Each year I give the seventh graders an assignment to make a sacrifice during Lent. They can give something up, which is the classic Lenten Sacrifice. Some of them choose to give up soda or sweets. They can also try to add some good habit to their routine. Many try that as well: a glass of milk per day, walking the dog every day, complimenting someone every day…
I always do something for Lent, too. This year I tried a most risky pledge: I would exercise 30 minutes per day. It was a dangerous pledge to make. In my most recent attempts to develop a habit of exercise, I haven’t been able to sustain it for longer than three days.
But I’m happy to record that I have been successful. I have used the elliptical machine for thirty minutes every single day during Lent. Yay! There was only one exception to the elliptical routine: my Winter Break gardening day. I figured I probably got at least thirty minutes of exercise that day.
I hope to continue beyond Lent. It was incredibly difficult to start each time, but once I finished, it seemed so easy.
Wow! I am so impressed! I always think, “It would just take a little bit of exercise to get healthy”, and looking back over time it fills me with regret that I haven’t done that – and you did it! Wow!
You bet it’s something!! Way to go!!
I was going to ask you somewhere along the way if you were still ellipticaling, but I didn’t want to bring it up…just in case.
So do you feel more fit?
I don’t feel super-healthy or anything. I have been slowly increasing the “level” number on the display. I’m up to 8. I don’t know what that means.
Have parts of you turned red and blue like the diagram shows? That will be troublesome come shorts season.
…so you were at least half serious about that bulletin board to inspire middle schoolers, weren’t you? You are now my role model, sir. Far too often of late I roll over when the morning alarm goes off and miss that window of gym opportunity. [As much as I love the pool, I love the snooze.] Thank you for being faithful in this noble effort – may others follow in your footsteps…literally.
(Yours truly has not let coffee touch her lips since Ash Wednesday. It’s been interesting. Easter breakfast will be especially yummy this year, I imagine, if I let myself indulge again…which I am not sure I will. Hmmmm…)