Do Hard Things

I've said many times before that I hate exercising. There are 50 other things that always need to get done or I would rather be doing. I started off the year pretty good with the elliptical, but then I fell off the bandwagon for a while...typical for me.

About a month ago my dear friend posted her struggles with weight and how she needed to make some changes. I thought this would be the perfect chance to help each other.  As a result we committed to report our exercising each night via text. It would be so much more fun just to do it together, but a few states separate us. What we both need is to be held accountable. We have been faithful at exercising 5 days a week. I am proud of my friend. She is working on overcoming big obstacles, and she is doing it! Weight loss is happening for her and I couldn't be happier.

I'm not in it for weight loss, I'm in it to be healthy and stronger and conquer a huge weakness. When we started, it's sad to say that I couldn't run a half mile. I'm not sure if it was a physical limitation or mental...just didn't care to do it so I couldn't/didn't. Last night I ran 1.5 miles without stopping. One very small step for most people, but a huge feat for me!

There is a book our Stake has all the Youth Leaders read. It’s called “Do Hard Things”. It is written by teens, for teens. The idea is that teens need to rebel against the low expectations that society has set for them physically, spiritually, and mentally.  When given higher expectations they rise above the norm and become extraordinary people. “Doing hard things is how we build character and competence. It won't drop to meet the low expectations, it won't just do what is easy, and it won't become complacent. It applies no matter who you are or what level you're on, because there's always something harder to do, something that will take you outside your comfort zone and cause you to grow.”

I'm trying to do more hard things. I'm working on learning to like to sweat. I don't like it yet, but I do like the feeling I had last night after I ran. I felt like I did something big, even if it was only a mile and a half. I will keep working. I have a goal to run a 5k this summer with Isaac. He will leave me in the dust, but that's okay as long as I keep running.  Hard is good. It stretches us and makes us better.