Living and Active Final Check-In

I can't believe it, but the 5 weeks of the living and active challenge from Peak313 are over! I have had such a good time reading all of the encouraging posts from Clare's website and participating in her 5 week challenge. I have been able to memorize a verse for each week and exercise at least 4 days a week for the entire 5 weeks! I am excited about keeping it up even though the official challenge is over. I will continue to log my memorization and exercise here on my blog every Monday. 

This week's verse was 1 Thessalonians 5:23: "May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body remain blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

My exercise this week was all walking, as normal. My back is in it's normal state of disarray, so walking is still all I can manage regularly. Oh, and stretching if you count that as exercise. I really love the way it helps my body feel better to do a good stretch, several times a day. Here is a link to the one I do, with a few extras of my own added in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iY5V0xiiKw.  I was also able to work at a consignment sale at our church for 3 hours, all on my feet. This may not sound like much, but for someone who has a hard time doing anything (sitting, standing, etc.) for more than 10-15 minutes, I was ecstatic! 

My report for eating? Well...not as good as past weeks. I don't know why, but for some reason I was going bonkers this week and wanting to eat more than I needed. I had a really hard time fighting cravings and snack attacks and wasn't as successful as I had hoped. It showed in my weigh in too - I didn't lose anything this week. I know the problem though - I have slacked on my time in the Word and focusing on Christ above all else. I have let old patterns and habits creep in instead of staying alert to defeat them. Here is a good statement from my Setting Captives Free study that sums it up: 

"To truly stop overeating habits, ongoing intimacy with God is required...don't focus as much on overcoming slavery to food as [you] do on abiding, or dwelling, in Jesus Christ."

 Couldn't have said it better myself! I am dedicated to staying this course and keeping God as my main goal in overcoming bad eating habits. 

As a side note in closing, my chiropractor has suggested making some diet changes to help alleviate some of the inflammation issues I am having. I haven't decided on my exact steps of action, but will be spending a lot of time in prayer seeking God's direction. I will post an update on these changes next Monday at my check-in!