Live It Articles March Madness/ Eliminating the Choices

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision ...   Joel 3:14

Wasn't life easier when the only choices were Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry?

Then along came Baskin Robbins, Ben and Jerry's and suddenly, there were too many choices with too many different names.

As I walked into the bookstore, right in front was a table full of exercise books and fitness programs by this trainer and that celebrity, a table full of decisions as to which is the very best program. I get tons of email wanting to know...will the Bob Green plan work for me, or should I try Pilates, or Leslie Sansone? Should I walk, or will I lose weight faster if I run? Is walking on a treadmill as good as walking on a track? Which program is the best?   Decisions, decisions...what is the best choice? It is almost enough to drive you insane.

So which one is the best? This morning. I was walking with a lady who was telling me that Oprah attributes her ability to maintain her weight to Pilates. She asked me about Pilates and said she had a Pilates tape at her house, but had never used it because she didn't like working out alone at her house. I told her Pilates was very good, but the very best fitness program for any one is a fitness program they will actually do. This lady enjoys walking, so I told her the very best program for her is walking. Walking is something she will actually do without effort and enjoy it.

Several years ago, there was a lady in my group who tried to do every thing I was doing in my workout. She walked when I walked. She bought a bike. She even tried to roller blade. One day she just stopped all exercising and began to put her weight back on. After talking with her, she told me she hated the exercise she was doing and what she really liked was a Richard Simmons tape. I asked her why she was doing exercise she didn't like and she replied, "Well, you lost all your weight doing all of those things. I thought I would do the same, but I hate it." I told her the program that works for you is the one you will do. Don't look to Oprah, Bob Green, Leslie Sansone, or Bev Henson for the right program for you. Look in your heart and find one you will do and that, my friend, is the right exercise program for you.

If you are doing a workout you enjoy, you will do it for a lifetime. You won't be able to imagine life without it. One the other hand, if you are exercising only to lose weight, you will stop when you lose your weight.

Pray and ask the Lord to search your innermost being and show you the exercise program just right for you. If you seek the Lord, you won't be throwing your money away on countless numbers of programs you will never use

Decisions, decisions? Get the Lord in on your decision making process. He can save you time, money, and from the madness of having too many choices on the table. 

Press ON!

Beverly Henson
Certified Personal Trainer

Beverly Henson is a conference and rally speaker for the First Place ministry. She is also a Bible teacher and certified personal trainer. Beverly joined First Place in July 1997 and has lost 160 pounds. First Place has given Beverly a powerful testimony. She is the First Place Director and the Director of Wellness Ministries at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian, MS. She is also an area Networking Leader for First Place in Mississippi. Beverly has a genuine love of proclaiming the word of God to His people.