89 - Resistance

New comic, full of BOB cameos!
(In case you are wondering, BOBs are people from a forum I frequent. This comic is dual-hosted on Planet-BOB, the new website of ClanBOB.)

Last Monday I joined the gym again. I've been running at least 2 miles every day (except Sunday). I was really sore, but I'm getting better. There was a time when I could run 4-5 miles easily, but it took me a long time. Due to a tight schedule, this time I'm going to work on my speed rather than my endurance. I'll see how far I can go in 30 minutes. Right now, it's not very far... only about 2.5 miles. But I'm getting better!

I'm dragging my mother along to the gym with me. That's how the whole thing started, really. She was trying to talk me into losing weight, and said "I'm going to join the gym. Would you like to join too?" Oh ho ho ho; she didn't realize I was going to take her seriously! I'm enthusiastic about running, but she needs a little encouraging. It's good though, because we support each other. I can't skip because I want her heart to be healthy. She can't skip because she wants me to lose weight.

Some people who don't exercise have a hard time with it because they compare themselves to others. They look at the very fit people running full tilt on the treadmill next to them and feel inadequate. The thing they don't understand is that working out is hard for everyone, no matter the fitness level. That never goes away. It's not about how far or how fast you go, but how much of yourself you give.

I compare it to that bible story with the widow giving only the 2 coins. Everyone respected the rich man who gave mountains of gold, but Jesus admired the old woman who gave a tiny amount that was everything she had. If you give everything you have when you exercise (including having a good attitude about it!), you're doing enough for your health. If you're giving only the smallest fraction of what you're able to give, you're not going anywhere.

I guess that's true about everything in life. Not just spiritually, not just physically. I believe that. Giving your best effort to everything you do is the key to a blessed life.  ¶ 21:37