Pushing Yourself

By Cami Checketts –

One of the reasons I enjoy interval workouts so much is I know I am pushing my body to the limits and burning maximum calories during and after the workout*.

Do I really enjoy running until I am exhausted? Not during the moment, but I love that I can conquer my wimpy self will and push my physical body when it doesn’t want to go one more step. In 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul says that he beats his body and makes it his slave. We need to do that too!

In Hebrews 12:1l we are warned that discipline isn’t pleasant at the time (Nobody needed to tell us that; we already knew it!). But this verse also says that discipline will produce for us a harvest of righteousness and peace. All of us can use that kind of harvest!

We are rewarded when we choose challenging things that are important over things that may be easy or seem more desirable at the time. We’ve been given the power of choice by our Heavenly Father and we are held accountable for these choices. It’s not always easy, but it sure does feel good to know that we’re stronger than the forces that would drag us away from true happiness now and our eternal destiny in years to come.

When we are old and look back on our lives, we don’t want to regret our lack of discipline. Look at the warning found in Proverbs 5:11-12: “At the end of your live you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, ‘How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!’”

It’s not too late! If you want to succeed in being fit and healthy—and reap a harvest of righteousness and peace—push yourself harder than is comfortable (within reason, of course, no injuries please!). And if you want to succeed in life, push yourself past your comfort level and deny yourself things that will keep you from meeting your goals for this life or the next.

It may be hard, but the rewards will far exceed any temporary discomfort. Don’t give into weakness. With God’s help, you can succeed in pushing yourself to make challenging choices, not wimpy ones.

*Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

Cami Checketts is an exercise scientist, author, and mother of three and a half boys. (Her fourth son will be born soon!) Her latest novel, The Sister Pact, is in stores now. www.camichecketts.com © 2010