Back at it!

I'm back! I took a short break last week as we welcomed our 4th little bundle of joy into our lives. Baby girl Ellie was born last Thursday, she weighed in at 6lbs 15oz and 19 inches long.

I'm trying to brainstorm a few ways to tweak my workout schedule as we adjust to disrupted sleep. I was able to workout Monday and Tuesday this week getting in about an 1.5 hours of weight training on Monday and then an 8 mile run on Tuesday. I took Wed and Thurs off as things have been a little hectic with Ellie.

Welcoming new life into the world makes me ponder lots of different things and ideas. I won't bore you with the laundry list of thoughts swirling through my head...but will share some of my thoughts relative to my fitness and nutrition.

I've thought a lot about my training regiment and what my children will learn as they watch what I do. Here is a quick list of some of the thoughts I've had...

1) I hope they learn what it means to commit to something. If we don't choose to show the younger generations what commitment looks like...how will they know how to commit themselves to something. In the world of "actions speak louder than words," our getting out of bed and pursuing something that challenges us (like exercise) sets a powerful example for those around us.

2) Believing vs. Following

I can tell someone the importance of eating broccoli, but if I'm not willing to follow my own advise and actually eat it there will likely be very little impact. If I believe I should be exercising but just sit around the house, those around me only see belief and not action.

I really have wrestled with the believe vs. follow paradox on a spiritual level as well over the past few weeks. I asked myself, "do I live my life as if I just believe in God...or do I follow Him as He guides me through His plans for the bigger picture of life...whether I like them or not."

When it's all said and done, my offspring will benefit very little if my actions don't speak louder than my words...if I just believe in what's right and not actively follow that which is right.

3) I hope to show my children that they have the potential to be strong, fast, fearless and courageous.

I've learned what this looks like through the example of one of my trainers at BCS Fitness. Trainer Linda has brought her children to her workouts at the gym, as well as local races, for the past few years. In doing so, they have been able to see their mom be fast, be strong, be fearless and be courageous. Her oldest child ,who's 10, has started to run most of these events with her. He now knows what it's like to go beyond what he thinks he is capable of. That is a powerful legacy Linda has been able to impart to her offspring. I hope to do the same.

This fitness stuff is character building! I've been exercising for the last 16 years and only the last two years have I truly seen what fitness SHOULD be about. Our character and the condition of our soul can be revealed if we allow it.

Fitness for the sake of vanity is shallow and empty.