New Year New Resolutions

#NOTANORMALRESOLUTION

It’s that time of year again… the time when everyone decides that they are going to change something about themselves. Maybe they decide to eat healthier, workout, stop smoking or drinking, read their bible more, etc. The possibilities are endless.

I usually don’t participate in New Year’s Resolutions… not to say that I never have, but I’ve been one to think of these resolutions as “cliché”. It’s just something that everyone does at the new year, but for most people it doesn’t last past January… or especially past March.

But I have a proposal:

This next year, as it is fast approaching, why don’t we embark on a journey together?… a journey of resolutions. It can be difficult to do something alone or even have the courage to start. My reason for not doing resolutions is mainly because I don’t want to fail and I’m sure there are some of you who are the same way.

So for 21 days (Jan. 1, 2017-Jan. 21, 2017) a challenge of healthy living (mind, body, & spirit) will begin. It is important that we are healthy in every area of our life, not only the physical body. This is a challenge not for results, but for creating habits of healthy living. This is about finding support and giving support to others… it’s about community. They say it takes 21 days to create a habit, so here we go.

I want to invite you to join me and Stevie (follow her on Instagram @stevie_je and subscribe to her YouTube channel) as we partner together to build support through healthy living.

I personally will be taking on a fitness challenge. For 21 days I will be exercising 6 days a week (my rest days are on Sundays) and eating healthy. My husband, who is a personal trainer, will be providing me with the exercises and acting as my trainer during this time. (INSTAGRAM: @ptpreacher) So if you read my blog or follow my Instagram, you will basically get a free personal trainer for 21 days! I will try to give modified exercise that you can do at home, for those of you who cannot get to the gym, either on my blog or on an Instagram post.

One other thing I’m going to take on personally is journaling daily. This is something I enjoy, but don’t do enough… I haven’t done it in an embarrassingly long time. My journaling will consist of whatever I feel like writing about obviously, but I will really be focusing on writing about what God is trying to tell me that day. I feel like this will help me in my relationship with God and even myself.

I will post daily updates on Instagram that consist of how I’m doing with the challenge, what exercises I have done that day, occasionally give meal updates, and discuss my journaling. Basically the Instagram posts will just be to stay involved and keep up with you all as we embark on this journey together.

 On my blog, I will post more detailed updates/encouragement on Wednesday’s. The blog posts may vary on content, considering every day is a new day. So, stick with me and stay updated!!

---

I would also like to encourage you to think outside of the box. Your resolution does not have to be like everyone else’s… it can literally be whatever you need it to be. If there is something that will make your life better, then choose to do that.

All you have to do is:

• Think of something you want to build a habit for in the category of mind, body or spirit (examples: learn a new word every day, exercise regularly, read the bible/ have a devo every day)
• Post a picture on Instagram every day from Jan. 1, 2017 – Jan.21, 2017 using the hashtag #notanormalresolution (people will then be able to search the hashtag, find who is involved, and show support this way)
• Invite your friends to join
• Provide support for others through comments
• Hopefully, create a habit by the time the 21 days is up and continue it for the rest of the year… the rest of your life.

The reason for the hashtag #notanormalresolution is because the idea is that this isn’t a resolution that dies in a few months, but it is a continuation for creating healthy habits and a better you. We’re putting the cliché aside and coming together as a community to support each other’s resolutions.

If you would like to join this community, then be sure to follow us (@stevie_je & @kelsea.mo) on Instagram for updates and daily encouragement.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)