I can’t believe I’m already writing this blog post! The 5 weeks flew by (at least for me!) and it just goes to show that your life will continue whether you workout or not!
Here is the Facebook live video re-iteraing the tips I have below and discussing “Protecting your peace” online in the midst of a lot of opinions and more. Yep- I went there. (Click here if you can’t see it!)
Here are some testimonies from those who finished the challenge. I absolutely love these and end up in some crying mess after reading them!
“The Lord began by placing Clare in my path again after several years. My schedule changed at work so I could attend her Pilates class again. On the first night of class I walked thru the doors and instantly was overwhelmed ( in a good way). I looked at Clare and said I don’t know why I am here yet, but I am here. I began the Living and Active Challenge because I was hearing the Lord and I was taking my life back. The very first week, on that Tuesday I had my brothers on my mind, I currently was not speaking to them because of a family disagreement. I got off work went home grabbed my Bible and the first week scripture. I began reading Psalm 27. I made it to verse 2…Let another praise you,and not your own mouth; someone else,and not your own lips…Ok Lord I hear you, I will quit asking people if they notice I am losing weight. I will let them tell me! Boy have they ever! I continued to read Psalm 27 and made it to verse 10.. Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away. I burst into tears! My sister and I took an issue to my brothers, who were emotionally far away, and as a result my sister and I lost our parents, brothers, & nieces and nephews. At the time it was devastating! However, Jamie and I stood in the Truth, we stayed in the word of God, we did not retaliate when lies were told about us. As a result I am here today taking day by day I am back in Church, I have a great mentor in Clare. I am slowly reconciling with my family. Thru this challenge there are many times the scripture Clare has us memorize has spoken to my heart! I am excited to continue this journey even though 5 weeks is up! Thank you Clare!”- Kristi
“My friend talked so much about this challenge and what it meant to her last year, after losing 150+ lbs on my own and redefining my faith and finally helping to lead my husband (13 year relationship) to Christ, this year has been both very difficult and totally Amazing! This challenge was just what I needed to help close this season of my life. Thank you!” – Hope
“The soul food was great as well as the physical part.. Even though we were already doing both it was very nice to be part of a group with like minded thoughts. My three boys ages 9,10, and 14 were also learning the same verses with my husband and I so thank you from the bottom of our heart.” – Belinda
“Gained myself 5 scriptures and dropped 7 pounds I wasn’t even trying to lose. I drank half my body weight in water for 5 weeks straight and hope I can continue. I ran my first 5k and I am signed up for my second one. I found that once I got past the first couple days I didn’t miss the sugar and when I did want it I was happy to just have milk and honey in my coffee or a clean chocolate muffin instead of a candy bar and Starbucks! Thank you for doing this and mostly for showing us how to make a healthy lifestyle work for us!”- Cassie
“This challenge has very noticeably affect my life. I had fallen behind on regular exercising and have also been working through (in the very beginning stages) trying to understand some emotional and energy shifts I’ve been experiencing. Although I still am going through this, I feel like the regular exercise has made things lighter and more manageable. And I feel so empowered by exercising AND memorizing these critical verses. I do feel a nice sense of accomplishment for memorizing 11 verses, something I’ve never done before.”- Lisa
♥♥♥
Some of you might be relieved and happy that this 5 week challenge is over.
Others of you may be sad and a little lost.
You’ve had this challenge to keep you focused. You’ve had someone giving you a spot to check-in and ask questions weekly. You’ve had a chance to win a rockin’ grand prize.
Now you are going back to life BEFORE the challenge. Life which was hard. Life that was…well…life.
We can’t live our lives in constant challenges. It is good for us to change things up a bit. Sometimes that means amping it up and sometimes that means taking a step back. I’m not sure where you are right now, but for those of you interested in staying in the game, here are my recommendations.
♥♥♥
Assess
Did this challenge work for you? How didn’t it? Do you need to dial back on the days of the week you exercised or perhaps, add more? Is it time to try something new? What did God teach you through these past 5 weeks as we moved through our 5 key points? Is it time for you to come alongside someone else along their health journey?
Applaud
Listen….This may be the longest amount of time some of you have exercised. Others of you have never memorized scripture before so the fact that you did 3 is awesome. Each of us have our own things that we can be happy about and you know what? Celebrate those accomplishments! If you haven’t done this yet, take a chance to applaud what you’ve done! If you did it with a group of ladies, go out to dinner together. If you did it with yourself, purchase a cute workout top. It is ok to be happy with the accomplishments over the past 5 weeks. But remember this—thank your Heavenly Father. He is the source of everything good in our lives! He alone gives us the strength and perseverance to keep these wondrous bodies going! Never forget that in the midst of your hard work!
Act
Here are some suggestions I have for you to act…again! This should not be the end of your journey, but just the beginning!
1.) Start a new challenge!
Make up your own rules. Choose your own verses. Give yourself a new goal and deadline. Add some new friends. Come up with a fun name and if you do this, be sure to share it with us!
2.) Find a new Bible Study or book to keep you focused on the spiritual aspect of the challenge.
3.) Give yourself a “theme” to focus on for the next 5 weeks.
Then find books, podcasts and more to help you out! (i.e. self-control, marriage, the life of David etc)
4.) Start a “healthy living” focused book club.
Meet once a week, or twice a month. Talk about your physical challenges and review the book.My suggestions? Try “Reshaping it all” by Candace Cameron Bure, “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkherst, or “Every Body Matters” by Gary Thomas.
5.) Start (or keep) a facebook group to keep the accountability…or…
6.) Join an already made online group
7.) Take a break!
That’s right. If you’ve been going strong for all 5 weeks, then it’s ok to take a break for up to a week. Get refreshed and refocused and start again!
♥♥♥
And now what you’ve been waiting for! The 3 grand prize winners! Remember to stop by the websites of our amazing donor. I have a feeling you’ll get some great Christmas gift ideas….either for yourself or a friend/family member! Congrats to our winners! I will be sure to email you.
Joy M.
Clara A.
Patrice B.
The final thing is a favor! For those of you who ordered the Living + Active Training Guide, would you mind leaving an Amazon review?
Thank you for joining me over these 5 weeks! My prayer is that you’ll stick around and be encouraged by the awesome community here! You all an answer to prayer and a blessing to me and for that, I am forever grateful!