Unclench your fists.

"he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" Psalm 103: 10-11

In case you haven't felt the 100°+ plus heat blowing all across America: it's officially summer.

For the more diligent-type who are reading this, you probably have worked hard all through winter and spring to get your body in optimal shape and look. Summer is now a time to celebrate and show off what you've worked so hard for!

*Round of applause for you*

Then, there's some of my other readers...

Maybe you got super busy...

Maybe you're already working hard in the gym and just haven't got the results you're looking for yet...

Maybe you just didn't feel like it...

Whatever the case, you're not quite looking how you want. Know that I am with you.

For you, I have a great *big hug* and I also want to remind you that you are beautiful - right here, right now. Also, know that even though we didn't meet the "summertime fine deadline," that doesn't mean that we're going to get to discouraged.

C'mon - let's get it together together!

Ok...so some of you may be scrolling through my pics and thinking - Girllll! What are you talkin' about?!

Let me explain.

One, I have been where you are. I've been on not one, but TWO weight loss journeys where I lost nearly 60 lbs (2018) and 32 lbs (2023). I know just how hard it is to lose weight. The tenacity that you have to have in body, mind, and spirit to keep pushing forward. The willpower that it takes to turn down FREE Chick-fi-la sandwiches and get a salad 🙄............. (Sorry. Had a flashback 😢)

Two, I know how hard it can be to maintain weight loss. Surely, I've had some weight loss success, but I also know how easy it is to get complacent and slip back into old habits, whether it's skipping workouts or eating erruhh...raggedy. (For a lack of better terms!)

Since my weight loss last year, I have gained back about 10 pounds of the 32 that I lost. I am on a mission to nip 'em in the bud before it gets too out of hand.

If you're reading this, you have been recruited! We are getting ourselves together these next few months (whatever together means to you!). Here's how we're gonna to do it -

1. Showing gratitude. It is a privilege to even be able to move our bodies. That's what God intended for us to do when He created them. Why do you think that there are so many adverse effects on our bodies and minds when we lack movement? God gifted us these temporary bodies. It's our job to steward them well by staying as active as we can.
   

2. Being kind to ourselves. It's easy to get discouraged if you're tearing yourself down before you get started. Stop it. Wherever you are in terms of your goal, you'll get their faster by cheering yourself on. Encourage yourself - David did it!
   

3. Planning/accountability. You've heard this cliche - "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." It's true though. When you prepare, you set yourself up for success. For me, I've learned that means make time to meal prep "weight loss friendly" meals at the beginning the week - which helps resist the temptation to go for unhealthy choices. I also have to look at my weekly calendar and literally write what days I'll work out. I've learned that when I write it down, I'm more likely to do it. (Habbakkuk 2:2)
   

4. Trusting God to lead us in whatever we do - which leads me to my last tidbit that I wanted to share with you...

This may sound counterintuitive, considering we're talking about working out, but: unclench your fists.

I'm asking you to do this because it was what I needed yesterday (and everyday, really!) and I'm sure this could be helpful to someone else. The fist that we clench sometimes represents the control of the outcome that we sooo desire.

The problem is that we don't have control over everything and this is where anxiety and worry thrive.

True peace can only happen for us when we surrender what we're holding to God (Philippians 4: 6-7) in trust in Him - remembering His character and love for us (Psalms 103; John 3:16) - and having faith in His plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).

By facing away from our troubles and toward His goodness, we can truly let go and find relief.

Now, clench your fists tight.......hold it for a few seconds.....now, let it go. Feel better, huh? Now, let's get moving!

(By the way: notice how I didn't give any specific diet or exercise instructions. With this list, there's nothing that you can't do - especially with number 4!)