Media Outreach

I spent the last 4 weeks in a weight loss contest for the local radio station in town. I was pitted against 4 other contestants, most of whom weighed more than me, to see who could lose the most weight in 1 month. A supplement company supplied us with their latest & greatest, and we went after it.

Long story short, I didn’t come in first place. Frankly, I didn’t come in the top 4 places. Do you get my drift? But I really learned a lot about myself through the process and some things I find parallel in my life & the church.

Before I go much further, let me say this- I did lose 17 pounds in the contest, and now, 7 total weeks later, I have lost 10% of my body weight, or 27 pounds. So I wouldn’t characterize the fact that I didn’t win as “not being successful.” I am quite pleased, but my journey doesn’t stop here.

We’re often faced with challenges. Whether it be in personal life, working life, a contest, etc. It would have been extremely easy for me to not participate in this contest. I flew home from a family vacation before everyone else; I agonized over every calorie for 4 weeks, even while on vacation. Taking the path of least resistance is so easy.

Take count on your drive home today. How many fast food restaurants do you drive past? For me, that number’s near 30. Or how must faster can you fire off a half hearted email to your co-worker that just wastes everyone’s time than actually explaining the problems at hand and what you need? Or how much easier is it to stay in your cubicle rather than taking a moment to let someone else know that their hard work makes your life better?

I found in the day to day grind of things, it’s not about a massive change in the way I do things. If you would have told me “you can’t eat fast food for 1 month” I don’t think I would have done it. But focus on today, and know “here’s what I can do today” and soon a day becomes a week, a week becomes a month, and a month becomes a habit.

Look for that discipline in your daily life. Read your bible today. Focus on your tasks for today. Encourage someone today. Work out today. Then, do it tomorrow. See where you end up!

Photo By: alancleaver_2000