Another long run Saturday is here. It's almost like I count the ones I miss. This morning as I scrolled my FB newsfeed I saw that my Marine Corps Marathon peers are running 20 miles today. Twenty miles, so amazing! So, I got out of bed, put on my running tights and Sauconys and headed out on the trail by myself. I didn't have 20 miles planned but I did have a goal of getting up and being active this morning. Despite the fact I was walking, I had peace. Somewhere along this journey and my setbacks I've found peace with the new me. I realized that somehow I've been able to leave behind the old me, so I can embrace the new me. Was there anything wrong with the old me? No, I don't think so.. maybe I had too much pride and took too many selfies haha, but having a long term set back like this has shown me that I have some things to learn and more opportunities to grow. That's not such a bad thing, right?

I think a lot of the setbacks we face on our health and fitness journey have to do with the fact that we are set in our ways. We are comfortable with where we are. We are comfortable with our hectic schedules, our quick and easy meals, and the familiarity of the life we live. Whether it's good or bad, it's us and there is comfort in that. You've heard the saying.. You can't teach and old dog new tricks right? Well, even though we've heard it tons of times and often times believe it, I don't believe it's true. Afterall, the bible says something much different. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." The bible tells us that change is possible, that when we accept Christ we can leave the old us behind and grow into a better version of ourselves. All things are possible with Christ and we're reminded of that here. We have to make the decision to step out in faith and grow; to gain knowledge and do the work. If we do, we will be blessed. Proverbs 18:15 says, " An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." God wants to direct us as we leave the old us behind and to embrace the new healthier us, but we have to do the work and step out boldly on this journey.

Leaving looks differently for all of us. Sometimes leaving may be embracing a new workout regimen or tossing out the junk food in the house. For others, it may be recognizing that no matter where we are, there is till room for growth. For me, leaving is accepting the fact that I"m not invincible and God's plan for me is different than the one I had planned. I'm learning that that is okay. It's okay to leave the old us behind in an attempt to become a better, healthier version of ourselves. Do we have to change WHO we are? Absolutely not. God simply wants us to be the BEST version of ourselves. So, if you've tossed out the idea of ever "figuring it out" I encourage you to reconsider. Decide to begin the process of improving and asking God to direct you as you become a healthier version of you. You never know what you will achieve when you step out in faith and leave the old you behind. I love what Joel Osteen says on this topic: