results.
You know, I woke up this morning after working out yesterday and I was feeling terribly sore. I actually smiled, because I had done an excellent total body workout independently. I used to believe, however, that only the fitness pros could teach me how to take care of my body.
But I now know better than that!
Of course, I didn't share this story with you to bash fitness programs, because there's nothing wrong with them. It's the obsession over them and lack of confidence in my own ability, that was unhealthy for me. The purpose of this post is to extract an important truth from my own experience to help you.
Here it is. If you never believe in yourself, you'll forever be groping for someone or something outside of yourself to do what you already have the power to do on your own. You'll be woefully dependent when God is trying to mold you into a strong, confident, independent person.
Until you see that there is no special formula, no hidden magic, and no secret method for accomplishing your divinely inspired dreams, you'll be forever chasing the proverbial carrot. And the solutions and answers you seek will seem ever so elusive, unless you recognize that the answers lie within.
If you notice, this whole week has been about seeing your potential and worth. I believe that's the message God wants us to carry along with us. You can do and be all He created you to do and be. He's invested so much in you, but first, you've got to see it.
Whatever your goals are, whether they be in the area of finance, fitness, family, career, business...whatever, know that the answers lie within. But you'll never look inside if you're always focused on everything around you.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
